De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes
It’s not flashy. It’s not fun. And let’s face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one.
In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what they are, why they matter, and how to wield them like a pro.
🎙️ You’ll learn:
- What de-essers actually do and why your mix will thank you
- The mechanics of de-essing, from simple threshold-based tools to dynamic EQ-based solutions
- Top plugin picks that go beyond the default presets
- When to use de-essers on instruments (hint: it’s not just for vocals)
- Common mistakes and how to avoid over-de-essing the life out of your mix
This episode is perfect for anyone who’s been surprised by a sharp “S” in playback—or who just wants to make their mixes more polished and listener-friendly.
As always, expect a bit of nonsense, a lot of insight, and a new favorite from this week’s Friday Finds. Your ears (and your clients) will be happier for it.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.
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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com