In this blog post, you'll learn my favorite vocal thickening techniques that you can use on any reputable DAW, Including FL Studio, Logic, Ableton, Cubase, etc.
Fixing a thin vocal and getting it to sound thick is often a step-by-step process.
Doing it this way can help you avoid messing with the character of the vocal.
Processing the vocal in different stages is usually the better way to make the singer’s voice sound thick and warm so that it can cut through a mix while keeping it sounding natural.
The first step is always to get the right sound during recording.
Why Your Vocals Sound Thin (And How to Fix It at the Source)
This is really crucial to mention because there’s someone out there who’s recording bad quality vocals thinking that they’ll fix it in the mix.
That’s almost always a bad approach and the reason in most cases, if not all, poor recordings can’t compete with other commercially successful songs.
If you can get the right sound straight from the source, then you’ll avoid having to go through the process of fixing thin-sounding vocals.
But it happens that you’re working with a client or you just can’t re-record. Then let’s look at some ways for dealing with thin vocals.
How to Thicken Vocals: A Stage-by-Stage Processing Approach
There are many ways to skin a cat, so I’ll share some of the ways that I use and techniques that have worked for me in the past.
I prefer to fix thin vocals in stages to avoid over-processing or making the performance sound unnatural.
Usually, a vocal will sound thin because it wasn’t recorded well, so a minor amount of processing in different stages preserves the characteristics and quality of the voice.
The different stages include EQ, distortion, parallel compression, etc.
Let’s start with EQ…
EQ Settings for Thick and Warm Vocals
Image Credits: sweetwater.com
When it comes to getting vocals to sound warmer and thick, EQ is mostly the first thing that comes to mind.
There are certain EQs that are designed for this purpose.
My favorite ones at the moment I’m writing this post are the Pultec and Maag EQ4 emulations.
If you’re working on a well-recorded vocal, then a bump in the bass and lower midrange with a Pultec EQ or the Maag EQ4 can get you the desired results much faster.
It’s not rocket science.
Also, make sure that you create a high-pass filter below 80 Hz to remove any rumble, hum, and low “p” or “b” sounds.
If you are dealing with poorly recorded material, you might need a different approach to EQing vocals for clarity and warmth.
This is where dynamic tools shine.
Dynamic EQ and Multiband Compression Settings for Vocal Body
The advantage of using dynamic EQ or multiband compression on a poorly recorded voice is that you can create controlled boosts.
You’ll be able to bring up the midrange meat that’s missing on a thin vocal in a controlled and musical way.
Basically, you create dynamic boosts without bringing up the imperfections of the recording.
Dynamic tools will boost or cut only when it’s necessary.
In some cases, you might need to simply reduce the harsh frequencies so that the midrange frequencies can become audible.
Before creating heavy boosts in the bass and lower midrange, try reducing harsh frequencies and sibilance.
This could be what’s preventing the vocals from sounding thick.
Be creative with dynamic tools such as de-esser, compressor, dynamic EQ, and multiband compression to achieve a well-balanced frequency response and get the voice to fit perfectly in the mix.
Don’t get carried away though, you don’t want to expose the flaws of the recording. So minor adjustments will keep the timbre of the voice intact.
Parallel compression is another amazing technique you can use to help a poor recording sound more expensive.
How to Use Reverb and Vocal Doubling to Add Thickness and Depth
To enhance vocal thickness using reverb, a combination of equalization (EQ) and a reverb unit or plugin is necessary.
Since EQing the reverb signal is generally recommended, the objective here is to use the EQ to introduce warmth and effectively thicken the vocal signal that is being processed with reverb.
This is a key part of using reverb on vocals effectively.
Using a dedicated effects (Fx) channel provides increased flexibility and control.
The first insert slot is often used for an EQ to clean the vocal signal before it enters the reverb processor.
This procedure is not a strict rule but rather a matter of preference.
Typically, a shelf filter is used to reduce frequencies below 80 Hz, along with a boost in the lower midrange and bass frequencies.
Given that this is a parallel track, the EQ application is often more pronounced to ensure that the core presence of the voice is emphasized without introducing muddiness.
The use of a linear phase EQ is advisable to prevent the creation of phase issues.
It is important to verify that the linear phase EQ is not inducing comb filtering.
For the reverb settings, a short decay time and quick reflections generally prove most effective for thickening the reverb.
This creates a dense sound and adds depth to the voice, contrasting with a wide and spacious reverb character.
Consequently, the strategic combination of both EQ and reverb is instrumental in helping vocals achieve greater thickness within a mix.
How to Use Saturation to Add Warmth and Fullness to Vocals
Saturation can be used to fix thin vocals. It adds rich harmonics and applies subtle forms of “soft-clipping” compression.
This unique effect makes sounds fuller and increases perceived loudness. A saturation plugin also adds depth, character, color, presence, and warmth.
Exactly what a thin vocal needs.
It is recommended to create an Fx channel when applying saturation on vocals so that you can have more control and flexibility.
