VOCAL CHAIN ORDER MATTERS! (How To Order Your Plugins When Mixing Vocals)

[@masteringcom]

What's YOUR vocal mixing chain typically look like?

[@MAXEFFORT]

OTT, OTT, OTT, EQ, and then a little bit of OTT

[@HagoAi]

Close to yours but I deess before compression so my compressors don’t react on sibilants.

[@masteringcom]

@@MAXEFFORT 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@TylerAlan24]

Usually sometimes I'll DeEss before anything, then usually subtractive Eq, multiband compression, compression, another Eq for boosting, DeEsser (if I didn't add it at the beginning, and sometimes even if I did already), Fresh Air from Slate Digital, and a limiter

[@AVENUENIGHTS]

I use Vocal Rider by Waves. For my current vocal mixing chain, I add the Vocal Rider right after my Subtractive EQ. Where would you suggest I add Vocal RIder if I were to use this basic vocal chain? Thanks as always for the mixing tips!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

I think I would have gone in there with your volume automation and knocked down some of those brutal plosives in this track. I will often do the same thing to de-ess, as doing it by hand usually winds up with a better, more accurate result than using a plugin.

[@BrianMagnan]

This is exactly what I do. Especially if the vocals are heavily compressed.

[@ScottThePisces]

Yes, using volume automation and clip gain to clean up and prepare your vocals before mixing is key. One thing I also do with vocals that have issues such as proximity effect is automating the gain of a low shelf on an EQ to make sure the vocal is consistent in tone before mixing.

[@masteringcom]

Same here -- I always try to get what i want with some deEssing first, and resort to manual if it doesn't float my boat

[@jivexero]

you mean the ones that practically gave you a shower? I've never heard the letter "P" so strongly. 🌬

[@G-Doggy]

@@jivexero Since the "P" sound was so pronounced, I assumed it must be a rhythmic artistic choice. If it wasn't, I couldn't agree with you more.

[@BrooklynRagtag]

I agree with everything here! Except…I would put volume automation as a basic and essential part of any vocal mix rather than as an advanced technique. Music is dynamic. Getting a vocal at a consistent level with compression alone doesn’t account for the fact that everything else is going to rise and fall in volume, so using your ears to make your vocal sit at the right level needs to be an early step (a nice trick here is that you could automate the output gain of that second compressor instead of the volume so that you maintain that even sound).

[@sharikmarius]

Oh man, those spitting Ps in the soloed vocals. Absent that, the song sounds pretty cool!

[@via_negativa6183]

That vocal line you have for demonstration here has got me dead XD

[@AllthedogsImet]

😂😂😂😂😂 The last thing I expected to hear was the direct opposite of how Billie Eilish sounded like when she sang the song!

[@dumdubbs2427]

I have crazy mad sibilance, so it has helped me to do the de-essing during the subtractive eq stage. Interesting it was placed after additive here.

[@vistington3145]

was thinking the same thing, i use 2 de-essers after subtractive. .-.

[@masteringcom]

nothing wrong with that, whatever gets the job done for ya!

[@johnottoyoung]

As a novice that just does demo recordings, this is VERY useful. Thanks!

[@tonyfarina1310]

Thank you for the great advice.I have made the mistake of using reverb first on vocals and trying to reduce the lack of clarity later in the chain with various plugins like exciters and spatial stereo enhancers.I will use your advice on my next mix,It makes a lot of sense the way you presented it.

[@groovyjay8249]

Are we going to ignore how clean and amazing that recorded vocal is🔥

[@steveweilhart2359]

great tip use the gain plug in for automation instead of the fader - I like that

[@masteringcom]

Happy to help, Steve :)

[@hoagied3783]

Man I absolutely LOVE the gain plug-in automation tip. So helpful to free up the fader

[@julienepouhe9639]

That's perfect. I have been working this way for a long time and in an intuitive way! Thank you !

[@terrellestephens8922]

I thin this might be the best/most helpful video you guys have done. It helps people build a process and not a to do list.

[@masteringcom]

That's an awesome thing to say Terrelle, thanks for the kind words. Just trying to get people thinking about the WHY a bit more.

[@LeftAloneTrusk]

💯

[@mygirlfriendismean]

Loved this. That gain plug-in recommendation was great. Thanks!

