This one does it automatically and does it quite well with minimal sound artifacts if any. This is an essential plugin for every level audio engineer, well worth the $$, plus it works wonders on signals other than vocals. They are available to offer you personalized product advice any time you need it. Vocal Rider is the first of Waves pioneering new series of Mix tools. It works great on all tracks. Now, let me do something like turn up a compressor. Two Range sliders also govern the Rider Faderâs action by defining its dynamic range. Wavesâ Vocal Rider automatically rides the vocalâs levels for you, saving time and avoiding tedium. Fortunately, automation solved this and all other issues. I don't mind comping and editing gain structure on every clip,but sometimes too much is too much--what I dig most about the Waves Vocal Rider is that it adds a human feel and vibe to tracks that no other plugin duplicates. Simply an awesome product. Vocal Rider imposed very negligible drain on my Mac Pro. If you want your vocals to cut through the mix like the pro mixes, you have to get this one! Switching to the fast Attack setting, Vocal Rider successfully attenuated loud starts to vocal phrases but also often failed to raise very quiet sections. Fine tuning is still needed for a finished mix but this will save you a bunch of time. Fortunately, automation solved this and all other issues. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! Well-Read Up until now, for me, leveling vocals has been done with compression. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. Vocal Rider is a smart, labour saving plugin that does the job for you. It's not a compressor. It also accepts a sidechain input, allowing you to keep the relative level of your main signal to the sidechain signal at constant level, thereby riding your vocal in relation to the rest of your mix. For vocal tracks that presented both problems, I usually slapped a compressor on the track to tame peaks and used Vocal Riderâs slow attack setting to automatically boost low-level tidbits. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. Update your browser to view this website correctly. It was a bit of an effort to find out how to work it properly, but a search for tutorials wasn't too hard. Setting Vocal Riderâs automation section to Read mode, the plug-in followed all my edits in Digital Performer perfectly during playback. You’ll hear that it takes a second, but it’s adjusting things. Users can automate the plug-in to modify its action, phrase by phrase. I Love This Plugin. The side chain is what really makes it work, and finding the sweet spot for the controls. contributing editor Michael Cooper is the owner of Michael Cooper Recording in Sisters, Ore. Visit him at www.myspace.com/michaelcooperrecording. For example, if this control is set too low, Vocal Rider may interpret a quiet vocal phrase as noise and wonât ride the level higher to make it more audible. Having purchased at a nice discount didn't hurt either. This jewel is the missing factor, sitting between classic compressors, EQ's, levelers. It has the familiar fader that moves as you’d expect it to and has a small set of parameters that are used to adjust the plug-in until the vocal sits where it’s wanted. This plugin exceeded my expectations. Its simple controls, sensible layout and slick-looking interface make it a joy to use, and you can write its output back as DAW automation for further tweaking if required. Input, processing, ride and sidechain meters. Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. Despite its effectiveness, Vocal Rider isnât a cure-all for sitting vocals properly in a mix. Saves time getting the exact right sound/effect. Find out more about Waves Vocal Rider Moving the bottom Range slider lower increases the maximum amount of attenuation that Vocal Rider will apply to overly loud vocal phrases. I use it on almost everything. The GLD has excellent built in effects but it doesn't have anything like Vocal Rider. This plug-in came in handy for taming the harmonica. Then adjust a Music Sensitivity control to determine how much the plug-in adapts to changing levels in the accompanying tracks. Store Hours, If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 222-4700. Tight budgets or deadlines don’t always allow for the manual line-by-line tweaking of fader levels on a vocal track to perfection at mixdown. Easily my favorite Soundgrid plug-in. Yes, you can manually ride your own fader or manually pencil in the automation points, but let's be honest about the kind of tedium that presents. But which Auto-tune VST plugin should you go for? VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. It has a nice selection of presets, so you can start using it right away. Especially at the sale price, but even regular price, this thing works way better than expected. This is going to sound both dumb and interesting. I had that issue with a project of mine and using CLA Mixhub with this plugin as an insert, I was able to fully tame and even out the volume. Bass, guitar, of course vocals. It helps a lot when combining takes during the editing process and when your vocalist doesn't address the microphone consistently (when reading lyrics while tracking. Users can automate the plug-in to modify its action, phrase by phrase. Output level knob. The automation is easy to adjust if there are some tweaks you want to make after the rider does it's thing. 