2026– date –

A cover-song mix explained in seven steps, from recording to export. What to do in each step and which articles to read, as an overview based on the mixing approach of FabFilter Learn.

The basics of using a de-esser on cover-song vocals. Why sibilance gets strong, the frequency range to detect, how to set threshold and range, and tips to avoid overdoing it, based on FabFilter's official materials.

How to add thickness to a cover song from one voice. Making harmonies at different pitches, doubling the same pitch, growing a choir, and widening, with how to choose plug-ins, based on manufacturers' official information.

How to balance the vocal and the backing track in a cover-song mix. Decide each part's role, decide left-right position (pan) first, start from a rough volume, and use automation when phrase endings fade, based on FabFilter Learn.

The basics of using a compressor on cover-song vocals. What threshold, ratio, attack and release mean, the order to set them, signs of overdoing it and how to think about parallel compression, explained from manufacturers' materials.

Whether to choose a USB microphone or an XLR microphone plus an audio interface for cover-song home recording. The difference in how they connect, phantom power and whether you can add to it later, based on manufacturers' official information.

Noise in a cover-song recording sorted into hum, hiss (white noise), pops, vibration and room noise, with causes and fixes. Based on support information from equipment makers, with the order of things to check.

How to set the input level (gain) of an audio interface when recording a cover song. Why too low and too high are both a problem, a test-recording routine that avoids clipping, the auto gain function and a note on headphones while recording, based on Shure's official guide.

How to fix your own voice sounding delayed (latency) while recording. How to think about buffer size, the difference in settings between recording and mixing, direct monitoring that removes the delay, and what to do when your voice sounds doubled, based on Focusrite's official materials.

The basics of applying noise reduction software to a recorded vocal. How to teach it the character of the noise, how to use a high-pass, how to decide the strength and how to avoid the "watery" sound from overdoing it, based on iZotope RX's official materials.