[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1321960560' post='1444763']
Reaper isnt free, its just very cheap ($60 IIRC), and it runs on Mac as well as PC32 & 64 bit native.
New strings are the way to go for almost all situations bar Motown and some reggae (although try a new set of flatwouinds and just use a really nice filter to take out the top, you will get a better sound 9 times out of 10 in the final mix, honest).
Post processing eq is fine, if you really know what you are doing.
A section on proper eq use (cut first, cut narrow, boost wide etc) would be really good, it mystifies most people how to use a real parametric eq. The fact is for surgical cutting of the pants part of a sound a big ole analogue eq isnt a patch on a good vst eq, but for adding that something sweet and broad a good analogue eq is just fantastic (Pultecs are still traded for mega money for a reason).
Finally - dont get me started on how much I dislike using kick drum mics on bass and the kick again (and why its generally a bad idea IME & IMO) - its boring for us all, and will no doubt get everyone all upset again. But it is valid nevertheless especially in a studio....
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Do you mean pre eq processing is fine?
I agree it can be fine but if you mess it up then there's no going back hence why it isn't usually recommended