Topic: which comes first second third and forth?

[Taper Chris]

What is the best order of steps for amplifying, compressing and e.q.ing a mix on Audacity? I usually amplify each track separetly and then eq the stereo mix then compress the whole thing. Then how and when would the limiter be used? Thanks

[page]

EQ can come before or after compression, it depends on what you need.  If there are severe problems with EQ you will want to fix those before compression.  You can generally address setting levels within the compressor by using its makeup gain and threshold controls.  Or you can do all three in one step with a multiband compressor.

Limiting typically comes last if required.  It is quite useful for knocking down applause to the level of the music.

solid. Beat me to it as I was typing.

[capnhook]

Do yourself a favor and knock down audience applause first; using envelopes is easiest.  Get that crap out of the way, then focus on the music.

[Sloan Simpson]

Do yourself a favor and knock down audience applause first; using envelopes is easiest.  Get that crap out of the way, then focus on the music.

I find limiting sounds more natural for that than envelopes.

[Gutbucket]

I find the most transparent way of managing dynamics for me is often to split up the job across various smaller corrections which all work together to achieve the desired result with fewer unwanted artifacts, rather than trying to do it with a single tool.

Some enveloping for baseline level adjustments, limiting to manage peak excursions, maybe some mild compression for the range between baseline and peaks, parallel comp to bring up the low level detail, a dash of salt, splash of basalmic, handfull of crutons, etc.

[Gutbucket]

Still riding the glutetrain fader for the crunch, BT.
It's not spitty.