2-bands equalizer. Thank you for your request. I'm using it on a clients song now, the lead singer was in and out of the Microphone and I didn't want to ride the fader. Properly leveling a vocal with compression generally introduces other issues, like excessive sibilance, which then require more plugins to fix. Description Vocal Rider is the first of Waves pioneering new series of Mix tools. That could be my music isn't mixed properly. Simply put, Vocal Rider rides the levels of vocal tracks, automatically. This will automatically even out your vocal to whatever degree you want it to, and since it reads the waveform it"s not behind the signal like a compressor. Visually, Vocal Rider is fairly straightforward. The plug-inâs Vocal Sensitivity control helps Vocal Rider differentiate between vocal signal and superfluous noise. Learn More. The cross-platform plug-in comes in two flavors: native (RTAS, Audio Suite, AU and VST formats) and TDM. Simply put, Vocal Rider rides the levels of vocal tracks automatically. Vocal Rider also has a Live component with an exclusive Spill control to differentiate the vocal from background instrumentation and noise, for better tracking and performance. Vocal Rider automatically rides the gain of a vocal track during mixdown. This is my first Waves Plug-in, and I'm loving it. What would you recommend for best quality of results? You can also call us toll free at (800) 222-4700, Mon-Thu 9-9, Fri 9-8, and Sat 9-7 Eastern. Bypass. All you do is instantiate it on your vocal track, bus a summed instrumental mix to the side-chain, and hit play. This plugin has exceeded my expectations. Update my browser now, NOVEL PLUG-IN DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTS LEVELS DURING MIXDOWN, By By Michael Cooper It balances your vocals so when vocals are high, vocal rider lowers it and etc. Thanks My Third Hand Vocal Riderâs automation data can be written to the vocal trackâs automation lane in your DAW. This plugin is great to have. Levels are something that should always be watched, and when you have vocals with a huge dynamic range, constantly … Simply put, Vocal Rider rides the levels of vocal tracks, automatically. As a recovering "plugin-aholic", I tend to use my DAW stock plugins in Studio One, Cakewalk, Samplitude, and have just kept a handful of "essential" 3rd party VST/VSTi's in my plugin folder. Once these controls are dialed in and Rider Fader behaves the way you want, an Output fader trims levels while preserving all Rider Fader adjustments. , Also there's a vocal and music sensitivity setting. Vocal Rider is designed to simply match your vocal tracks to the rest of the mix, maintaining a relative volume throughout the song. Tight budgets or deadlines donât always allow for the manual line-by-line tweaking of fader levels on a vocal track to perfection at mixdown. Keep steady vocal & dialog levels automatically Hi, I’m looking for an alternative to the Waves Vocal Rider. What this does for live backing vocals is amazing. I noticed prior to using that in the car the volumes were perfect, but when I went lower in frets, it also applied to the volume. Just like someone riding the vocal, except they can predict the future. I tested the AU plug in Digital Performer 6.02 using an 8-core Mac Pro running Mac OS 10.5.4. I was fortunate enough to get this while it was on sale, but I would recommend it to anyone who wants to save hours of time. Really cool. Vocal Rider is quick and dead accurate, especially when used with the sidechain (always use this with the sidechain!). Vocal Rider is quick and dead accurate, especially when used with the sidechain (always use this with the sidechain!). Waves Vocal Rider plug-in makes vocal processing easier than ever before. I found that an indiscriminately low setting of this slider also negatively affects quiet phrases, riding them not as high as they might need to be boosted. The automation feature is amazing and the results are great. After editing the breakpoints to boost quietly sung lyrics further, I also edited the automation curve to anticipate vocal levels at the start of some phrases and move the fader before the first utterance. The vst 3 in reaper works great. size 2.53 MB VOCRIDER is a sidechain automatic level rider for vocal tracks. Phrases that exploded in level at their start tended not to be ridden lower as they ideally shouldâve been. Instead of manually riding the physical mixing console fader, or tediously drawing in each individual level change on a DAW track, Vocal Rider does it for you, making it a true timesaver. Setting Digital Performer to automate plug-in parameters and putting Vocal Riderâs automation control section into Write mode, I played the track from start to finish. