Lmfao

CLA vocal is strange for sure and I use it for demos. But often find myself chasing the demo vocal sound in my final mixes with endless plugins. It’s true, use your ears and if it works for the vocal in your mix, and sounds good to your ears then use it. It’s just another tool in the toolbox.

I am a total, rank amateur and aspire to nothing more than recording my own demos. I'm glad there are some pros who use this, but I really suspect the main audience is someone like me -- just want my vocals to sound okay the easiest way possible, and after struggling with and wasting money on so many plugins, CLA vocals was a godsend. It's a tool that works for me. I can't believe people get so riled up about this kind of thing.

It’s just something mix engineers can be snobby about , it doesn’t sound bad and it’s easy to use if your an under qualified recording engineer

Use your 👂

I'm not a real engineer. I'm a goober who just wants things to sound halfway competent. The CLA plugins help with that.

Engineers hate it because noobies use it as a quick fix without knowing how to use anything properly. But everything on the plugin is in parallel. Its actually an insane plugin that at the end of your chain can do some awesome stuff when you have established proper eq, compression, and saturation. Fuck the plugin also saturates when the input is higher. The things good and comes with basic things we all use at some point, you just gotta know how and when to use it.

I’ll occasionally use it but I’ll usually turn off either the EQ and compression or the delay effects and add pre/post processing in the chain to shape the sound more. Sometimes it does exactly what I want to vocals so It’d be stupid to not use it because of memes. Overall it has its place when used sparingly.

I always use these for a fast demo / rough mix of a recording ive made for my client. Its so easy to make a rough mix in the presence of my client if i dont want to get too technical. But when all is good and its time to mix that recording, i use the rough mix as a reference and do the same stuff with separate plugins for more control. Ive ended up keeping some of the plugin's functions though if they give a signature my client wants and it will sound different if i try to replicate it with other plugins.

I don't have this plugin, but all I know is that the people listening and enjoying your music doesn't give a **** about what you use

Stopped using it years ago because I was creating my own vocal chains but I used it a couple of months ago for a quick demo and it sounded crazy good. So it may make it back into my mix template. Who knows?

Thanks for the breakdown on this classic plugin in plugin doctor! Personally I think CLA vocals and the other 'preset' plugins as i like to call em were great for demos and quick 'sounds good enough' style stuff during record mostly for the musicians. Though that was back a decade ago when most things were higher latency and all. These days I got a ton of great plugins and plugin chains that get the job done and I'm pretty much mixing as I record. I also have some hardware comp/EQ now.

I always use the CLA unplugged for all the acoustic guitars that I have to mix quickly. It's a good and fast tool.

I love this plugin, specially the Pitch fader to make a wider (gentle way) vocal

3:41 "Like I feel about Satin" is referring to the tape plugin called "Satin" (he did not mean Satan).

What ? This is one of the greatest plugins ever made , literally

The thing is you can turn each of the features off and only use some of them. For me the spreader stuff is golden. Non mixers tend to just leave everything on and it can easily become overkill.

It's one of those things that can work if you are careful. In the end, if it sounds good, and if it doesn't cause any issues with phasing and whatnot, it's fine.

I have seen lot of small time mixer getting angry on CLA. It's not the plugin, they hate Chris for some reason. Every tool has its own space.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!! 45M Sold... RIAA MultiPlatinum, Grammy Voter. I use CLA Vocal on 90% of all vocals. AND Chris was an engineer on several of my records LOOOOOONG Time Ago

remember if it sounds good IT IS GOOD. Fck what some old ass "legendary" producers have to say. Anyone who gets snobby about engineering has lost their way. Truth is, all of us don't know exactly what we are doing and to act like you do is just dishonest. It's all subjective and that's the fun part.

Great video bro. Keep it up. Thank you

I never knew this was a thing lol I remember when i first started getting into mixing, the first plugin i ever bought was the VoiceCentric by Waves. But I felt like i was cheating and not growing as a producer/mixer because I wasn't learning how to do all the necessary things individually. I had MixCentric as well and felt the same way so I haven't used them since. But creative usage of these types of plugins shouldn't be frowned upon. As long as it's used creatively and not used as a crutch or cop out then I don't see the issue. Much love to CLA and his phenomenal plugins!! CLA-76 is my all time fav from the stuff i do have.

