How to Build a Pro Vocal Chain in Logic Pro

Building a Professional Vocal Chain in Logic Pro

If you’re working in a home studio and want your vocals to sound clean, consistent, and polished, then learning how to build a proper vocal chain inside Logic Pro is one of the most useful skills you can develop. In last week’s video we explored how to put together a songwriter template. Today we’re taking that foundation and giving the vocal track the spotlight with a complete walkthrough of how to shape, control, and enhance a performance from start to finish.

If you’ve ever loaded a vocal into Logic and wondered why it sounds dull, uneven, or buried in the mix, this tutorial will help you understand not only which tools to use, but why each step matters. Think of this as your guided tour of a real-world vocal chain that you can customize for your own sessions.

What a Vocal Chain Is and Why You Need One

A vocal chain is simply the set of plugins of effects that shape your vocal. Each plugin does a different job. One cleans up low frequencies, another evens out levels, another adds clarity or brightness, and so on. The order of these plugins matters because each stage feeds into the next. When you find a chain that consistently helps your vocals sit well in the mix, you can save it as a channel strip and reuse it whenever you start a new project. That means less time hunting through menus and more time staying creative.

Step 1: Clean Up the Vocal With a High-Pass Filter

Before any compression or tone shaping takes place, it helps to remove unnecessary low frequencies. This isn’t about changing the sound of the singer. It’s about clearing out rumble from the room, the microphone stand, HVAC noise, or even footsteps. Using Logic’s Channel EQ, apply a gentle high-pass filter and sweep upward until the vocal begins to thin out, then back off. Somewhere around 90 to 130 Hz is typical for many voices.

This simple step protects the compressor from reacting to energy that shouldn’t be affecting the vocal in the first place, which leads to a cleaner and more predictable result.

Step 2: Add the First Compressor (Studio FET)

For the first stage of dynamics control we’ll use the Studio FET model, which is based on the classic 1176. This compressor reacts quickly and helps catch peaks in a way that feels energetic and natural. Using a preset such as Studio Vocal is a good starting point, but bring down the makeup gain so you’re not over-boosting the signal.

Adjust the threshold until you see about three dB of gain reduction on average. In louder phrases it may dip deeper, and that’s fine. This first compressor’s job is to tame the performance just enough so the vocal becomes more consistent without sounding overly processed.

Step 3: Add the Second Compressor (Vintage Opto)

Next comes the Vintage Opto model, inspired by the LA-2A. This compressor works more slowly and smoothly. When paired with the FET compressor, the two work together to control dynamics without making either compressor work too hard.

Load the Natural Vocal preset, set the threshold for a gentle three dB of reduction, and keep makeup gain modest. The goal is a smooth, even vocal that sits confidently in the mix.

Step 4: Use a De-Esser to Tame Harsh Sibilance

Before boosting any high frequencies, take a moment to check sibilance. S sounds and SH sounds can become harsh once highs are lifted later in the chain. Using Logic’s De-Esser 2, start with the female or male wideband preset and focus on frequencies around the upper treble range. Adjust the threshold until problem areas soften without sounding dull or lisping. If the source vocal isn’t very sibilant, keep the settings subtle.

Step 5: Shape the Tone With Channel EQ

Now that the dynamic problems are addressed, you can shape the tonal character of the vocal. This is where your ear leads the way. Use the Channel EQ to sweep for muddy or congested frequencies, often found somewhere between 150 and 400 Hz. Reduce only what’s necessary. Next, find the area of the vocal that brings out presence and clarity. This can be anywhere from the upper mids through the high-mid range depending on the singer. Add a gentle, wide boost that lifts the vocal forward without becoming harsh.

Step 6: Add Air With a Vintage Tube EQ

Once the main EQ shaping is done, you can add brightness and air using the Vintage Tube EQ. This model, based on the classic Pultec hardware, adds a smooth top end that helps the vocal cut through the mix. Choose a high frequency point like eight, ten, or twelve kHz, widen the bandwidth, and boost to taste. This should give the vocal a polished, modern shimmer.

Step 7: Add Character With ChromaGlow

ChromaGlow is available on Apple silicon devices and offers several styles of harmonic saturation. It adds subtle grit, warmth, and excitement. Modern Tube with a colorful tone works well for vocals, but keep the mix low so the effect stays musical. Drive the signal until you hear it react, then blend it back to a level that feels supportive rather than distracting.

Step 8: Create Two Reverb Sends

Instead of inserting reverbs directly on the track, use sends to feed the vocal into dedicated reverb buses. This gives you control over the blend and also keeps your mix efficient.

Set up two reverbs: a medium plate and a longer hall. The plate provides the immediate ambience that helps the vocal feel connected to the track, while the long hall adds depth and space behind the performance. Make sure the wet control on the reverb plugins is set to one hundred percent, since the dry signal comes from the vocal track itself.

Step 9: Add Two Delay Sends

Delays help widen the vocal and support emotional moments without overwhelming the mix. A stereo delay with shorter note values works well for movement and width. A tape delay set to half notes creates a trailing echo that supports the vocal between phrases. Keep both relatively subtle so they enhance the performance rather than pulling focus.

Save the Chain and Reuse It

After you dial in a vocal chain that consistently works for your projects, save it as a channel strip setting. This lets you recall your entire signal flow in just a few clicks. You can always tweak it per song, but having a reliable starting point keeps you focused on creativity instead of setup.

This complete chain — EQ, two compressors, de-esser, tone shaping, saturation, two reverbs, and two delays — gives you a flexible and professional foundation for polished vocals in Logic Pro.

TIMECODES:
00:00 Intro
00:40 What a vocal chain is
02:34 High-pass filtering
05:06 First compressor (Studio FET)
09:48 Second compressor (Vintage Opto)
11:57 Using a De-Esser
15:36 Shaping tone with Channel EQ
19:50 Adding air with Vintage Tube EQ
22:41 ChromaGlow saturation
26:42 Medium reverb send
29:17 Long reverb send
31:36 Stereo delay send
33:30 Tape delay send
34:47 Full vocal chain playback
36:38 Saving the vocal chain