In a cover-song mix, have you felt that “the vocal is too loud in the chorus” or “it gets quiet in the spoken parts and cannot be heard”? There are several ways to fix an uneven vocal volume. This article sorts out, based on manufacturers’ official explanations, the differences between three ways, hand-drawn faders (automation), a compressor and an automatic level rider, and the order to try them in.
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Key points
- There are three ways to fix uneven vocal volume: “hand-drawn faders”, a “compressor” and an “automatic level rider”.
- Hand-drawn faders suit big changes over several bars. They are weak at fine note-by-note unevenness.
- A compressor is an automatic volume adjustment that moves faster and more accurately than a fader. But if you apply it strongly, the texture of the voice changes.
- An automatic level rider is a tool that sets a target level and keeps it by raising and lowering the gain. Its way of thinking differs from a compressor, so it may keep the texture of the voice more easily.
- If you are unsure, the basic approach is to try “even out big gaps with the fader, then tidy fine gaps with a compressor”.
Why the volume of a vocal varies
A vocal has parts sung strongly and parts sung softly. That is part of the expression of the song. But if the difference in volume is too big, the quiet parts get buried in the backing track and the loud parts jump out, which distracts the listener. FabFilter’s explanation also says that when the differences in volume are big, the listener’s attention can be drawn away from what the artist wants to convey.
The same explanation says that if you set a “fixed fader” position for the whole mix, it is too quiet in some scenes and too loud in others. In the example of a vocal, if you set the balance so quiet sounds can be heard, the loud sounds are too loud.
Method 1: hand-drawn faders (automation)
This is a way of drawing the DAW’s volume automation by hand to adjust the loudness of the vocal. It suits tidying changes over several bars, such as “lower only the start of the chorus a little”. FabFilter’s explanation also says that fader automation suits “changes in effect over several bars”, but does not suit fine movements (micro-dynamics) such as the start or sustain of a single note.
The maker’s description of Waves’ “Vocal Rider” also says that drawing automation by hand takes time. Adjusting a whole song’s vocal in detail is a lot of work.
Method 2: compressor
FabFilter’s explanation describes a compressor as “an automatic volume adjustment that can react faster and more accurately than a fader”. It reduces loud sounds to narrow the differences in volume. It also says that when there is a vocal for which you cannot find the right fader position, it is time to use a compressor.
On the other hand, the maker’s description of Waves’ “Vocal Rider” names a problem: applying heavy compression to even out the volume changes the texture of the voice. A compressor is a tool that changes tone as well as volume, so you need to take care not to overdo it. How to use one is explained in How to use a compressor on vocals.
Method 3: automatic level rider
A level rider is a plug-in that adjusts the gain automatically, as if a person were moving the fader up and down. For example, Waves’ “Vocal Rider” raises and lowers the gain to keep the vocal at a target level that you set. In the maker’s description, you can export the automation track so you can fix it by hand later, and there is no latency.
sonible’s “pure:level” is the same kind of plug-in. Its official explanation says it uses AI analysis for automatic level adjustment and level riding, evening out the loudness while keeping the natural dynamics of the performance. It also has a function to group several tracks and handle them together. See sonible’s pure:level for details.
How to choose between the three
| Method | Suits | Points to note |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-drawn faders | Big differences over several bars, such as the start of the chorus being quiet or the spoken part being loud | Note-by-note differences take a lot of effort |
| Compressor | Fine differences in volume, such as the start and sustain of notes. Tidying the presence of the vocal | If applied strongly, the texture of the voice changes |
| Automatic level rider | When you want to bring the overall loudness of the vocal close to a target and cut the effort of drawing by hand | How it sounds changes with how you set the target. Check the result by ear |
The order to try them in
- First, decide the fader position of the vocal. FabFilter’s explanation also says it is good to tidy the overall balance before adding a compressor. How to think about balance is explained in How to balance the vocal and the backing track.
- Tidy big differences with automation or a level rider. First tidy differences that stand out over several bars, such as the difference between the chorus and the spoken part.
- Tidy fine differences with a compressor. Start with a gentle setting and check that the texture of the voice has not changed.
- Finally, listen to the whole again. Check at a low volume as well that the vocal is not buried in the backing track and does not jump out.
Frequently asked questions
If I add a level rider, do I not need a compressor?
Their roles differ. A level rider mainly tidies the loudness of the vocal slowly. A compressor tidies fine differences in volume and is also a tool that shapes the texture of the sound. Decide whether to use one or both by listening to the result.
What can I do for free?
The DAW’s automation can be used at no extra cost. Free compressors are summarized in the “free ways to start” section of our compressor comparison.
Which level rider should I choose?
The operation and features differ by plug-in. Check on the official page whether it suits your DAW and environment, and whether there is a trial. Plug-ins for vocals are summarized in our vocal processing plug-in comparison.
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