How to smoother the Harsh 'S' and 'Sh' sound?

Logic comes with many wonderful plug-ins, unfortunately De-esser is not one of them. You could try setting up a frequency dependent compressor that will react only to the high frequency sibilance on the vocal track. This is how the majority of de-essers work anyway.

However, I think you may be better off doing it manually i.e. automating the volume on the vocal track. Zoom in and drop the level only where the sound is most objectionable and then bring it back up again. A lot more work of course, but the results will be worth it – more controllable and natural sounding.

Good luck,
Rodger.

I'd suggest use of De-Esser. First of all it is specially designed to remove the "s" and "sh" noises. Second-you will learn how it works and how to use it in purpose. The,. if you don't like it you may want to use another De-esser, more efficient. As Rodger said, it is compressot-nothing less, nothing more. In fact using the inbuilt De-esser is a little bit tricky. You may want to see Steve H's video about it.

Logic comes with great Multipressor plugin... it save the phase on crossorver frequency... it can be used as a great de-esser!

Also the De-Esser is not so bad... but his graphic interface does not help to find a precision fine setting! (never use Logic De-esser presets... they are completely wrong)

But there is nothing to do if the voice is recorded in a wrong way or the singer comes with some physical limitation.. (in these cases is a necessary dental care 😉 )

G

Step one for de-essing: Use a different mic

Step 2 for de-essing: don't let the singer sing right on top of the mics capsule... back him/her off the mic.

Step 3: You didn't take the steps to correct it as it was being recorded, or someone else recorded it... (this isn't really a step... more of a reality)

Logic's De-esser is pure crap. Don't even try to use it.

Best software De-essers I have used that really do work well... UAD's de-esser (you have to have a UAD-1 card), or Waves Renn de-esser.

2 others that have gotten great reviews are Sonnox's Oxfords de-esser, and the Eiosis E2de-esser.

Beyond that, everything Roger said in his post is what I would suggest as well.

Usually, it's a combination of gentle de-essing (with a plug-in that actually works), and volume automation, just on the "S's". 3 -5 Db can work wonders with volume automation, and the truth is, it sounds a lot more natural than trying to attenuate it completely with a plug-in alone, especially if the sibilance is really harsh.

@Jim: great suggestion!

But personally I suggest to my singer to stay very closed to the capsule of my Neuman U87"... bacause I like when a beautiful girl talk close to my ear ... this creates a very intimate atmosphere... 😉

I use Uad- precision de-esser... 🙂

but if the voice is already recorded and I'm on Macbook, using Multipressor is a good alternative!

G

is very simply to set a de-esser...
the desiderate effect to use it is after EQ.. must be the last plugs on the inserts!
So put your favourite "ammount of Air" on the voice by up the High frequencies from +3 up to + 10 db on arruond 7000 Hz... (depend from the song and depends on the timbre of voice... and the recording quality)
after you reach your prefered ammount of "Air"... every times that a "S" or "C"/"T" and "Z" appears you will need to buy the tweeters of your monitors 😉

to avoid this expansive happening!

use a MultiMeter on Master in order to keep in control that the High frequency must not exceed -20 or -10 db peak MAX!.. (related to a 0 DB at 1000Hz)

adjust the Multipressor setting in order to obtain this result when an "S" appears in the vocal track!
(you need to work only with High frequency... you need to turn OFF all other Compressors Bands)

G

mactreouser wrote:

4) Do you think, Volume automation on the 'Ssss' is more effective than using Multipressor at the 'Ssss' Frequency?

Volume?
absolutely NO!

you can try by using EQ automatition...
but Logic De-esser is the best... if compared with your "volume automatition" option ... it is only for a Home studio 😉

you only need to avoid to use its presets... they are totally Crazy... (there are a lot of EQ setting in Logic that are totally wrong)
open female de esser setting...
it is set to cut 2000Hz frequency

it is a wrong wrong setting!

Adjust to cut over the 6000Hz ... with super fast attack!

Logic De-esser is good for Home studios

G

you can also try to use destructive editing on sampler editor by select the S or Sh and use change gain function... (Save a copy of the file for safety reason)

you can start with - 10dB

this is a great alternative compared with any automation because you will be able to reach the maximum result without using a De-esser (or you can also use it if needed)... but this way, require a lot of time

G