CLA vocal is strange for sure and I use it for demos. But often find myself chasing the demo vocal sound in my final mixes with endless plugins. It’s true, use your ears and if it works for the vocal in your mix, and sounds good to your ears then use it. It’s just another tool in the toolbox.
@@typasym4162 so having and using a tool to get great sounding mixes in a shorter amount of time is lazy? Hmmm. I should work with more plugins and hardware for longer to achieve the same result? Your comment Sounds a bit snobbish to be honest, but If that’s how you work and it works for you great. I’m a musician, mixer and producer working with talented artists who care about about getting the best results sonically as fast as possible when they are paying for it. I’ve never had any artist ever mention they don’t like the vocal sound, request a change or ask me what plugins and gear I’m using.
@@typasym4162 you can shut off the reverb and delays on the plugin, and use any others you want in sidechain. You don’t have to use them. You can use any of the parameters in any scenario you have on this plugin. Just use it as a Delay for example and shut everything else off.
I am a total, rank amateur and aspire to nothing more than recording my own demos. I'm glad there are some pros who use this, but I really suspect the main audience is someone like me -- just want my vocals to sound okay the easiest way possible, and after struggling with and wasting money on so many plugins, CLA vocals was a godsend. It's a tool that works for me. I can't believe people get so riled up about this kind of thing.
I’ll occasionally use it but I’ll usually turn off either the EQ and compression or the delay effects and add pre/post processing in the chain to shape the sound more. Sometimes it does exactly what I want to vocals so It’d be stupid to not use it because of memes. Overall it has its place when used sparingly.
Stopped using it years ago because I was creating my own vocal chains but I used it a couple of months ago for a quick demo and it sounded crazy good. So it may make it back into my mix template. Who knows?
I always use these for a fast demo / rough mix of a recording ive made for my client. Its so easy to make a rough mix in the presence of my client if i dont want to get too technical. But when all is good and its time to mix that recording, i use the rough mix as a reference and do the same stuff with separate plugins for more control. Ive ended up keeping some of the plugin's functions though if they give a signature my client wants and it will sound different if i try to replicate it with other plugins.
Thanks for the breakdown on this classic plugin in plugin doctor! Personally I think CLA vocals and the other 'preset' plugins as i like to call em were great for demos and quick 'sounds good enough' style stuff during record mostly for the musicians. Though that was back a decade ago when most things were higher latency and all. These days I got a ton of great plugins and plugin chains that get the job done and I'm pretty much mixing as I record. I also have some hardware comp/EQ now.
I agree ,,however, I sometimes like some of the things CLA does while I may not use all of the features and even use another compressor or route to external efx. CLA does have a sound and has been used on many great records I love by top engineers. I definitely don't rely on it most of the time, but every now and then I"ll use it to some extent.
Engineers hate it because noobies use it as a quick fix without knowing how to use anything properly. But everything on the plugin is in parallel. Its actually an insane plugin that at the end of your chain can do some awesome stuff when you have established proper eq, compression, and saturation. Fuck the plugin also saturates when the input is higher. The things good and comes with basic things we all use at some point, you just gotta know how and when to use it.
The thing is you can turn each of the features off and only use some of them. For me the spreader stuff is golden. Non mixers tend to just leave everything on and it can easily become overkill.
It's one of those things that can work if you are careful. In the end, if it sounds good, and if it doesn't cause any issues with phasing and whatnot, it's fine.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!! 45M Sold... RIAA MultiPlatinum, Grammy Voter. I use CLA Vocal on 90% of all vocals. AND Chris was an engineer on several of my records LOOOOOONG Time Ago
Very much enjoyed this and finding out that this was even a thing lmao. Idk, having a beef with a plugin seemingly for the sole reason of not knowing what it does under the hood when you can just take a minute to skim a manual or watch a clip is…kind of wack lol. It’s another tool that made it easier for folks to do this, and ask anyone using it on their rough mix or demos if they still want it on vs a proper mixer doing their thing-like, no one is getting replaced by CLA Vocals lmao. I try not to use it just bc I want to do my own chains, but it is awesome. Ryan Tedder uses it to track everyone, Dave Pensado has used it on an ITL, The 1975 have talked about using it. Make music and chill 🤷♂️
I never knew this was a thing lol I remember when i first started getting into mixing, the first plugin i ever bought was the VoiceCentric by Waves. But I felt like i was cheating and not growing as a producer/mixer because I wasn't learning how to do all the necessary things individually. I had MixCentric as well and felt the same way so I haven't used them since. But creative usage of these types of plugins shouldn't be frowned upon. As long as it's used creatively and not used as a crutch or cop out then I don't see the issue. Much love to CLA and his phenomenal plugins!! CLA-76 is my all time fav from the stuff i do have.
i love the mixcentric plugin. i use it on my master channel after ive done all my mixing with vocals included on the overall track. its pretty much the only one plugin that i use in the master channel before bouncing a complete song.
