Cubase vocal preset and chain, with stock plugins
The Cubase vocal chain, step by step
- Pitch correction: VariAudio or Pitch Correct. Fix notes in VariAudio (Cubase Pro and Artist), or use Pitch Correct as an insert set to the key of the beat.
- Clean-up EQ: Frequency or StudioEQ. High-pass around 80–100 Hz and cut 2–4 dB around 200–400 Hz. The channel strip EQ works too.
- Compression: Compressor. 3:1 to 4:1, attack 10–30 ms, 3–6 dB of reduction.
- De-essing: DeEsser. Set it on the S sounds, usually 5–8 kHz, and reduce them 3–6 dB.
- Presence: Frequency or StudioEQ. +1 to +3 dB around 3–5 kHz and a gentle high shelf.
- Reverb and delay on FX channels: REVerence or RoomWorks and PingPongDelay. Put them on FX channels at 100% wet and send the vocal to them. Sync the delay to the tempo.
Starting settings
| Stage | Start here | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| High-pass filter | 70–100 Hz (deeper voices) or 100–120 Hz (higher voices) | Removes rumble and mic-stand thumps you can't hear but your mix can. |
| Mud cut | −2 to −4 dB around 200–400 Hz | Clears the boxy, cardboard sound most home recordings have. |
| Compression | 3:1 to 4:1, attack 10–30 ms, release 50–100 ms, 3–6 dB of reduction | Keeps every word at the same level so the vocal stays in front of the beat. |
| De-esser | 5–8 kHz, 3–6 dB of reduction on the S sounds | Tames the sharp S and T sounds that compression and brightening make worse. |
| Presence and air | +1 to +3 dB around 3–5 kHz, a gentle shelf above 10 kHz | Makes the words clear and the vocal sound expensive. Go easy, this is where harshness lives. |
| Reverb (on a send) | Plate or room, 1–1.8 s decay, 20–40 ms pre-delay, mixed low | Puts the vocal in a space without washing it out. Put it on a send, not on the vocal itself. |
| Delay (on a send) | 1/4 or 1/8 note synced to the beat, 15–25% feedback | Adds width and movement. High-pass the delay so it doesn't muddy the beat. |
Why the order matters
Tune before you compress so the compressor reacts to the final notes. Clean up the lows and mud before compression so the compressor isn't pumping on rumble. De-ess after compression, because compression makes S sounds louder. Keep reverb and delay on sends so the dry vocal stays clear and you can turn the space up or down in one place.
Save it as an FX Chain preset
In the insert rack, save the whole chain as an FX Chain preset, or save a Track Preset to bring the inserts, EQ and sends together.
Rap vs singing
Rap: more compression, faster pitch correction, short delay throws instead of a big reverb, the vocal a touch louder than the beat. Singing: gentler compression, slower pitch correction, a longer plate reverb and a quarter-note delay. Ad-libs: lower, panned a little left and right, with more reverb.
Or let KhiFlow set this chain for you.
KhiFlow is a vocal mixing plugin that does every step above for your voice. Pick your mic, press Analyze while the song plays, and it sets the EQ, de-essing, compression, delay and reverb for your vocal and your beat in seconds. Then turn the Mix knob.
VST3 for Windows: FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper and any VST3 DAW. KhiFlow Master comes free with every plan, with a 3-day money-back guarantee.
Questions
What plugins come with Cubase for vocals?
Depending on your edition: Frequency or StudioEQ, Compressor, DeEsser, REVerence or RoomWorks, PingPongDelay, Pitch Correct and VariAudio.
Does KhiFlow work in Cubase?
Yes, on Windows. KhiFlow is a VST3 plugin and loads as an insert on the vocal track.
Is Cubase good for recording vocals?
Yes. Its stock dynamics, de-esser and pitch tools cover a full vocal chain.