De-Esser Recommendations

[smy1]

Hey everyone,

when I do my own little project (where I am the singer/frontman), I always struggle with the very harsh sibilants in my vocals. The "ess"'s and "shh"'s are very overpowering.

I am looking for good de-essing techniques or plugins because this is really beginning to annoy me.

Any advice?

 

[metalkingdom]

What mic are you using?

 

[Skaldir]

Use the SPITFISH.
It's free and rules.

http://digitalfishphones.com/main.php?item=2&subItem=5


Schade daß wir uns auf dem WGT nicht mehr gesprochen haben, aber so ist es halt meistens nach Auftritten

 

[LSD-Studio]

I used to use waves' r-deesser, but atm I'm trying to not use waves at all anymore (current studio were I'm primarily doing most recordings has got the bundle, but I'm gonna build a new (own) studio and don't wanna buy waves plugins, so I'm trying to live without them )..

the spitfish is really good and better than most commercial plugins!

 

[smy1]

What mic are you using?

Usually AT4040, but for my vocals I switched to a Rode NT1 because it is less harsh in the top. I know you don't like that mic, but if I compare the two at home, the Rode sounds less treble-y to me.

LSD: that's the one I use. It's kinda okay, but still not as effective as I would like it to be.

Unicorn: yea, that's always how it is. I didn't see you around anymore, though, but then I was kinda exhausted from the show and not paying much attention ...

 

[Zorran]

ive used a c4 with good results for de-essing before if its still too much, try the c4 before de-esser. also try a slight 1k boost on your vocal before compressor.

 

[Skaldir]

Unicorn: yea, that's always how it is. I didn't see you around anymore, though, but then I was kinda exhausted from the show and not paying much attention ...

We sat in the bistro and not in the backstage room. We met Dornenreich there, because we talked about the tour we'll play together in October.
I watched pretty much of your gig. Good show, although it's not my music.
Our music didn't really fit in that line-up. Don't know why they mixed it that way. Maybe because that we meet

 

[metalkingdom]

Usually AT4040, but for my vocals I switched to a Rode NT1 because it is less harsh in the top. I know you don't like that mic, but if I compare the two at home, the Rode sounds less treble-y to me.

You know, I knew that "NT-1" would be your most likely response...

Either there's something wrong with your 4040 or something wrong with your booth and/or monitoring situation, because there's no way in hell that the NT-1 sounds is less sibilant than a 4040. Maybe you're (over) compressing on the way in and that's what is causing the sibilance...? If you could, please divulge on your signal chain.

I'm telling you and everyone else that the NT-1 is a horrible, horrible piece of junk and 99 out of 100 professional engineers will tell you the same thing. It's actually an unmentionable term and is never a consideration by those who demand excellence. Do yourself a HUGE favor and switch back to the 4040. Mess with the placement a little and you should find it to be more than suitable.

The only reason that I bring this up is because I try to avoid using a de-esser as much as possible. Those things will murk up your signal faster than anything. I tend to use them more on children's vox or women with small voices - and that's only if I have to.