A good starting vocal chain in Logic Pro uses six stock plug-ins in this order: Channel EQ, Compressor, DeEsser 2, a second Channel EQ for tone, ChromaVerb on a send, and Stereo Delay on a second send. Start with a high-pass filter near 80 Hz, a Compressor ratio of 3:1 to 4:1, and a reverb pre-delay of about 30 ms.
Every value in this guide 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 Logic Pro X vocal presets. If you want the full workflow around this chain, read the Logic Pro vocals guide.
What is the best vocal plug-in order in Logic Pro?
Put cleanup first, dynamics second, and space last. A common stock order on the lead vocal track is:
- Channel EQ to remove rumble and mud.
- Compressor to even out the level.
- DeEsser 2 to soften harsh "s" and "t" sounds.
- Channel EQ (a second copy) for tone and air.
- ChromaVerb and Stereo Delay on aux sends, not on the track itself.
Run the sends in parallel so the dry vocal stays clear. Create each send in the channel strip, then open the effect on the new aux channel and set it to 100 percent wet.
What are good starting settings for a vocal chain in Logic Pro?
Use the table below 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel EQ (first) | High-pass filter | About 80 Hz, 12 dB per octave | Removes room rumble and mic handling noise |
| Channel EQ (first) | Low-mid band | 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 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 |
| DeEsser 2 | Frequency | About 6 to 8 kHz for most voices | Where harsh sibilance usually sits |
| DeEsser 2 | Threshold and Max Reduction | Lower the Threshold until the "s" sounds sit level with the other words; keep Max Reduction modest | Use the smallest amount that works |
| Channel EQ (second) | High shelf | Boost 1 to 2 dB above about 10 kHz | Adds air; skip it if the vocal is already bright |
| ChromaVerb (send) | Pre-delay | About 20 to 40 ms | Keeps the words clear before the reverb arrives |
| ChromaVerb (send) | Decay | About 1 to 1.5 seconds | A short tail that does not blur the lyric |
| Stereo Delay (send) | Delay Time (Beat Sync on) | A quarter-note or eighth-note value synced to the project | Echoes land on the beat |
| Stereo Delay (send) | Feedback | About 15 to 25 percent | A few repeats, then silence |
Treat these as a place to start. A thin voice may need no low-mid cut. A dark voice may need less high-shelf boost. The table is a map, not a destination.
What EQ settings work for vocals in Logic Pro?
Start with a high-pass filter, then use small cuts before boosts. In Channel EQ, switch on the high-pass filter and set the frequency near 80 Hz. Most voices have no useful content below that point. Move it up toward 100 Hz for a male vocal with a lot of low-end build-up only if the voice still sounds heavy.
Next, sweep 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 high-shelf boost of 1 to 2 dB above about 10 kHz. Narrow cuts clean up. Wide boosts add colour. Do the cleanup first.
Use Channel EQ's analyzer to see where energy sits, but trust your ears. If a move helps in solo and hurts in the full mix, undo it.
What compressor settings should I use on vocals in Logic Pro?
Open the stock Compressor and begin with a ratio of 3:1 to 4:1. Lower the Threshold until the Gain Reduction meter shows about 3 to 6 dB 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 vocal level jumps a lot, many producers use two light compressors in a row rather than one heavy one. For the full method, including how to match the settings to your performance, see our vocal compression settings guide. We do not repeat all of it here.
How do I set up DeEsser 2 on a vocal?
Place DeEsser 2 after the compressor, because compression often makes sibilance louder. Set the Frequency to the range where the harshness lives, often between 6 and 8 kHz, then lower the Threshold until the "s" sounds stop poking out, and use Max Reduction to cap how far it can cut. Stop as soon as the problem is gone. Too much reduction makes a lisp.
A quick method: loop one sibilant phrase, lower the Threshold, and move the Frequency until the harsh sound is softest. Then back off a little. Our de-esser settings page goes deeper on female and male voices.
How do I add reverb and delay to a vocal in Logic Pro?
Send the vocal to two aux channels instead of inserting the effects on the track. This keeps the dry signal clear and lets you balance the space with one fader.
ChromaVerb for space
Open ChromaVerb on the first aux and choose a vocal-friendly room or plate-style preset from its menu. Set the Pre-delay to about 20 to 40 ms and the Decay to roughly 1 to 1.5 seconds. Pull the send level up until you can just feel the space, then lower it a touch. If the lyric blurs, shorten the decay.
Stereo Delay for movement
Open Stereo Delay on the second aux. Sync the time to the tempo with a quarter-note or eighth-note value, set Feedback to about 15 to 25 percent, and keep the level low. Use the plug-in's low-cut control to keep the repeats thin, so they do not fight the main vocal. A delay should be felt more than heard.
Can I save my vocal chain as a preset in Logic Pro?
Yes. Once the chain sounds right, click the channel strip setting menu at the top of the channel strip and save it as a new setting. Logic stores the plug-ins and their values together, and you can load the same chain on any other vocal track in any project. Name it clearly, such as "Lead vocal start", so you can find it later.
Keep a few versions: one for lead vocals, one for backing vocals, and one for a spoken or rap-style delivery. Then every new session starts from a chain you trust. Our complete guide to Logic Pro vocals shows how these saved chains fit into a full session.
Which plug-ins are best for vocals in Logic Pro?
You do not need to buy anything to get a solid vocal sound. The stock tools covered above are enough for a finished mix: Channel EQ, Compressor, DeEsser 2, ChromaVerb and Stereo Delay. Spend your time learning those before reaching for third-party plug-ins.
The common mistakes are using too much compression, boosting too much high end, and drowning the vocal in reverb. When in doubt, do less and check the vocal against your reference track.
Are there free vocal presets for Logic Pro X?
Yes. You can download Toronto Warmth, our free preset for Logic Pro X and load it on a lead vocal to hear a finished chain. Then open the plug-ins and compare its values with the table above. For a longer walkthrough, see our free vocal presets for Logic Pro guide.
If you want ready-made chains for different styles without building each one by hand, see the full set of Logic Pro X vocal presets. Load one, then use this guide to adjust it to your voice.
FAQ
What EQ settings work for vocals?
Start with a high-pass filter near 80 Hz in Channel EQ. Then cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 400 Hz if the vocal sounds boxy. Add 1 to 2 dB of high shelf above about 10 kHz only if it sounds dull. These are starting points. Adjust by ear.
Are there free vocal presets for Logic Pro X?
Yes. Toronto Warmth is our free preset for Logic Pro X, and you can download it from our free preset page. Logic Pro also includes its own channel strip settings that you can start from.
Which plug-ins suit vocals in Logic Pro?
The stock set covers most needs: Channel EQ, Compressor, DeEsser 2, ChromaVerb and Stereo Delay. Learn them first. Third-party plug-ins are optional.
