because I'm not a pay or for-hire recording pro. I'm making decisions based on only esthetic and personal concerns.
For my money, I prefer to EQ moderately on the input side, for the reasons I described above, and hopefully the end result requires little or no EQ on the playback side. I don't mind to "print & commit", and that's okay with my style. I've never ruined a project by over EQ'ing on the input side, but have probably made some bad mixes by over-EQing on the mix side, YMMV.
Whether it's boost or cut, I use EQ moderately, and by rule of thumb try never to boost or cut past the +/-2:30 [knob] position. I also make a considered effort at mic placement, so input side EQ that's required is minimal.
Currently, I'll try never over-peak something with EQ, because if I find the EQ levels are riding too high, [past about the +/-2:30 postion], I'll scrutinize and reconsider EQ [& mic position] very carefully, and try to find my best sound instead with a little db CUT, & try to back it off a hair, [or change mic placement].
Currently, I'm a bit more of a purist, and I don't put a lot of processing on my signals, either on the record side or the mixdown side, but I'm always tryng to get the best, fullest, truest, live sounding tracks as possible, directly to tape.
Anyway, enough about me, & I should never say never. I'm sure if I was a pay-for-hire pro recording guy, I'd have different considerations as to what was printed to tape, and what was kept for the mix. I'd probaby then be inclined to put more on the mix side. That's if I were a pro.
However, whatever little freelance recording I've done, I still EQ on the input side, and most things are done to my own discretion, and the players just concentrate on the performance. Note, I'm referring to simple little no-pay recording gigs I've done for my friends.
I'll agree wholeheartedly, that a badly EQ'd or overpeaked EQ'd track can sound painfully bad. I've been there & done that, and through that process learned that EQ is best in moderation. Since that stunning realization, [ha], I'm EQ'ing moderately on the input side, and my no-EQ results on the playback side are very satisfactory. I'm not necessarily trying to make a commercial sounding album, but just trying to capture a true and live sound to tape.
I'm an EQ-to-tape-print-&-commit type of recordist. That works fine for me. YMMV. Everyone should do what sounds best and works best for themselves, or I suppose what the paying client is directing you to do, in certain cases. I have no personal experience in that. Interesting discussion. In a way, every recording is a challenge & learning experience. Cheers.