The CLA plugs are great value. Fantastic for creating a quick mix for demos etc. That being said if used prudently, they also are worthy in a final mix although they work best when together respectively. That's what my ears and experience with them seems to suggest.
I love CLA Vocals-it just works every time. I insert it after a compressor so I get "double compression" as CLA vocals also inclusdes it's own compressor. I can always get the vocal to sit perfectly in the mix. I don't know why the guys in the video are making such a fuss-if it works, it works.
I love the CLA Vocal to polish and treat the vocal like a "Master". I love spreading the vocals a touch, fading in some compression, and sometimes adding bite and taking out some subs to give it some pop. It's not for slapping it on and being done. It's for when you already have a great vocal and want some extra heaviness and flavor. You can get a nice tight reverb while you already have a long reverb going on and it gives the vocal body with just one click. Also, you can use the slap delay with one click (I wouldn't use the other delays because those need to be synched to tempo).
@@selfishbeats Here's a good gauge. This should be modified and altered accordingly... VOCAL LEAD: 1: Surgical EQ HPF at 120hz Dip at 300Hz, 800Hz, 3kHz, 7kHz (Play around in these areas) 2: FET compression to catch peaks (FET is a fast compressor) Med/slow attack, fast release 4/1 ratio, 2-4 db reduction 3: Rhythm Compression Fast attack, slow release 2/1 ratio, 1-3 db reduction 4: Enhance EQ Boost at 400hz, 1.5kHz, 5kHz, 8-16kHz (Play around in these areas) 5: De-Ess 4k to catch the ka, pa, cha, sounds 7k to catch the s's and t's 6: Harmonic Saturation Dial to color, flavor, roundness 8: Upwards compression Brings up the low volume for clarity 1-3 db boost VOCAL BUS: 7: CLA Vocals To flavor 8: Limiter Catch peaks to keep vocal glues in the mix
You can do all of this things with some good vst’s bro..imagine putting all you’re settings with inserts and really good plugins. CLa vocals sound really bad.. Period !
@@noname-ng6sj Yea def not a rookie and you made this comment to be insulative. I promise you can put your mixes up against mine and we can see who the rookie is though. And who are you to say how it should be used? Nothing wrong with using it this way. You just wanted to sound intelligent.
I used CLA Unplugged on vocals before I had CLA Vocals, I kind of like Unplugged better on some vocals. CLA plugins are cool, I think I paid $80 total for all of them because after I bought one, they offered me the rest of those style plugins for $50 . They’re perfect for demos and just finding a quick general sound. Just another tool in the box or a go-to staple? Maybe a little of both.
I have the CLA library and it's OK but I don't use the vocal one much. I might use it to start a mix session then when I need to do some final tweaking I replace it with the SSL channel strip, a reverb and a delay. I use it for a quick mix but it can't replace the SSL channel strip in my opinion.
7:16 when CLA talks about sidechains, I don't understand that part. Does he just mean the sends that go off to the parallel FX (like delay, reverb, more compression etc.)?
I like it. It works. Might not be the last choice but it’s a good start. Can be a quick fix. Might be the right choice. Saves time if someone needs to hear it fast.
remember if it sounds good IT IS GOOD. Fck what some old ass "legendary" producers have to say. Anyone who gets snobby about engineering has lost their way. Truth is, all of us don't know exactly what we are doing and to act like you do is just dishonest. It's all subjective and that's the fun part.
dude this is awesome. Thanks for the vid. CLA vocals IMO is a great production tool cause its fast and easy and helps with flow, not a good mixing tool.
I use this to the quick vocal sound and move on, then when I’m done with production go back and work on details or even better send it to a mixing engineer have them work the magic
I don't use it because I stopped buying plugins. The reason for that is that I figure I really should learn to use all the ones that I have now. I'm running Cubase 12 Pro and it comes with a ton of great stock plugins and if you can't get a decent mix with those, are more really going to help?
i used cla vocals in my chain for years but i hate how you cant turn off analog noise lol, i ended up just remaking what i liked about it with new plugins
People that spent a shit ton on engineering school need to have control over everything the plugin does so they can justify spending said money on engineering school.
