Recommendations on FX Placement

The first FX in a chain are typically the ones used to correct tracks with problems (such as background noise) or to clean up a sound to prepare it for later effects. The Compression plugin is frequently the first effect in a chain and is then quickly followed by a Noise Gate to remove any artifacts caused by compression. These both modify the level and dynamics of a sound, so the other related FX would also be used at this stage. Graphic Dynamics and Multi-Band Dynamics. 

The next class of FX that might follow the dynamics FX are the equalization (EQ) filters. These include the XPressFX Equalization, Graphic EQ, Paragraphic EQ, Parametric EQ, and Itack 

as well as the Smooth/Enhance plug-in. Many mixes end up being too busy and sound muddy from having too many sounds and instruments. Cleaning up individual tracks with equalization early in the mix allows you to emphasize parts by removing unwanted frequencies 

Pitch Shift and, especially. Time Stretch are special plug-ins that are not usually found in a traditional studio effects chain. These definitely should be the first effect in a chain. 

After the signal is cleaned up with dynamics and equalization, many of the more special effects are added. Distortion on a guitar part would come immediately after these effects. This might be followed by the various pitch effects, such as Vibrato, the Gapper/Snipper effect, and the XPressFX Stutter plug-in. 

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