Should I EQ vocals before or after compression?
Each position, EQ pre (before) or EQ post (after) compression produces a distinctly different sound, a different tonal quality, and coloration. As a rule, using EQ in front of your compressor produces a warmer, rounder tone, while using EQ after your compressor produces a cleaner, clearer sound.
How do you EQ vocals properly?
Best EQ Settings for Vocals
- Roll off the low-end starting around 90 Hz.
- Reduce the mud around 250 Hz.
- Add a high shelf around 9 kHz & a high roll off around 18 kHz.
- Add a presence boost around 5 kHz.
- Boost the core around 1 kHz to 2 kHz.
- Reduce sibilance around 5 kHz to 8 kHz.
What are good compression settings for vocals?
Here are my go-to compression settings for vocals:
- Ratio: 1.5:1.
- Attack Time: 15ms (but up to 30ms for more punch)
- Release Time: 40ms.
- Threshold: -24dB.
- Gain Reduction: 2-3dB.
- Knee: Soft.
- Makeup Gain: 2dB.
Does compressor go before EQ?
When you EQ a signal, you are emphasizing and/or de-emphasizing frequencies. So if your goal is to reduce the dynamic range of a signal, and then take that more-even signal and adjust specific frequencies, compress the signal first, then add your EQ.
What EQ frequency is vocals?
Male vocals will tend to have their fundamental frequencies between 100–300 Hz, while the fundamental frequencies of a female vocal will usually fall between 200–400 Hz.
Do vocals always need compression?
For modern genres, they often need to be up front at all times. If not, your mix will suffer. One of the most effective tools at your disposal for crafting consistent vocals is compression. When combined with automation, compression can make your vocals sound loud, punchy, and modern.
Should you always use compression on vocals?
Some recording engineers think compression is a must for vocals. If you use a compressor to even out a vocal performance, you don’t want to hear the compressor working. Instead, you just want to catch the occasional extremely loud transient that would cause clipping.
Should I come before compression?
When you compress a signal, you are limiting the dynamics, in effect “squashing” the signal together. In some cases, applying compression can also alter the tone of a signal — the low end may come up, the high end may be reduced, and so on. In this case, corrective EQ should be applied after the compression.
What should my EQ settings be for vocals?
When you EQ other instruments in the mix, this is a good candidate to slightly cut out of other instruments like rhythm guitar or keyboard / synthesizer. It will make more room for the vocals and keep them intelligible. Starting Settings: Start at 5 kHz.
Which is the best equalizer for EQing vocals?
The one, indispensable tool you’ll want for EQing vocals is a parametric equalizer. Since you found this article, I’m assuming you know your way around a DAW and know what that is (your recording software). The best DAWs will have a parametric EQ plugin.
What’s the best ratio of compression for vocals?
For most pop, rap, and rock-based genres you’re going to squash the vocals a lot more than you expect, especially due to the mixes being denser. So, for dynamic compression, start with a 5:1 ratio and explore going higher, even up to an 8:1 ratio, depending on the threshold.
What’s the best way to compress your voice?
Make sure you time it based on the length of the syllables or you’ll start compressing in the middle of them and it’ll sound horrible. For rap, pop, and rock styles of singing, go with a fast release. For slower vocals you’ll want a slower release so that the compression gradually releases the vocals rather than abruptly.
