Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
*Subscribe To:* Songs By Greg youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
THIS Channel ➤ youtube.com/channel/UCSkCoPvn_CSP9Ppr_943Ipg
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
This video demonstrates two free vocal mixing plugins, VocRide and SiBalance, and shows how they can improve vocal tone, harmonic balance, and sibilance control inside a music production workflow.
VocRide is a free pitch-aware harmonic EQ that automatically follows the note being sung instead of relying on fixed EQ frequencies, while SiBalance is a free de-esser designed to reduce harsh sibilance without sacrificing vocal clarity. The video explains the core features of each plugin, demonstrates them on a real vocal recording, and compares the processed and unprocessed sound using practical examples. It also shows how these free tools can be combined with compression and reverb to build a complete vocal processing chain while discussing presets, harmonic controls, and workflow features available in each plugin.
**What's covered in this video**
* An introduction to the free VocRide and SiBalance vocal plugins and how they fit into a modern vocal mixing workflow.
* How VocRide detects the fundamental pitch of a vocal and moves its harmonic EQ bands to follow the singer in real time.
* An explanation of adaptive harmonic EQ compared to traditional fixed-frequency equalizers used for vocal processing.
* A walkthrough of VocRide's controls for boosting or reducing the fundamental, second harmonic, third harmonic, and adjustable ninth harmonic band for tone shaping and vocal presence.
* A demonstration of VocRide's adaptive Low Cut feature, which follows the detected pitch to remove unwanted low-frequency rumble while preserving useful vocal body.
* A look at VocRide's Automatic Gain Compensation feature and how it helps maintain consistent loudness during EQ comparisons.
* A real-world vocal demonstration using **CLA Vocals** compression together with VocRide to hear harmonic EQ adjustments on an original song recorded for the **Songs by Greg** YouTube channel.
* Examples of VocRide presets including **Warm Body** and **Forward Vocal**, along with practical suggestions for using them as starting points before making manual adjustments.
* An overview of **SiBalance**, a free de-esser designed to intelligently reduce excessive vocal sibilance while maintaining the overall brightness and clarity of the recording.
* A demonstration of SiBalance's monitoring mode for isolating sibilant frequencies, along with adjustments for Sensitivity, Smoothing, Edge, and built-in presets such as **Aggressive De-Essing** and **Soft De-Essing**.
* A final vocal processing example using **Atlas Reverb** to add chamber ambience after compression, EQ, and de-essing, illustrating how both free plugins integrate into a complete vocal mixing chain.
* Closing thoughts comparing the two plugins and discussing how pitch-aware EQ and transparent de-essing can complement one another when mixing vocals for music production.
Mentioned in this video: VocRide, SiBalance, CLA Vocals, Atlas Reverb, Songs by Greg, harmonic EQ, pitch-aware EQ, adaptive EQ, fundamental frequency, harmonic shaping, second harmonic, third harmonic, ninth harmonic, Low Cut, Automatic Gain Compensation, AGC, Live Mode, presets, Warm Body, Forward Vocal, de-esser, de-essing, sibilance, vocal mixing, vocal EQ, vocal processing, chamber reverb, compression, equalization, music production.
LINKS
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
* INSTAGRAM gregkocis.com/instagram
* TWITTER / X https://x.com/gregkocis
* SOUNDCLOUD gregkocis.com/soundcloud
* Reddit gregkocis.com/reddit
#howtomakemusicnow
0:00 Intro
0:23 How Pitch-Aware EQ Works
0:47 Adaptive EQ Features
1:12 VocRide Vocal Demo
3:00 VocRide Presets Explained
3:32 SiBalance De-Esser Demo
4:46 Complete Vocal Chain
5:10 Final Thoughts
*Subscribe To:* Songs By Greg youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
THIS Channel ➤ youtube.com/channel/UCSkCoPvn_CSP9Ppr_943Ipg
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
This video demonstrates two free vocal mixing plugins, VocRide and SiBalance, and shows how they can improve vocal tone, harmonic balance, and sibilance control inside a music production workflow.
VocRide is a free pitch-aware harmonic EQ that automatically follows the note being sung instead of relying on fixed EQ frequencies, while SiBalance is a free de-esser designed to reduce harsh sibilance without sacrificing vocal clarity. The video explains the core features of each plugin, demonstrates them on a real vocal recording, and compares the processed and unprocessed sound using practical examples. It also shows how these free tools can be combined with compression and reverb to build a complete vocal processing chain while discussing presets, harmonic controls, and workflow features available in each plugin.
**What's covered in this video**
* An introduction to the free VocRide and SiBalance vocal plugins and how they fit into a modern vocal mixing workflow.
* How VocRide detects the fundamental pitch of a vocal and moves its harmonic EQ bands to follow the singer in real time.
* An explanation of adaptive harmonic EQ compared to traditional fixed-frequency equalizers used for vocal processing.
* A walkthrough of VocRide's controls for boosting or reducing the fundamental, second harmonic, third harmonic, and adjustable ninth harmonic band for tone shaping and vocal presence.
* A demonstration of VocRide's adaptive Low Cut feature, which follows the detected pitch to remove unwanted low-frequency rumble while preserving useful vocal body.
* A look at VocRide's Automatic Gain Compensation feature and how it helps maintain consistent loudness during EQ comparisons.
* A real-world vocal demonstration using **CLA Vocals** compression together with VocRide to hear harmonic EQ adjustments on an original song recorded for the **Songs by Greg** YouTube channel.
* Examples of VocRide presets including **Warm Body** and **Forward Vocal**, along with practical suggestions for using them as starting points before making manual adjustments.
* An overview of **SiBalance**, a free de-esser designed to intelligently reduce excessive vocal sibilance while maintaining the overall brightness and clarity of the recording.
* A demonstration of SiBalance's monitoring mode for isolating sibilant frequencies, along with adjustments for Sensitivity, Smoothing, Edge, and built-in presets such as **Aggressive De-Essing** and **Soft De-Essing**.
* A final vocal processing example using **Atlas Reverb** to add chamber ambience after compression, EQ, and de-essing, illustrating how both free plugins integrate into a complete vocal mixing chain.
* Closing thoughts comparing the two plugins and discussing how pitch-aware EQ and transparent de-essing can complement one another when mixing vocals for music production.
Mentioned in this video: VocRide, SiBalance, CLA Vocals, Atlas Reverb, Songs by Greg, harmonic EQ, pitch-aware EQ, adaptive EQ, fundamental frequency, harmonic shaping, second harmonic, third harmonic, ninth harmonic, Low Cut, Automatic Gain Compensation, AGC, Live Mode, presets, Warm Body, Forward Vocal, de-esser, de-essing, sibilance, vocal mixing, vocal EQ, vocal processing, chamber reverb, compression, equalization, music production.
LINKS
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
* INSTAGRAM gregkocis.com/instagram
* TWITTER / X https://x.com/gregkocis
* SOUNDCLOUD gregkocis.com/soundcloud
* Reddit gregkocis.com/reddit
#howtomakemusicnow
0:00 Intro
0:23 How Pitch-Aware EQ Works
0:47 Adaptive EQ Features
1:12 VocRide Vocal Demo
3:00 VocRide Presets Explained
3:32 SiBalance De-Esser Demo
4:46 Complete Vocal Chain
5:10 Final Thoughts
