Rap Vocal Chain in GarageBand: How to Mix Your Voice

Recording in GarageBand on your Mac? Then you can mix your vocal right there too. No extra plug-ins needed. Here's how to build a rap vocal chain step by step with what GarageBand already has on board. Treat the values below as a starting point and always adjust by ear.

Before you start

• Start with a good recording: not too quiet, not in the red. Read how to record vocals in GarageBand on Mac.
• Give your tracks clear names: lead, double, ad-libs.
• Mix with your beat playing. A vocal that sounds great solo can disappear in the mix.

How to add plug-ins

Select your vocal track and open Smart Controls. In the Plug-ins area, click an empty slot, choose a category and then the plug-in. Plug-ins work from top to bottom: whatever sits at the top hits your voice first. Drag them to change the order. Use the power button on the left of a slot to switch a plug-in off for a moment.

1. Pitch (optional): Pitch Correction

Want autotune on your vocal? On the Mac it's called Pitch Correction. Read autotune in GarageBand.

2. Clean up: EQ

Click the EQ button in Smart Controls. You'll see eight bands, from low to high. Band 1 is a high-pass filter, also called a low cut. Turn it on to remove rumble at the bottom, like desk noise or traffic. Start around 80 to 100 Hz and slide it up until your voice starts to sound thin. Then back off a little.

Does your voice sound dull or boxy? Turn on the Analyzer and play your project. You'll see where it's crowded. Use one of the middle bands to pull that spot down a few dB.

3. Dynamics: Compressor

Add the Compressor from the dynamics plug-ins. The compressor evens out your voice, so quiet words don't get lost. A starting point:

• Ratio around 3:1 to 4:1.
• Attack and release in the middle.
• Threshold down until you see a few dB of gain reduction on your loudest parts.
• Then bring the level back up with the gain.

Hear your voice pumping or sounding squashed? You're doing too much.

4. Harsh S sounds: de-esser

Are your S sounds cutting through your ears? The dynamics plug-ins also include a de-esser. It only pushes down the harsh part up top, without making your whole voice duller. Start gently and listen closely to words with a lot of S sounds.

5. Space: Master Echo and Master Reverb

Every track in GarageBand has sliders for how much Master Echo and Master Reverb it gets. Those effects sit on the master, so all your tracks share the same space. For rap you usually keep the reverb low, so your lyrics stay clear. Echo works well on single words or the end of a line, but too much gets messy fast.

Check your mix

• Toggle your plug-ins at the same volume. Does it really sound better, or just louder?
• Keep your doubles and ad-libs quieter than your lead.
• Listen on your phone and in the car.

Grab the free vocal chain cheat sheet too. Working in another DAW? Read the rap vocal chain for Ableton Live, the rap vocal chain for REAPER or FL Studio vocal chain: the perfect plugin order.

FAQ

Can you mix vocals properly in GarageBand?

Yes, for a first mix definitely. The EQ, the Compressor, a de-esser and the master effects get you a long way.

What order should my plug-ins be in?

A common order is: pitch, EQ to clean up, compressor, then the de-esser. You add space with Master Echo and Master Reverb. It's not a law, but it's a good start.

Why does my vocal sound thin after the EQ?

Your low cut is probably set too high. Slide it back down until your voice sounds full again.

Source: Apple's GarageBand user guide on Smart Controls, the EQ, plug-ins and master effects.