ProChannel's LPF module is excellent for this application, as you can set the slope to 48dB and shave off the highest harmonics without affecting the rest of the signal. Saturation before EQ: This routing makes it much easier to shape the saturation tone. With EQ before saturation, even if you pull back the high frequencies, saturation will still generate harmonics from whatever high frequencies are there, unless there are almost no high frequencies at all. Saturation after EQ: Saturation, or any kind of distortion, generates lots of high-frequency harmonics. If you set EQ for a strong mid-range peak and place it before compression, the compressor will compress the 'meat' of the drums, but the kick and cymbals will retain their dynamics. Placing compression before EQ compresses the entire drum sound, including the kick and high-frequency sounds such as cymbals. The difference the effects order makes to drums is perhaps even more dramatic. As a result, they'll sustain more but not necessarily exhibit much of a level boost compared to having EQ set similarly, but after dynamics. For example, with lead guitar and compression, if you boost EQ in the 900Hz-1kHz range, the lead notes will go into compression at a lower level than notes played on lower strings. Note that this is a good order for instruments that can create massive peaks (like slap bass, or synthesizer with a highly resonant filter), as the dynamics can tame these peaks without altering the overall timbre too dramatically.Īnother reason to place EQ before dynamics is to make the dynamics more 'frequency-sensitive'. The boost will still sound quite prominent, but the dynamics control will minimise excessive level issues. For example, if there's a big bass peak, the dynamics will reduce this somewhat. However, if you're using dynamics to control peaks, a boost from the EQ will create post-dynamics peaks that necessitate re-adjusting levels.ĮQ before dynamics: With this routing, dynamics processing 'undoes' some of the effect of EQ. There's no universal answer, as dynamics can serve different purposes.ĮQ after dynamics: This option alters the compressed or limited sound's timbre, and is the 'standard' effects order. However, as dynamics can now go before or after EQ, it's worth investigating the ramifications of different effects orders. For example, prior to X1 Expanded, dynamics defaulted to preceding EQ, like most consoles. With this new flexibility, it's important to understand the differences between various signal-chain options. However, Softube plug-ins require an iLok dongle, even if you want to run them solely within ProChannel. Interestingly, the Softube Mix Bundle includes both standard VST and ProChannel versions. As to third-party support, the Softube Saturation knob included with X1 Expanded was a harbinger of the future, as the Softube Mix Bundle (FET Compressor, Focusing Equalizer, Passive Equalizer and TSAR-1R reverb) is now available in the ProChannel format additional third-party support is forthcoming. Perhaps more importantly, you can save a channel strip as a single preset, as well as mix and match modules to create an all-Cakewalk channel strip, an emulation of a classic SSL console, a combination of the two, or something more à la carte - and have different strips in different channels! Inserting the PC4K S-Type Channel compressor and the PC4K Expander/Gate, and setting the EQ to Vintage mode emulates an SSL 4000-series console's channel strip.Īlthough you can now insert, remove and replace modules, the ProChannel EQ is an exception, as it's always present (although you can collapse it or choose a more compact version if it gets in the way visually). Why have both a VST FX bin and a ProChannel? Well, the main ProChannel advantage is workflow its effects are consolidated into a single channel strip, like the hardware mixer model, rather than spread over multiple open windows. Not only were Effects Chains 2.0 introduced before I even had a chance to cover Effects Chains 1.0, but with Sonar X1 Expanded, ProChannel has gone from being a hard-wired channel strip to, essentially, being a plug-in host, with third-party support. Previously a hard-wired channel strip, ProChannel is now an 'open' plug-in host offering unprecedented effects order flexibility - which can make a huge difference to your sound.