Chicken And Egg - Chicken And Egg, Best stage to choose effects? Options

[Bonzo3]

After messing around in Garageband, I've just put together the first song I'm pleased with and and in the process of mastering it. When laying down each track, I had set effects to give each instrument the right feel. Now I'm setting the master volume and have a choice of different effects and settings for the song as a whole. Some of these make the song sound great in places, but throw certain instruments out (particularly those I already set effects for).

I'm just wondering when is the most logical stage to employ effects – at the recording stage, or the mastering stage, or both? Something's telling me I was a bit too specific early on, and I should have waited till I had the broader picture. Any advice from more seasoned Garageband users?

Thanks...

[ArolaMorre]

Some people say that individual tracks, parts or effects should be sacrificed for the sake of the final mix. . .

I would suggest that now your song is finished, you should remove all of the effects from every track and then master your track as a total song from scratch by adding effects and EQ to each track seperately.

(You may not require as many effects and you will be able to approach the song as a whole with a lot more clarity).

Besides, if it doesn't work or doesn't sound as good, you can always revert back to your original!

Good luck.