[@masteringcom]

Haha! Good! Happy to help Derek :)

[@KyleViewing]

Thanks man, I always tend to mix my vocals how I feel I want to achieve a certain sound however this is a great guide for starting your chain for those who have no idea. As mixing is subjective but I'll sub to this channel for the great guidance and open honesty.

[@masteringcom]

Right on Kyle, hope it helps :)

[@djdunningbeats2177]

All these tips were very helpful I usually use these tips with logic’s stick plug-ins to mix vocal chops in my instrumentals‼️‼️

[@LeftAloneTrusk]

Thanks for the info. Great starting point.

[@CharlesGreggo]

Saturation BEFORE subtractive EQ? Is that to reveal hidden unwanted artifacts in the unprocessed audio?

[@prettywiththelightsout]

Great tips and one of the best videos I've seen on the subject. Straight forward and logical!

[@masteringcom]

Happy to help! Thanks for the kind words :)

[@Awreadybro7]

I tuned out because of the song sample🤦🏽‍♂️.. thank you for the video regardless

[@malonerecordsllc]

This the best reference info video and the audio was great too

[@sergioandresvahos281]

Great video. Amazing vocals!!!

[@africanrevolution3551]

FIRE!!!!! Good TIPS!!! Hope you have a video coming up on using delays and reverb on voals

[@masteringcom]

Haha glad this helped, man! I'll put the "vocal space" video in the queue for ya :)

[@africanrevolution3551]

@@masteringcom thank you!!!

[@mrclemobi]

Thanks so much for this video, its informative.🤝🏻

[@TheBawss90]

Super helpful tips thanks!

[@Growlie_]

Those vocals are amazing!

[@jivexero]

Hahahaha I thought I was the only one that noticed the plosives. But they were kinda glaring.

[@masteringcom]

Hahaha you were def not the only one lol

[@jivexero]

@@masteringcom I mean, I can swear I felt my hair blowing back from it.....

[@LuizRammy]

Where would u put exciters in the vocal chain and when would u use them

[@planeguy95]

Is it good idea to do any necessary vocal tuning first, before doing the other processing?

[@MAXEFFORT]

I think I'm going to have to rewatch the video. All I could focus on was the fact that you were looking at me directly in the eyes the whole time and I didn't see you blink once hahaha

[@andrewhollanduk]

He doesn’t blink. You think I’m joking, find me an example of him blinking.

[@masteringcom]

Andrew's right. I don't blink.

[@ficheye00]

I really like your video.I needed that order, but It would be a lot better for me if you showed us how to use the EQs that are native to Logic though. You've downloaded all these as far as I can tell. Thanks anyway. It was still very helpful, but none of those plugins are familiar.

[@TsosmiLosGizmoXou]

saturation first?? i thought it should go last in order like just before the reverb

[@Elvis-dw7ux]

Excellent cheers from Toronto...

[@vewilli]

Very good tips, 👍🏻, I don‘t understand the thing with „Basic gain plugin for volume automation“. What plugin would that be? Thanx in advance for a possible answer!

[@masteringcom]

Basically you would just use any plugin that only acts as a volume knob. It might be called something different depending on what DAW your using (like "trim" or something...) but in Logic, it's just galled "gain".

[@vancenichols9490]

VERY EMPOWERING CONTENT!!! THANKS!!!!

[@metinmusic]

So if I'm using UAD's A800 Studer as saturation on a track, it should be in the first place? What if I'm using Autotune? Before or after that? 🤔 I always thought that I should put a tape emulator always at the end of a chain

[@silent_agony]

uuhh wtf is that song hes mixing hahaha

[@ehenyor]

Some cover of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy". 😂

[@voidinformant6417]

I see D16, I'm intrigued.

[@JohnVigil97]

Where would you put auto-tune in the chain?

[@Table-Top]

Thanks , good vid! So, Saturation first before the taming EQ-ing, or last in the chain to add character ? What about fx like Izotope Vocalsynth, or Vocoder, or (yuk) autotune fx?

[@mac_erson9532]

I prefer 2 x Tune effect in chain - first auto-tune at the begining (just a little) and second more harder (experiment with humanize etc.) by the end of chain. It also depends if you want to use effects detuning your vocal in chain.

