Waves Vocal Plugin Chain That Always Works...

💥 Download my favorite FREE Mixing & Mastering Plugins Guide: bit.ly/plugin-book
Learn exactly how I set up my vocal plugin chain to transform pretty much ANY vocal into a modern, airy vocal sound that sounds like your favorite songs.
This strategy works by sculpting the vocal tone so no matter what style of vocalist you have or how it was recorded - Yeah, this works for vocals that were recorded either on a large diaphragm condenser microphone like a Rode NT1a or dynamic mic like a Shure SM-57.
These are all common Waves plugins that you can buy individually or get them all together in the Horizon Bundle (which goes on sale often!).
💥PLUGINS💥
🔗Waves - C6 Multiband Compressor: bit.ly/2UROM4y
🔗Waves - CLA-76 Compressor: bit.ly/2uEzk1a
🔗Waves - CLA-2A Compressor: bit.ly/3bERyAt
🔗Waves - DeEsser: bit.ly/2wjRd64
🔗Waves - L1: bit.ly/2SBr4qN
🎸SUPPORT THE BAND🎸
Artist: Street Urchinz
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/20uCM...
Facebook: / streeturchinz
💥LET'S WORK TOGETHER💥
Get a customized mixing and mastering package for your music!
🔊 bit.ly/2y1T78h
💥CONNECT💥
🎧 Learn To Mix + Practice Files: audiomixclub.com
👋 Free Private Community: bit.ly/hsftgroup
⭐ Blog: www.raytownproductions.com/blog
📧 E-mail: [e-mail]
💙 Website: www.raytownproductions.com
💥GEAR💥
📹Canon 77d: amzn.to/2BmN6sq
📷Sigma 18-35 mm Lens: amzn.to/2CY53hY
🎙Shure Beta 57 Microphone (Video): amzn.to/3prXseo
🗜Boom Stand for Mic: amzn.to/2YYjn0O
💡Ring Light: amzn.to/2Yj6qzB
💥SOCIAL💥
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Please help support this channel! Some of the links below are affiliate links which doesn't cost you anything extra. At the same time, I also receive a small tip from each sale (basically like buying me a cup of coffee ☕ for helping you out with these high-quality videos).
It's a win win, and I very much appreciate it 😀
HASHTAGS
#HOMESTUDIO #MIXINGVOCALS #WAVES
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:55 Download My Favorite FREE Mixing & Mastering Plugins Guide
1:37 Hey I'm Bobby!
2:00 Song by Street Urchinz (artist info in description)
2:17 The problem with mixing vocals
3:09 Original vocal tone
3:35 How to reshape vocal tone with Waves C6
7:06 Dialing in best vocal settings for Waves C6
8:37 Understanding attack and release settings on vocal compressors
10:33 Squeezing vocal performance using Waves 1176
13:10 Adding a second compressor (Waves CLA-2A) to make vocals interesting
14:31 Using Waves DeEsser to smooth out sharp vocal sounds
16:15 Why I ALWAYS use Waves L1 limiter on my vocals
18:05 Before and After Waves Vocal Chain
19:52 Don't forget to download your FREE GIFT🎁!

[@alecernstrom9001]

Man, just want to say - been goin' through your video's tonight. Love the deep dive into the processing of these tools. Great information that can be taken and applied in different ways. Thanks for the content! Keep it up!

[@music7studios]

Really an amazing difference before and after the chain! I listened to this video through laptop speakers, as I'm working online right now, but it was instantly recognizable that the vocals were 'buried' in the mix before the chain, and up-front and much more prominent after. The band couldn't have released that vocal mix as it was. Great content here, I'll share on Facebook.

[@Nick-im5pc]

This was super helpful. I was struggling to understand the multiple compressor concept in a vocal chain. The way you explained it really made sense. Thanks for making this video!

[@CliffMcAulay]

Great video. You cut to the chase on such important stuff, and explain it all perfectly. Consider yourself subscribed.

[@brianolesen8717]

Wow nice mix flow! You really tamed the voice, and got it spot on. I think I'll begin experimenting more with compressors after this nice video.

