Waves Audio Butch Vig Vocals User Guide
WAVES
BUTCH VIG VOCALS
User Guide
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 – Introduction .................................................................................... 3
1.1 Welcome ................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Product Overview .................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Components .......................................................................................................... 3
1.4 A Few Words from Butch Vig ................................................................................. 4
Chapter 2 – Quick Start Guide ........................................................................... 5
Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls ................................................................... 6
Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem .......................................................................... 11
4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar ................................................................................... 11
4.2 Preset Handling ................................................................................................... 11
4.3 Interface and Controls .......................................................................................... 13
4.4 Waves Preferences (Pro Tools only) .................................................................... 15
Waves Butch Vig Vocals
User Guide
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves. In o rder to get the most out of your Waves processor,
please take the time to read through this manual.
In conjunction, we also suggest you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net
you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation
guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Licensing and
Registration.
By signing up at www.wavesupport.net, you will receive personalized information on
your registered products, reminders when updates are available, and information on
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. There
1.2 Product Overview
The Waves Signature Series is our exclusive line of application-specific audio
processors, created in collaboration with the world’s top producers, engineers, and
mixing engineers. Every Signature Series plugin has been precision-crafted to capture
the artist’s distinct sound and production style. No matter whether you are an
experienced or an aspiring audio professional, the Waves Signature Series allows you to
dial up the sound you’re looking for quickly, without interrupting the creative flow.
1.3 Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plugins which
we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives
you the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to your material.
The Waves Butch Vig Vocals plugin has two components:
o Butch Vig Vocals Mono – mono in to mono out
o Butch Vig Vocals Stereo – stereo in to stereo out
Waves Butch Vig Vocals
User Guide
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1.4 A Few Words from Butch Vig
The Butch Vig Vocals plugin is based on what I consider the core parameters of getting
a vocal to sit in the mix, to sound really focused. I went back and looked at my notes on
albums I have worked on over the last 20 years, and discovered there are some basic
parameters I default to time and time again. I designed this plug so you can open it and
quickly dial in the vocal. The filters and MidDip are used for cutting unwanted
frequencies. The EQ section is designed to boost frequencies, but can be used as a cut
if needed. Both the EQ and the De-esser are set to specific fixed frequencies.
o Filters (LoCut, MidDip, HiCu t)
o Dynamics (DeEsser, Compression)
o EQ (Lows, Presence, Air)
o Focus 1 & 2 (Mid Band EQ Compression )
o Harmonic Saturation (Tube, Solid State)
I was lucky to have a great variety of sessions to use when designing the BVV, and
listened to some great singers: Shirley Manson, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Freedy
Johnston, Billie Joe Armstrong, Laura Jane Grace, Kurt Cobain and Christofer Drew.
Special thanks to Billy Bush and Ross Hogarth for their ears, and Mike Fradis from
Waves for his technical expertise and guidance.
A word about the GUI design: I was looking for something that had a “Retro/Sci-Fi” look,
inspired by films like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Brazil and Blade
Runner. Thanks to Dani Bar-Shlomo for his beautiful design!
Waves Butch Vig Vocals
User Guide
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Chapter 2 – Quick Start Guide
1. Insert the Butch Vig Vocals plugin on the track you wish to process.
2. Adjust the input so that the sensitivity LED is solid green/yellow on the loudest part of
the track.
3. Adjust the LoCut filter to a place where you feel it has cleaned the lows without
removing needed fundamental frequencies. Do the same with HiCut if needed.
4. If you feel your vocals have a boomy, nasal or mushy sound, use the MidDip control
to clean it up.
5. Adjust the DeEsser to remove harsh sibilance.
6. Use Compress to compress the vocal and bring it forward.
7. Adjust the Lows/Presence/Air frequency to get the vocal sound you are going for.
8. Engage the Focus control if you are missing some focus in the 1K-2K area of the
vocal.
9. Add a blend of Tube or Solid State to taste.
10. Use the Saturation section’s LoCut and HiCut controls to shape the saturation
sound. Use the HiCut control to remove the sizzle you get on the upper frequencies.
11. Adjust the Output to offset any gain lost or boosted as a result of the processing.
A good way to start is to go over the presets supplied, begin with something you like,
and adjust if needed.
Waves Butch Vig Vocals
User Guide
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