Haven’t used this in some years but loved it when I did. Who cares if you know EXACTLY what it’s doing… the question is… does it sound good!

Very much enjoyed this and finding out that this was even a thing lmao. Idk, having a beef with a plugin seemingly for the sole reason of not knowing what it does under the hood when you can just take a minute to skim a manual or watch a clip is…kind of wack lol. It’s another tool that made it easier for folks to do this, and ask anyone using it on their rough mix or demos if they still want it on vs a proper mixer doing their thing-like, no one is getting replaced by CLA Vocals lmao. I try not to use it just bc I want to do my own chains, but it is awesome. Ryan Tedder uses it to track everyone, Dave Pensado has used it on an ITL, The 1975 have talked about using it. Make music and chill 🤷‍♂️

I used CLA Unplugged on vocals before I had CLA Vocals, I kind of like Unplugged better on some vocals. CLA plugins are cool, I think I paid $80 total for all of them because after I bought one, they offered me the rest of those style plugins for $50 . They’re perfect for demos and just finding a quick general sound. Just another tool in the box or a go-to staple? Maybe a little of both.

I watched Ryan Tedder's Masterclass and he says that 90% of professional studios in the USA use CLA Vocals.

cool video man keep'em coming

I have the CLA library and it's OK but I don't use the vocal one much. I might use it to start a mix session then when I need to do some final tweaking I replace it with the SSL channel strip, a reverb and a delay. I use it for a quick mix but it can't replace the SSL channel strip in my opinion.

I love the CLA Vocal to polish and treat the vocal like a "Master". I love spreading the vocals a touch, fading in some compression, and sometimes adding bite and taking out some subs to give it some pop. It's not for slapping it on and being done. It's for when you already have a great vocal and want some extra heaviness and flavor. You can get a nice tight reverb while you already have a long reverb going on and it gives the vocal body with just one click. Also, you can use the slap delay with one click (I wouldn't use the other delays because those need to be synched to tempo).

Very useful plugin. Use it for the top end alot and to hide a little 1/4 delay at times

I love CLA Vocals-it just works every time. I insert it after a compressor so I get "double compression" as CLA vocals also inclusdes it's own compressor. I can always get the vocal to sit perfectly in the mix. I don't know why the guys in the video are making such a fuss-if it works, it works.

I don't use it because I stopped buying plugins. The reason for that is that I figure I really should learn to use all the ones that I have now. I'm running Cubase 12 Pro and it comes with a ton of great stock plugins and if you can't get a decent mix with those, are more really going to help?

Amazing content man

Only issue I've ever had with this plug is the baked in "analog" noise, is there any way to get rid of it?

Thank you, try it tomorrow)

7:16 when CLA talks about sidechains, I don't understand that part. Does he just mean the sends that go off to the parallel FX (like delay, reverb, more compression etc.)?

Is CLA implying that the delay and reverb are side chained with the compressor? So that they dip when there is vocals and then jump up when the vocal phrases end and become louder? If that’s what he’s saying is going on, im actually okay with that. Would certainly be nice to be able to control the side chain, but im guessing for a side chain that you can’t alter, that it’s probably fairly conservative. I like that. Get some clarity in your vocal phrases and then they bloom into a nice verb/delay tail.

The CLA plugs are great value. Fantastic for creating a quick mix for demos etc. That being said if used prudently, they also are worthy in a final mix although they work best when together respectively. That's what my ears and experience with them seems to suggest.

Love that plug-in! Get lots of mixes from young producers who use it cause it’s easy and they don’t know what they are doing.

Had no idea people would hate on a tool so hard, Worlds a funny place.

i used cla vocals in my chain for years but i hate how you cant turn off analog noise lol, i ended up just remaking what i liked about it with new plugins

Does the sidechain ducking in this plugin duck the effects when dry signal comes in?

Not just that I like this, but I love it so much 💪💪🎶🎶🎙️

Hey George, can you do a video on reverb and what the pros use?

I use this plugin all the time with no issues for years in my vocal chain

I like it. It works. Might not be the last choice but it’s a good start. Can be a quick fix. Might be the right choice. Saves time if someone needs to hear it fast.