[@FreddyJ120]

Got yourself another subscriber - this was super practical, and I learned a lot in just a few minutes. Thanks, Bobby! Looking forward to diving in on your channel. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BobbyLouxMusic]

Great job on a very bad vocal performance. Even auto tuned before it got to you couldn’t save that, but you did a fantastic job of actually building more dynamics then we’re previously there. I would love to hear you track a dynamic Rock vocal and see what you do before adding the mojo! A real good rangy make rock vocal is the challenge containing all those dynamics and presenting it as you did!! Good job!

[@BirdYoumans]

I like the fact that with all the plugins, you still did not overdo it like I so often hear that just sucks the life out of it just for the sake of being loud. Kudos. I finally caved and bought a couple dozen Waves plugs during their recent sale and am eager to dive in. Until now I largely used boost 11 (a plug found in Sonar which I happen to love, and since I had the paid version before it was free, I have several third party plugs that come with it) to maximize my tracks before sending them out to my Yamaha DM2000 board with it's myriad of effects that I find to be quite awesome when not overdone. I take most tracks and bring them right up to the "wall" with the boost 11 and just a tad over to get those occasional peaks that usually aren't musical but build up over many tracks so that it limits how loud it can be. Tho I'm not a fan of loud at the expense of the track not being able to "breathe". Over compressed pumping is not what I call breathing lol! It will be interesting to see if I find any gold in the Waves. But the price was ridiculously low not to mention buy 2 get 2 free and sometimes new "toys" lead to new inspiration. I liked your presentation by the way. Again, Kudos!

[@dmedzct]

Great informative video. Thank you for sharing one of your vocal chains Bobby!

[@timothythomasmusic777]

I just found your channel and it's awesome. I'm fairly new at mixing so when I watched the mixing into a compressor, a lot clicked into place. This video was awesome, as I have the waves ultimate subscription. But because I thought it would be a magic bullet, but they have a very comprehensive user manual for each plug in and I love the NX plugins. Thanks for the info. You're awesome

[@arpantoppo3266]

Iam soo thankful for this tip, it just made my vocals sound like really professional ❤️❤️❤️

[@firmans12]

Thanks Bobby. Vocals always been the hardest part of a song for me

[@solracstudios9578]

Thank you for sharing this video. It answered a lot of questions, I have had for a while now. Thanks again.

[@TimClarkeJazzTrumpet]

You just earned yourself another subscriber! Great content! Thanks

[@theopolisIII]

wow this made a huge difference for me, thank you so much for sharing and explaining

[@x3BobO]

Thank you! I have so much trouble cutting through the mix without just turning the volume up. Going to try something similar with what I have tonight

[@lancerben4551]

This tutorial helped me get that pro sound I've been trying to achieve. I had this plug in already but I wasn't boosting the highs and using aggressive compression on that specific band... That keeps the air sounds you want while reducing some of the sybillance and harshness. I also use sibilance live as well which is excellent for de-essing. Then I surgically cut unwanted frequencies or resonance with q10 EQ at the end of the chain...this setup works very well.

[@theofficialjizzy]

bro i keep coming back for this video is such a treasure!

[@HakonAudio]

Great video, Bobby 👏🙏 I'm a long-time big fan of the 1176 -> LA-2A chain. I definitely need to experiment more with a multiband compressor. Sounds great! 👏

[@RaytownProductions]

It just works so well together 😃 thanks for the kind words! Cheers 🤘

[@juanmar910]

try la2a and then 1176 thank me later

[@naderabihana9091]

hey isnt optical compressors faster ? im using 1176 after la-2a any thoughts ?

[@AllenHerns]

I know it's a year late but this has been very helpful. And I can hear the diffence and improvement in my mixes.

[@ty_lore336]

Just earned a sub for this bro. Grateful for you!

[@makingbangers8624]

I've been trying to get a bright, condenser-like sound out of dynamics for years. And boom there it was all this time, a multi-band compressor.

[@eugenm6375]

You changed my life dude, Thank you

[@extroy]

Looking forward to trying the multiband compressor , another great video

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks for watching! Hope it helps 🙂

[@reyspyder357]

Great video. I do have the c6 and love it, but I'm going to try what you did with it also with the compressors as well

[@TheVato96]

That chain is awesome ty !!

