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How to Process Dark Cinematic Vocals for Hardstyle

For those dark, movie trailer-like cinematic vocals, everything starts with a vocalist that has a very deep voice.

My notes from this Short

01

Start with a deep voice

Everything starts with a vocalist that has a very deep voice. First I change it to E2 speech and take it down between one and four semitones.

02

Heavy compression brings it to life

The thing that makes these vocals come to life is a lot of compression. I use OTT with the depth down, H-Comp by Waves, and CLA-2A, which is great to make it snappy but also adds some presence in your highs.

If you want more of that heavy low end in the voice, put an EQ in front of your compressors and boost it a lot.

FL Studio mixer chain for dark cinematic hardstyle vocals: Fruity Chorus, dblue_Crusher, FabFilter Saturn 2, Fruity Parametric EQ 2, OTT, H-Comp, CLA-2A and Fruity WaveShaper
The vocal chain, with the EQ in front of OTT, H-Comp and CLA-2A.
03

Chorus, bit crusher and saturation

I add a chorus and remove all the movement of the LFOs, and choose a very short delay so it adds a bit of stereo. Then I take down the mix.

Another great effect is a bit crusher. With some distortion and saturation I add some color. Saturn is great for that.

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