It's all good do what you Gotta do! If I am starting a mix on the drums for the drummer, I may just throw CLA vocals on the vocals just to get something going. When I finally get to the Lead vocal I may only have to do one or two other things besides automatio. (Especially if I tracked the vocal) But I could scrap that and go for a totally different built up approach.. Either way if it sounds good it is good. You don't have to know exactly what the plug-in is doing as long as you Close your eyes and use your EARS!
Is CLA implying that the delay and reverb are side chained with the compressor? So that they dip when there is vocals and then jump up when the vocal phrases end and become louder? If that’s what he’s saying is going on, im actually okay with that. Would certainly be nice to be able to control the side chain, but im guessing for a side chain that you can’t alter, that it’s probably fairly conservative. I like that. Get some clarity in your vocal phrases and then they bloom into a nice verb/delay tail.
I use it on my vocals live to save CPU. We’re already running a laptop and DAW with our click tracks and keyboards/orchestrations/virtual instruments (bounced to tracks and usually taken from the stems so that the levels are limited and parts aren’t getting buried) and auxiliary instrumentalists we don’t bring on tour, like a saxophonist and flautist. Since there’s only a sax solo in one song and a flute solo in one song. I like CLA on my live vocals because as the tempos change, the delays and reverbs stay in time with tempo. I also automated my mic to mute between every vocal line so that my mic isn’t sucking up cymbals with reverb and delay on. We all are on in-ears. With wedge monitors it would probably get a little weird. I use a TINY bit of the compression. I’ve progressively lowered the comp because I was getting feedback in some venues. With in-ears, it only takes a touch of conpression to even out your vocals though. At least with CLA. I can also compress my vox in our in ear mixer. I just try to make everything fool proof for the rare occasions that we don’t have a Front of House Engineer with us. I’ve done over seas festivals where we didn’t bring a sound guy and after experiences of having them pull my vocal mic while I’m doing a guitar solo or something, thinking he’s helping by preventing bleed into my mic that has timed delays and reverbs and I start singing and he has my mic basically completely off, if not entirely off. So I automated my mic track to mute between every line and for the effects to continue to trail off when muted and in those situations our sound guy isn’t with us I go into GREAT DETAIL to tell the house sound guy that my mic already has effects and mutes after every vocal line. So to set my mic loud and over the mix and then do not touch the level. All the things you’d want to do with the vocal, I’ve already automated and you only need to set the level a little over the music and NOT TOUCH IT THE WHOLE SHOW. I prefer the Maserati Vox and it DEFINITELY has stuff going on under the hood, but I like what it does. I l use CLA vox on background vocals occasionally. I don’t use the compressor or “high” effects. I prefer to have specific controls over those effects. Mainly the delay, reverb and stereo widener to make background vocals sound thicker.
Waves is great for vocal short Cuts. Silk + cla vocal plugin (just the left 3 ones) + Delay/reverb/etc of your choice = done In the end it just need to Sound good.
Did he misspeak when he said the reverb and delay are sidechained? After that comment it sounded more like he was describing the signal being routed to separate reverb/delay/pitch 'busses' as opposed to the signal going from compressor into reverb then straight into delay into pitch effect.
Might be important to mention that the "upper" and "roof" eq settings do more of a pultec shape. Love the plugin honestly - us audio guys love to pit things agaisnt each other, like others have said, it's just a tool. Don't get the whole "I don't even know what it's doing" phrase though - everyone loves to say "use your ears, try not using a parametric eq" but then say stuff like that. I'm a big Kush audio fan, literally all the controls are like "THICK" or "SAUCY" lmaooo maybe I'm just used to it!
Let me just say that I'm pretty sure Mike Dean was talking about Satin the tape emulator plugin from U-He, not Satan like Kenny Beats or whoever thought.
awesome content, I use this plugin on many of my tracks, I think it sounds amazing, I use it a lot on my backing vocals, adlibs and it saves a huge deal of effort. Of course, we all enjoy doing it by ourselves, me too I'm no exception because am a mixing/mastering engineer as well. But to have a vst like this for on-the-go task, it's just amazing!
Guess its ok if u dont use it as a whole chain just use it like an Effect or to round up things at the end of the vocal chain doing some Light compression, Treble and spreader.
Hi, could you please re-upload the video called PRO MIXERS HATE THIS FREQUENCY (AES 2022 Panel)? It got removed suddenly, and I couldnt watch the rest of it.
