Alternate techniques for De-Essing

[Kenny Gioia]

I just figured out a better way to De-Ess vocals.

I used to De-Ess vocals by going into volume automation mode and highlighting each Ess, and trimming it down 3 or 4dB.

There were 2 problems with this method.

1. You've now started running vocal automation and you can't get a rough mix without going into touch/trim or latch/trim mode.

2. It's a PITA to re-adjust the Ess's volume trim without doing it all over again.

So here is the solution I've come up with.

Put the "Trim" plugin on the vocal.

Set the Trim value to 3 or 4dB. (You can always adjust this later)

Set the automation on the Trim plugin so you can automate the Bypass on/off.

Set the vocal track's automation to off and in plugin mode.

Now un-bypass the plugin, and go to the first Ess.

Hit Command + / which should write a non-bypass event right on the Ess.

Repeat this for each Ess and you're done. All of the Esss should have the Trim plugin engaged and the rest of the vocal should have it bypassed.

Every time the Ess goes by, the trim plugin should pop in and trim the audio by the amount set.

If you're really anal (like me) you can even automate how far each Ess gets reduced by automating that parameter too.

If the Bypass automation doesn't react quick enuff, you may have to automate it that way instead. Hopefully not.

The beauty here is that when you're done, the Lead Vocal's main level still hasn't been automated. You can fully re-adjust it without writing automation.

The other bonus is that you can now Option-Drag the Trim plugin to other Dbl Vox & Bk Vox tracks so that you don't need to highlight each Ess separately on those tracks. (Assuming that all the Esss are in the same place) (You could always nudge though)

I use QuicKeys so I'll turn my Command - / key into just the Esc key to save me from having to hold that keystroke. Saves a little time.

I apologize if someone already came up with this one. I think it's original but I could be wrong.

Thanks.

[joachim]

another way :
iZotope RX2 , Spectral Repair , Attenuate Mode , Vertical(!) : the SSS-area is easy to identify -> select -> repair -> render
(can be made for multiple SSS´s in a sentence)

or :
EQ, automate a tight notch-down in the SSS-area,
after that, make a ramp-in and ramp-out with "X" with the track view set to gain of the frequency band (so that it ramps in shortly prior the SSS and shortly thereafter)
(possibly not only in the 6-7 kHz region, but additionally in the 2.5 kHz region)

what is bad about automating bypass : no ramps can be constructed, so your bypass might effect other non-SSS-vowels directly in front/behind the SSS

[louieshowers]

???? How about using a de-esser plugin??? tweak it correctly and you are done.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by louieshowers

???? How about using a de-esser plugin??? tweak it correctly and you are done.

I never did get the desser plugins - suppose I didn't ever tweak it enough

[louieshowers]

Originally Posted by YYR123

I never did get the desser plugins - suppose I didn't ever tweak it enough

do you have waves plugins? If so, the renaissance de esser is great. The most important things are to find the correct frequency of the "ess" and then be sure not to over reduce the frequency when you find it. If you do over reduce, it will sound unnatural. Male and female are usually at a different range. Play around with it. It is easy and you can hear instantly if you are using it right. Make sure you listen to it in the mix too. It is a great and efficient tool. Similar to a Multi band compressor which only tweaks (reduces) a targeted frequency bandwidth. check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjlMT57iT5c

[JFreak]

De-esser plugins are great if you need to do some stuff fast, but the pencil tool is still the best tool out there, soundwise. If you have the time, then take the time and tweak all esses away manually. That is the only way you have total control over how much or little effect you want.

That said;

Dynamic eq plugins automated are my 2nd choice. It takes slightly more time compared to de-essing plugins, but sounds better. If I'm paid for it, I'm going to choose something else than de-essers.

[louieshowers]

Originally Posted by JFreak

De-esser plugins are great if you need to do some stuff fast, but the pencil tool is still the best tool out there, soundwise. If you have the time, then take the time and tweak all esses away manually. That is the only way you have total control over how much or little effect you want.

That said;

Dynamic eq plugins automated are my 2nd choice. It takes slightly more time compared to de-essing plugins, but sounds better. If I'm paid for it, I'm going to choose something else than de-essers.

To each is own, but in what way does it sound better? If you adjust the proper threshold and frequency, a good, sophisticated de-esser plugin will grab only the trouble frequencies and reduce them appropriately. Not to mention, you can also utilize the automation features within the de esser plugin to adjust "esses" differently at different points in the tune, thus having total control of the reduction, frequency, shape, and master bypass.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by louieshowers

do you have waves plugins? If so, the renaissance de esser is great. The most important things are to find the correct frequency of the "ess" and then be sure not to over reduce the frequency when you find it. If you do it will sound unnatural. Male and female are usually at a different range. Play around with it. It is easy and you can hear instantly if you are using it right. Make sure you listen to it in the mix too. It is a great and efficient tool. Similar to a Multi band compressor which only tweaks (reduces) a targeted frequency bandwidth. check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjlMT57iT5c

Thanks great video I'm not sure what Deesser I used but it wasn't that one set up look totally different

It looked very intuitive

[Meads]

The SPL DeEsser ist the best I used so far. It's the only one I'm aware, that doesn't get triggered by volume but by waveform. It detects the "s" frequency and attenuates it via phase cancellation.
I always had the issue with stuff like Waves Deesser and the like, that once somebody is screaming or vocals get very loud the Deesser kicked in very harshly even though there wasn't even an "s", making the vocal very dull.
Don't have that issue anymore. Highly recommend the SPL Desser.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by Meads

The SPL DeEsser ist the best I used so far. It's the only one I'm aware, that doesn't get triggered by volume but by waveform. It detects the "s" frequency and attenuates it via phase cancellation.
I always had the issue with stuff like Waves Deesser and the like, that once somebody is screaming or vocals get very loud the Deesser kicked in very harshly even though there wasn't even an "s", making the vocal very dull.
Don't have that issue anymore. Highly recommend the SPL Desser.

Nice will check it out