I use this to the quick vocal sound and move on, then when I’m done with production go back and work on details or even better send it to a mixing engineer have them work the magic

Does the CLA Epic plugin have the same features as this one? I know it has vocal presets.

Did he misspeak when he said the reverb and delay are sidechained? After that comment it sounded more like he was describing the signal being routed to separate reverb/delay/pitch 'busses' as opposed to the signal going from compressor into reverb then straight into delay into pitch effect.

It's all good do what you Gotta do! If I am starting a mix on the drums for the drummer, I may just throw CLA vocals on the vocals just to get something going. When I finally get to the Lead vocal I may only have to do one or two other things besides automatio. (Especially if I tracked the vocal) But I could scrap that and go for a totally different built up approach.. Either way if it sounds good it is good. You don't have to know exactly what the plug-in is doing as long as you Close your eyes and use your EARS!

Sometimes you just need to listen and don’t always have to know what a plug-in does.

Thanks for this boss

CLA FOR LIFE💪

I really appreciate this video. What was the plugin you were using to show what the cla was actually doing?

My cla compressor and treble bring a hiss what could be the problem

one thing for sure. the automation knob isn't supposed to be turned at full blast.

dude this is awesome. Thanks for the vid. CLA vocals IMO is a great production tool cause its fast and easy and helps with flow, not a good mixing tool.

This video made me want to get it.

Yep. I use Cla vocal often. When I try many plugins in a chain and Dont work, I end up using CLA plugin and it sounds safe.

Gotta stand with Jaycen Joshua ☝🏻 the eq is really nice

Let me just say that I'm pretty sure Mike Dean was talking about Satin the tape emulator plugin from U-He, not Satan like Kenny Beats or whoever thought.

While I have CLAvox I hardly use it ever BUT that CLAbass is must on my bass tracks 98% of the time

Might be important to mention that the "upper" and "roof" eq settings do more of a pultec shape. Love the plugin honestly - us audio guys love to pit things agaisnt each other, like others have said, it's just a tool. Don't get the whole "I don't even know what it's doing" phrase though - everyone loves to say "use your ears, try not using a parametric eq" but then say stuff like that. I'm a big Kush audio fan, literally all the controls are like "THICK" or "SAUCY" lmaooo maybe I'm just used to it!

great easy plugin. works well. works fast.

Guess its ok if u dont use it as a whole chain just use it like an Effect or to round up things at the end of the vocal chain doing some Light compression, Treble and spreader.

I had no idea this was a thing. Hilarious. need to get me some CLA lol!

I don’t like it because I like to have individual plugins to tune my vocals the right way but it’s cool but I just like to be more with my plugins but cla-2a and 76 is my shit tho

LOOKING FOR PRO TOOLS LE SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS PREFERABLY OLDER VERSION

I love CLA Vocals! Didn't know this was a thing... maybe they mad cause it eliminates all the guess work

Never used it before, but after this video I'll definitely jump on the bandwagon

I think it’s a good plugin I use it all the time.... been using it for years

Plsdo more of the visualo analysis "Zeleno" style

Nothing wrong with the CLA Vocals.. I used it a while back but watching this video made me go back to give it another go.

I swear CLA Drums is adding samples haha. Those tracks sound like a pootato and then I slap that CLA on and BOOM. Beautiful.

What plugin is better than CLA Vocals then ?

Hi, could you please re-upload the video called PRO MIXERS HATE THIS FREQUENCY (AES 2022 Panel)? It got removed suddenly, and I couldnt watch the rest of it.

when is the Jon Castelli mix breakdown coming??

CLAAAAAA!!!! Vocal cheatcode!!!!

Would it be best to use on a vocal bus or individual tracks?

I even don't use Waves plugins at all. How's that?

Cla vocals plugin is a very quick fix just read the manual if you dont unferstand the parameters

JJP vocal ftw 🎉❤

I've tried using it many times, but it's always added a color that I didn't like with my voice. But like most plugins it can be made to work.

I use it. It totally depends on the voice, context of the mix, style of music and what I'm trying to achieve there. I never use the last 3 faders on it. It's reverb delay and pitch faders are terrible imo. Only use the first 3 faders which are Bass Treble and Compression faders. But there are situations where it doesn't work so I remove it and use something else. Maybe VMR maybe Maserati or something else altogether.