If It's the one I'm thinking of I believe they said around 4000hz - 4500hz ish was what they "hated" which is fair as I often rip a bit of this freq out to get rid of the "digital" harshness if I'm having that issue with a mix or certain element and it seems to work. Other option is to use a dynamic EQ on it and just take some of it out of the transients.
Yeah. There's just so many other plugins that give you more control and for beginners I worry that promoting this kind of plugin won't allow them to learn the ins and outs of eqing, compression, etc..@@georgetmusic
I use it. It totally depends on the voice, context of the mix, style of music and what I'm trying to achieve there. I never use the last 3 faders on it. It's reverb delay and pitch faders are terrible imo. Only use the first 3 faders which are Bass Treble and Compression faders. But there are situations where it doesn't work so I remove it and use something else. Maybe VMR maybe Maserati or something else altogether.
I rarely use the last 3 either if I do it’s very subtle but found that with the cla plug in on if I don’t get the treble right or bypass it sounds very awkward
The only reason I use it is for the last 3 faders lol the wide mode, used lightly, is underrated. Along with the slap delay mode. Using both or just one of those very lightly, like in the negatives, adds great depth to a vocal
I love how these engineers criticize this plug in when they are mixing in, arguably, the most horrendously over-produced genres that have ever existed. I can imagine that CLA really ruins the vocals after you've already tuned, double tuned, and compressed the vocal to all hell lol
I don’t like it because I like to have individual plugins to tune my vocals the right way but it’s cool but I just like to be more with my plugins but cla-2a and 76 is my shit tho
Lmfao
CLA WOOOOO
2: 2:39 2:40 2:41 2:41 2:41 39
CLA vocal is strange for sure and I use it for demos. But often find myself chasing the demo vocal sound in my final mixes with endless plugins. It’s true, use your ears and if it works for the vocal in your mix, and sounds good to your ears then use it. It’s just another tool in the toolbox.
Bro, cla vocals is just a lazy thing. This thing(plugin ) just masses your creativity
@@typasym4162 so having and using a tool to get great sounding mixes in a shorter amount of time is lazy? Hmmm. I should work with more plugins and hardware for longer to achieve the same result? Your comment Sounds a bit snobbish to be honest, but If that’s how you work and it works for you great. I’m a musician, mixer and producer working with talented artists who care about about getting the best results sonically as fast as possible when they are paying for it. I’ve never had any artist ever mention they don’t like the vocal sound, request a change or ask me what plugins and gear I’m using.
@@citytonightproductions Let me ask you, what if u wanted to design a voice with a longer pre-delay, what if u wanted to side chain the reverb???? .
@@pocket1684 U didn't get me right.
@@typasym4162 you can shut off the reverb and delays on the plugin, and use any others you want in sidechain. You don’t have to use them. You can use any of the parameters in any scenario you have on this plugin. Just use it as a Delay for example and shut everything else off.
I am a total, rank amateur and aspire to nothing more than recording my own demos. I'm glad there are some pros who use this, but I really suspect the main audience is someone like me -- just want my vocals to sound okay the easiest way possible, and after struggling with and wasting money on so many plugins, CLA vocals was a godsend. It's a tool that works for me. I can't believe people get so riled up about this kind of thing.
It’s just something mix engineers can be snobby about , it doesn’t sound bad and it’s easy to use if your an under qualified recording engineer
Chris you still about?
@@daniaalquadi8036 yep
I love Chris Rich
I’ll occasionally use it but I’ll usually turn off either the EQ and compression or the delay effects and add pre/post processing in the chain to shape the sound more. Sometimes it does exactly what I want to vocals so It’d be stupid to not use it because of memes.
Overall it has its place when used sparingly.
Use your 👂
Use your 🍺 s
what?
@@cei5140 use your ear
I don’t have ears
@@JwadeProductions7 then you don't care whatever audio plugin you're using
Stopped using it years ago because I was creating my own vocal chains but I used it a couple of months ago for a quick demo and it sounded crazy good. So it may make it back into my mix template. Who knows?
I'm not a real engineer. I'm a goober who just wants things to sound halfway competent. The CLA plugins help with that.
I always use these for a fast demo / rough mix of a recording ive made for my client. Its so easy to make a rough mix in the presence of my client if i dont want to get too technical. But when all is good and its time to mix that recording, i use the rough mix as a reference and do the same stuff with separate plugins for more control. Ive ended up keeping some of the plugin's functions though if they give a signature my client wants and it will sound different if i try to replicate it with other plugins.
Thanks for the breakdown on this classic plugin in plugin doctor!
