|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2 |
I am up to date with 2022 versions of BIAB and Real Band. I have a good vocal track except for the final 's's being muddy. I've tried several effects but none have sharpened the sound. Can anyone give suggestions on this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,334
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,334 |
Howdy....
Are you referring to your stereo final mix is sounding 'muddy' to your ears?
If so, sounds like you need to address some EQ'ing.
FX/signal processing won't fix the mud in the mix.
If you post up the track is would be much easier to provide some suggestions by forum members?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,947
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,947 |
I am up to date with 2022 versions of BIAB and Real Band. I have a good vocal track except for the final 's's being muddy. I've tried several effects but none have sharpened the sound. Can anyone give suggestions on this? Are you limited to BIAB tools only? There are some powerful vocal editing from Isotope products which may be the answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2 |
Yes. The stereo mix is muddy (but only as far as 's's go. I will focus on EQing and see if I can find the right combo to fix the problem. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,598
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,598 |
Are you working in BiaB or RB?
I'd go back to the specific vocal track and work on the EQ for that first.
Get that so the 'S's are nice and clear. Then remix it.
Sometimes EQ works great, sometimes the frequency isn't there enough in the original track, at which point you can try some enhancement type tools that do math and add related harmonic frequencies to the track, but you have to be careful because it is easy to abuse, and easy to focus in on the example given 'S' and not notice how else it is affecting things.
To combat this, I usually take a break and then listen back to the result in the mix with fresher ears.
/just a safeguard against falling into the previously mentioned trap
//But do try simple EQ first, find the missing 'S' frequency and add more to start .. if it works, that is usually the quickest way
/// sometimes parametric EQs (that allow you to home in on the desired frequency) work better than graphic EQs, depending on your abilities with both
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038 |
There is a whole class of Dynamic EQs that can help. Ozone 10 Dynamic EQ
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro/Notion6/Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368 |
Have you been using De Esser on your vocals?
-if yes - did you over do it?
- you can subtly add some EQ in the high freq after the De Esser without re introducing sibilance.
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038 |
There are de-essers and there are de-essers. This one is the most natural sounding I have ever used. Eioses e2deesser This web site is having issues with an expired certificate but the site works and you can get a trial license from Eiosis. You can also get it through Slate Digital but I don’t know if you can try it first through Slate.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro/Notion6/Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
I found Melodyne one of the best tools for de-essing. In Melodyne it is easy to see the sibilance and easy to pull it down. Check out the videos available on Melodyne. (One reason to update to version 5 that someone asked about) Tony Edit: added a video https://youtu.be/irEt3XyhvtU
Last edited by Teunis; 11/09/22 01:54 AM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,038 |
I found Melodyne one of the best tools for de-essing. In Melodyne it is easy to see the sibilance and easy to pull it down. Check out the videos available on Melodyne. (One reason to update to version 5 that someone asked about) Tony Edit: added a video https://youtu.be/irEt3XyhvtU Ha! You're right. I forget that I've been using it for that (among other things) for years. I do it on individual notes, however, is not a "set and forget" process like a de-esser once you have it properly tuned.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro/Notion6/Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,123
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,123 |
There are myriad means of dealing with the issue as indicated in the responses. I’ll add a plus one to dynamic EQ — it took me a while to both understand and begin using it but nowadays I find it an excellent tool and often use it it situations where I before used a multiband compressor. Ozone 10’s version is excellent as are IMO all of the modules whether used in a mastering chain or on individual tracks.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,263
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,263 |
When the esses, (sibilant sounds), are too bright/cutting/aggressive I use pre fx volume automation to reduce it, (the wave form is very obvious and can be made more so in spectoral view). Sibilant sounds are very aggressive and result in a very dense, dark, small visual representation.
I suspect that raising that area may lift your ssss sounds IF there's enough of the actual sound recorded.
If you've lost bright esses without having treated the recording then there's something wrong along the chain. The worst set up for creating excessive sibilant sound is close to the microphone with a dry mouth.
What's your signal chain & how do you address the mic?
Last edited by rayc; 12/20/22 08:39 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 126
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 126 |
A sharp sibilant sound that becomes 'muddy' when mixed, suggests that you have digital distortion. That is, you've exceeded 0 dbFS. I think this has been asked, but if it sounds acceptable in the original recording file but not in the mix, that would certainly might be the case.
There is also the possibility that you overloaded the microphone or preamp when recording at the time you were singing those 'esses.'
Without delving into the endless aspects of keeping your mix at respectable level, the simplest is to make sure you're recording doesn't peak above -6.0 dbFS ... and then watch those peak levels as you process and push those faders.
Last edited by DFT; 01/03/23 01:46 PM.
Help! I've fallen up and can't get down!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,167
Posts801,495
Members40,061
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean