Free vocal chain
Get the free vocal chain.
A nine-step vocal-chain guide for any DAW, plus optional REAPER FX Chains. Use the chain on this page, then enter your email to keep the files.
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Keep the free vocal chain.
The chain is free to read. Enter your email for the keepable vocal-chain guide, plus my actual REAPER FX chains (one-click .RfxChain) if that’s what you run. The files appear here immediately.
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The free chain
The vocal chain, in plain words.
Nine small jobs, in order. You don’t need all nine every time — use what the vocal needs. Top to bottom, that’s the order.
No paid plugins required · use the job, not the brand · works in any DAW.
- 01 EQ
Clean the voice
Cuts the mud and rumble. The voice stops sounding covered up.
Do this: Cut the low rumble first. Then turn down anything boxy. Stop when it sounds clear, not thin.
No plugin? Any EQ — every DAW has one built in.
Too much: Thin and small, like a cheap phone speaker.
- 02 Fast compressor
Catch the loud words
Grabs the words that jump out too loud. Holds the level steady.
Do this: Turn it up until loud words stop jumping. Stop before it sounds squeezed.
No plugin? Any fast compressor set to react quick.
Too much: Flat and choked — the life gets squeezed out.
- 03 Leveler
Keep it up front
Holds every word at the same loudness. The vocal sits on top of the beat.
Do this: Turn it up until no word disappears. Stop before you hear pumping.
No plugin? A second, slower compressor — or a vocal rider.
Too much: Pumping — the beat breathes up and down behind the voice.
- 04 Multiband / dynamic EQ
Fix harsh or muddy spots
Calms one trouble spot only — harsh highs or muddy lows — and leaves the rest alone.
Do this: Only touch the part that bugs you. Tiny moves.
No plugin? A multiband comp or a dynamic EQ. Most DAWs include one.
Too much: Dull and lifeless — you pulled the good parts out too.
- 05 Saturation
Add color
Adds warmth and a little grit. The voice sounds rich, not plain.
Do this: Add a little until it feels fuller. Stop before it sounds dirty.
No plugin? Any saturation, drive, or tape tool.
Too much: Fuzzy and dirty, like it’s breaking up.
- 06 High shelf / tone
Add shine
Opens the top end. The voice sounds clear and expensive.
Do this: Add shine until it sparkles. If it hisses, de-ess first.
No plugin? A high shelf on any EQ, or an exciter.
Too much: Sharp and hissy — it starts to hurt.
- 07 Reverb
Add space
Puts the voice in a room. It stops sounding dry and flat.
Do this: Send a little. Stop before the words wash away.
No plugin? Any reverb — on a send, not on every vocal.
Too much: Far away and washed out, like a bathroom.
- 08 Delay + auto-pan
Make echo words move
Throws an echo on one word that moves side to side and adds feeling.
Do this: Echo only the last word of a line. Never the whole verse.
No plugin? A tempo delay plus an auto-panner — both stock in most DAWs.
Too much: Cluttered — echoes pile up and cover the next line.
- 09 Doubler / imager
Make adlibs wide
Spreads the side vocals left and right so they feel big around the lead.
Do this: Widen the adlibs. Keep the lead centered, dry and clear.
No plugin? Any doubler or stereo widener.
Too much: Hollow and weird — the center disappears.
Main vocal recipe
- 1 Tune it
- 2 Clean it
- 3 Compress it — catch the loud words
- 4 Level it — keep it up front
- 5 Fix harsh parts
- 6 Add color
- 7 Add shine
- 8 Send to reverb / delay
Adlibs
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Adlibs can be thinner
Cut more lows than the lead. They don’t need weight.
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Adlibs can be wider
Spread them to the sides. Big and roomy.
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Adlibs can move more
Pan them, echo them, let them bounce.
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The lead stays center
Dry, clear, right in the middle. Always.
If it sounds bad
- Vocal buried Level it before you add shine.
- Vocal hurts De-ess it, or turn the brightness down.
- Vocal muddy Turn the reverb down and clean the low mids.
- Delay messy Echo fewer words.
- Adlibs fighting the lead Pan them wider and make them thinner.