[@peterstar2023]

Youre absolutely great. Ive got so much to learn. Im a great musician but my mastering skills and mixing vocals are not that good. Thanx man 🤘

[@hunterheflin]

dope stuff!! always been somewhat intimidated by C6 but now I feel like I have a better handle on it.

[@votoking674]

I love watching videos like these so KZbin tends to send me loads of them. I learned a lot from this video so well done. The only confusion I have is most engineers say you should remove bad frequencies with EQ before you compress. I didn’t see that in this video so I wonder why?

[@RaytownProductions]

Thanks for the kind words! The bad frequencies are dynamically removed with the multi and compressor. And that feeds into the other compressors. Just a different approach that I think works much better.

[@cbaldeon]

@@RaytownProductions I was thinking to remove bad frequencies first with an eq, for example Frequencies (from Cubase) and then use the C6. Should it work better or it is enough with the c6?

[@erkamau9629]

very interesting, in particular I can hear an equalization action by dynamic compressio, without using any eq. It seems you haven't take much attention about loudness matching (the risk with "louder is better"..) but the voice is much better now in the mix, not only for the level. Interesting.

[@TheSeangerber]

that 1st plugin is awesome

[@altag1]

Nice video as always, enjoy the presentation! Please share the 'tracking' chain used on these vocals prior to the mix? It would be helpful for context.

[@poizentv]

Listening from iPhone 14 and I could hear the difference. Thanks bro for the great video.

[@Chris-zc9bp]

This was great. I've been an audio engineer for decades. Just tried this on what I thought was pretty good sounding before. Sounds great now! I used CLA 76 bluey on everything before, but the biggest game change was adding the C6 and dialing in the bands. Wow! And it I got it quick. No ear fatigue. Like and subscribed

[@SaleemAhmedVoice]

Very well done you presented which is benefiting all of us thank you very much for such videos which you keep presenting for us thanks alot

[@stashjonez]

Got a new subscriber. The method/chain is amazing...

[@tacb...0]

I cannot thank you enough! Saves me hours of headache trying to wrap around my shitty recording on a PG58 😭

[@AnnexF]

I just subscribed! Thank you for the helpful tips.

[@999GNG]

amazing video bro!!!

[@GoldTopDeluxe70]

Awesome, count me in!

[@superhydroyeast]

Dude I could've sworn last time I checked your channel you had around a 1000 subs and now you've got nearly 20k? Fair play man!

[@RaytownProductions]

Haha thanks! Crazy to think that... Feels like I just started this crazy YT thing. Thank you all for your support! Got a lot more awesome videos lined up for all of you 🤘

[@rafik2910ify]

Very informative, thanks!

[@sanjeez103]

awesome tips ! Thanks

[@EirikHasselberg]

Scond that HakonAudio, great video! I guess I have to look into the multiband compressor on vocals, I'm not used to that. And that limiter at the end as well. I often put the Waves Vocal rider at the end of the chain, but will test with a limiter.

[@RaytownProductions]

try both! That might be your new secret weapon 🙂

[@ofcl.faculty]

I also use CLA-76 and CLA-2A together with soundgoodizer. I never used the C6 or F6 before.. I like the Pro-Q 3 from FabFilter.

[@ceddcng6110]

Very powerful!!!!Thx a lot

[@RaytownProductions]

Of course! Glad it was helpful.

[@TheBeltwayBandits]

Keep Spreading The Love ❤

[@JonFairhurst]

One recommendation: Try F6 , rather than C6, simply because the F6 has no latency. With that change, you can use this chain live.

[@LiveFromPFD]

Excellent point! The L1 limiter adds latency though. I use Waves Scheps Omni Channel’s limiter which is zero latency.

[@Night1989]

@@LiveFromPFD Didn't know that, thanks!

[@johnghadimi]

Ironic, since Waves caters the C6 to live work. :)

[@stillgotyourmom]

@@johnghadimi well depends what pple see as latency 😁

[@harryflemming9924]

HEY JON!..inside voice...

[@joyofsalvation3439]

I love it bro.

[@jeffblack5024]

Waves Vocal Rider into CLA Vocals - maybe a de-esser, maybe add a CLA-76 and fiddle with the compression. Works for me.

