While a singer’s voice can be pure magic, it can also come with its fair share of imperfections. One such challenge is dealing with sibilance, those sharp and hissing “S” sounds that can be a bit too prominent in vocal recordings. But fear not, here we feature some of the best De-Esser plugins. These nifty tools are designed to tame those pesky sibilant frequencies, making your vocals smoother and more pleasant to listen to. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just getting started, these plugines will help you achieve that professional sound you’ve been chasing.
Using a De-esser Plugin The Right Way
Using a De-esser plugin correctly is paramount for pristine vocal recordings. It helps control sibilance without compromising the overall sound. Overusing it can result in unnatural and muffled vocals, while underusing it leaves sibilance issues unresolved.
Properly configured, a De-esser enhances vocal clarity, making the lyrics more intelligible and pleasant to the ear. It’s a tool that, when used judiciously, maintains the vocal’s natural character while eliminating distracting hissing sounds.
While many musicians and producers take on the responsibility of mixing and mastering their own tracks, some may find it beneficial to seek the guidance of seasoned mixing and mastering engineers. Employing a professional’s expertise when utilizing a de-esser plugin in your music production process to address sibilance issues is crucial for attaining a polished and top-tier audio quality.
Whether you decide to handle the mixing and mastering independently or opt for professional support, Fiverr offers a convenient platform where you can connect with proficient audio engineers who can assist you in achieving the highest possible audio quality for your music.
Best De-Esser Plugins For Vocals (Free & Paid)
1. MuseFX De-Ess by Audacity (Free)
Audacity is a free, open-source digital audio editor and recording application that allows users to edit and manipulate audio files.
The De-Esser plugin in Audacity was created to help users remove or reduce sibilance in their recordings, particularly when working with vocals. It has presets for female and male voices, harshness, sibilance, steel guitar and strings rosin. The plugin is part of the MuseFX collection of essential effects. The collections contains other free plugins such as Chorus, Compressor, Delay, Master, Noise Gate, Pitch Fix, Reverb, Rotary, and two EQ effects.
The Audacity De-Esser plugin was introduced in version 2.2.0 of the software and has become a popular tool for users looking to improve the quality of their recordings. It is designed to be easy to use, with simple controls for adjusting the threshold and frequency range of the plugin.
View: MuseFX De-Ess by Audacity
2. Weiss
The Weiss De-Esser was developed by Weiss Engineering, a Swiss-based company known for their high-end audio equipment, and was released in 2013.
The Weiss De-Esser is based on the same technology used in the company’s DS1-MK3 hardware De-Esser, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. The software version is a faithful recreation of the hardware unit, with the added benefit of being more affordable and accessible to a wider range of users.
The Weiss De-Esser has received high praise from audio professionals for its effectiveness, transparency, and ease of use. It has become a go-to plugin for many engineers and producers who demand the highest quality in their recordings.
3. Spitfish (Free)
Spitfish is a popular De-Esser plugin developed by digital audio software company, “de la Mancha”.
The Spitfish De-Esser plugin was first released in 2003, and has since gained popularity among audio engineers, producers, and musicians due to its simple interface and effective results.
One of the main benefits of the Spitfish De-Esser plugin is that it is available for free.
4. Fabfilter-DS
The FabFilter Pro-DS is a digital audio plugin that was developed by FabFilter, a software company based in the Netherlands. It is a highly regarded De-Esser plugin that is known for its precision and flexibility in controlling sibilance and other high-frequency issues in audio recordings.
The Pro-DS is part of FabFilter’s Pro series of plugins, which includes EQ, compression, reverb, and other processing tools. It was first released in 2013 and has since become a popular choice among audio engineers and producers.
5. AVA De-Esser
The AVA De-Esser is a plugin created by Harrison Consoles, a company that specializes in producing professional audio equipment and software.
The AVA De-Esser is available for purchase on the Harrison Consoles website as part of their AVA plugins bundle. The bundle includes several other plugins designed for audio processing and mixing, such as EQ, compression, and reverb. The cost of the bundle varies depending on the number of plugins included.
While there is no free version of the AVA De-Esser, this is one of the most popular and affordable options among the paid De-Esser options.
6. Reaper
Reaper is a popular digital audio workstation (DAW) software that is known for its flexibility and affordability. It is created by Cockos Incorporated and has been available since 2005.
Reaper includes a built-in De-Esser plugin, which is a useful tool for reducing sibilance in recordings. The Reaper De-Esser is a straightforward plugin that is easy to use, making it a popular choice among audio engineers and producers.
It’s not included with the purchase of Reaper software, which has a free trial version and a full license version that can be purchased for a one-time fee. While Reaper is not completely free, it is considered to be an affordable option for audio production software and offers a lot of value for its price.
7. Ableton
The Ableton De-Esser is included as a built-in plugin in Ableton Live, and is therefore available to users of the software at no additional cost.
Ableton Live was first released in 2001, and the De-Esser was added as a native plugin in version 9.5, which was released in 2015. The plugin is modeled after classic hardware De-Essers and uses a sophisticated algorithm to analyze and process the audio signal in real-time.
8. Waves
The Waves De-Esser is a plugin developed by Waves Audio, a leading developer of audio software and plugins for recording, mixing, and mastering.
The plugin is not free. It is available for purchase on the Waves Audio website, as well as on other online music software retailers. However, Waves Audio does offer a demo version of the plugin that can be downloaded for free from their website.
Conclusion
De-esser plugins are a valuable addition to your audio toolkit, helping you take control of those unruly sibilant frequencies and enhancing the quality of your vocal recordings. Whether you opt for a free option or invest in a premium plugin, the 8 options we’ve explored in this post offer a range of features and capabilities to suit various needs and budgets. Remember, the key to a great vocal mix is balance, and with the help of these best de-esser plugins, you’re one step closer to achieving that sonic perfection you’ve been striving for. So, experiment, fine-tune, and let your vocals shine!
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