[@masteringcom]

I like to place saturation first in the chain before subtractive EQ... but I might not think about it or add it until later on in the process, if that makes sense?

[@masteringcom]

I like to handle autotune/vocal synths/vocoding in the production/editing phase.

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Handy video, thanks mate! 👍

[@masteringcom]

My pleasure, Dave :)

[@matt6288joyce]

Sorry if this is an obvious thing but how do you put your wet effects last in the chain if they’re on a bus? Does the output from the vocal (after the eq and compression) get fed into the bus?

[@ashleydines144]

You can do either, if you right click on the send you can select pre or post fader. This will be before or after the pluggins or not

[@JustLeonOfficial]

Thanks!

[@chrispysaid]

Why does your vocalist capitalize his ending consonants

[@ivanlovrinic7701]

Does anyone know an example of a basic gain plugin???

[@olakunle5139]

That's a catchy title. On the go now. #watchlater

[@redlettervagrant1159]

A question I've been struggling with for a couple years now: Do you know why when I get my tracks to the loudness of one of my reference tracks, it will sound fine in my studio monitors and my headphones, and even my couple sets of crappy speakers I keep in my studio in order to get a feel for what it sounds like on cheaper speakers, but on a phone or via my phone's bluetooth in my vehicles, I always have to turn my phone down 2 notches because at full volume it will be distorted?

[@LUVVDEV]

my guess is it has something to do with your compression if it sounds fine on bigger speakers but smaller ones get distorded they cant handle all of the frequencies your bigger ones can so u shud be able to use a compressor to compress all the frequencies that are bad for smaller speakers without losing and of your wanted sound (i think) im still really learning all of this

[@mizaron1]

I'm working on recording vocals. I was wondering if recording the vocals on 2 separate tracks at the same time is as good as recording them separately?

[@masteringcom]

If you're talking about recording a double, then you should record a separate take on a different track. Check this out for more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOqpXWae510Z80

[@mouncifbenziane7383]

I hit the back button as soon as you said EQ first, think twice!

[@damirvukelic8087]

Dude the 1st eq in chain is reductive. This is a pretty common technique

[@제에발제에발-i3r]

Can u explain why the saturation should go first in the chain? I thought it should come after the compression, or at least after clean the vocal

[@mac_erson9532]

Auto-Tune, Saturation, EQ, COmpression, Deesser, Next Saturation, EQ, COmpresion, Deesser, Auto-tune, finally verbs, delays, doublers (as FX), other creative effects (as FX). Effects Automation. Effects (as a group) should be sidechain by main vocal (compressor or/and spacetracker / soothe).

[@제에발제에발-i3r]

@@mac_erson9532 then where should you place vocoder in chains normally?

[@mac_erson9532]

@@제에발제에발-i3r in my opinion you should experiment between place in at the beginning (kind of saturation) or add it in parallel mode as FX (on FX chain you can then add saturation, EQ, compressors etc.

[@제에발제에발-i3r]

@@mac_erson9532 yea i actually tried it and it depends on the situations but was pretty good 👍 I could get more solid vocals Thanks!

[@masteringcom]

I like to put saturation first in the chain because it adds frequency content to the signal. If you get any buildup as a result, you can THEN use subtractive eq to handle it.

[@travisburch4342]

You said "rely on your reference tracks to help guide you (with additive EQ)." Is a reference track just the track w/o plug ins?

[@danpettimusic]

No I think he means a pro reference track (an artist or track that you like) that you are using to try and emulate and get a similar sound to.

[@masteringcom]

Check this out to learn more about references: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKi6e5WYZ5iUl9k

[@sisekeloshawn]

Loved this👻

[@masteringcom]

Great to hear!

[@PeteOnTheBeat]

Hello. Non related but I've been binge watching all of your EQ and Compressor videos. I'm struggling with a mix (and with mixing in general) and I've been learning a lot from your videos. But you always seem to focus on vocals (like sung) and kick,bass etc. I'm making my beat mostly using samples and the vocals I use are mostly ad libs and stuff. In what videos should I focus? Also, I can't figure out the compressor :(

[@greghillmusic]

Start here. Make sure any AUTO settings on your compressor are off. Leave ratio at 4 to 1. Play with threshold until it starts to do something. You should see a needle or gage move once you get the threshold closer to where it needs to be. Now you adjust that threshold until whatever you're compressing sounds consistent.