[@hanisiblini]

GREAT TUTORIAL

[@petefaders]

Pro stuff my friend

[@pintererestthot]

yo really appreciate you explaining what the multiband compressor is doing

[@RaytownProductions]

Almost EVERYTHING 😂

[@theofficialjizzy]

c6 is crazy good!

[@johnghadimi]

This was great!! The C6 mention was totally new to me. Learned a bunch. So you don't typically have "corrective" EQ before the C6?

[@RaytownProductions]

Nope, it's usually fixed almost completely by c6 🙂 but you can absolutely add an EQ if you want!

[@alnoldmusonda-dj4sp]

Thanks good video man

[@GospelProgressionsUniversity]

thanks dude!

[@braddtatum]

Awesome video. Thanks! Regarding the waves deEsser: Do you know how wide the frequency range is on the sidechain setting that is not open version of the filter?

[@ezoupeter4630]

Great job

[@RaytownProductions]

🎁Grab my favorite FREE Mixing & Mastering Plugins Guide : bit.ly/plugin-book 🎶Check out the released (AND TUNED😆) song here : open.spotify.com/track/0GN7w22uWeGtLesz3fdV2L?si=7bb08b34205549b0

[@waynethorpe1341]

Like the Vocal

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

Nice chain, it works well. I put my limiter before my compression, that way the compressors don't have to work so hard which makes it sound less 'compressiony'. I find the CLA2A super aggressive for an opto compressor, I much prefer the TLA100 from Softube.

[@bloomingbeats1318]

Use vocal automaton. More often then not that’s one of the things that separates a professional mix from an average one. I use vocal rider combined with some automation.

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

@@bloomingbeats1318 I agree vocal automation is a must. I don't like vocal rider or any automated rider tho. They try to smooth volume differences out, but what you really want is to accentuate important words and emotions and make them stand out, you can only do this by hand.

[@BillBene67]

Awesome video. I dont see an L1 Limiter. Only L1 Ultramaximzer? Really great info. Thanks for the share

[@RaytownProductions]

I think they are the same thing, aren't they?

[@SinjinTaidjeKhan]

Love the video. I might have missed it but what is the software you're using? Thanks

[@RaytownProductions]

Cubase 🤘

[@newexclusivehiphoprapslowj7392]

these vocal chain squashed my vocals

[@ramismusic9]

After using this method do we need to send the vocals to one aux send and control all together?

[@YoshYCaleScale]

Thank you sir

[@manishwagh5798]

The result is amazing with this method... but I want more dynamics ... wat wud I though next plugin.. ??

[@RaytownProductions]

I would either automate the volume for more macro dynamics or reduce the compression ratio or add more attack time to the compressors to bring back some micro dynamics.

[@harryflemming9924]

Good job

[@johannesstoppels4136]

what reverb would you recommend on this chain should it enhance my vocal looking forward to your reply warmly Johanes New Zealand

[@RaytownProductions]

Sounds like another video I need to make 😉

[@mhzbaby6481]

I actually regularly use a limiter on vocals

[@diostaylow]

Is the vocal Chain just on the main vocal track? Or id it on the VocalBus? Thanks! 😊

[@JoeyDaddario]

Thanks Bobby. It appears you have a mono wave vocal on a stereo channel. And that this channel feeds into a stereo group channel. Additionally it appears as though there are inserts on the group channel. Could you please explain some of this to me. I always thought vocals should go on a mono channel. Also if there are additional plugins on the inserts in the group channel could you let me know what they are? Thanks. Joey

[@RaytownProductions]

I personally put it on a stereo channel just in case I want to add a stereo effect directly on the channel itself (like reverb or delay or something). Cubase doesn't let you just change the channel from mono to stereo so to save me a step if I want to add something stereo, I just always put it in a stereo channel even if the file is mono. Great question! If you know a better way, please let me know!

[@JoeyDaddario]

@@RaytownProductions thanks for the reply. I had a happy "accident" recently where I recorded a mono vocal on a stereo track. When I added effects to the track, the Reverb and delay were amazing. So there's definitely something about your Technique that interests me. Appreciate you sharing that with me.

[@VillageIdiot.]

Is mixing vocals in solo something you usually do? Majority of tutorials I've watched talk about the significance of mixing the vocals while the beat is running.

