Learn · All Quick-Starts · 8 min
LARYNX
quick-start.
Mix a finished vocal chain — filters, gate, comp, de-ess, EQ and saturation — in one plugin, left to right.
6 steps · every control name is the real one · Vocal
Level and filter
Set GAIN in INPUT so the strip isn't slammed — LARYNX loads deliberately gain-forward, so expect to pull back a few dB. In FILTERS, set HPF around 80–120 Hz to clear rumble; leave LPF OFF unless the top end is harsh.
Gate the room
In GATE, bring THRESH up until the gaps go quiet, then set RANGE for how deep the attenuation goes — −20 dB thins breaths without deleting them. Tune ATK, HOLD and REL so word tails aren't chopped; LISTEN solos the detector.
Compress
In COMPRESS, set THRESH for 3–6 dB of reduction on the loud phrases, RATIO around 3–4:1, ATTACK medium (12 ms) so consonants pass, RELEASE timed to the phrasing. KNEE softens the grab, MAKEUP restores level, and MIX below 100% gives parallel density. Leave SC HPF at 100 Hz so plosives don't pump the detector.
De-ess
In DE-ESS, hit LISTEN, sweep FREQ onto the actual sibilance (usually 5–8 kHz), come out of LISTEN, then raise AMOUNT until esses sit down without lisping. RANGE caps how far the band can be pulled. Check on the harshest line in the take, not the softest.
EQ the tone
The four console bands are the fast pass: the LOW shelf (GAIN · FREQ) for body, the LO-MID and HI-MID bells (GAIN · FREQ · Q) for the corrective moves — cut boxiness around 300–500 Hz, add presence around 3–5 kHz — and the AIR shelf for sheen.
Saturate and level out
In DRIVE, add DRIVE for density, tilt it with TONE and pick the voicing with CHARACTER (XFMR → tube → tape). Scroll right for the OUTPUT module and match processed against bypassed — matched bypass (=) is on by default, so the A/B compares at equal loudness.
Pro moves
Once it's working.
- Drag a module's title to reorder the chain — de-ess before the compressor grabs esses harder; after is gentler. A slot set to OFF passes audio but keeps its settings.
- The NOTE readout in the header shows the live detected pitch — a quick sanity check that the take matches the key.
- The six-band parametric EQ is a tenth module type you can drop into any slot when the four console bands aren't enough.
- Feed SC (external sidechain) a rough instrumental to duck the vocal against the track, or another vocal to make a double follow the lead.
