Clicky C's in vocals

[Jonny_silva]

Every time I mix vocals I always end up with the C's sounding really clicky.

Im guessing its cthe compression bringing out the click, but no matter how slow an attack I use its always the same. Is part of it due to the performance of the vocalist? How can I reduce the clickyness?

[maisonvague]

I will usually edit those clicks by hand by zooming in on the waveform of the vocal track and either lowering the gain a few dBs or sometimes even cutting them out altogether. The vocal performance (and mic'ing technique) definitely contribute to the problem, but it's the compressor that pushes it over the edge. Best to edit them by hand, especially if you are already satisfied with the compressor settings on the rest of the track.

[loujudson]

Well, that's a new one! To reduce leading transients you need a FASTER attack, not a slower one. You might try a speciaized comp with fast attack and release just for the leading consonants. One with Lookahead would be good.

But in 40 years this has never been a problem for me. Might be your singer! Or maybe you are compressing too much...

L

[Lumin One]

yeah a faster attack will help with this. the slower attack only amplifies the clicks. how fast is your attack? i usually have mine around 20-25 ms.

[Will.E.P.]

Originally Posted by loujudson

Well, that's a new one! To reduce leading transients you need a FASTER attack, not a slower one.

Exactly what I was thinking.

But yea, maisonvague hit it spot on. Edit it by hand, you have the ability to do this for a reason. If you even everything out before you run them through effects, you will generally get a smoother result. I even go a bit further and slice out space where there are no words. Some people use gates for that, but you will find, if you go in and do most of what you are trying to to with effects by hand, you will get a much smoother and more user controlled effects.

EDIT:

Also, not sure if this is part of the problem, but from what I hear, it most likely is, next time you record vocals get a pop screen. They are pretty cheap and will solve that problem for the most part. Good luck!

[Vectorman]

I pretty much always have to go in and do some manual automation drawing to control things (usually sibiliants and spot reduction around 2KHz on a few "E" vowels that are too peaky). I've yet to find settings on any de-esser or multiband compressor that would take care of all problems in a vocal track automatically - it always takes a bit of additional manual fine tuning.

[Slash Asterisk]

I've never had this problem with music but for tv and film i use Izotope de-clicker it works magic. One click and your done.. serious magic. A far cry from the days of scanning through the waveform and doing manual editing.

[Jonny_silva]

I have a pop screen already lol.

I thought putting slower attacks would allow the 'C' to come through mostly uncompressed and therefore not sound to much clicky?

[Liquid360]

Vocal compression always brings out the siblance. This is why they still make "De-essers", basically a simple compressor with an EQ side-chain built in, so you can compress only certain frequencies. Target the "clicky" loud frequencies and you're problem is solved.

[Jonny_silva]

good tip, never though of using the d-esser!!

[loujudson]

Here's another posibility - just came from Waves today:
TransX -Transient Shaper Plugin | Waves

Intro special at $49 might save you a lot of grief.