Solid State Logic Vocalstrip 2 User Guide

About SSL Vocalstrip 2

Vocalstrip is a collection of refined tools for superior vocal processing. It features four configurable processing blocks: an SSL Compander, De-esser and De-ploser, and an application specific EQ. Simply add FX and your vocal tracks are good to go!

The plugin interface displays input and output metering, Loud Events and Quiet Events meters, FFT analysis, and controls for the Compander, De-Esser, De-Ploser, and Equaliser modules. It also includes controls for Attack, Ratio, Threshold, Frequency, Drive, Release, Makeup Gain, and Lookahead, along with Undo/Redo and A/B comparison buttons.

Key Features

• Intelligent De-esser.
• Intelligent De-ploser.
• Three-band EQ.
• Compander featuring compression, downwards expansion and output drive.
• Extensive visual feedback including a real-time FFT analyser showing the result of the EQ processing on the audio spectrum.
• Complete control over process order.
• Extensive control options including mouse wheel adjustment and numerical data entry.
• Proprietary preset management functions providing compatibility between all DAW platforms.
• A/B functionality for easy comparison of any two settings.
• Global latency-free bypass.
• Superb mastering-grade audio quality delivered by a 64-bit floating point engine.
• Preset library based on settings used by some of the world's top mixing engineers.

Supported Platforms and Hosts

SSL tests its plug-ins on Windows and macOS operating systems that are not End-of-Life (EOL) at the time of release. The following are the latest officially tested versions.

Operating Systems

Hosts

• Logic Pro 10
• Pro Tools 2020
• Ableton Live 10
• Studio One 5
• Cubase 11

Demo

A 30-day free trial of the SSL Complete subscription bundle is available via Gobbler: https://www.gobbler.com/solid-state-logics-30-day-free-trial/

Installation

Installers can be downloaded from the website's Download page or a product page via the Web Store. All SSL plug-ins ship with VST, VST3, AU (macOS only), and AAX (Pro Tools) formats. Installers (macOS .dmg, Windows .exe) copy binaries to common directories, and DAWs should recognise the plug-in automatically.

Licensing

For guidance on authorising your SSL plug-in, visit the online plug-ins FAQ.

Overview

Vocalstrip is a collection of refined tools for superior vocal processing. The illustration below introduces the main Vocalstrip plug-in features.

The plugin interface is illustrated with labels pointing to key areas: Input Level & Metering, Compander Displays, Bypass, De-Esser Displays, De-Ploser Displays, FFT Analyser & EQ Graph, Output Level & Metering, Preset Management, Compressor & Expander (Compander), De-Esser, De-Ploser, 3-Band EQ, and Processing Order.

Interface Overview

The basic interface techniques for Vocalstrip are largely identical to those for the Channel Strip.

Plug-in Bypass

The power switch ? located above the Input section provides an internal plug-in bypass. This allows for smoother In/Out comparisons by avoiding latency issues associated with host application bypass functions. The button must be [lit] for the plug-in to be active.

Automation

Automation support for Vocalstrip is the same as for the Channel Strip.

Presets

Factory presets are included in the plug-in installation. Locations:

• Mac: Library/Application Support/Solid State Logic/SSLNative/Presets/Vocalstrip2
• Windows 64-bit: C:\ProgramData\Solid State Logic\SSL Native\Presets\Vocalstrip2

Switching between presets can be done by clicking the left/right arrows ◀️ ▶️ in the preset management section or by clicking the preset name to open the preset management display.

Preset Management Display

The Preset Management Display offers options such as Load, Save As..., Save as Default, Copy A to B, and Copy B to A. These allow loading, saving, setting defaults, and copying settings between comparison slots.

A-B Comparisons

The A B buttons allow loading two independent settings for quick comparison. Setting A is selected by default. Clicking A or B switches between them. UNDO and REDO functions allow reverting or re-applying changes.

Input and Output Sections

The input and output sections at the top of the plug-in window provide gain control and metering.

Metering displays show input and output levels. When clipping occurs, the meter turns red and remains red until reset by clicking it. The GAIN knob in the input section controls incoming audio level, shown on the input meter. The GAIN knob in the output section adjusts the signal level post-processing, shown on the output meter.

De-esser

Sibilance ('S' consonants) is often too pronounced in vocal recordings. The Vocalstrip de-esser detects and removes sibilance.

To use the De-esser: click its power button ?. Adjust the Threshold control to set detection level; the gain reduction meter will update. Adjust the Frequency knob to set the range triggering the de-esser. Press the Listen button to hear the removed sibilance, aiding threshold setting. Turn on Lookahead to detect sibilance before it hits the de-esser (increases latency, smoother sound; turn off for live monitoring). The de-esser defaults to SPLIT band mode but can be switched to BROADBAND mode.

De-ploser

Plosives (low frequency energy bursts) can cause unpleasant compressor artifacts, often from close-miking or lack of a pop shield. Vocalstrip's de-ploser detects and removes them.

To use the De-ploser: click its power button ?. Adjust the Threshold control to set detection level; the gain reduction meter will update. Adjust the Frequency knob to set the range triggering the de-ploser. Press the Listen button to hear the removed plosives, aiding threshold setting. Turn on Lookahead to detect plosives before they hit the de-ploser (increases latency, smoother sound; turn off for live monitoring). The de-ploser defaults to SPLIT band mode but can be switched to BROADBAND mode.

Equaliser

Switch the EQ on by clicking its power button ?. Three EQ types are provided for cutting low frequencies, finding/removing resonances, and shaping the top end. Each band can be switched on individually.

The high pass filter operates from 30Hz to 300Hz with a slight boost. The notch filter operates from 200Hz to 10kHz, offering 12dB boost and 36dB attenuation with high Q. The high band EQ offers 12dB boost/attenuation from 1kHz to 20kHz with low Q.

When EQ controls are moved, the top-right display shows an EQ graph. The line indicates current EQ settings, shaded areas show band impact, and green shows the signal's frequency response. The FFT signal can be switched between input and output or turned off using FFT buttons.

EQ Tip: Finding and Attenuating a Resonance

To find and reduce vocal resonances: set the notch filter gain to +10dB. Sweep its frequency slowly, listening for resonance. Once found, reduce the notch band gain. Alternatively, use the green frequency response line in the EQ graph to visually locate resonances.

Compander

The Vocalstrip Compander is a hybrid Compressor and Expander. Switch it on by clicking the power button ?.

Expander

The signal first enters a fixed ratio downwards expander, designed to reduce room ambience, spill, or breath noise amplified by compression. Set the Expander Threshold (Exp Thresh) to control when level reduction begins. Setting it to 0dB stops the expander affecting the input signal. Level reduction is shown on the green bar above the Exp Thresh knob.

Compressor

The compressor offers variable Ratio, Threshold, Attack, Release, and Makeup controls, with Hard or Soft Knee options. The output stage includes an optional Drive feature for harmonic characteristics, intensity increasing with Makeup gain. If significant Makeup gain is used, the Output level control can reduce the level. Level reduction is shown on the red bar above the compressor controls.

The Compander display shows two graphs: a gain-law display showing input/output level relationships, and an I/O difference display showing frequency of each level occurrence. The vertical scale is amplitude (0dB at top, -∞ at bottom). Gain reduction meters (orange for compressor, green for expander) are to the right of the I/O display.

Processing Order

The processing order is controlled at the base of the plug-in window. Click the left or right arrows ◀️ ▶️ to move a module earlier or later in the signal path.