A good starting vocal chain in GarageBand for Mac uses three stock tools: the track EQ, the Compressor, and the Echo and Reverb effects at low levels. Start with a high-pass filter near 80 Hz, a Compressor ratio of 3:1 to 4:1, and just enough reverb that you can barely hear it.
Every value here is a starting point, not a rule. Your voice, your mic and your song will move each number, so adjust by ear. If you would rather load a finished chain, browse our GarageBand vocal presets. For the full workflow around this chain, read the complete GarageBand vocals guide.
Which stock GarageBand plugins should I use on vocals?
You need very few. On a lead vocal track, open the Smart Controls pane and use these stock tools:
- EQ (click the EQ button in Smart Controls) to remove rumble and mud, and to add tone and air.
- Compressor to even out the level.
- Echo and Reverb, set low, for space.
The Noise Gate is optional. Use it only if your recording has steady background noise between phrases. Add effect plug-ins to the track in the Smart Controls pane, and keep the EQ before the reverb.
What are good starting settings for a vocal chain in GarageBand?
Use the table as a first pass on a clean, close-mic'd vocal. Change one thing at a time and listen against the full track, not solo.
| Plug-in | Parameter | Starting value | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQ | High-pass filter | About 80 Hz | Removes room rumble and mic handling noise |
| EQ | Low-mid cut | Cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 400 Hz | Clears boxy, muddy buildup |
| Compressor | Ratio | 3:1 to 4:1 | Moderate control without squashing the voice |
| Compressor | Threshold | Set for about 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction on loud phrases | Watch the gain reduction meter |
| Compressor | Attack / Release | Attack 10 to 30 ms, Release 80 to 150 ms | Lets the start of each word through, then recovers before the next |
| EQ | High boost | Boost 1 to 2 dB above about 10 kHz | Adds air; skip it if the vocal is already bright |
| EQ | Harsh "s" sounds | Small, narrow cut between 6 and 8 kHz, only if needed | Softens sibilance without a dedicated de-esser |
| Reverb | Amount | Low; raise until you can just feel the space, then back off | Keeps the words clear |
| Echo | Amount | Very low, with the time synced to the tempo | Echoes land on the beat and stay out of the way |
Treat these as a place to start. A thin voice may need no low-mid cut. A dark voice may need less high boost. The table is a map, not a destination.
What EQ settings work for vocals in GarageBand?
Start with a high-pass filter, then make small cuts before boosts. In the track EQ, turn on Band 1, the high-pass filter, and drag its control point to about 80 Hz. Most voices have no useful content under that point.
Next, drag a narrow cut through the low mids, around 250 to 400 Hz, and listen for the boxy sound to ease. A cut of 2 to 3 dB is usually enough. If the vocal sounds dull afterward, add a gentle boost of 1 to 2 dB above about 10 kHz. Narrow cuts clean up. Wide boosts add colour. Do the cleanup first.
Turn on the Analyzer in the EQ to see where energy sits, but trust your ears. If a move helps in solo and hurts in the full mix, undo it. For more on this, see how to mix vocals in GarageBand.
What compressor settings suit vocals in GarageBand?
Open the stock Compressor and begin with a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1. Lower the Threshold until the meter shows about 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction on the loudest words. Set the Attack around 10 to 30 ms and the Release around 80 to 150 ms. Then adjust until the vocal sounds steady but not flat.
If the level still jumps a lot, ride the track volume automation on the loudest phrases before you push the compressor harder. Heavy squashing makes breaths and room noise louder.
What reverb settings suit vocals in GarageBand?
Use the Reverb as a space around the voice, not as a sound of its own. Use the track's Reverb control (it feeds the Master Reverb), and set the amount low. Raise it until you can just feel the space, then lower it a touch. If the lyric blurs, turn it down or pick a smaller space.
Add Echo the same way. Sync the time to the project tempo, keep the level very low, and listen for repeats that support the rhythm. A delay should be felt more than heard.
Are there free vocal plugins for GarageBand?
Yes. GarageBand includes the plug-ins above at no extra cost, and they are enough for a finished vocal mix. Learn the EQ, Compressor, Echo and Reverb before you reach for third-party plug-ins. The common mistakes are too much compression, too much high-end boost, and too much reverb. When in doubt, do less and check the vocal against a reference track.
What are the GarageBand vocal effects?
The effects in the table cover the basics: EQ, compression, echo and reverb. GarageBand also has other effects, and we will cover them in a separate guide to GarageBand vocal effects. This page stays on starting settings.
Can I save my vocal settings in GarageBand?
Yes. Once the chain sounds right, open the Library and click Save to store it as a custom patch. GarageBand stores the plug-ins and their values together, so you can load the same chain on another track or in another project. Name it clearly, such as "Lead vocal start". Keep one version for lead vocals and one for backing vocals. Our guide to vocal harmonies in GarageBand shows how to match a chain across several tracks.
Is there a free vocal preset I can study?
You can download Toronto Warmth, our free preset. It is built for Logic Pro X, so it only helps if you also use Logic. See our free vocal presets guide for details.
If you want ready-made chains built for GarageBand, see the full set of GarageBand vocal presets. For presets that fit a chain like this one, read our GarageBand vocal chain presets roundup. If you also use Logic, the sister guide covers Logic Pro vocal settings.
FAQ
Which stock GarageBand plugins should I use on vocals?
Use the track EQ, the Compressor, and the Echo and Reverb effects. A Noise Gate is optional for noisy recordings.
What EQ settings work for vocals in GarageBand?
Start with a high-pass filter near 80 Hz in the track EQ. Cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 400 Hz if the vocal sounds boxy. Add 1 to 2 dB above about 10 kHz only if it sounds dull. Adjust by ear.
What compressor settings suit vocals in GarageBand?
Try a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1, attack of 10 to 30 ms and release of 80 to 150 ms. Lower the threshold for about 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction.
What reverb settings suit vocals in GarageBand?
Choose a vocal-friendly preset and keep the amount low. Raise it until you can just feel the space, then back off a little.
Are there free vocal plugins for GarageBand?
Yes. The EQ, Compressor, Echo and Reverb all come with GarageBand. They are enough for a finished vocal mix.
What are the GarageBand vocal effects?
The basics are EQ, compression, echo and reverb, all covered in the table above.
