We producers often like to boost high frequency content when we’re EQing vocals, to add air and light and magic. However, the downside of increasing the volume of high frequencies is that we can easily exacerbate sibilance. The ’s’ and ‘ch’ sounds which singers record when they perform are little bursts of white noise which can sound eye-wincingly harsh if left unchecked. The DeEsser is a dynamic processor which lets you target sibilant sounds and get them under control; think of this plug-in as a frequency-specific Compressor. In this episode, I’ll give you a full parameter tour before diving into a track to see how DeEssing can be applied.
00:00 What do De-Essers do?
00:59 Track playback
02:02 Why airy vocals create sibilance
03:31 Why De-Essers are more effective than ‘static’ EQs
04:16 De-Esser parameter tour
07:18 DeEsser in action
09:08 A more natural response
09:49 Solo’ing sibilance
11:52 High Shelf mode
14:00 A note of caution and full track playback
15:49 Considering Automation and summary