LARYNX

Mix a finished vocal chain — filters, gate, comp, de-ess, EQ and saturation — in one plugin, left to right.

1. 01

   Level and filter

   Set input GAIN so the strip isn't slammed — LARYNX loads deliberately gain-forward, so expect to pull back a few dB. Set HPF around 80–120 Hz to clear rumble; leave LPF at max unless the top end is harsh.

2. 02

   Gate the room

   Bring GATE THRESH up until the gaps go quiet, then set RANGE for how deep the attenuation goes — a modest range sounds more natural than a hard mute. Tune GATE REL so word tails aren't chopped.

3. 03

   Compress

   Set COMP THRESH for 3–6 dB of reduction on the loud phrases, RATIO around 3–4:1, medium ATK so consonants pass, REL timed to the phrasing. Use MAKEUP to restore level and COMP MIX below 100% for parallel density.

4. 04

   De-ess

   Sweep DE-ESS FREQ to the sibilant zone (usually 5–8 kHz), then raise DE-ESS AMOUNT until esses sit down without lisping. Check on the harshest line in the take, not the softest.

5. 05

   EQ the tone

   Use the LOW shelf for body, AIR shelf for sheen, and the two sweepable LO-MID / HI-MID bells (GAIN · FREQ · Q) for the corrective moves — cut boxiness around 300–500 Hz, add presence around 3–5 kHz.

6. 06

   Saturate and level out

   Add DRIVE to taste for density, then set OUTPUT GAIN so bypassed and processed match. Enable AUTO GAIN while dialing so you judge tone, not loudness.