Install Soundtrap Vocal Presets (Web & Mobile)

Soundtrap vocal presets are saved FX chains—EQ, compression, de-essing, color, and space—you can load in one step. This guide shows reliable “install” routes that work in the browser and on mobile: duplicating a template, saving the chain as your own preset, and rebuilding from settings. You’ll also learn quick organization, safe gain targets, and troubleshooting so your first take sounds polished, not raw. 

I. What a Soundtrap vocal preset is (and isn’t)

In Soundtrap, a “vocal preset” is a track’s FX chain saved for reuse under My Presets. It can include:

• Stock effects (Visual EQ, Compressor, De-esser, Distortion/Saturation, Delay, Reverb, Doubler, etc.).
• Macro-style controls exposed in the preset card (varies by effect choice).
• Your own parameter tweaks saved with a custom name.

Important: Soundtrap does not load third-party VST/AU plug-ins. “Installing” a preset means saving a Soundtrap FX chain (from a template or from your tweaks) into your account so it’s available on any project or device you log into.

II. Before you start (one-time checks)

III. Three “install” routes that always work

A) Duplicate a vendor template → Save as your preset (safest)

1. Open the template link provided with your pack and choose Open in Studio or Share copy to duplicate it into your account.
2. Select the vocal track and open the FX panel. Confirm you see EQ, compression, de-ess, and space in the chain.
3. Save to My Presets: use the preset menu on the track’s FX panel and choose Save Preset. Name it clearly (e.g., Lead — Clean Pop (ST)).
4. Load anywhere: in any project, pick your saved preset from My Presets and record.

Why this wins: zero file juggling, and the exact routing/order is preserved.

B) Start from built-in choices → Customize → Save

1. Add a vocal track and click the preset tile to browse Soundtrap’s built-in choices (Clean, Rap, Distorted, Experimental, etc.).
2. Tweak the FX to fit your mic/voice (see Section VII).
3. Save as New so your personalized chain lives under My Presets.

Use this if your pack is guidance (settings sheet) rather than a shareable template.

C) Manual rebuild from settings → Save

1. Add effects in this order: Visual EQ → Compressor → De-esser → Saturation (optional) → Delay → Reverb.
2. Match starting values from the pack’s PDF (or use the “safe chain” in Section VIII).
3. Save Preset with a clear role-and-vibe name (e.g., Harmony — Wide Soft).

Use this when you want full control or no template is provided.

IV. First-time load: route, monitor, gain-stage

1. Set input: choose your microphone interface input on the track.
2. Healthy level: sing at performance volume; aim raw peaks around −12 to −8 dBFS before FX.
3. Latency plan: if monitoring feels late, track with a lean chain (EQ → light comp → de-ess) and add plate/delay after.
4. Sanity A/B: record 10–20 seconds, bypass FX, then re-enable. You want clearer diction and steadier level, not just “brighter.”

V. Where “presets” live and how to recall them

• Save Preset stores the chain in your account’s My Presets list.
• Recall by clicking the preset tile on any vocal track → My Presets → choose your name.
• Cross-device: presets appear on any browser or mobile device you log into with the same account.

VI. Name and organize like a pro

• Names that sort: Lead — Clean, Lead — Air+, Rap — Punch, Harmony — Wide Soft, Ad-Lib — Phone.
• One per role: make distinct presets for Lead, Doubles, Harmonies, Ad-libs. They need different HPF/de-ess amounts.
• Lite vs Full: keep a light tracking version and a full polish version for mixing.

VII. Make the preset yours (small moves that translate)

Start subtle. Small, wide moves beat large, narrow ones.

• Trim/Input (if available): set so the compressor kisses 3–5 dB on phrases; don’t slam.
• De-ess: soften S/T/SH until earbuds relax; stop before consonants blur.
• Body (120–200 Hz): add warmth; if booth bloom appears, subtract 250–350 Hz gently.
• Presence (3–4 kHz): tiny, wide nudges for diction. If hats/claps are bright, carve the beat instead of over-boosting the lead.
• Air (10–12 kHz): micro-lift after sibilance is under control.
• FX: slap 90–120 ms (filtered 150 Hz–6 kHz), short plate 0.7–1.0 s with 20–50 ms pre-delay. Keep verses drier; open the chorus.

