Why sibilance doesn't go away even when you apply a de-esser | How to make vocals that don't sting
Even though the de-esser is applied deeply, only the "sa line" still stings. On the other hand, the more you apply it, the darker your entire voice becomes. In such cases, before lowering the threshold, check where the detection is occurring and the processing order.
Sibilance is not one frequency
Sibilant center changes depending on singer, microphone, and pronunciation. Even in the same take, the strong points of "sa", "shi", and "tsu" may be different. Rather than fixing the frequency and sharpening it, loop the consonant in question and search for the detection band.
Four points to check first
Is the detection monitor correctly picking up sibilant sounds instead of voices?
Does the reduction amount move only at the moment of the consonant?
Has the sting increased again after using the compressor or saturator?
Is the reverb or delay getting louder than the dry sound?
Do not erase in one stage, divide into two stages
If you suppress the sound too much with just one device, the pronunciation will tend to become unnatural. For example, by lightly suppressing only the strong peaks before the compressor and adjusting them again after the compressor, you can reduce the amount of processing for each. There is no need to move both stages all the time.
Using wide band and split band properly
Wideband lowers the entire voice a little during sibilance moments, which can make it sound natural. Split band can lower only the target band, but depending on the settings, the texture of the high range will change. Rather than choosing which one is better, choose the one that feels least uncomfortable with the material.
Adjust even before reverb
Reverberation stretches out the sibilance. Even if there are no problems with the vocal track, adding a light de-esser to just the signal sent to the reverb can reduce the harshness while preserving the air.
The purpose of a de-esser is not to eliminate sibilant sounds, but to make the lyrics sound natural.
Confirmation after setting
Comparing on/off with accompaniment playing
Comparing with the same volume
Check if consonants can be heard even at low volume
Check with both earphones and speakers
Check if it is too effective and “sa line” becomes “ta line”
If only the moment of stabbing calms down and the brightness and pronunciation of the voice remain, the amount of processing is sufficient.
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