De-essing for beginners

jdier · 6th February 2004

So I am just wrapping on a super budget recording job that I did for a buddy (at no cost, I am not a pro...) and I am working on the mix down. I am pretty happy with the results so far but have hit a bump in the road on the lead vocal.

In general the guys is really happy with the sounds. He is a fan of HUGE room reverbs and I lean toward the more subtle, but either way, my real problem is his 'S' or 'Ess' sounds.

The chorus of 'close up the honky tonks' on the words CLOSE and TONKS you can hear the problem.

I am still learning a great deal about recording, and now know I should have paid better attention during tracking, but now I need some suggestions on how to clean it up a bit. For a variety of reasons, retracking is not an option.

Anyone have any EQ suggestions?

I work all in the box using Sonar XL.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

DanV · 6th February 2004

If you are patient at editing - sometimes the best thing to do is automate volume and de-ess manually. I'm not sure if sonar can do vst plug-ins - but i believe there is a freeware fxpansion converterif not? Look into the digitalfishphones.com stuff - they have a decent freeware de-esser called spitfish.

Aside from this you can try to eq out trouble spots.
You could also hunt for a better mic - or mic position.
Having the right chain before going to hd can be a big help.

What is your front end like?

e-cue · 6th February 2004

Lemme guess: Chinese ld condenser mic?

As a beginner, you might wanna try this: roll off everything on the top and low end so all you listen to is 7K - 12K. If the S's only bug you time to time, use a desser of some kind. If it's annoying all the time, just dip out the frequencies that make the speakers spit in your face.

I'm not familiar with Sonar's audio side, so I'm afraid I can't be much help there.

Also, I very often like sending the un-dessed vocal to the verb instead of the processed vocal. Good luck and have fun experimenting.

Jules · 7th February 2004

Ha!

I always de-ess the send to my AMS RMX 16 with a Dbx 902

chessparov · 7th February 2004

How about finding the offending frequency, then using subtractive
EQ?

For example, 7kHz is my red flag area.
2 or 3 db's cut there with a 1/2 octave bandwith, on a
parametric EQ, seems to be a good starting point for me
on mic's with a big presence peak.

Does using a de-esser typically sound more natural than
doing this?

Chris

P.S. I have an Orban 536a, but haven't gotten the
"pigtail" connector yet.

Drumsound · 7th February 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by chessparov
How about finding the offending frequency, then using subtractive
EQ?

For example, 7kHz is my red flag area.
2 or 3 db's cut there with a 1/2 octave bandwith, on a
parametric EQ, seems to be a good starting point for me
on mic's with a big presence peak.

Does using a de-esser typically sound more natural than
doing this?

I don't think so.

chessparov · 7th February 2004

Thanks Tony.

Chris

Curious G · 7th February 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by danv1983
... sometimes the best thing to do is automate volume and de-ess manually...

this is what I do as well, less damaging and more effective than a plug-in IMO

"Close up the honky tonks, throw away the key..." just played that last night, great fun!

jdier · 8th February 2004

Thanks to all. I wound up doing a tiny tiny amount of EQ, then going in and manually editing with a volume envelope the worst offenders.

I am going to have to do some searches on addressing the mic and sibilance prior to my next tracking session.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas.

Jim

6th February 2004	#1
jdier Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wisconsin, US Posts: 736 Thread Starter	De-essing for beginners So I am just wrapping on a super budget recording job that I did for a buddy (at no cost, I am not a pro...) and I am working on the mix down. I am pretty happy with the results so far but have hit a bump in the road on the lead vocal. In general the guys is really happy with the sounds. He is a fan of HUGE room reverbs and I lean toward the more subtle, but either way, my real problem is his 'S' or 'Ess' sounds. The chorus of 'close up the honky tonks' on the words CLOSE and TONKS you can hear the problem. I am still learning a great deal about recording, and now know I should have paid better attention during tracking, but now I need some suggestions on how to clean it up a bit. For a variety of reasons, retracking is not an option. Anyone have any EQ suggestions? I work all in the box using Sonar XL. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jim

6th February 2004	#2
DanV Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brooklyn NYC Posts: 696	If you are patient at editing - sometimes the best thing to do is automate volume and de-ess manually. I'm not sure if sonar can do vst plug-ins - but i believe there is a freeware fxpansion converterif not? Look into the digitalfishphones.com stuff - they have a decent freeware de-esser called spitfish. Aside from this you can try to eq out trouble spots. You could also hunt for a better mic - or mic position. Having the right chain before going to hd can be a big help. What is your front end like? __________________ easy there tiger, your paper is showing

7th February 2004	#4
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,356 1 Review written	Ha! I always de-ess the send to my AMS RMX 16 with a Dbx 902 __________________ Jules Add your reviews to the new reviews area! Gearslutz on Facebook Follow my GS picks on Twitter

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6th February 2004	#3
e-cue Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 4,061	Lemme guess: Chinese ld condenser mic? As a beginner, you might wanna try this: roll off everything on the top and low end so all you listen to is 7K - 12K. If the S's only bug you time to time, use a desser of some kind. If it's annoying all the time, just dip out the frequencies that make the speakers spit in your face. I'm not familiar with Sonar's audio side, so I'm afraid I can't be much help there. Also, I very often like sending the un-dessed vocal to the verb instead of the processed vocal. Good luck and have fun experimenting.

7th February 2004	#5
chessparov Jr. Gear Slut 2nd class Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,761	How about finding the offending frequency, then using subtractive EQ? For example, 7kHz is my red flag area. 2 or 3 db's cut there with a 1/2 octave bandwith, on a parametric EQ, seems to be a good starting point for me on mic's with a big presence peak. Does using a de-esser typically sound more natural than doing this? Chris P.S. I have an Orban 536a, but haven't gotten the "pigtail" connector yet.

8th February 2004	#9
jdier Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wisconsin, US Posts: 736 Thread Starter	Thanks to all. I wound up doing a tiny tiny amount of EQ, then going in and manually editing with a volume envelope the worst offenders. I am going to have to do some searches on addressing the mic and sibilance prior to my next tracking session. Thanks to everyone for the ideas. Jim