How to Improve AI Vocals Using Soothe2 by Oeksound

Alright, so you’ve got your AI vocals all set up, and they’re….well, almost there. Maybe a little too shiny? Or perhaps a bit harsh in the high-mids, like someone turned the “sizzle” knob up to 11. It happens. AI vocals, just like their human counterparts, can sometimes sound a bit too crisp or digital right out of the box. Enter Oeksound’s Soothe 2 plugin–a lifesaver for anyone looking to take the edge off and make those AI vocals sit in the mix like a pro.

In this post, we’re diving into how you can use Soothe 2 to level up your AI vocal tracks, taking them from robotic to radio-ready in a few simple steps.

Introduction to Soothe 2

Soothe 2 is a dynamic resonance suppressor plug-in designed to tame harsh frequencies and resonances in audio tracks. Developed by Oeksound, this powerful tool is a must-have for music producers, sound engineers, and post-production professionals. With its advanced algorithms and intuitive interface, the Soothe 2 plugin helps to remove harshness, clear up mud, and balance out resonances in a wide range of audio sources, including vocals, instruments, and dialogue. Whether you’re working on a complex mix or a simple vocal track, Soothe 2 ensures your audio sounds polished and professional.

Understanding the Problem: Harsh Frequencies in AI Vocals

Artificial intelligence (AI) vocals can often suffer from harsh frequencies and resonances, making them sound unnatural and unpolished. These harsh frequencies can stem from various factors, including the AI algorithm itself, the quality of the source material, and the acoustic characteristics of the recording environment. Soothe 2 is specifically designed to address these issues. By using its advanced algorithms, the Soothe2 plugin identifies and reduces harsh frequencies and resonances in AI vocals, helping you achieve a more natural and balanced sound.

Why Soothe 2? Why Not Just a Dynamic Resonance Suppressor?

Sure, you could go in with a surgical EQ, pinpointing every little harsh frequency like a sonic sniper. But do you really have time for that? All vocals can be trickier than you think–depending on the voice and microphone used to capture it, there may be an unnatural sharpness lurking in the upper mids. Soothe 2 is basically your automatic resonance-removal ninja. It scans for harshness in real-time and tames it, so you don’t have to spend hours obsessively tweaking knobs.

If you’re working with Kits AI vocals, or any AI vocals really, Soothe 2 helps give them a more natural vibe while keeping the clarity intact. It’s like a magic eraser for harshness, and who wouldn’t want that in their toolkit.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Soothe 2 to Remove Harshness on AI Vocals

1. First Thing’s First: Convert Your Vocal With Kits AI

Select “Convert vocals” from the sidebar and add your vocal stem to the Input box. Select the vocal model that best suits your song. Hit “Convert” and import your new vocal stem into your DAW.

1. Load Soothe 2

Drop Soothe 2 right into your vocal chain–I prefer using early in my chain, sometimes before my EQ and sometimes after, depending on the vocal tone. Regardless, I always prefer it before my compression.

1. Target the Trouble Zones: 2kHz to 5kHz

Here’s where most of the AI vocal harshness likes to hang out. This range is the high-mid area where sibilance and that digital “edge” tend to live rent-free. Set Soothe 2’s focus here to gently massage out those painful spikes. Not too much though–you don’t want to flatten the vocal, just make it less…stabby. Soothe 2 manages clarity and resonance across the entire frequency spectrum, particularly in the high-mid area.

Top Tips For Soothe 2

Depth and Sharpness: The Magic Dials

Depth controls how much Soothe 2 tames those resonances. For AI vocals, you’ll want to go moderate–not too shallow, but don’t go overboard and strip the life out of them either. Adjust Sharpness to focus on narrower bands of frequencies, especially if you’ve got some very specific trouble spots. Think of it like zooming in on the problem areas and waving a little smoothing wand.

Delta Mode: Hear What You’re Cutting

Want to know what’s getting zapped? Switch to Delta mode. It lets you hear exactly what’s being removed. This is like putting on special X-ray glasses–perfect for making sure you’re not overdoing it and losing some of that vocal magic.

Tweak Attack and Release Settings

AI vocals can sometimes have weird transients that pop out, and these settings let you control how quickly Soothe 2 reacts to them. Faster attack catches those quick, sharp sounds, while a slower release keeps things natural. It’s a balance–play with these until your vocal feels smooth but still lively.

Advanced Techniques for Soothe 2

While Soothe 2 is designed to be easy to use, it also offers a range of advanced features and techniques for experienced users. For instance, Soothe 2’s mid/side and left/right processing modes allow you to target specific frequency ranges and stereo images, giving you precise control over your mix. The external sidechain input feature enables you to duck another signal’s spectral “footprint,” adding another layer of flexibility. Additionally, Soothe 2’s quality settings can be adjusted in real-time and offline, allowing you to fine-tune your sound to suit your specific needs. By mastering these advanced techniques, you can unlock the full potential of the Soothe2 plugin and achieve professional-sounding results.

Avoiding the Dreaded Dullness in the Frequency Spectrum

One of the risks when using a plugin like Soothe 2 is overdoing it and ending up with a dull vocal that sounds like it’s been wrapped in a wet blanket. To prevent this, keep an ear out for the top-end detail after you’ve applied Soothe. If things feel too dark, go ahead and bring some air back with a subtle high-shelf EQ. You don’t want to kill the vibe, just the harshness.

Soothe saves time and simplifies the process of managing harsh frequencies, allowing producers to focus on creativity while achieving a polished sound quickly.

Remember, the goal is to smooth out the vocal, not to make it sound like an ASMR track (unless, of course, that’s what you’re going for–in which case, proceed).

Final Thoughts: Soothe 2 is Your AI Vocal’s Best Friend

AI vocals, like any digital tool, can be a bit unruly sometimes. But with Soothe 2 in your plugin arsenal, you’ve got the perfect fix for those overly sharp frequencies that can plague AI-generated vocals. It’s not just about taming harshness–it’s about giving your AI vocals a more human feel. Soothe 2 integrates seamlessly with various audio production software, enhancing the overall production quality.

So, next time your AI vocalist is singing just a bit too brightly, load up Soothe 2, dial it in, and let it do its thing. Your ears (and your listeners) will thank you.

-SK

Sam Kearney is a producer, composer and sound designer based in Evergreen, CO.