Vocal Chain Settings Recommendations:
1. High-Pass --> 2. Subtractive EQ --> 3. Compression --> 4. De-Esser --> 5. Additive EQ --> 6. Reverb/Delay sends
Pre-chain:
a. Gain
- Typically -18 dB to -12 dB, and -3 dB to 0 dB peak
b. AutoTune Antares
- Either applied on-the-fly or recorded to new track
1. High-pass filter:
Cutoff: 80 Hz (singing), 100 Hz (speaking)
Slope: 18-24dB/oct
- Reduce low-end mic-handling noise and room/personal noise
2. Subtractive EQ:
a. Medium Cut: 2-4 dB at 200-400 Hz
b. Notch/Narrow Cut: 1-4dB at 500 Hz
c. Wide/Gentle Cut: 2-4 kHz
- a: Reduce mud
- b: reduce problem frequency(s) e.g. boxiness/freq. surges from close reflections
- c: reduce harshness/distractions
3. Compression:
Ratio: 3:1
Attack 10-20 ms
Release: 100ms
For speaking:
Ratio: 6:1
Attack: 1-5 ms
Release: 50 ms
4. De-Esser:
Freq: 5-8 KHz (depending on female or mail voice)
Reduction: 3-6 dB
Notes:
- Typically, we want to remove the sharpest/worst of the prolonged "S" sibilant peaks
- "F", "S", and "T" are increased by compression
5. Additive EQ:
a. Presence/life boost:
Freq: 3-5 kHz
Gain: 2-3 dB
b. Airiness:
Freq: 10 kHz ->
Gain: 2-3 dB
a. Assist vocal to breakthrough mix
b. Add airiness and breadth back/into the mix
6. Reverb & Delay
Notes:
- To taste
- Keep as sends to bus channel
- Add space and vibrance with short reverbs set to plate or small room with low feedback
- Add depth and width with a mono or stereo delay, and even multi-delay.
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