[@RaytownProductions]

Solo is great for corrective stuff, but not necessarily for big picture mixing. Its very important to mix in context with your beat. But I have the vocals solo'd just so it's easier to hear what is exactly happening to the vocal. But once you understand all of this, I would definitely recommend making the final tweaks with the song playing at the same time. Great question!

[@uwimanasamuel7472]

Thanks

[@hoggboyy]

Why did you use a de-esser on top of multiband compressing the top end? It definitely made the singer sound lispy, even after you warned about that.

[@sonidojamon]

So no EQ needed in this chain? (apart from the C6 dynamic multiband)

[@jjones7837]

Also, RVOX is fun to play with.

[@drakewatkins2624]

Would these settings work good with rap vocals?

[@kitmateyawa7829]

Vocal sounds like it could use a Waves Tune Real-time as well.

[@Male-On-Beatz]

Limiter Trick is old, but a good one

[@manishwagh5798]

Dess +Cla 2a + Renaissance eq + comp + c6 + r verb + dess + h delay.

[@manishwagh5798]

I wll try your way.... I like the approach 👌

[@IAMKRITAGYA]

I sing on a Karaoke instrumentals..My vocals are in Mono.How can i use Stereo plugins for my Vocals because when i Use stereo plugin it only shows the left side workd and right is muted????Plz Answer this

[@RaytownProductions]

Convert your mono vocal file to a stereo interleaved file and it should work as expected. Most DAWs do this or you can find free converters online. Hope that helps!

[@vxinmy-stylist6107]

Download link for preset

[@cbaldeon]

Why don't do it in the contest of the mix? I learned by experience that soloin the vocal to process it make the vocal sounds disjoined from the overall mix. I always listen the vocals within the mix, not alone.

[@RaytownProductions]

You absolutely should do it in context with the mix. This is very important for what you described. For demonstration purposes, it's easier to show in solo. Great comment!

[@neowick9641]

please upload your preset of these plugins sir.

[@JOHNNYUPLOADZ]

Hey I'm using waves vocal rider on my chain, would I still need a limiter at the end? thanks

[@RaytownProductions]

I personally like the sound of having it clamped down , but try both and pick your favorite!

[@JOHNNYUPLOADZ]

@@RaytownProductions thanks

[@exhaust4246]

Bro do you makeupGain in multiband compression to compensate lost audio unlike compressiors?

[@RaytownProductions]

No, I boost the audio into the compressor by increasing the gain of the individual bands.

[@exhaust4246]

@@RaytownProductions what does that mean bro? 😅😔

[@cokomairena]

Woa

[@urm9.m]

fuck that sounds killer

[@JupiterStudio1]

why out stereo plug ins on a mono vocal track?

[@RaytownProductions]

I like to waste cpu 😉 but in all honesty, the way my template is set up, I usually have the "track" be stereo even if the file is mono just in case I want to add a stereo track later like reverb or delay. Cubase doesn't allow you to just change the track from mono to stereo I'd you change your mind, so I just always have it stereo. Hope that helps!

[@hejgoranfesdu]

do i use mono or stereo moderlls on vocals?

[@drinkinslim]

Assuming a mono vocal recording, you can use stereo plugins regardless but if using mono plugins, make sure they're used before any plugins that make the vocal stereo. For example, if you have an in-line stereo chorus effect or stereo reverb, don't use mono plugins after those. My 2c anyway. :)

[@SonicSnakeRecords]

Why not on a channel strip?

[@Swishmb]

You kinda sound like David Spade lol Great tutorial!

[@flamersss]

Would this work for rap vocals recorded at home ?

[@RaytownProductions]

Absolutely.

[@9ALiTY]

Should Link a Studio Rack Preset to this Chain.

[@RaytownProductions]

I plan to in the next few weeks 🤘

[@Kelly-rz1tn]

so no eq, just straight c6 first?

[@RaytownProductions]

That's right :) The C6 kinda acts like EQ especially with that first band pretty much rolling off the bass frequencies.

[@R1PPA-C]

Finally someone using sub par vocals before processing!! This is more real world than a lot of "creators" tend to use. ... Using already polished vocals. Also props for another cubase user, it's nice to get away from seeing Ableton splattered all over my YT suggested 🤣 SUBBED!

[@Bramhenz]

🎉

[@TshegoAMG]

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