[@masteringcom]

Hey man, this would be a good place to start for compression: kzbin.info/door/MLRL8SFdYOV1bxjHkHP1tAsearch?query=compression

[@PeteOnTheBeat]

@@greghillmusic thank you very much!

[@PeteOnTheBeat]

@@masteringcom thank you!

[@joshuadost4057]

Bro I was not ready for a Bad Guy cover 😭💀

[@masteringcom]

Hahahaha

[@gibson2623]

Very nice ;)

[@JimiWaggs]

If I only listened to that soloed vocal without any harmonic content, I might have been tempted to think that was one of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s unused songs from Jesus Christ Superstar…😄

[@uNhlanhlakaSithole]

That must be some expensive ass mic. The raw is so good.

[@masteringcom]

It's actually an SM58 lol! Solid recording techniques in a treated room goes a long way :)

[@uNhlanhlakaSithole]

@@masteringcom damn. I just have a basic USB mic. And after watching your vid and applying your lessons... Bro! 😭 It's night and day. Thank u so much.

[@mikegmusic]

Great vid man, thank you but the lyrics lol 🤷🏼‍♂️ great compression break down.

[@masteringcom]

Thanks Mike! You can thank Billie Eilish for the lyrics lol

[@mikegmusic]

@@masteringcom 😆makes sense now, that’s that Billie vibe 🎶

[@ronallen2458]

Those Ps bro. Sheesh.

[@BILLY-px3hw]

those farting "P" plosives made me giggle 3:58

[@sharikmarius]

Almost sounds like those 'PPBBUHs" were added on a separate track after the lead vocals were recorded.

[@elvisjaggerabduljabbar5750]

The vocal have a pup noise

[@PedroDuarteMusic]

well those plosives are to much, you should've RX them out.

[@GladysGrace001]

Extremely helpful. Thank you a ton 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. Who ever the artist is, great control and vocal singing.

[@masteringcom]

Happy to help Gladys. That's me singing, thanks for the compliment 😅

[@Kkidzz]

That Vox and those lyrics......🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@masteringcom]

HAHAHA

[@isinduravin]

❤️

[@stm113]

Great information but honestly that vocal is horrendous

[@notofinterest]

i highly recommend to replace the singer or forbid him to sing the ‚p‘ cause it sounds like samus666 have made a new fart song. seriously: he pronounces the p massively bad. you need to do something against it.

[@masteringcom]

HAHAHA I'll let him know! Def not a final product here, just an example for learning :)

[@johanjof5613]

Bro, if you want to sound professional, please start by lowering down the Ps in your music example. It is unbelievable. Two of your comments also made me react: put the eq before the compressor ? Why. It depends on your purpose. Boost some frequencies ? Ok but when did you do the taming frequencies job properly first to remove the honkiness in the example you use for this video ? Also you talk about specific compressors without addressing in which style they are prefered the 76 is probably not the best option in different styles. Seems to me that in this video you are misleading ppl

[@masteringcom]

Def not trying to mislead anyone, and this is not a final product by any means, just a learning example. Sounds like you know your stuff, let me know if you shoot a video tutorial on the same topic, I'll definitely tune in!

[@greghillmusic]

"Put wet effects last in the chain". What? It's bussed... it's not really in the chain dude.

[@masteringcom]

Sorry for the confusion, Greg! You're right, if they're bussed it technically doesn't REALLY matter but if you decide to insert them directly on the track, make sure to put them last. Otherwise, you could cause problems for yourself!

[@marc942]

Those lyrics though 😂

[@masteringcom]

Lol I know Marcus, that's top 40 for ya 😂

[@mobthegamer5391]

tyPPPe

[@des2345671]

Awful Vocal to choose as a demo to show vocal enhancement not something you want to have on repeat

[@Jordan-ne3xw]

1:51 jesus christ that cover is horrible hahah

[@evieruth01]

Great vid and really helpful, terrible song tho sorry .

[@hilalrashidbah]

nice chain, too many vocal farts though...