Phase Align Before ProcessingAvoid EQ Matching, Reference InsteadAvoid True-Peak LimitingUse a Clipper Before LimitingUse 2 Compressors in SeriesAvoid Master Bus CompressionMake Lows Mono with EQ
Get a FREE Mastered Sample of Your Song ➜ LALA First is LALA by Analog Obsession, a clone of the LA2A optical compressor - it’s great for creating a smooth and full sounding vocal. To the left is an internal side chain, which can be switched to external, to the right is the output gain, peak reduction level, and wet/dry.
GateEQSootheDe-essCompressExciteGullfoss Get a FREE Mastered Sample of Your Song ➜ 1. Gate With this gate I’ll subtly attenuate the vocal whenever it falls below the threshold - with a softer knee, only a little lookahead, and a range of only about 3dB, I increase the dynamic range and reduce background noise.
Mid-Side EqualizationSplit EQ and PanningMid-Side Resonance ReductionBringing Up DetailsExciting High FrequenciesMid-Frequency Upward BusOmnipressor on OutputHard Clipping to TransientsLimiting Stage 1Limiting Stage 2
Starting with Mid-Side EQVery Subtle Resonance ReductionMaximization to Fill MixSplitEQ to Center LowsProgram-Dependent SaturationFresh Air to Brighten MixHigh-Frequency BusGullfoss EQ ShapingHard Clipping for Transients2 Limiting Stages
Subtractive EQ on MasterReducing Resonances on Side ImageMild Compression on Mid ImageAmplifying Transients and ToneSimultaneous Compression and Expansion3D Effect with SaturationSide Transient BusSubtle Gullfoss EQ2 Limiting StagesMild Hard Clipping
Free Channev De-esserWeiss De-esserFree Channev EqualizerEventide SplitEQFree Channev CompressorFabFilter Pro-C2Free Voxengo Tube AmpArturia Dist Tube CultureFree Stone Voices DReverbEventide SP2016 Reverb
The FabFilter-MB plugin is complex at first, but the tools it offers are incredibly useful and versatile. With ti we can perform 4 types of dynamics processing, as well as introduce equalization, mid-side stereo imaging, and advanced frequency-specific and image-specific external side-chain processing.
Free MEqualizerSplitEQ by EventideFree GSatPlus from TBProAudioFabFilter Saturn 2Free COMPER by Analog ObsessionPresswork by U-heFree Limiter No.6Sonnox Oxford LimiterFreeClip by Venn AudioNewFangled Audio’s Saturate
When mixing with impulse responses, you’ll need the impulse response file, and a convolution reverb or space designer plugin. The most popular way to mix with impulse responses is to reverberate a signal, but they can also be used for equalization, emulation, and occasionally delay.
Digital distortion types are typically the result of bit depth and sampling rate limitations - when these are reduced, it results in aliasing, clipping, waveshaping, and more types of familiar distortion. To avoid these, we can increase the sampling rate via oversampling and bit-depth by recording at least 16 bits.
Masterdesk Classic - BrainworxEQ302 Graphic Equalizer - Red Rock AudioBASSTard - Acustica AudioArctic - Acustica AudioDistortion - KiloheartsPREDD - Analog ObsessionOAQ - Analog ObsessionCorrelometer - VoxengoInitial Clipper - Initial AudioAir Shelf - Bertom Audio
The interfaces on this list are in order from lowest to highest cost, and we've stuck with ones that include 2XLR inputs - that said, if you want to scale up or down, each interface has models with more or fewer XLR connections, but with the same internal functionality and processing.
When creating a modern vocal, the vocal needs to sound detailed and upfront, yet balanced with a clear frequency response. You can accomplish a modern vocal with the correct compression settings, combined with upward processing like inflation and saturation - then add temporal processing like short reverb.
Kilohearts Essential BundleDTM Hacker BundlePitchDrift & More - Baby AudioBlendEQ - Analog ObsessionRareSE - Analog ObsessionDReverb - Stone VoicesDirty LA - Bedroom Producers BlogT-Puncher - TechivationEQ302 - Red Rock SoundBYOD - ChowDSP
