Where to begin when working on drums?

I want to know what is the best order for the following:

Layering, leveling, filtering, EQ'ing, compressing...

I understand how all of the above work, but I'm still working on compression.

i think it should go like this...

layering
filtering (if you even need that for your drums)
leveling
compressing
eq'ing


of course in a dr dre interview I read that he eq's the drums before he samples them into the mpc...but I guess thats up to you...

Smoove03 wrote:i think it should go like this...

layering
filtering (if you even need that for your drums)
leveling
compressing
eq'ing

Co-sign

Thanks...

you have to EQ before you compress since the EQ will change the dynamics of the signal. You don't even need to think about compression until your whole track's finished, the beat will already be banging by then. Whereas you should be shaping your individual hits with creative EQ on the way into your sampler, eg rolling off the 100hz from the release of a kick on a hi-hat you sampled, then resampling.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_ar ... ssors.html

Paul R wrote:you have to EQ before you compress since the EQ will change the dynamics of the signal.

no and no

EQ is a spectral process, while compression is a dynamic one

EQing will NEVER change the dynamics of ANYTHING

I would suggest EQing post-compression

my bad,

EQ'ing first will change the way the compressor works as it will then effect the boosted/cutted frequencies more/less, so yeah you should compress first as an EQ won't do anything to a compressed sound other than alter the tone

cheers

Co-sign, however, if you can you should try and avoid "corrective" EQ and just find better source sounds unless you sampling from proper crusty vinyl or something. Also when EQing its better to cut than boost but you probably knew that **** anyway.

Hope this helps...