I use it on my vocals live to save CPU. We’re already running a laptop and DAW with our click tracks and keyboards/orchestrations/virtual instruments (bounced to tracks and usually taken from the stems so that the levels are limited and parts aren’t getting buried) and auxiliary instrumentalists we don’t bring on tour, like a saxophonist and flautist. Since there’s only a sax solo in one song and a flute solo in one song. I like CLA on my live vocals because as the tempos change, the delays and reverbs stay in time with tempo. I also automated my mic to mute between every vocal line so that my mic isn’t sucking up cymbals with reverb and delay on. We all are on in-ears. With wedge monitors it would probably get a little weird. I use a TINY bit of the compression. I’ve progressively lowered the comp because I was getting feedback in some venues. With in-ears, it only takes a touch of conpression to even out your vocals though. At least with CLA. I can also compress my vox in our in ear mixer. I just try to make everything fool proof for the rare occasions that we don’t have a Front of House Engineer with us. I’ve done over seas festivals where we didn’t bring a sound guy and after experiences of having them pull my vocal mic while I’m doing a guitar solo or something, thinking he’s helping by preventing bleed into my mic that has timed delays and reverbs and I start singing and he has my mic basically completely off, if not entirely off. So I automated my mic track to mute between every line and for the effects to continue to trail off when muted and in those situations our sound guy isn’t with us I go into GREAT DETAIL to tell the house sound guy that my mic already has effects and mutes after every vocal line. So to set my mic loud and over the mix and then do not touch the level. All the things you’d want to do with the vocal, I’ve already automated and you only need to set the level a little over the music and NOT TOUCH IT THE WHOLE SHOW. I prefer the Maserati Vox and it DEFINITELY has stuff going on under the hood, but I like what it does. I l use CLA vox on background vocals occasionally. I don’t use the compressor or “high” effects. I prefer to have specific controls over those effects. Mainly the delay, reverb and stereo widener to make background vocals sound thicker.

Like with any gear, what works, use it. I see nothing wrong with this plugin, actually buying it now after seeing this.

> the number of times I've had an artist into the studio to do a feature on one of my clients songs who "brought their own engineer" with them and tried to make me use this for their verse citing its an "EsSeNtIAl part of their SoUnD"... my response is always "why would I use this when I have 3 plugins doing the same thing it does with more control?" ...Tell me you're new to this music stuff without telling me that a preset is your "signature sound"

Been using CLA guitars on hyperpop vocals…works

I think if this development scheme (or what it is drawn on a piece of paper) was depicted in a tooltip in the plugin itself (as is done in some plugins, where their internal routing is displayed), then such misunderstandings like "don't use it, we don't know what does he do" would be less!

Just because someone doesn’t like something it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work and most people who listen’s to the end production don’t even know about which plug-in was used to mix the song. Just use your ears if it sounds good to your ears then use it and at the end of the day we all got different test and hearing 👂🏽👂🏽those guys who call themselves pros sometimes some of them are too egotistical. Chill dudes it’s only a plug-in and remember your ear is the best thing when it comes to mixing not the plug-in if you can’t hear the plug-in becomes useless 😊

awesome content, I use this plugin on many of my tracks, I think it sounds amazing, I use it a lot on my backing vocals, adlibs and it saves a huge deal of effort. Of course, we all enjoy doing it by ourselves, me too I'm no exception because am a mixing/mastering engineer as well. But to have a vst like this for on-the-go task, it's just amazing!

I think its pretty clear what CLA is doing and it can be great or not so great as is the case with any plugin....Just as I don't use the same limiters, compressors eqs on every mix... it is funny uproar is funny nonetheless. Like anything the song and our ears determine what a track needs. If its CLA so be it or something else depending on the style sound etc..

Best plug-in of all time.

It works. Period.

Thnx man good one(;

CLA is dope, its a matter of preference a lot of pro engineers use it Alex Tumay, Jaycen Joshua etc

Hahahahahaha bro your editing s so funny man thanks so much!

cla is a threat to engineers because you can get your vocals pretty damn good using it. this takes away from their bottom line.

I hate hammers, but I love screw drivers, they are awesome! CLA Vocals is a tool, just like every other plugin, use the ones that best match your workflow or taste, but when somebody claims to hate a plugin, that makes me question the person's intelligence.