Compressor or EQ First? The Right Order for Your Logic Pro Template

When you're building your default Logic Pro template, one question always comes up:

Should the compressor come before or after the EQ?

Let’s settle it.

🎛️ The Default Answer: EQ Before Compression

Most producers put the EQ before the compressor in the signal chain. It’s not just tradition—it’s best practice for a reason.

Logic Pro, on the other hand, doesn’t enforce a specific order. Its channel strip displays the compressor’s gain reduction meter before the EQ curve, which can be misleading. Click the compressor meter first, and it loads a compressor in the first slot, before EQ.

In other words, Logic Pro shows you the “wrong” way by default.

So while Logic Pro lets you choose your plugin order, its default layout can lead you to unintentionally load things backward.

That’s why it’s worth being intentional about your signal flow, starting with one of the most important principles:

✅ 1. You Feed the Compressor a Cleaner Signal

Compressors respond to volume. If there’s low-end rumble, harsh mids, or sharp sibilance in your track, the compressor will react — even if you didn’t want it to.

By placing an EQ first, you remove those trouble spots before compression. That way, the compressor works on the frequencies you actually want to control, not the junk.

✅ 2. You Get More Predictable Results

Using EQ before compression shapes the tone and dynamics in a more deliberate, controlled way. That’s ideal for a default template because it gives you consistency across sessions.

You don’t want surprises every time you add a plugin.

✅ 3. It’s a Better Starting Point

Is EQ-before-compression always right? No. But it works in most common use cases: vocals, drums, guitars, bass, synths.

It’s easier to start clean and make creative decisions later, rather than constantly fixing messy signal chains.

🤔 But What If You Want Compression First?

There are some legit reasons to flip the order:

• You like the character the compressor adds, and want to shape it with EQ afterward.
• You’re using EQ to brighten or emphasize certain dynamics post-compression.
• You’re in a creative or parallel processing situation.
• You're taming vocals with serial compression.

That’s why the golden rule is:

Start with EQ before compression, then break the rule on purpose.

🛠️ Recommended Default Channel Strip Setup

Here’s a solid, flexible signal chain to bake into your Logic Pro template:

Gain > EQ > Compressor > Saturation (optional) > Limiter (optional)

This keeps your dynamics clean, your tone under control, and your mixes more predictable — especially if you’re jumping between projects.

TL;DR

If you're building a default Logic Pro template:

Put the EQ before the compressor.

It gives you better control, cleaner compression, and a more pro workflow.

Want to break the rule later for creative effect? Go for it. But now you’re doing it with intention, not guesswork.