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How to Use Vocal Presets in Cubase: A Guide

How to Use Vocal Presets in Cubase: A Guide

Vocal presets in Cubase are Track/FX/Strip presets you can load in one move to apply EQ, compression, de-essing, color, and space. This guide shows how to choose the right preset, set healthy gain, map Quick Controls, route FX channels, automate scenes, and save lane-specific versions—so your vocals translate on phones, earbuds, and big speakers. If you want proven starting points tuned for this DAW, audition curated Cubase vocal presets and then fine-tune thresholds and sends to your mic and room.


I. What a “vocal preset” is in Cubase

In Cubase, “vocal preset” usually means one or more of the following assets:

  • Track Preset (.vstpreset) — recalls inserts, Channel Strip/EQ, and selected routing on a track.
  • FX Chain preset (.vstpreset) — just the insert stack (order + settings) you can apply to any track.
  • Channel Strip/EQ preset — stock strip + EQ only; great for low-CPU, stock-only workflows.
  • Track Archive (.xml) — imports a prewired rig (Lead, Doubles, Harmonies, FX channels) into the current project.
  • Project Template — opens a new session with your lanes, groups, and FX channels ready.

Using a preset means adapting gain, de-ess, presence, and FX balance to your voice, not just loading it. The steps below make that adaptation fast and repeatable.

II. Pre-flight (so the preset behaves)

Pre-flight checklist
  • Driver & latency: ASIO on Windows / Core Audio on macOS; 64–128 samples to track; raise later for mixing.
  • Session rate: 44.1 kHz for music (48 kHz for video delivery).
  • Input peak target: sing at performance volume; aim raw input around −12 to −8 dBFS before processing.
  • Control Room (optional): enable if you want separate cue mixes and talkback.
  • MediaBay open: press F5; you’ll use it to browse, tag, and recall presets quickly.

III. Load methods (and when to use them)

1) Track Preset (fastest, full chain)

  1. Create/select an audio track named Lead Vox.
  2. In the Inspector, click Load Track Preset and choose your vocal preset.
  3. Confirm the order: EQ → Comp A → De-Ess → (Color/Sat) → Comp B (catcher) plus your sends.
  4. Immediately Save Track Preset under Lead — Clean (YourName) so tweaks don’t overwrite the original.

Use when you want a complete lane in one click.

2) FX Chain preset (surgical swap)

  1. On your vocal track, open the Insert rack menu.
  2. Choose Load FX Chain Preset and select the chain.
  3. Tweak, then re-save with your name for fast recall.

Use when you already have routing/sends and just want to change tone/dynamics.

3) Track Archive (.xml) (full rig import)

  1. File → Import → Track Archive… and pick the .xml.
  2. Select which tracks to import (Lead, Doubles L/R, Harmonies, FX: Slap/Plate).
  3. Set your mic input on the Lead and record.

Use when you want the entire vocal system dropped into your current project.

4) Project Template (start ready)

  1. From the Hub, create a project using your vocal template.
  2. Tracks, groups, and FX channels are preconfigured; just set input and go.

Use when you want every new song to open “studio-ready.”


IV. Gain staging: make or break

  1. Mic pre first: adjust the interface so raw peaks land around −12 to −8 dBFS.
  2. Trim into Comp A: use any Input/Trim stage to hit ~3–5 dB gain reduction on phrases (not constantly slamming).
  3. After the chain: keep track peaks around −6 to −3 dBFS; leave mastering for later.
  4. Level-match while A/B’ing: add a final Trim to compare fairly; louder often seems “better.”

V. Quick Controls = fast hands-on

Map the most-touched parameters to Track Quick Controls once and save with the preset:

  • QC1 = Trim/Input
  • QC2 = De-Ess amount
  • QC3 = Body (low shelf)
  • QC4 = Presence (wide bell)
  • QC5 = Air (high shelf)
  • QC6 = Comp A threshold
  • QC7 = Slap send level
  • QC8 = Plate send level

Now you can ride tone and space from the Inspector/MixConsole without opening plug-ins—great on a laptop or controller.

VI. Lead vs. stacks: build a “family,” not clones

  • Lead: mono-solid center; minimal wideners; automate volume to keep the story forward.
  • Doubles L/R: higher HPF, a touch more de-ess, tucked −6 to −9 dB under; micro-pan left/right; avoid chorus wideners that collapse in mono.
  • Harmonies: darker EQ than Lead, wider than doubles; optional +0.5–1 dB around 5 kHz for shimmer only if needed.
  • Ad-libs: narrow bandwidth (HPF ~200 Hz, LPF ~8–10 kHz), side-panned, short throw echoes at transitions.

Save one preset per role—Lead — Clean, Double — Tight, Harmony — Wide—so recall is instant and consistent.

VII. Time & space (FX channels do the heavy lifting)

  1. Create FX Channel A = Slap: Mono/StereoDelay at ~90–110 ms; HPF 150 Hz, LPF 6 kHz; low feedback.
  2. Create FX Channel B = Plate: REVelation or a plate plug-in at 0.7–1.0 s; pre-delay 20–50 ms; filter returns.
  3. Send automation: +1–2 dB into the hook; lower in dense verses; keep returns filtered to avoid hiss.
  4. Duck the Slap: insert a Compressor on the Slap FX channel; sidechain from Lead; fast attack/release so echoes bloom between syllables.

