Raw to Radio-Ready Vocals using Waves Horizon Bundle

Nov 16, 2021 | 45,603 Views

Mixing lead vocal tracks is one of the most critical jobs in any production. Modern music often demands super clean, tuned and upfront sounding vocals while also needing to feel big, purposeful and emotive. For many, getting all this right is challenging, but with the plugins in Waves Horizon, achieving highly polished commercial sounding vocal tracks couldn’t be simpler.

In this video, songwriter, producer and mix engineer Paul Drew from The Studio Rats shows you 7 essential steps you need to know to get your raw sounding vocal recordings radio ready.

0:00 Introduction
0:17 Listen to the vocal example
1:13 Step 1: Pitch correction with Waves Tune LT
2:23 Step 2: Sweeten vocals with V-EQ3
3:29 Step 3: Control dynamics with CLA-2A
3:58 Step 4: Reduce harshness with Renaissance DeEsser
4:47 Step 5: Add color with Kramer Tape
5:22 Step 6: Get upfront vocals with L1 limiting
5:54 Before and after example (with and without steps 1 to 6)
6:23 Steps 6 and 7: Vocal depth with reverb and delays
8:23 Final before and after example
8:82 Sign off

Waves Horizon bundle includes 83 Waves plugins for mixing and mastering. It’s our most popular plugin bundle to date. Learn more about Waves Horizon and see all the modeled EQs, compressors, effects and more included in this epic bundle. Discover Waves Horizon here!

Song: “Falling Deeper” - The Studio Rats Feat. Abi F Jones.

[{"nodeGUID":"72c09481-6b09-44ad-8639-b9219eff2557","nodeID":128,"documentName":"CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter","documentID":128,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/cla-2a-compressor-limiter","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/cla-2a-compressor-limiter.png","msrp":249.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":88,"mainOrder":10008,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":91,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"CLA2ATDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Modeled on the legendary electro-optical tube compressor, this plugin emulates the original\u2019s smooth frequency-dependent behaviors which made it a favorite of engineers everywhere.","tagline":"Smooth, warm, natural-sounding tube compression","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Compressors","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"1k\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":929,"rating":4.85038,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"7ef5fce7-b879-459f-bf49-f0aec52fbdad","nodeID":176,"documentName":"H-Delay Hybrid Delay","documentID":176,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/h-delay-hybrid-delay","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/h-delay-hybrid-delay.png","msrp":179.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":83,"mainOrder":10016,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":112,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"HDELAYTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"From old school PCM42-style effects like filtering, flanging and phasing to slapback echo, ping-pong and tempo-sync with modulation, H-Delay analog delay plugin delivers.","tagline":"The complete toolbox for classic delay effects","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Delay","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"700\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":614,"rating":4.83062,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"0a992b53-111e-4a68-a023-7e0292333283","nodeID":198,"documentName":"L1 Ultramaximizer","documentID":198,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l1-ultramaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l1-ultramaximizer.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":24.990000000,"discount":83,"mainOrder":10041,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":130,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-L1D40","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Advanced level maximizer, look-ahead peak limiter and high-resolution re-quantizer, all in one powerful industry-standard plugin for mastering and mixing.","tagline":"Mono/stereo limiter with refined resolution control","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"100\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":313,"rating":4.86262,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"7901d108-58aa-46a6-92fe-1e41b8824147","nodeID":196,"documentName":"Kramer Master Tape","documentID":196,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/kramer-master-tape","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/kramer-master-tape.png","msrp":249.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":88,"mainOrder":10055,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":161,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"KMPXTTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Developed in association with Eddie Kramer, the Kramer Master Tape plugin is modeled on a a rare vintage 1/4\u0026Prime; reel-to-reel machine.","tagline":"Classic American analog tape saturation","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Modeling","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"100\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":489,"rating":4.82618,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"7b24c9e2-6e18-457a-a420-f4af29a888e8","nodeID":264,"documentName":"Renaissance DeEsser","documentID":264,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/renaissance-deesser","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/renaissance-deesser.png","msrp":79.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":62,"mainOrder":10078,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":190,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"RDESTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"This specialized sibilance attenuator allows you to reduce undesirable high frequencies surgically, while preserving the sparkle and musicality of the source.","tagline":"Modern de-esser with extensive visual feedback ","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Vocals","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"100\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":147,"rating":4.83673,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"1fae3869-d3be-4215-a6f2-11fc76307f29","nodeID":291,"documentName":"TrueVerb","documentID":291,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/trueverb","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/trueverb.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":24.990000000,"discount":75,"mainOrder":10135,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":205,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-TVD40","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Combining reverb, an early reflections simulator, and an intuitive interface, the TrueVerb reverb plugin makes it easy to create natural-sounding acoustic spaces. ","tagline":"Lush reverb with detailed control over early reflections ","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Reverb","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":123,"rating":4.62602,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"3280367b-260f-4763-bec1-cee3096a0143","nodeID":303,"documentName":"Waves Tune LT","documentID":303,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/waves-tune-lt","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/waves-tune-lt.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":19.990000000,"discount":80,"mainOrder":10141,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":221,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"TNELT","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Like its big brother, Waves Tune LT delivers the same great sound as Waves Tune using simplified controls including pitch edit graph with waveform overview, timeline, piano roll and pitch editor.","tagline":"Simplified vocal pitch correction and re-tuning ","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Pitch \u0026 Time","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":81,"rating":3.97531,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"c58d8d44-ed0f-4700-bd58-22f65b7ac6d3","nodeID":295,"documentName":"V-EQ3","documentID":295,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/v-eq3","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/v-eq3.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":19.990000000,"discount":87,"mainOrder":10148,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":213,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"VEQ3TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Combining the best characteristics of the vintage 1066 and 1073 modules, the V-EQ3 is a modeled equalizer plugin based on the acclaimed Neve\u00AE 1066 \u0026 1073.","tagline":"Vintage EQ with rich analog tone, modeled from 1066 and 1073 consoles","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Modeling","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":71,"rating":4.87324,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"bd818424-4a0c-4aa8-8b06-90743de8becf","nodeID":52,"documentName":"Horizon","documentID":52,"documentUrlPath":"/bundles/horizon","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/bundles/600/horizon.png","msrp":3999.000000000,"skuPrice":249.990000000,"discount":94,"mainOrder":10169,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":260,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"USW379-1362-659","note":"","documentPageDescription":"83 audio plugins for music production professionals, featuring precise models of vintage EQs and compressors, effects, mastering tools and more.","tagline":"Plugins for production, mixing, pro mastering, and sound design","departmentID":1,"gsfCategory":"Premium Bundles","fixedPosition":true,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"400\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":460,"rating":4.78478,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"bg-gray-700 text-white","badgeText":"Most Popular"}]

Loading....

More Mixing & Production Tips