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. Earthworks’ SR Series of microphones is intended for sound reinforcement applications, though the subject of this review—the SR314 handheld vocal condenser mic—is equally suited for use on stage or in the studio. If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. By not perfect, I really just mean it doesn't do everything in one plugin. Questions about the Waves Vocal Rider Plug-in. Meters on/off. The first step is to add Vocal Rider to the track you want to automate. Published: 03/31/2010. I always had certain issues with compressors/limiters. Does s vocal with amazing accuracy! © 2021 MIX is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide. Phone Hours | It's not perfect, but it works - thank you Waves for saving me time making music. Seems simple enough, but man does it make a huge difference! For example, very quiet syllables that followed closely on the heels of loud lyrics usually remained too low after Vocal Riderâs initial adjustments. Plugin works great and does just what waves say it does. It has a very subtle amount of compression to me, depending on how you set it. On the other hand, the top Range slider increases the maximum amount of boost that Vocal Rider applies to low-level phrases. Minor tweaks can easily and quickly be done manually after you write the automation. The key for me is each stage of compression is only doing a little bit of work unless occasionally I smash a rock vocal at the mix stage. Sweetwater Sound Has vocals sitting beautifully in the mix. 17,945 talking about this. I just happened to be struggling getting the vocals to sit the way I wanted. When I am not looking for that coloration in my vocal tone, I reach for the Vocal Rider, very transparent while maintaining the emotion of the performance. A very natural and full vocal is the result. Instead of manually riding the physical mixing console fader, or tediously drawing in each individual level change on a DAW track, Vocal Rider does it for you, making it a true timesaver. You accomplish this by routing the accompanying tracks to a common bus and setting the Vocal Riderâs sidechain input to the same bus via a drop-down menu. I have a problem maintaining my vocal levels and this plugin is perfect! First let me just say that Vocal Rider is designed specifically for the human voice. Had the opportunity to use it at a friend's studio and I loved it. A Target control adjusts the nominal center point of the range over which the vocalâs level will ride. Instead of manually riding the physical mixing console fader, or tediously drawing in each individual level change on a DAW track, Vocal Rider does it … We use it with the Allen & Heath GLD80 Waves Soundgrid system. Vocal is one of the fastest-growing platforms for creators, writers, musicians, podcasters, videographers, and more. Vocal Rider rides the levels of vocal tracks, automatically. I am now really looking forward to getting the Bass Rider plug-in. Love it! The bottom Range slider and top Range slider help define the overall dynamic range that you are riding in with relation to the target setting. Still, without automating the plug-in, Vocal Rider couldn’t smooth out all the fluctuations on a wildly dynamic vocal track. Once you hear the results, you'll know how it makes all the difference. I tested using this as an idea and was dumbfounded. That said, Vocal Rider does exactly what it promises, smoothly riding a vocal track to place it in the general vicinity of perfection. I love this little guy. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW! Free Ride? You can't get this effect with any compressor I've used. Vocal Riderâs controls are novel enough that reading the operating manual is a must. In Studio One, just drag a mono Vocal Rider over to the Insert section of your track (if your track is in stereo, use the stereo version of Vocal Rider). User review from Hatsubai about Waves Vocal Rider : Level rider for vocals. Make sure you use it as intended w sidechain of other music tracks input into vocal rider. No need to spend tedious amounts of time to adjust the volume levels yourself. 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