Personally I think CLA vocals and the other 'preset' plugins as i like to call em were great for demos and quick 'sounds good enough' style stuff during record mostly for the musicians. Though that was back a decade ago when most things were higher latency and all. These days I got a ton of great plugins and plugin chains that get the job done and I'm pretty much mixing as I record. I also have some hardware comp/EQ now.
I agree ,,however, I sometimes like some of the things CLA does while I may not use all of the features and even use another compressor or route to external efx. CLA does have a sound and has been used on many great records I love by top engineers. I definitely don't rely on it most of the time, but every now and then I"ll use it to some extent.
i personally like the CLA vocals. i use it in combination with other plugins and buses to get the sound i want.
Time is money！
CLA is given the time！
And it's high quality！
So ,l will use it repeat！
I always use the CLA unplugged for all the acoustic guitars that I have to mix quickly. It's a good and fast tool.
I love this plugin, specially the Pitch fader to make a wider (gentle way) vocal
Engineers hate it because noobies use it as a quick fix without knowing how to use anything properly. But everything on the plugin is in parallel. Its actually an insane plugin that at the end of your chain can do some awesome stuff when you have established proper eq, compression, and saturation. Fuck the plugin also saturates when the input is higher. The things good and comes with basic things we all use at some point, you just gotta know how and when to use it.
The thing is you can turn each of the features off and only use some of them. For me the spreader stuff is golden. Non mixers tend to just leave everything on and it can easily become overkill.
EXACTLY!
It's one of those things that can work if you are careful. In the end, if it sounds good, and if it doesn't cause any issues with phasing and whatnot, it's fine.
I don't have this plugin, but all I know is that the people listening and enjoying your music doesn't give a **** about what you use
Fact.
Facts
Great video bro. Keep it up. Thank you
3:41 "Like I feel about Satin" is referring to the tape plugin called "Satin" (he did not mean Satan).
Oh the U-he Satan?
Fabfilter
@@slowaves yes, U-he Satin (the tape emulation)
@@slamcrank I know, I know, I was just joking.
cool video man keep'em coming
What ? This is one of the greatest plugins ever made , literally
I LOVE IT!!!!!!! 45M Sold... RIAA MultiPlatinum, Grammy Voter. I use CLA Vocal on 90% of all vocals. AND Chris was an engineer on several of my records LOOOOOONG Time Ago
Post a Mixing tutorial!!!!
Haven’t used this in some years but loved it when I did. Who cares if you know EXACTLY what it’s doing… the question is… does it sound good!
Very much enjoyed this and finding out that this was even a thing lmao. Idk, having a beef with a plugin seemingly for the sole reason of not knowing what it does under the hood when you can just take a minute to skim a manual or watch a clip is…kind of wack lol. It’s another tool that made it easier for folks to do this, and ask anyone using it on their rough mix or demos if they still want it on vs a proper mixer doing their thing-like, no one is getting replaced by CLA Vocals lmao. I try not to use it just bc I want to do my own chains, but it is awesome. Ryan Tedder uses it to track everyone, Dave Pensado has used it on an ITL, The 1975 have talked about using it. Make music and chill 🤷♂️
Very useful plugin. Use it for the top end alot and to hide a little 1/4 delay at times
I never knew this was a thing lol I remember when i first started getting into mixing, the first plugin i ever bought was the VoiceCentric by Waves. But I felt like i was cheating and not growing as a producer/mixer because I wasn't learning how to do all the necessary things individually. I had MixCentric as well and felt the same way so I haven't used them since. But creative usage of these types of plugins shouldn't be frowned upon. As long as it's used creatively and not used as a crutch or cop out then I don't see the issue. Much love to CLA and his phenomenal plugins!! CLA-76 is my all time fav from the stuff i do have.
i love the mixcentric plugin. i use it on my master channel after ive done all my mixing with vocals included on the overall track. its pretty much the only one plugin that i use in the master channel before bouncing a complete song.
Been using VoiceCentric forever - love its subtlety.
Love that plug-in! Get lots of mixes from young producers who use it cause it’s easy and they don’t know what they are doing.
I watched Ryan Tedder's Masterclass and he says that 90% of professional studios in the USA use CLA Vocals.
Amazing content man
Thank you, try it tomorrow)
I have seen lot of small time mixer getting angry on CLA. It's not the plugin, they hate Chris for some reason. Every tool has its own space.
I use this plugin all the time with no issues for years in my vocal chain
The CLA plugs are great value. Fantastic for creating a quick mix for demos etc. That being said if used prudently, they also are worthy in a final mix although they work best when together respectively. That's what my ears and experience with them seems to suggest.
