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Quick Tip: Simple Vocal EQ &

Compression Using Waves Plugins in

ReaperEmerson Maningoon Dec 12th 2011 with3 comments

Tutorial Details

Difficulty: Intermediate Time: 20 minutes Requirements:REAPER,Waves plugins(see below)

In this quick tip, you will learn a very simple and quick method in applying vocal EQ

and compression using Waves plugins in Reaper DAW. Well use the Waves C4compressor, Q3-Paragraphic EQ and DeEsser. The targeted genre for this vocal

EQ/compression is pop, rock and country music.

Step 1

Record the vocals first. I recommend you use a vocal condenser microphone as it can

capture the wide frequency response and dynamic range necessary for great vocals.

Make sure the vocals maximum peak (loudest section) is somewhere between -18dBFS to -6 dBFS maximum. Make sure you record them at a minimum of 24-bit/48

kHz resolution.

Step 2Normalize the vocals in the mix. This will maximize the vocal volume in the mix

without clipping. Right click on the vocal track, then click Item processing

Normalize Items.

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Step 3

Remove the unnecessary background noise before the start of the vocals. You can do

this using volume track envelopes. This feature is available in most DAWs including

Reaper.

Step 4

It is time to apply some EQ. Click the FX button of the vocal track then add Waves

Q3-Paragraphic EQ. Apply the EQ setting as shown in the following screenshot.

The purpose of the -6 dB low shelf at around 100 Hz removes the vocal low frequency

which is not desirable in most cases. However this strongly depends on the song and the

singer. The purpose of +3 dB boost at 3000 Hz is to increase the clarity of the vocal

lyrics and helps convey singing emotions.

Step 5

Watch the output meters of the Q3 Paragraphic EQ for clipping. If a clipping occurs,

lower the input (in this case, it is lowered to -4 dB) until there is no clipping on the

output throughout the vocal tracks.

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Step 6

You can then compress the vocals after EQ. In this case, add the Waves C4 effect next

to the Q3 Paragraphic EQ. Then use the Pop Vocal preset at first. This is the

recommended starting preset for pop, rock and country vocals.

Step 7

To increase vocal clarity in the mix after applying the above settings, you might want tocut a hole in other instruments frequencies. For example for all guitars, try cutting -6

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dB to -9 dB for at 3000 Hz. You can use Q3 Paragraphic EQ for this. See the EQ

settings below on all guitars:

Step 8

It is time to level the vocals and other instruments in the mix. The objective is to

achieve a desirable balance of vocals and other instruments. Try playing the entire mix

together. Then if the vocals seem very dominant with respect to other instruments, try to

lower the amount of gain boosted on 3000 Hz. For example if you have boosted +3 dB;

you might try +1.5 dB first. Listen again until the levels are now comparable.

Step 9

Check if other instruments are not too buried in the mix. You can decrease the amount

of dB cut at 3000 Hz. For example for guitars, you might want to reduce the dB cut

from -6.5 dB to -5 dB. Always use your ear to determine the optimum adjustments.

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Step 10

You may find there is a strong vocal sibilance after adding the EQ and compressor. You

can resolve this using Waves DeEsser. For example it is controlled using thefemale shh

preset below.