How To Use a De-Esser on Vocals (with FabFilter Pro DS)

Toronto music producer 5PiECE breaks down how to approach setting a de-esser on a harsh or sibilant vocal.
NEW VIDEOS EVERY THURSDAY 12PM EST
SUBSCRIBE If You’re New - / 5piece
SUPPORT on Patreon & Get Benefits - / 5piece
___________________________________________
🔊 PLUGINS USED IN THIS VIDEO 🔊
FabFilter Pro DS - bit.ly/2UfKshC
___________________________________________
🎥 VIDEOS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🎥
How To Fix Harsh Vocals - • How To Fix Harsh Vocals
___________________________________________
🎸SONG USED IN THIS VIDEO 🎹
“Thessaloniki” by EverythingOShauN - everythingoshaun.lnk.to/THESS...
___________________________________________
🎧 DISTRIBUTE YOUR MUSIC ONTO STREAMING 🎧
🤑 Use my VIP link for 7% off your first year’s membership at with DistroKid - www.distrokid.com/vip/5piece
___________________________________________
💸 WHERE TO FIND FUNDING FOR YOUR MUSIC 💸
📚 FREE EBOOK - bit.ly/3q0KU0z
___________________________________________
📲 SOCIAL MEDIA 📲
WEBSITE - www.5piecemusic.com
SPOTIFY - spoti.fi/3xq3C2q
INSTAGRAM - / 5piece
FACEBOOK - / 5piece
TWITTER - / 5piecemusic
UA-cam - / 5piece
___________________________________________
⏰ TIMESTAMPS ⏰
0:00 Introduction
0:59 What is a De-Esser?
1:55 When Should You Use a De-Esser?
3:21 Example of How I Use De-Essing
4:58 Step 1: Locate & Loop Sibilant Section
6:06 Step 2: Find Sibilant Frequencies
8:58 Step 3: Set The Threshold
11:33 Step 4: Adjust The Range
13:53 Step 5: Adjust The Makeup Gain
17:51 Step 6: Listen in Context & Adjust
21:22 How To Fix Harsh Vocals
21:53 Conclusion
___________________________________________
DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase and/or subscribe. Affiliate commissions help fund videos like this one.
Copyright 5PiECE Music 2021

[@1AugustBlack]

Man i rewatch your videos all the time your just gifted at teaching man. Thanks for all the helpful content

[@arieassa2186]

Thank you.Perfect video!!!!!!

[@premogotnext1174]

The way you go about explaining things in such depth is fantastic. Super knowledgeable and informative. Amazing video man.

[@5piece]

Thank you Premo!

[@jakkusi2421]

cool video, thanks man!

[@hamish375beatz6]

Your my new favourite Teacher, beat on the intro is fire too🔥🔥

[@5piece]

Ayyy that’s what’s up. Welcome to the classroom! I appreciate you tuning in 🤙🏼

[@nikkiejurnigan-vevo]

@@5piece your Vocal on video need Dss

[@frydaevlog5914]

Thanks

[@rtistofficial6070]

Sickkkk video bro

[@5piece]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@GoutamSingh]

very nice 🆗🤗

[@oxiary]

OHMYGOSH I HAVE THE SAME LINE 6 25 KEY !!
FIRE

[@ThePrinceOfThaiLand]

🙏 5piece

[@zerek44]

ty bro

[@5piece]

Anytime Zerek! 👊🏼

[@scoremoore4280]

I can't use de-esser plugins cause the pump effect from it hurts my head. So I use the Eq and cut off the high end by -6 db. thanks for the step by step walkthrough I also have pro ds.

[@5piece]

Totally hear you! I like to use either a dynamic eq or a multiband compressor where I can better control the attack and release settings to minimize that pumping you’re talking about. Pro DS still gets a lot of work though!

[@jameswhitaker4357]

So I’ve always used 2 de esser for my S frequencies and my tuh cuh frequencies. Soo like a 7k and 10k de Es. Does this plugin help do it as one?

[@5piece]

Stacking de-essers in series is great. This plugin as far as I know does not do that with a single instance (but you can stack them).
If you want a more subtle de-esser, check out the FREE CHANNEV channel strip from Analog Obsession. It's an analog channel strip style of plugin with a bunch of features (EQ, compressor, limiter, etc) but I do find its built-in de-esser to be a bit less aggressive compared to others (although it isn't as tweakable). I used it in a recent video here:ua-cam.com/video/erzkUBl_pf0/v-deo.htmlsi=TejlSmFaJUVlSlvN

[@cellxadore]

Cash prize to anyone who can decipher the lyrics in this.

[@5piece]

“Next time you need me I’ll be in Thessaloniki, with a ting that’s freaky and she alway need me yeah” where’s my prize? 😅

[@RRR-vj1sy]

What if we want to remove harshness from all over the vocal

[@HunterBidensHandgun]

Then use an eq

[@5piece]

You have several options but likely EQ will be your best bet.
If its not always/consistently harsh, then a more dynamic option like dynamic EQ, multiband compression or de-essing as you see here would likely be best to tame those moments that pop up.

[@olisakinokechukwu5700]

bro just go straight to the point.. damn

[@Crossfire2003]

It's bizarre to me the way this singer articulates the word "Thessalonik".
The "o" vocal is missing.