As usual another good Gearslutz topic.
"To EQ or not to EQ, that is the question"
Hamlet
Now I do not think anyone will argue that EQ can be a great tool in shaping a sound. And as was implied it can also save your bacon when you are stuck with a problem track.
But I am of the belief that EQ can also be a crutch and it certainly is not a silver bullet. Garbage In will almost always equal garbage Out, unless you throw enough plug-ins at it. Now days that called a hit record.
The point is this... when I have to crank in 10, 12+... db of EQ in my opinion I have failed, assuming I did the tracking. Does this mean I am not quick to reach over and give the EQ a big twist, of course not but it always makes me question my mic selection or placement. It always makes me think back about what I could have done differently during tracking to give me the sound I needed in the mix. Reaching for the EQ is easy but learning the sublties of a mic locker is part of what I love about recording.
In my opinion many young engineers have been brought up in a world of "fix it in the mix". Their entire view is based on plug-ins and post production not preproduction. Now I certainly do not put EQ in the same category as post production but getting the right sound BEFORE I hit the big red button is becoming a lost art.
The other argument for using moderate levels of EQ are technical issues. EQ can introduce all kinds of phase shift issues regardless if you are using analog or digital EQs. The cheaper the gear the worse the problem. Also there is no free lunch and EQ can increase noise problems as well.
You are ALWAYS better off if you are able to shape your sound as close to the source as possible. Mic selection, instrument choice, new strings etc. are always my first choice. And if not, then I always have those pretty EQ knobs.
Lee