Studio One makes a vocal chain quick to build: every channel has a Fat Channel with a high-pass filter, gate, compressor, EQ and limiter, and the Insert slots take anything else. Included effects vary by edition and version, so use the names below as examples and swap in what you own. The order is what matters; for the reasons, see vocal chain order explained.
- Edit and comp first, then correct pitch
- Use the Fat Channel high-pass, EQ and compressor for the basics
- Add a second compressor, de-esser and saturation as inserts
- Put reverb and delay on FX Channels
- Route lead, doubles and adlibs to one vocal bus
A Studio One vocal chain, in order
| # | Tool | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Event gain and edits | Even out phrases, lower breaths |
| 2 | Pitch correction | Real-time tuner or an editor you own; set the song's key first |
| 3 | Fat Channel: high-pass | About 80-100 Hz |
| 4 | Fat Channel: EQ | Cut mud (200-400 Hz); later a gentle presence boost |
| 5 | Fat Channel: compressor | Peak control, 2-4 dB |
| 6 | Insert: second compressor | Smooth levelling, 2-3 dB |
| 7 | Insert: de-esser | Sibilance, usually 5-10 kHz |
| 8 | Insert: saturation | Subtle harmonics for presence |
Which effects ship with your copy of Studio One depends on its edition, so check your Browser's effects list. Where something is missing, a third-party plugin fills the slot.
Step 1: Clean up the take
Comp your best takes (Studio One stacks takes as layers, and you can build a comp from them; see how to comp vocals). Lower loud breaths and even out large level differences with event gain. Aim for peaks around -10 to -6 dBFS before processing, as covered in how to gain stage vocals.
Step 2: Pitch correction
Place a real-time tuner at the top of the Insert list so it hears the dry voice, with the key and scale set to the song. For natural results use a slower setting; for an obvious effect use the fastest. Settings: Auto-Tune settings and Waves Tune Real-Time guide. If you prefer note-by-note editing, use a pitch editor that works inside Studio One.
Step 3: Fat Channel basics
Enable the Fat Channel on the vocal channel, then work through it:
- High-pass: around 80-100 Hz to remove rumble.
- EQ: small cuts first. 2-4 dB around 200-400 Hz for mud, a narrow cut for any harsh spot. Boosts come later in the chain or on a second EQ. See vocal EQ cheat sheet.
- Compressor: a fast, moderate setting that catches peaks for 2-4 dB. Choose among the compressor models available to you. See vocal compression settings.
The Fat Channel's own processing order can be rearranged in some versions. If yours lets you move the EQ before or after the compressor, put corrective EQ first.
Step 4: Inserts for the rest
After the Fat Channel add a second, smoother compressor, then a de-esser, then saturation. A de-esser can also go earlier if loud sibilance is making the first compressor clamp down. See how to de-ess vocals and vocal saturation and distortion.
Step 5: Reverb and delay on FX Channels
Create FX Channels, put a reverb on one and a delay on another at 100% wet, and use the vocal channel's sends to feed them. All the vocals can use the same FX Channels so they sit in one space. Starting settings: vocal reverb settings and vocal delay settings.
Step 6: Build a vocal bus
Add a Bus channel, route the lead, doubles and adlibs to it, and put light compression (1-2 dB) and a small EQ there to glue the parts together. You also get a single fader for the whole vocal. Walkthrough: vocal bus processing.
Save your chain
Studio One lets you save channel and insert settings as presets. Once your chain works, save it and recall it on the next project, then re-check the key, de-esser and compressor threshold for each new vocal.
Using Waves vocal chains in Studio One
Waves plugins load as VST3 plugins in Studio One. Put the StudioVerse or StudioRack plugin in an Insert slot and load a chain; the full chain runs in one slot, and you can still use the Fat Channel before it. See the installation guide and StudioVerse and StudioRack explained. The Ultimate Vocal Chain is 26 Waves StudioVerse chains; it needs Waves StudioVerse (free) and the Waves plugins listed on the product page, and works in DAWs that run Waves plugins, such as Studio One.
Common Studio One vocal problems and fixes
- Vocal sounds boxy or thick. Cut 2-4 dB around 200-400 Hz in the Fat Channel EQ and confirm the high-pass is engaged.
- Compression is audible and pumping. Slow the release, reduce the gain reduction, or split the work across two compressors.
- Sibilance is harsh. Sweep the de-esser frequency until you find the harsh band, and check it after any presence boost.
- Tuner sounds glitchy. Make sure it sits first in the Insert list, with the right key and scale, and nothing like reverb ahead of it.
- Vocal gets lost in the beat. Dip the beat 1-3 dB around 2-4 kHz instead of simply raising the vocal. See how to make vocals sit in the mix.
Compare against a reference track you know well, at the same loudness, and make small changes. If you are working in a hip-hop or trap style, the hip-hop vocal chain guide covers the typical tone choices.
FAQ
Is the Fat Channel enough for vocals?
For basic EQ and compression, yes. Add a de-esser, saturation and effects around it for a full chain.
Where do I put pitch correction in Studio One?
At the top of the Insert list, before the Fat Channel dynamics if possible, so it processes the clean, dry voice.
Should reverb be an insert or an FX Channel?
An FX Channel, so several vocal tracks can share it and you can adjust the amount with sends.
How do I reuse my vocal chain?
Save the channel or insert chain as a preset, load it on new vocals and adjust per voice.