I love CLA Vocals-it just works every time. I insert it after a compressor so I get "double compression" as CLA vocals also inclusdes it's own compressor. I can always get the vocal to sit perfectly in the mix. I don't know why the guys in the video are making such a fuss-if it works, it works.
I love the CLA Vocal to polish and treat the vocal like a "Master". I love spreading the vocals a touch, fading in some compression, and sometimes adding bite and taking out some subs to give it some pop. It's not for slapping it on and being done. It's for when you already have a great vocal and want some extra heaviness and flavor. You can get a nice tight reverb while you already have a long reverb going on and it gives the vocal body with just one click. Also, you can use the slap delay with one click (I wouldn't use the other delays because those need to be synched to tempo).
yeah i'm new to vocals but i've been putting it last for polish too.
@@selfishbeats
Here's a good gauge. This should be modified and altered accordingly...
VOCAL LEAD:
1: Surgical EQ
HPF at 120hz
Dip at 300Hz, 800Hz, 3kHz, 7kHz (Play around in these areas)
2: FET compression to catch peaks (FET is a fast compressor)
Med/slow attack, fast release
4/1 ratio, 2-4 db reduction
3: Rhythm Compression
Fast attack, slow release
2/1 ratio, 1-3 db reduction
4: Enhance EQ
Boost at 400hz, 1.5kHz, 5kHz, 8-16kHz (Play around in these areas)
5: De-Ess
4k to catch the ka, pa, cha, sounds
7k to catch the s's and t's
6: Harmonic Saturation
Dial to color, flavor, roundness
8: Upwards compression
Brings up the low volume for clarity
1-3 db boost
VOCAL BUS:
7: CLA Vocals
To flavor
8: Limiter
Catch peaks to keep vocal glues in the mix
You can do all of this things with some good vst’s bro..imagine putting all you’re settings with inserts and really good plugins. CLa vocals sound really bad.. Period !
That's not at all how one should use it. Don't put it last, it goes against the entire architecture.
Easy rookie mistake though.
@@noname-ng6sj Yea def not a rookie and you made this comment to be insulative. I promise you can put your mixes up against mine and we can see who the rookie is though. And who are you to say how it should be used? Nothing wrong with using it this way. You just wanted to sound intelligent.
I used CLA Unplugged on vocals before I had CLA Vocals, I kind of like Unplugged better on some vocals.
CLA plugins are cool, I think I paid $80 total for all of them because after I bought one, they offered me the rest of those style plugins for $50 .
They’re perfect for demos and just finding a quick general sound.
Just another tool in the box or a go-to staple? Maybe a little of both.
Not just that I like this, but I love it so much 💪💪🎶🎶🎙️
I have the CLA library and it's OK but I don't use the vocal one much. I might use it to start a mix session then when I need to do some final tweaking I replace it with the SSL channel strip, a reverb and a delay. I use it for a quick mix but it can't replace the SSL channel strip in my opinion.
7:16 when CLA talks about sidechains, I don't understand that part. Does he just mean the sends that go off to the parallel FX (like delay, reverb, more compression etc.)?
I like it. It works. Might not be the last choice but it’s a good start. Can be a quick fix. Might be the right choice. Saves time if someone needs to hear it fast.
remember if it sounds good IT IS GOOD. Fck what some old ass "legendary" producers have to say. Anyone who gets snobby about engineering has lost their way. Truth is, all of us don't know exactly what we are doing and to act like you do is just dishonest. It's all subjective and that's the fun part.
dude this is awesome. Thanks for the vid. CLA vocals IMO is a great production tool cause its fast and easy and helps with flow, not a good mixing tool.
I use this to the quick vocal sound and move on, then when I’m done with production go back and work on details or even better send it to a mixing engineer have them work the magic
Does the sidechain ducking in this plugin duck the effects when dry signal comes in?
This video made me want to get it.
This man really let the vid play out until it hit 8:08 Lmao- okay dude okay
Only issue I've ever had with this plug is the baked in "analog" noise, is there any way to get rid of it?
Gotta stand with Jaycen Joshua ☝🏻 the eq is really nice
I had no idea this was a thing. Hilarious. need to get me some CLA lol!
I don't use it because I stopped buying plugins. The reason for that is that I figure I really should learn to use all the ones that I have now. I'm running Cubase 12 Pro and it comes with a ton of great stock plugins and if you can't get a decent mix with those, are more really going to help?