For instance, you don’t really need the harmonics in the top end to get a vocal to sound warmer. You typically need those to help sounds cut through a mix.
So, to add warmth, your focus should normally be on the bass and lower midrange frequencies.
That’s why using an Fx channel will be a wise choice. You can add EQ or dynamic tools to control and shape the saturation signal.
Another great way to get the best results is to use a multiband saturation plugin. With a multiband, you can affect various frequency bands differently.
This gives you control, and you have the flexibility to achieve the goal much faster.
Saturation can also be used to thicken up vocal effects such as the reverb, delay, chorus, etc.
However, be careful not to end up adding too much saturation. Only add it when it’s necessary and if it will benefit the vocals.
You can also check out my previous tutorial about mixing vocal harmonies to learn more about getting background vocals to sound fuller.
Best Plugins for Thickening and Doubling Vocals
Now, let’s look at some of my favorite plugins that are designed to thicken up vocals.
- iZotope Vocal Doubler
- Soundtoys Microshift
- Waves Doubler
iZotope Vocal Doubler
The Vocal Doubler by iZotope is designed to add emotion, build intensity, and give your choruses/hooks a boost.
The UI makes it easy to use with its real-time feedback so that you’re able to check how much the signal is getting affected.
It is designed to give you instant results with its ease of use and it sounds different from other Doubler plug-ins (which is not a bad thing).
The Vocal Doubler adds a natural doubling effect, adding richness and depth. Resulting in an expensive, thick, and warm vocal sound.
Did I mention that it’s free?
It’s an amazing tool, the simple, clean UI helps cut down on learning time so that you’re able to jump straight to crafting a full, wide, and thick vocal mix fast.
Soundtoys Microshift
For many years, engineers have been using a technique called micro shifting to get thick and wide vocal sounds.
Little MicroShift emulates the three most popular settings from the legendary H3000 and DMX 15-80 hardware pitch shifters to help you add rich stereo width and thickness in an incredibly simple interface.
It’s a great tool to thicken up the backgrounds and other supporting vocals to get them to sound fuller in a mix. Designed to be ideal for adding "shimmer" to a vocal.
Although it’s an old technique, micro shifting is still a vital part of most mix engineers’ "bag of tricks".
You can also automate the effect for a more dramatic feel and to create contrast between different sections of the song.
Waves Doubler
The Waves Doubler uses delay and pitch modulation to deliver extraordinary richness and texture on vocals.
It adds sheen, shimmer, and presence to a voice.
For such a simple plugin, the Waves Audio team has created an extremely versatile and highly musical doubling plugin.
Doubler has an amazing lush sound when used on the lead vocals, and can thicken up supporting vocals so that they sound fuller and big in a mix.
The sound is distinctly analog (without digital brittle top-end harshness), and it's hard to resist using it on every single mix that you work on.
Be careful not to overuse these vocal thickening plugins on the lead vocal because they’ll push the voice at the back of the mix.
That’s what you typically want for supporting vocals, not so much for the lead vocal.
Common Mistakes When Thickening Vocals
Even with the right techniques in place, it's easy to get tripped up. Here are the most common mistakes engineers make when trying to thicken up vocals:
- Over-processing: Stacking too many plugins at once destroys the vocal's natural character. Work in stages and apply only what's necessary.
- Too much low-end boost: Boosting below 200Hz without a high-pass filter causes muddiness and competes with kick and bass.
- Overusing doubling on the lead: Heavy doubling pushes the lead vocal back in the mix. Reserve it for harmonies and supporting layers.
- Ignoring the recording quality: No amount of post-processing can fully fix a poorly recorded vocal. Always address the source first.
- Not referencing in context: Vocals that sound thick in solo often disappear in a full mix. Always check your decisions against the full arrangement.
Pro Tips for Natural-Sounding Thick Vocals
To push your vocal mixing to the next level, keep these professional habits in mind:
- Use parallel chains: A parallel vocal channel lets you blend a heavily processed signal with the dry vocal, preserving naturalness while adding body.
- EQ before you saturate: Shape the tonal balance first, then add harmonics with saturation. This prevents the saturation from amplifying unwanted frequencies.
- Check your vocal chain signal order: The sequence of your processors matters. Incorrect ordering can cause phase and dynamics issues.
- Bus your vocals: Group all vocal layers onto a vocal bus. Apply gentle compression and EQ at the bus level for cohesion rather than over-processing each track individually.
- Automate for dynamics: A consistently thick vocal throughout a song feels flat. Automate your processing to let the vocal breathe in verses and punch harder in choruses.
This post should help you get any type of vocal to sound thick and warm without getting overpowered by the instrumentation.
Remember to use the techniques in stages, especially if you’re working on a poorly recorded voice.
In some cases, you might need to apply all the techniques mentioned above in small doses till you achieve your goal.
Sometimes one or two of these tips may do the job. So, be careful not to overprocess your vocals. Only apply what will work best for that particular voice, and don’t fix anything that is not broken.
That’s it for today’s tutorial.
I trust that you found it valuable and you’ll put all these techniques to good use.