1. Correct before decorating
Start with problems: level, intrusive frequencies, overly uneven dynamics. Space and modulation effects come later. This hierarchy makes the chain easier to understand and remove.
2. EQ, filter, and dynamics
EQ shapes frequency areas, filters move or constrain a broader band, and compression reduces dynamic range. They solve different problems: do not ask a compressor to fix a spectral conflict.
3. Delay, reverb, and modulation
Delay creates repeats, reverb creates space or tail, while chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, and vibrato create movement. Tune them in context: a setting that sounds impressive in solo can blur the mix.
4. Distortion, saturation, and bitcrusher
These processors add harmonic content or intentionally degrade the signal. Use them for color, presence, or texture transformation—not automatically to make every track “bigger”.
TIPS
Keep these in mind
- Bypass the full chain regularly.
- Match output level for fair comparison.
- Start with one effect and add the next only when its role is clear.
AVOID
- Adding reverb and delay to every track.
- Compressing simply because it is expected.
- Judging an effect only in solo.