Ever wondered about those sharp, jarring sounds that sometimes sneak into an otherwise smooth vocal performance? That’s sibilance, and in this article, we’ll delve into what it is in music and why it happens during a singer’s recording. We’ll also explore its negative impact on mixing and, most importantly, provide you with the top five methods to tackle sibilance in your music production.
Let’s dive in!
What exactly is sibilance in music?
Sibilance arises from the fricative sounds present in human speech, a fundamental element in languages worldwide.
These sibilant fricatives occur when streams of air interact with your teeth during the pronunciation of specific syllables.
In English, the ‘S’ and ‘F’ sounds frequently contribute to sibilance due to their significant energy in the frequency range where our ears are most sensitive. This is precisely why they play such a prominent role in speech.
However, when it comes to recording, excessive upper midrange presence can quickly become distracting.
Why is sibilance such a problem in music production?
When you’re in the studio recording a vocalist, those sharp ‘S’ sounds, known as sibilance, can sometimes overpower the overall sound.
It tends to occur with specific singing styles or particular word combinations in lyrics. The result? An annoying and distracting noise that pops up whenever the vocalist hits an ‘S’ sound.
Certain microphone types can amplify sibilance, especially when combined with the natural qualities of the singer’s voice. And if you throw in compression, EQ, and other mixing processes needed for a polished vocal, that unpleasant sibilance can become even more pronounced.
In extreme cases, excessive sibilance can render the vocal track completely unusable due to its harshness. Unless you find an effective way to reduce it, excessive sibilance can prevent you from achieving that smooth, radio-ready vocal sound.
5 Simple Ways to Reduce Sibilance for a Cleaner and Better Mix
De-esser
One effective approach for handling sibilant vocals is to employ a de-esser, a key tool used post-recording to combat sibilance.
A de-esser essentially acts like a compressor but targets a specific narrow frequency range where sibilance is most intrusive. It only kicks in when sibilant sounds occur, leaving other syllables untouched.
While de-essers can reduce the prominence of sibilant ‘s’ sounds, they might not completely eliminate them in extreme cases.
Today, most de-esser tools are available in the form of software or plugins that integrate seamlessly with your digital audio workstation (DAW).
One highly recommended tool is Revoice Pro 5, which not only handles de-essing but also offers a range of other features like vocal layer alignment, pitch correction, and more to help you achieve professional-quality vocals.
However, if sibilance continues to pose challenges in your mix, don’t worry—there are other methods you can explore to address it.
Manual editing
If you want absolute control, consider using manual editing techniques to handle sibilance.
To reduce annoying ‘S’ or ‘F’ sounds, insert automation breakpoints where they occur and lower the volume.
While this approach is more time-consuming, it gives you full control over the reduction level and where it applies.
If other solutions fall short in taming sibilance, give manual editing a try.
Smoothing plugins
Nowadays, a fresh breed of tools has emerged to tackle pesky, sibilant vocals.
Referred to as smoothing plugins, they harness adaptive technology to alleviate harshness, avoiding the downsides of alternative approaches.
These plugins come equipped with frequency-dependent controls, allowing precise processing of targeted areas, including the troublesome upper mids.
If sibilance is just one piece of the puzzle in your quest to resolve vocal harshness issues, consider giving a smoothing plugin a shot.
Suites for vocal editing
Certain standalone software platforms are tailored to address particular challenges in music production.
You’ve likely come across mastering suites or audio restoration suites, but there are also specialized vocal suites equipped with distinctive capabilities.
These suites grant you unparalleled manual control over the underlying source of sibilance.
Dynamic EQ
Similar to a de-esser, dynamic EQ employs compression-style settings within a specific frequency range.
While its approach differs somewhat from processors primarily focused on dynamics, the outcomes can be similar.
If you already have one of these tools in your plugin collection, think about applying some gain reduction if basic EQ adjustments have already taken you in the right direction.
Conclusion
Sibilance can become a significant issue when it takes away from the overall music experience for listeners.
The good news is that there are numerous effective techniques available for addressing sibilance in contemporary music production.
Whether you opt for a classic de-esser or opt for a dedicated vocal editor, you’ll find something on this list to assist you in achieving those velvety-smooth vocals.
If you’ve made it through this article, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of handling sibilance.