Hey George, can you do a video on reverb and what the pros use?
Yes I have some verb stuff on my channel
I really appreciate this video. What was the plugin you were using to show what the cla was actually doing?
Plugin Doctor.
Thanks for this boss
great easy plugin. works well. works fast.
i used cla vocals in my chain for years but i hate how you cant turn off analog noise lol, i ended up just remaking what i liked about it with new plugins
Would you elaborate please?
I just noticed that today lol I’m like wtf is that
You can use a gate afterwards
one thing for sure. the automation knob isn't supposed to be turned at full blast.
Sometimes you just need to listen and don’t always have to know what a plug-in does.
People that spent a shit ton on engineering school need to have control over everything the plugin does so they can justify spending said money on engineering school.
It's all good do what you Gotta do! If I am starting a mix on the drums for the drummer, I may just throw CLA vocals on the vocals just to get something going.
When I finally get to the Lead vocal I may only have to do one or two other things besides automatio.
(Especially if I tracked the vocal)
But I could scrap that and go for a totally different built up approach..
Either way if it sounds good it is good.
You don't have to know exactly what the plug-in is doing as long as you Close your eyes and use your EARS!
CLAAAAAA!!!! Vocal cheatcode!!!!
Is CLA implying that the delay and reverb are side chained with the compressor? So that they dip when there is vocals and then jump up when the vocal phrases end and become louder? If that’s what he’s saying is going on, im actually okay with that. Would certainly be nice to be able to control the side chain, but im guessing for a side chain that you can’t alter, that it’s probably fairly conservative. I like that. Get some clarity in your vocal phrases and then they bloom into a nice verb/delay tail.
CLA FOR LIFE💪
Plsdo more of the visualo analysis "Zeleno" style
Yep. I use Cla vocal often. When I try many plugins in a chain and Dont work, I end up using CLA plugin and it sounds safe.
Does the CLA Epic plugin have the same features as this one? I know it has vocal presets.
I use it on my vocals live to save CPU. We’re already running a laptop and DAW with our click tracks and keyboards/orchestrations/virtual instruments (bounced to tracks and usually taken from the stems so that the levels are limited and parts aren’t getting buried) and auxiliary instrumentalists we don’t bring on tour, like a saxophonist and flautist. Since there’s only a sax solo in one song and a flute solo in one song. I like CLA on my live vocals because as the tempos change, the delays and reverbs stay in time with tempo. I also automated my mic to mute between every vocal line so that my mic isn’t sucking up cymbals with reverb and delay on. We all are on in-ears. With wedge monitors it would probably get a little weird. I use a TINY bit of the compression. I’ve progressively lowered the comp because I was getting feedback in some venues. With in-ears, it only takes a touch of conpression to even out your vocals though. At least with CLA. I can also compress my vox in our in ear mixer. I just try to make everything fool proof for the rare occasions that we don’t have a Front of House Engineer with us. I’ve done over seas festivals where we didn’t bring a sound guy and after experiences of having them pull my vocal mic while I’m doing a guitar solo or something, thinking he’s helping by preventing bleed into my mic that has timed delays and reverbs and I start singing and he has my mic basically completely off, if not entirely off. So I automated my mic track to mute between every line and for the effects to continue to trail off when muted and in those situations our sound guy isn’t with us I go into GREAT DETAIL to tell the house sound guy that my mic already has effects and mutes after every vocal line. So to set my mic loud and over the mix and then do not touch the level. All the things you’d want to do with the vocal, I’ve already automated and you only need to set the level a little over the music and NOT TOUCH IT THE WHOLE SHOW.
I prefer the Maserati Vox and it DEFINITELY has stuff going on under the hood, but I like what it does. I l use CLA vox on background vocals occasionally. I don’t use the compressor or “high” effects. I prefer to have specific controls over those effects. Mainly the delay, reverb and stereo widener to make background vocals sound thicker.
Waves is great for vocal short Cuts.
Silk + cla vocal plugin (just the left 3 ones) + Delay/reverb/etc of your choice = done
In the end it just need to Sound good.
Did he misspeak when he said the reverb and delay are sidechained? After that comment it sounded more like he was describing the signal being routed to separate reverb/delay/pitch 'busses' as opposed to the signal going from compressor into reverb then straight into delay into pitch effect.
