The 6-Step Vocal Prep Workflow That Every Mixer Should Follow (Before EQ or Compression)
If you’re jumping straight into EQ and compression the moment you start mixing vocals—you’re skipping one of the most important phases of the entire process. Vocal prep is the secret sauce that separates a decent mix from a polished, pro-level one.
This guide breaks down the six essential steps I take before adding any effects to a vocal track. And while I demonstrate everything in Cubase, the principles can be applied in any DAW.
1. Clip Gain Automation
The first thing I do is level out the vocal's dynamics using clip gain automation. Instead of relying entirely on compressors, I manually reduce the volume of louder phrases and boost the quieter ones. In Cubase 14, the Range Selection Tool makes this incredibly fast. The result? A more consistent vocal track that compresses better and sounds smoother.
2. Manual De-Essing
Before I even touch a de-esser plugin, I tame harsh S’s, T’s, and P’s manually. Using simple volume adjustments on the audio event itself, I bring down the loudest sibilants without killing the natural vibe of the vocal. This prevents my de-esser from overworking later.
3. Taming Loud Breaths
Breaths are natural—but they shouldn't steal the spotlight. I manually reduce the gain of any breath sounds that feel too loud. It keeps the vocal natural while avoiding compression artifacts later on.
4. Cleaning Background Noise
Silence isn't always silent. I use Cubase's Detect Silence feature to find and either cut or lower noisy gaps between vocal lines. It’s an easy way to clean up unwanted noise without over-editing.
5. Pitch Correction (VariAudio)
Even if a vocal sounds pretty tight, I always double-check pitch using VariAudio. I avoid auto-snapping everything to the grid—instead, I use my ears and only correct the notes that are noticeably off. If you’re not using Cubase, something like Melodyne works just as well.
6. Timing Adjustments
Lastly, I make sure the vocal rhythm matches the groove of the track. Whether it’s nudging a phrase slightly forward or pulling a whole block back, these small timing tweaks can make a big difference in feel.
Final Thoughts
When your vocal is prepped with care, the mixing stage becomes easier—and the results speak for themselves. You’ll get better control, better compression behavior, and a more polished sound. Whether you're using Cubase or another DAW, this workflow will level up your vocal mixing game.
➜ Want to see how this sounds and looks in action?
I walk through the full vocal prep process, step by step, in this video—so you can hear and see exactly how clip gain, manual de-essing, and pitch correction improve your vocal mixes before you even touch a plugin.