You’re here to discover how VST plugins for vocals can take your vocal recordings from good to amazing. Choosing the right vocal VST plugins can completely change your music production and vocal processing game, whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro.
In this article, we’ll explore various vocal mixing plugins that will help you achieve professional-sounding vocal tracks from your studio.
Table Of Contents:
Understanding the Power of Vocal Plugins
Vocals can make or break a track. They carry the emotion, the story, the energy.
Sometimes, raw vocals need a little something extra in terms of vocal processing to truly shine. With so many plugins for vocals, however, it can be hard to find the right ones to nail your vocal mix.
To help, I want to explore different types of vocal effects and give a few suggestions of plugins for each.
Pitch Correction: Keeping Your Vocals on Point
Even the most talented singers might hit a few bum notes. Pitch correction plugins help you adjust the tuning of your vocals, either subtly or drastically. Think of it as digital help to make sure every note is perfectly in key.
Melodyne 5 is a popular pitch correction VST plugin, helping to dial in perfect vocals every time. It’s known for its natural-sounding pitch correction. Melodyne 5 also offers note editing feature and pitch shifting capabilities.
You can adjust the timing and duration of notes, giving you complete control over the vocal performance.
Vocal EQ: Sculpting Your Sound
EQ is a necessary component of any great vocal chain, as it can highlight specific frequencies while taming others.
For example, you can boost the highs to add presence and cut the lows to remove muddiness. You can also emphasize the midrange to improve clarity.
The iconic Pultec EQP-1A hardware, emulated in plugins like the Waves Puigtec EQ, is renowned for adding a warm, classic character to vocals. One of my other favorite VST plugins for vocals is FabFilter’s Pro-Q 3, as it’s incredibly flexible and transparent, allowing you to get rid of unwanted frequencies in your vocals while highlighting good ones.
Compression: Taming Dynamics for a Balanced Mix
Vocal dynamics refer to the difference in volume between the loudest and quietest parts of a vocal performance. Imagine a vocal that jumps out of the mix in certain parts but gets lost in others.
That’s where a vocal compressor plugin comes to the rescue. It smoothly controls those volume fluctuations for a more balanced and polished sound.
If you’re after a smooth, vintage sound, especially for vocals, explore the classic LA-2A-style compressor plugins. One example is the Analog Obsession LA-LA. This style of compression is known for its musicality and warmth.
Saturation: Adding Warmth and Character
Older recordings often have a warmth and “vibe” that’s difficult to replicate with modern digital equipment. A lot of this has to do with the subtle saturation introduced by analog gear.
It can bring vocals forward in a mix and add subtle harmonic distortion. Saturation also creates a more pleasing and “alive” sound.
Plugins like the Klanghelm IVGI are great free options for experimenting with this effect. Subtle saturation can work wonders on vocals.
However, if you don’t mind paying for high-quality saturation plugins that can make your vocal processing a bit more flexible, I’d recommend checking out Soundtoys Decapitator or FabFilter Saturn 2.
De-Essers: Taming Harsh “S” Sounds
Sibilance refers to those harsh “s” sounds that can pop out in a recording. A de-esser plugin is essentially a specialized compressor that works in the sibilant frequency range.
It hones in on those frequencies, smoothly bringing them under control without impacting the vocal’s clarity. You will find de-essers in many producers’ toolkits as an indispensable tool.
Techivation T-De-Esser is a straightforward and free vocal de-esser VST plugin you can experiment with if your DAW doesn’t offer one. It will save you time and help your vocals sit better in the mix. For a flexible paid de-esser, I highly recommend checking out FabFilter Pro-DS.
Effects: Expanding Your Sonic Palette
VST plugins for vocals go way beyond the basics, giving you the tools to add unique textures, spatial depth, and creative flourishes to your vocal tracks. You’ll often see delays, reverbs, choruses, and more to make a vocal more interesting and stand out.
| Effect | Description | Plugin Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Delay Plugin | Creates echoing repeats of a sound, adding depth and space to vocals. | TAL Dub-2 |
| Reverb Plugin | Simulates the ambience of different spaces, like concert halls or small rooms, placing vocals in a sonic environment. | TAL Reverb-2 |
| Chorus Plugin | Creates a thicker, wider sound by layering multiple, slightly detuned copies of the vocal signal, adding movement and shimmer. | Auburn Sounds Graillon |
| Vocal Transformer Plugin | Lets you drastically alter the character of your vocals, creating effects from robotic voices to harmonizing layers. | Soundtoys Little Alter Boy |
The table of vocal effects above is just the tip of the iceberg. The world of vocal effects is vast. These tools allow you to enhance the sound of your recordings and can inspire new musical ideas to explore in your work.
FAQs About VST Plugins For Vocals
What Is the Best VST Plugin For Vocals?
The best VST plugin for vocals is subjective and depends on your needs. However, some highly regarded and versatile opt include:
- iZotope Nectar 3 Plus: An all-in-one vocal production suite with modules for EQ, compression, de-essing, pitch correction, and more.
- Celemony Melodyne 5: Offers incredibly natural-sounding pitch correction and note-editing capabilities.
- Waves Vocal Rider: Intelligently adjusts vocal volume for a consistent level without audible artifacts.
It’s worth researching and experimenting to find the best fit for you. Experimenting will give you an idea of what fits best sonically within your own productions.
What Vocal Plugins Do Professionals Use?
Professionals use a wide variety of plugins. They often gravitate towards high-quality, industry-standard options such as:
- FabFilter Pro Q 3: This is a versatile EQ with a clean sound.
- Universal Audio UAD Plugins: UAD offers a range of emulations of classic hardware.
- Waves Plugins: Waves is known for their extensive library of effects, and they’re a staple in many studios.
It’s worth keeping in mind professionals often develop a preferred workflow that works best for their production needs.
What Is the Plugin To Clean Vocals?
There isn’t one magic plugin for cleaning vocals. It usually involves a combination of:
- EQ: Used for cleaning up low-end rumble, removing unwanted resonances, or taming harsh frequencies.
- De-Esser: Used to control excessive sibilance.
- Gate: Useful for removing background noise during quiet passages.
What Is the Difference Between a VST and a Plugin?
VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is a specific plugin format developed by Steinberg. It’s like saying “JPEG” instead of “image”—all VSTs are plugins, but not all plugins are VSTs.
Other popular plugin formats include:
- Audio Units (AU)
- Real Time Audio Suite (RTAS)
Most DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) support VST plugins which makes it a versatile option.
Conclusion
Using VST plugins for vocals opens up a new level of creativity. From fixing minor imperfections to transforming your recordings into otherworldly soundscapes, there’s a plugin for every need.
Take advantage of free trials offered by developers to test different plugins so you can find your favorites and add them to your sonic arsenal.
Of course while having the right tools can make a big difference when it comes to vocal mixing, it’s just as important to have the knowledge. Consider enhancing your skills even further by joining our Mix Elite Academy.
As a member, you’ll gain access to premium courses, over 500 in-depth lessons, top-tier sample and preset packs, student discounts of up to 50% on thousands of plugins, and entry into an exclusive community of like-minded music enthusiasts. Take your vocal production and mixing to the next level with the unparalleled resources and support at Mix Elite Academy—join us today!