My cla compressor and treble bring a hiss what could be the problem
Might be important to mention that the "upper" and "roof" eq settings do more of a pultec shape. Love the plugin honestly - us audio guys love to pit things agaisnt each other, like others have said, it's just a tool. Don't get the whole "I don't even know what it's doing" phrase though - everyone loves to say "use your ears, try not using a parametric eq" but then say stuff like that. I'm a big Kush audio fan, literally all the controls are like "THICK" or "SAUCY" lmaooo maybe I'm just used to it!
Let me just say that I'm pretty sure Mike Dean was talking about Satin the tape emulator plugin from U-He, not Satan like Kenny Beats or whoever thought.
While I have CLAvox I hardly use it ever BUT that CLAbass is must on my bass tracks 98% of the time
I love CLA Vocals! Didn't know this was a thing... maybe they mad cause it eliminates all the guess work
Nothing wrong with the CLA Vocals.. I used it a while back but watching this video made me go back to give it another go.
LOOKING FOR PRO TOOLS LE SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS PREFERABLY OLDER VERSION
FIRE
awesome content, I use this plugin on many of my tracks, I think it sounds amazing, I use it a lot on my backing vocals, adlibs and it saves a huge deal of effort. Of course, we all enjoy doing it by ourselves, me too I'm no exception because am a mixing/mastering engineer as well. But to have a vst like this for on-the-go task, it's just amazing!
when is the Jon Castelli mix breakdown coming??
I swear CLA Drums is adding samples haha. Those tracks sound like a pootato and then I slap that CLA on and BOOM. Beautiful.
Never used it before, but after this video I'll definitely jump on the bandwagon
Guess its ok if u dont use it as a whole chain just use it like an Effect or to round up things at the end of the vocal chain doing some Light compression, Treble and spreader.
i just use it on a other bus
I think it’s a good plugin I use it all the time.... been using it for years
Hi, could you please re-upload the video called PRO MIXERS HATE THIS FREQUENCY (AES 2022 Panel)?
It got removed suddenly, and I couldnt watch the rest of it.
Me too
MWTM took it down
@@georgetmusic oh shit! Plz reupload
@@user-sx1uo3ms1l I cant they copyright striked the channel.
If It's the one I'm thinking of I believe they said around 4000hz - 4500hz ish was what they "hated" which is fair as I often rip a bit of this freq out to get rid of the "digital" harshness if I'm having that issue with a mix or certain element and it seems to work. Other option is to use a dynamic EQ on it and just take some of it out of the transients.
Thnx man good one(;
It works. Period.
Hahahahahaha bro your editing s so funny man thanks so much!
Would it be best to use on a vocal bus or individual tracks?
Whatever sounds good honestly I have seen it in both
Had no idea people would hate on a tool so hard, Worlds a funny place.
Sounds good is good
I even don't use Waves plugins at all. How's that?
I've tried using it many times, but it's always added a color that I didn't like with my voice. But like most plugins it can be made to work.
When I use it the faders are at the lowest works better subtle
Yeah. There's just so many other plugins that give you more control and for beginners I worry that promoting this kind of plugin won't allow them to learn the ins and outs of eqing, compression, etc..@@georgetmusic
Cla vocals plugin is a very quick fix just read the manual if you dont unferstand the parameters
What plugin is better than CLA Vocals then ?
This whole channel essential!💎🔑
Like with any gear, what works, use it. I see nothing wrong with this plugin, actually buying it now after seeing this.
I use it. It totally depends on the voice, context of the mix, style of music and what I'm trying to achieve there. I never use the last 3 faders on it. It's reverb delay and pitch faders are terrible imo. Only use the first 3 faders which are Bass Treble and Compression faders. But there are situations where it doesn't work so I remove it and use something else. Maybe VMR maybe Maserati or something else altogether.
I rarely use the last 3 either if I do it’s very subtle but found that with the cla plug in on if I don’t get the treble right or bypass it sounds very awkward
The only reason I use it is for the last 3 faders lol the wide mode, used lightly, is underrated. Along with the slap delay mode. Using both or just one of those very lightly, like in the negatives, adds great depth to a vocal
I love how these engineers criticize this plug in when they are mixing in, arguably, the most horrendously over-produced genres that have ever existed. I can imagine that CLA really ruins the vocals after you've already tuned, double tuned, and compressed the vocal to all hell lol
Love CLA
CLA is dope, its a matter of preference a lot of pro engineers use it Alex Tumay, Jaycen Joshua etc
I don’t like it because I like to have individual plugins to tune my vocals the right way but it’s cool but I just like to be more with my plugins but cla-2a and 76 is my shit tho
Jaycen Joshua also is sponsored by wavesssssss
Is there any proof of this?
JJP vocal ftw 🎉❤