VIII. A safe stock-only chain you can build in minutes

1. Visual EQ: HPF 80–100 Hz; wide −1 to −2 dB at 250–350 Hz if boxy; optional narrow dip near 1 kHz if nasal.
2. Compressor A: ratio ~2:1–3:1; attack 10–30 ms; release 80–160 ms; aim 3–5 dB GR on phrases so consonants breathe.
3. De-esser: target 6–8 kHz; reduce until earbuds stop complaining.
4. Compressor B (catcher): faster, 1–2 dB on peaks; stabilizes send levels.
5. Saturation (optional): low mix for density; match output so “louder” doesn’t fool you.
6. Visual EQ polish: +0.5–1 dB wide at 3–4 kHz only if diction hides; tiny air shelf last.
7. Delay & Reverb: slapback 90–110 ms; bright short plate; filter returns to avoid hiss.

Save this as Lead — Stock Clean (ST), then clone lighter/heavier versions per song.

IX. Role-based lanes (intentional, not copy-paste)

• Lead: mono-true center; minimal widening; rides and diction first.
• Doubles L/R: higher HPF, a bit more de-ess, tucked 6–9 dB under; micro-pan left/right.
• Harmonies: darker EQ; wider panning; tiny 5 kHz shimmer can add sheen without sharpening S’s.
• Ad-libs: narrow bandwidth (HPF ~200 Hz, LPF ~8–10 kHz); short throws at transitions.

X. Working with two-track beats (bright hats, heavy subs)

• Carve, don’t fight: if the instrumental is bright, keep the lead’s air conservative and filter return FX around 6–7 kHz.
• Sub coexistence: if syllables vanish under 808 tails, keep verses drier and lean on presence rather than extra compression.
• Mono check: your lead must read on a phone speaker; place width in doubles and returns, not on the center insert.

XI. Mobile workflow (iOS/Android)

1. Open a starter song with your favorite chain on the lead track.
2. Duplicate that song for each new project so the chain is pre-loaded.
3. Adjust Smart Controls lightly; save changes if this becomes your new “best” preset.

Note: Mobile mirrors the browser feature-set closely, but device CPU/battery may prefer the Lite chain while tracking.

XII. Troubleshooting (problem → focused fix)

• I saved a preset but can’t find it. Check the vocal track’s preset tile → My Presets. Make sure you’re logged into the same account on all devices.
• FX chain sounds different in a new song. Verify input gain; avoid stacking two similar presets on the same track; copy the preset first, then tweak.
• Harsh S’s after brightening. Increase de-ess a touch; lower any air shelf by ~0.5 dB; low-pass FX returns.
• Latency while monitoring. Track with the Lite chain; bypass long reverbs; keep buffer lower for tracking and higher for mixing.
• Beat masks diction. Raise presence slightly; reduce delay feedback; keep slap short and filtered so consonants pop.
• Level jumps during A/B tests. Level-match before judging; use the chain’s output/volume control to compare fairly.

XIII. Save once, reuse forever

1. Personalize a lead preset for your voice and save it with your name.
2. Create a starter project with Lead, Doubles L/R, Harmonies, Ad-libs, and two returns (Slap, Plate). Duplicate it for each new song.
3. Back up by keeping a template link (Share → Copy) so you can re-fork your rig if needed.

XIV. Learn more (avoid common pitfalls)

Presets save time—until the mix pushes back. This guide to vocal preset mistakes and fixes helps you avoid harsh S’s, muddy low-mids, and “louder is better” traps.

XV. Copyable quick-install recap

1. Open the vendor template → Share copy / Open in Studio.
2. On the vocal track, tweak as needed → Save Preset (e.g., Lead — Clean Pop (ST)).
3. Load from My Presets on any project or device; keep Lite vs Full versions.
4. Track at −12 to −8 dBFS raw peaks; small de-ess/body/presence moves; filter returns.
5. Build role-based presets (Lead, Doubles, Harmonies, Ad-libs) and a reusable starter song.

With a clean template, smart naming, and one trusted chain, Soundtrap becomes a fast, repeatable vocal workflow. Save once, sing more—and let your presets carry the setup while you focus on performance. If you would prefer to have a solid starting point when working on a song, recording templates can enhance your overall workflow as well.