How to clean up hissing "s" sounds on vocals

[gauze]

any tips I really have no idea how to approach this.
The vocals are already recorded so I can't just throw a screen in front of the mic.

[midiot]

any tips I really have no idea how to approach this.
The vocals are already recorded so I can't just throw a screen in front of the mic.

are you seeking a de-esser perhaps?

[joel hamilton]

Use a de-esser.

What are you using to record? DAW? TAPE?

For a DAW: use a de-esser plug in.

For a tape based system: Use a hardware De-esser.

[gauze]

I am recording to tape. using de-esser as google search term I see you can do this with a sidechain deal on a compressor, if only I had an EQ! great excuse to buy more gear!

thanks people.

[cdbabel]

Use a de-esser.

What are you using to record? DAW? TAPE?

For a DAW: use a de-esser plug in.

For a tape based system: Use a hardware De-esser.

Anyone know of a good MAS de-esser pluggin?

[Fletcher]

Try taping a pencil in front of the mic... you'll be amazed at how well it helps with "sssess" and "plosives".

Best of luck.

[drumsound]

Try taping a pencil in front of the mic... you'll be amazed at how well it helps with "sssess" and "plosives".

Best of luck.

THe best de-esser I've ever used. I keep a pencil taped to the window of my booth so its easy to find if needed.

[PT]

Try taping a pencil in front of the mic... you'll be amazed at how well it helps with "sssess" and "plosives".

Best of luck.

Do you mean tape it right on to the mic itself? Vertically? Horizontally?

I'd love get less esses and plosives at the source, and not deal as much with them later.

[cdbabel]

Try taping a pencil in front of the mic... you'll be amazed at how well it helps with "sssess" and "plosives".

Best of luck.

Do you mean tape it right on to the mic itself? Vertically? Horizontally?

I'd love get less esses and plosives at the source, and not deal as much with them later.

If someone could write a good How To article about using a pencil as a De-Esser on www.WikiRecording.org for posterity, that would be awesome and probably more useful then just posting the answer here for it to get lost in the mist of the forum.

[inverseroom]

First person who is able to convince a singer to keep a pencil taped to his face for an entire session wins a prize!

[gauze]

hm a pencil, interesting.

anyway the vocals were already on tape, I tried taping a pencil to the monitor cones but it didn't really help.

[JGriffin]

hm a pencil, interesting.

anyway the vocals were already on tape, I tried taping a pencil to the monitor cones but it didn't really help.

You could just encourage the band to include two pencils with every CD.

[PT]

Let's stay focused, people. I got some vocals I need to record soon and I'd like to find out the details of this pencil trick.

Details, people. Details.

[drumsound]

I tape a pencil to the mic vertically. It works acoustically as a diffusor.

[dokushoka]

If you're mixing, which it sounds like you are, all the pencil's in the world aren't going to help...

De-essers usually give the singer a lisp, in my experience, so I tend to avoid them.

A little bit of grandpa's old automation can really save the day. The esses are VERY easy to spot on a waveform and bring them down a few db will make things all cozy again.