Headrush Vocal FX
De-Esser
Inspired by HeadRush® Original
Reduces sibilants (“S”, “T”, “SH”) in high frequencies.
Work like a compressor aimed at high frequencies (≈5–9 kHz).
He intervenes only when the signal exceeds a threshold in the high frequencies.
Control Parameters
De-Ess%
- Range: 0 – 100%
- Function: amount of sibilance attenuation
Behavior:
- 0% → OFF (no reduction)
- 20–40% → light / natural
- 50–70% → clear control
- 80–100% → strong (“lisp” risk)
In practice it controls the "strength" / depth of the cut (how much the problematic high frequencies are lowered).
Equivalent to:
- “Reduction”
- “Amount”
- “Strength” in studio plugins
LeveldB
- Typical range: approximately −12 dB → +12 dB (trim output)
- Function: output level of the De-Esser block
Behavior:
- Compensates for volume loss caused by de-essing
- It can also be used for:
- gain match in the vocal chain
- avoid volume drops after processing
- It does NOT affect the amount of de-essing It is just an output gain
Pro Tips
How they work together
- De-Ess (%) = how much you reduce sibilance
- Level (dB) = how much you raise/lower the volume after the treatment
Quick Reference
- De-Ess (%): amount of sibilance reduction
- Level (dB): volume compensation
Setup Examples
Natural voice (live / pop)
De-Ess25–40%
Level0 / +2 dB
Control the “S” without losing brilliance
Recorded voice (clean studio)
De-Ess40–60%
Level+1 / +3 dB
Softer and more controlled sound
Aggressive vocals / trap / close mic
De-Ess60–80%
Level+2 / +5 dB
Eliminates harshness from close microphone