De-Esser Plugins are NOT SEXY!

De-Essers are convenient, but the pro's know there's a better way to produce a smoother vocal sound that sits better in a mix. Follow Gregory Scott, who owns Kush Audio and designs their analog hardware and plugins with one goal: maximum sonic vibe. He's also a musician and audio engineer, all of which gives him a very distinct take on music and mixing.

[Alesistx]

Dude you’re the most well-spoken guy doing these types of tutorials. No hemming and hawing, and sans the self-trumpeting and just plain...noise that a lot of other people communicate with. Well done.

[tundranocaps]

My problem with de-essing is that the more I listen to the esses, the more that all esses seem too much to me, and at that point I can't trust my ears any longer >.<

[DonBonin]

"No honey, it's not porn. This is work related. " She is not convinced, but wants to watch more kush videos. Just to be sure.

[slim]

Crazy how all the videos I've watched so far are precisely related to what I am currently struggling with. Really appreciate the way these complicated topics are addressed. I hate when pro mixers spend an hour going step-by-step with how they mixed a particular song on a DAW I do not have. There are only a couple channels that I've found like this one. Thanks for taking the time to properly address the common problems with mixing. I've used a couple of your methods so far, and my mixes are already improving. Thank you.

[CreativeMindsAudio]

I do something similar, before any processing I clip gain the entire vocal. This includes the sibilence. This way it goes into all processing equally. Most 'automation' is post processing so this trick really works as a stand alone too. Also the melodyne plugin has amazing sibilence identification and control similar this.

[wmpx]

REAPER has spectral editing which allows you to take this a step further and reduce the gain of specific frequencies in each word and syllable

[zeusdeux]

My favorite bit about these videos, other than their ASMR-yness and educational content, is that staring at a DAW screen is at an absolute minimum and intentional thus forcing you to listen and pay attention!

[pedrofialhodejesus-artist]

I've been mixing for a short while but this was one the first conclusions I made: de-essers are definitely not sexy. I've tried a bunch of different plugins and none of them gave the intended result so on my latest mix I only used manual de-essing technique, exactly how you explain here, and the result was spot on. This is a brilliant tip and very well explained. I wish I had seen this video earlier. It took me about 6 months to come to the conclusion that I don't like, and more importantly, I don't need de-essers. I thought it was my inexperience preventing me from getting the result.

[AlexReidStudios]

This gives me asmr. You are like the Bob Ross of music production.

[AironExTv]

Thumbs up for these tips. After 20 years of mixing dialogue, all I can do is concur. It‘s the reason I keep buying new deessers because one method never does all the tricks. Using volume automation is often the best if I have the time so it‘s often a combination of all methods.

[brenmac]

I fully appreciate your energy and approach on topics you discuss

[TruthSurge]

but b4 daws.... ? they could ONLY de-ess statically, yes? So if that was good enough for all the hits pre-DAW.... well, just wondering. Also, maybe more de-ess when softer vocals happen and less for louder vocals (in general). Great vids! I've been binge-watching these tonight.

[StellaShebaofficial]

Damn... I wanted to sleep but here I am, learning lots...

[SteveStockmalMusic]

Hey man...
I was just sitting here (with my dog on my lap) mixing/cleaning up a vocal, and realized I’m using your DS technique...
and it’s awesome !!!

I’ve never been particularly good with the DeEssers (they’re always too much or too little). But you were like “just grab the S’s and pull ‘em down a bit“ and I was like ‘oh hell yeah’ !!!

So I wanted to take a moment and look this video up to comment how MUCH I appreciate your tutelage !!!!
Steve
🤘🤩🤘

[jack.a.driscoll]

Have had some good results using Trackspacer and side-chaining it to other bright elements in the mix, the snare, hi-hats etc, so it ducks out of the way for those elements. A combination of this and light de-essing ont the vocal is great for the sessions which require a fast turnaround. If there's time in the mix session to automate manually is by far the best way!

[MarlonMehr]

Love it, very helpful as always!

On a side note, your plug-ins cured my "digititus" and I've been a fan ever since.

[ForTheForsaken]

I was actually doing it manually already. Nice to know I aint the only one

[BKRakesh]

Without showing any practical treatment you clear all practical issues... Hats off sir...

[greensleeves]

Excellent advice. Dave Pensado taught me this years ago and I was taken aback at how obvious and simple it is. Time consuming, but the best approach overall. I use ProTools audio gain on the audio region, usually about 6db lower. Thanks UBK!

[QuabmasM]

The best middle man balanced alternative to de-essing vs automating is dynamic EQing which at the very least can be used in conjunction with everything else to help "get her done" w/ few negative costs(especially if you automate the dynamic EQ on/off based on what you hear that you like vs dont like that its doing).