To build a Juice WRLD-style vocal in Logic Pro or GarageBand, record a melodic take, tune it lightly, double it, add a little saturation, and place it in a medium reverb and a tempo-synced delay. Start with a high-pass near 90 Hz, a Compressor ratio of 3:1, a double track panned wide, and a reverb of about 1.5 seconds.
The sound is commonly described as melodic, emotional rap-singing with layered vocals and a spacious tail. We use that description as reference listening only. We do not know the artist's real settings, plugins or recording setup, so every value below is a starting point that you adjust by ear. To load a finished chain instead, browse our GarageBand vocal presets or our Logic Pro vocal presets.
Thir13een is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Juice WRLD or his estate. He died in 2019, and his music still matters to many people. "Juice WRLD-style" names a sound we aim to approximate, nothing more.
What does a Juice WRLD-style vocal sound like?
Listeners often describe the sound as a sung melody delivered with rap phrasing. The lead is clear and forward. Backing layers and doubles make the chorus feel wide. A medium reverb and a soft echo give each line a long, emotional tail.
Four ideas explain most of it. Write a strong melody first. Keep the lead steady with gentle compression. Stack a double and a few quiet harmonies. Then add space with reverb and delay, without burying the words. Listen to a few reference tracks, then match what you hear, not what you read.
What are good starting settings for a melodic emo-rap vocal?
Use this table on a clean vocal. It uses stock plugins, so it works in Logic Pro and GarageBand. The Logic Pro names are shown first. Change one setting at a time and judge it against the full beat.
| Stage | Parameter | Starting value | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitch correction | Flex Pitch or Pitch Correction, speed | Medium to fast; fix only the notes that drift | Keeps the melody in key without a robotic sound |
| EQ | High-pass filter | About 90 Hz | Removes rumble and leaves room for the beat |
| EQ | Low-mid cut | Cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 400 Hz | Clears muddy buildup |
| Compressor | Ratio | 3:1 | Steady level for sung lines |
| Compressor | Threshold | About 3 to 5 dB of gain reduction on loud phrases | Watch the gain reduction meter |
| Compressor | Attack / Release | Attack 10 to 20 ms, Release 80 to 120 ms | Keeps the start of each word, then recovers |
| De-esser | Frequency | Around 6 to 8 kHz, reduce 2 to 4 dB | Tames sharp "s" sounds before saturation adds more |
| Saturation | Drive (Logic: Tape or Distortion plugin) | Low; add just until the voice feels warmer | Adds body and helps the voice cut through |
| Doubles | Second and third take | Pan 30 to 50 percent left and right, 4 to 6 dB below the lead | Creates the wide, stacked chorus |
| Reverb (aux send) | Size / Decay | About 1.5 seconds, low send level | Gives the tail without washing out the words |
| Delay (aux send) | Time | 1/4 or 1/8 note, tempo synced, low feedback | Adds depth and fills gaps between lines |
A bright voice may need less saturation. A thin voice may need no low-mid cut. The table is a map, not a destination.
How do I stack and double a melodic vocal?
Record the lead first. Then record two more takes of the same line, as close to the first as you can. Pan them left and right and set them below the lead. Because the words match, they thicken the lead and do not compete with it.
For a chorus, add one or two quiet harmony takes a third or a fifth away from the lead. Keep them low in the mix. Use the same EQ and compressor on all the layers, so they glue together. In GarageBand, record each layer on its own track.
How do I add space without losing the words?
Put reverb and delay on aux sends, not on the vocal track. In GarageBand, use the track Echo and Reverb sends. Raise the send level until you can just feel the space, then lower it a notch.
Roll off the low end of the reverb and the delay return with a high-pass near 300 Hz. This keeps the tail clean and lets the beat breathe. If the lyric is hard to follow, the delay feedback is probably too high. Lower it first. Our rap vocal chain guide shows the full signal order.
Stock plugins or a preset: which should I use?
The stock chain above is free and enough for a finished mix. A preset saves time, because the chain is already built and you tune it to your voice. We do not claim any preset reproduces an artist's voice. A preset is a starting chain, nothing more.
For rap-sung vocals in GarageBand, the Hip-Hop Hitmakers Vocal Preset Bundle for GarageBand ($20.00) covers trap, melodic hip-hop and boom-bap styles. It works with the built-in GarageBand effects on Mac and iPad, and it is an instant digital download. See every option in the GarageBand vocal presets collection.
Logic Pro user? You can download Toronto Warmth, our free preset for Logic Pro X. It is built for Logic Pro X, so it only helps if you also use Logic. For more Logic options, see the Logic Pro vocal presets collection.
More vocal style guides
- How to get Travis Scott-style vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- How to get Drake-style vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Rap vocal chain: a stock plugin starting chain
FAQ
Can I get a Juice WRLD-style vocal in GarageBand?
Yes. The stock EQ, Compressor, Echo and Reverb cover most of the chain. Record a clear melodic lead, add doubles by hand, and set reverb and echo on the sends.
Is there a free GarageBand vocal preset?
Our free preset, Toronto Warmth, is for Logic Pro X. Our GarageBand presets are paid. The stock chain on this page is free in both apps.
Do I need Logic Pro, or does GarageBand work?
GarageBand works. Logic Pro adds extras such as Flex Pitch and DeEsser 2, but the chain above needs only stock tools in either app.
Is this made by or endorsed by Juice WRLD?
No. Thir13een is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Juice WRLD or his estate.