VIII. Two-track beats (bright hats, heavy subs)

  • Carve, don’t fight: on the instrumental buss, a gentle sidechained mid dip (2–4 kHz) during vocal lines lets consonants pop without thinning the beat.
  • Sub coexistence: if words vanish under 808 tails, keep verses drier and add a small Presence lift instead of heavy compression.
  • Mono check: hit the Control Room mono button; if the story survives on a phone, your choices translate.

IX. Stock-only “starter chain” (rebuildable anywhere)

  1. Channel EQ (first): HPF 80–100 Hz; wide −1 to −2 dB at 250–350 Hz if boxy; optional tight notch near 1 kHz if nasal.
  2. Channel Strip → Compressor A: ratio 2:1–3:1; attack 10–30 ms; release 80–160 ms; ~3–5 dB GR on phrases.
  3. Channel Strip → De-Esser: target 6–8 kHz; reduce until earbuds relax; avoid dulling consonants.
  4. Channel Strip → Compressor B (catcher): faster, 1–2 dB on peaks; stabilizes sends.
  5. Magneto II (optional): light saturation for density; output matched so “louder” doesn’t fool you.
  6. Channel EQ (polish): +0.5–1 dB broad around 3–4 kHz only if diction hides; tiny Air shelf last.

Wrap this as a Track Preset and map Quick Controls (Trim/De-Ess/Body/Presence/Air/Comp/Slap/Plate). Save under Lead — Stock Clean.

X. Audition presets quickly (without losing your place)

  1. MediaBay Favorites: add your vendor folder as a Favorite; star your top 3; fewer choices = faster work.
  2. Level-match A/B: keep a Trim at the end of the chain; toggle presets while holding output steady.
  3. MixConsole Snapshots: capture a few states (Clean, Air+, Warm) for rapid comparisons.

XI. Recording vs. mixing: what to print

Record dry, hear wet: monitor through the preset but record the clean input. If a collaborator needs a “demo vibe,” route Lead to a print group and record a Lead_Wet track. Keep names clear (Lead_Dry, Lead_Wet).

Commit late: Freeze heavy FX or render stems near the end; keep a “_FXPRINT” track for recall.

XII. Automation that sells the line (micro, not macro)

  • Volume rides: +0.5–1 dB into downbeats; −0.5 dB for tongue-twisters.
  • De-ess threshold: write a slightly tighter value on bright phrases, looser on dark ones.
  • Send rides: push Slap/Plate into the hook; pull back in dense verses; leave tails filtered.

XIII. Organization & recall (minutes today, hours saved later)

  • Names that sort: Lead — Clean, Lead — Air+, Rap — Punch, Harmony — Wide, Ad-Lib — Phone.
  • One per role: separate presets for Lead/Doubles/Harmonies prevent over-de-essing stacks or over-brightening the center.
  • MediaBay tags: tag by Use (Lead/Rap/R&B), Vibe (Clean/Airy/Warm), and Mic (SM7B/NT1, etc.).
  • Template: keep a project template with lanes + FX channels; start every song from it.

XIV. Troubleshooting (problem → focused move)

  • Harsh S’s after adding Air: raise De-Ess slightly; reduce Air by ~0.5 dB; low-pass FX returns to ~6–7 kHz.
  • Vocal sinks under 808: keep verses drier; lift Presence a hair; add a subtle mid dip on the instrumental during lines.
  • Preset sounds different at export: check quality/oversampling switches and master buss; avoid clipping; keep Control Room settings consistent.
  • Latency while tracking: lower buffer; bypass long verbs; use Control Room cue for direct monitoring if your interface supports it.
  • Macros (QCs) don’t move anything: re-map parameters to QCs and re-save the Track Preset so assignments travel.
  • Levels jump in A/B tests: level-match with a final Trim; louder wins the ear unfairly.

XV. Capture matters (your preset will thank you)

Presets shine with consistent capture: stable mic distance, pop filter, treated corner, and sensible monitoring. 

XVI. Fast FAQ

Where should pitch correction go?
First or near the top (after any input trim) so downstream compression/De-Ess see a stable signal.

One compressor or two?
Two is smoother: Comp A shapes phrases (3–5 dB GR); Comp B catches peaks (1–2 dB GR).

How loud should vocals be while mixing?
Keep post-FX peaks around −6 to −3 dBFS; leave true-peak safety and overall loudness for mastering.

Do I need the mic mentioned in a preset?
No. Presets are starting points. Adapt Trim, De-Ess, Body, Presence, and FX to your voice/microphone.


XVII. Quick action plan (copyable)

  1. Load a Track/FX preset; set Trim so Comp A kisses 3–5 dB on phrases.
  2. De-Ess to “soft-bright,” not dull; add tiny Presence only if diction hides.
  3. Route Slap/Plate FX channels; filter returns; automate sends into the hook.
  4. Map Quick Controls (Trim/De-Ess/Body/Presence/Air/Comp/Slap/Plate) and save your version.
  5. Build role-based presets (Lead, Doubles, Harmonies); start future songs from a template.

Used well, vocal presets are reliable shortcuts—not crutches. Keep headroom healthy, make small moves, automate what matters, and your voice will sit forward without harshness—song after song. If you want to start from racks that already follow these rules, try the purpose-built Cubase recording template and lock in your own “best-fit” versions for fast, consistent sessions.

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