FL Studio Vocal Mixing - How To De-ess Vocals

S sounds in vocal recordings are often too loud, fatiguing, and cut through the mix negatively, making them unpleasant to listen to across different playback systems.

• Multiband compressor using stock FL Studio plugins • Edison tool for manual frequency removal • Dynamic EQ with automatic frequency ducking

De-essing should be applied early in the effects chain to prevent issues from propagating through subsequent effects. Avoid over-processing to maintain natural-sounding vocals.

S sounds typically occur in the high frequency range starting around 5 kHz and above, requiring careful identification and targeted treatment.

Load the Maximus plugin and select the de-esser narrowband preset, which provides a simple starting point with three bands: low, mid, and high.

• Turn off the low and high bands • Use only the yellow mid band • Enable monitoring to visualize frequency content • Identify the problem area (typically 5-6 kHz and above)

Adjust the threshold point where compression starts based on the input signal level of the S sounds. Turn down the compression curve to control how aggressively the frequencies are reduced.

Make additional curve points by right-clicking to adjust the compression profile. Listen to the full track and take breaks to avoid ear fatigue while achieving the desired result.

Double-click the vocal track and select Edit in audio editor to open Edison. Switch to spectrum view with natural scale display to visualize sibilant frequencies as orange bars at the top of the display.

• Zoom in on problem areas using the scroll wheel • Left-click and drag over the specific frequency range • Focus on frequencies between 6-12 kHz where most S sounds occur

Use the equalizer tool to pull down the problem frequencies. Adjust the mix amount to control how much of the effect is applied, allowing fine control over the intensity of the de-essing.

This method requires more time but delivers specific, precise results for difficult sibilant issues. Before-and-after comparisons show noticeably cleaner, more pleasant-sounding vocals without harshness.

Dynamic EQ functions like a regular EQ but applies frequency changes automatically based on input signal level. When frequencies exceed a certain threshold, they are ducked without requiring manual automation.

• Turn off most bands to isolate the target frequency range (5-20 kHz) • Enable input monitoring to visualize the frequencies in real-time • Set the threshold to detect when S sounds are present

Lower the Q factor to create a steeper, more focused cut. Adjust the threshold until only sibilant sounds trigger the frequency ducking, avoiding unnecessary reduction of other high-end content.

• Every vocalist and microphone requires different settings • Female vocals typically have higher sibilant frequencies • Individual mouth shape and teeth affect frequency characteristics • Requires careful tuning of threshold, frequency, and Q factor for optimal results