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

Yes, plugin order matters when it comes to mixing vocals! In this video, I'll show you the elements of a pro vocal chain so you can mix vocals in confidence. Here's the breakdown of how to order plugins in vocal mixing chains:

00:00 Intro
00:35 Cut Unwanted Frequencies
01:16 Address Dynamics
02:23 Boost Pleasing Frequencies
03:24 Add Space & Depth
04:30 Advanced Mixing Tips
04:38 Tame Sibilance
04:52 Volume Automate
05:23 Add Character
06:57 Recap
07:34 FREE BONUS!

[masteringcom]

What's YOUR vocal mixing chain typically look like?

[via_negativa]

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

[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.

[julienepouhe]

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

[hoagied]

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

[prettywiththelightsout]

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

[LeftAloneTrusk]

Thanks for the info. Great starting point.

[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!

[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.

[malonerecordsllc]

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

[tonyfarina]

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.

[mrclemobi]

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

[djdunningbeats]

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

[mygirlfriendismean]

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

[terrellestephens]

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.

[johnottoyoung]

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

[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

[groovyjay]

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

[africanrevolution]

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