Band Practice
Price: Free
A 24-band EQ with ten filter shapes and three phase modes.
Equalization
Windows VST3 · Mac VST3 / AU
Signal path
Fix harsh vocal sibilance
First decide whether the problem is a few consonants or the whole vocal tone. This checklist gets you to that decision. The linked de-essing guide explains the method in more detail.
- Band Practice
- Shusssh
The order
Step by step
Change the order if the material asks for it. The reasons are in each step.
1. Find the exact words
Mark one phrase where the consonants distract and another where the voice already works. If the whole phrase is too bright, check the recording, balance and broad EQ before asking a de-esser to fix it.
2. Control the repeated problem
Use Shusssh gently on the vocal. Compare Sensitivity, Amount and Focus on both marked phrases; stop increasing processing when vowels or word endings become less clear.
3. Hand-edit the exception
If one consonant still jumps out, use the DAW’s clip gain or automation there. Check the edit through the whole mix, including any compression or limiting that follows.
Listening check
At similar playback loudness, the words should remain easy to understand and the distracting consonants should attract less attention. If the vocal develops a lisp or loses air throughout, reduce the intervention.
Hear the published example
This is the product’s existing demonstration, with its own source and settings notes. It illustrates the tool; it is not a new recording of this checklist or a measured comparison with another product.
Loading the product’s published audio… Open the product page
Go deeper
In this guide
The plug-ins named above
Open a product page for the full controls, formats and installers.
Shusssh
Price: $29.99$59.99 from 9 Nov
Control sharp vocal sibilance while keeping the words clear.
De-Esser
Windows VST3 · Mac VST3 / AU
FAQ
Questions about this chain
- Can I fix one harsh consonant without another plug-in?
- Yes. A short clip-gain or automation edit can be enough. Make the change in context and preserve the beginning and ending of the word.
Keep going
Other signal paths
- A vocal chain that starts with the problem
- A drum bus that glues without flattening
- A mix bus chain in the order that keeps decisions reversible
- A mastering chain with one job per stage
- A beat session from empty project to arranged loop
- A sound-design pass: source, movement, space
- Hit streaming loudness without crushing the mix
- Make a clean synth sound old
- Glue a drum bus: one compressor decision
- Set up plug-ins in your first home studio
- Installed a plug-in but cannot find it?