Logic Pro Vocal Chain: Plugin Order and Settings Guide

By Thir13een Team | Last updated: October 25, 2026

Quick answer: A standard Logic Pro vocal chain runs in this order: Channel EQ (cut low rumble), Pitch Correction if you need it, DeEsser 2, Compressor, a second EQ for tone, then reverb and delay on sends. Every setting below is a starting point. Adjust by ear, one control at a time.

If a term here is new to you, check the vocal mixing glossary, which defines 40 mixing terms in plain language.

A vocal chain is the set of plug-ins on a vocal track, in a fixed order. The order matters because each plug-in changes what the next one hears. This guide uses only the plug-ins that come with Logic Pro, so you can follow along without buying anything.

What you need

• Logic Pro with its stock plug-ins (Channel EQ, DeEsser 2, Compressor, ChromaVerb, Echo, Limiter).
• A vocal recorded without clipping. No plug-in repairs distortion.
• Headphones or monitors you trust, at a steady listening level.

The vocal chain order at a glance

Step	Plug-in	Job
1	Gain and Channel EQ	Set level, remove low rumble and mud
2	Pitch Correction (optional)	Fix or stylise pitch
3	DeEsser 2	Tame sharp S and T sounds
4	Compressor	Even out loud and quiet words
5	Second Channel EQ	Add presence and air
6	ChromaVerb on a send	Add space
7	Echo on a send	Add depth and rhythm
8	Limiter on the bus (optional)	Catch stray peaks

Step 1: Set the level and clean up with Channel EQ

Play the loudest part of the vocal. Move the track fader until the peaks sit comfortably below 0 dB. Many engineers aim for peaks near -10 to -6 dB at this stage. That leaves room for the plug-ins after it.

Add Channel EQ as the first insert.

• High-pass filter: turn it on at about 80 to 100 Hz. This removes rumble, mic bumps and breath thumps. Male voices may sit nearer 80 Hz, female voices a little higher.
• Mud cut: sweep a narrow band between 200 and 400 Hz. If the vocal sounds boxy, cut 2 to 3 dB there.

Do not boost anything yet. Cleaning first keeps the next plug-ins from reacting to noise.

Step 2: Pitch Correction, only if you need it

Put Pitch Correction after the cleanup EQ. Set the key and scale of your song. A slower response keeps the voice natural, and a very fast response gives the robotic effect you hear on many modern records. Skip this step if the singer is in tune. We cover this in detail in Auto-Tune in Logic Pro: Pitch Correction and Flex Pitch.

Choosing hardware? Read our audio interface guide for singers for what to look for and three interfaces worth considering.

Step 3: DeEsser 2

Sharp S sounds get louder after compression and a brightness boost. Add DeEsser 2 before the compressor.

• Start with the frequency in the 5 to 8 kHz range.
• Use the listen or monitor option to hear what the de-esser removes.
• Lower the threshold until the harsh S sounds calm down. Stop before the singer sounds like they have a lisp.

Step 4: Compressor

Compression makes loud and quiet words closer in volume, so the vocal stays clear in a busy mix. Add Logic's Compressor and use these starting points:

Control	Starting point	What it does
Ratio	3:1 to 4:1	How hard loud parts get squeezed
Attack	10 to 30 ms	Slower keeps the punch of each word
Release	50 to 150 ms	How fast the squeeze lets go
Threshold	Set for 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction	Where compression begins
Make-up gain	Match the level you had before	Fair comparison on and off

Switch the plug-in on and off while the vocal plays. If the "on" version only sounds louder and not better, back off. Our explainer What Is Vocal Compression? shows what each control does in more detail. Rap vocals often need a faster feel, so see Mixing Rap Vocals in Logic Pro X as well.

Step 5: Second EQ for tone

Now add a second Channel EQ for shaping, not repair.

• Presence: a gentle boost between 2 and 5 kHz brings words forward. Start with 1 to 3 dB.
• Air: a high-shelf boost above about 10 kHz adds sparkle. Keep it small, or the vocal turns hissy.

Check your move by switching the EQ off and on. Our Vocal EQ Cheat Sheet lists the frequency zones in one place.

Step 6 and 7: Reverb and delay on sends

Do not put reverb or delay directly on the vocal track. Use sends instead. A send lets you change how much effect you hear without changing the dry vocal.

1. On the vocal track, click an empty Send slot and choose a new Aux.
2. On the Aux, insert ChromaVerb. Pick a vocal-friendly room or plate style. Keep the reverb time short for fast songs and longer for slow ones.
3. Add a second send with Echo. Set the delay time to a note value that fits your tempo, such as an eighth note.
4. Raise each send until you just notice the effect, then lower it a touch. A good reverb is felt when you remove it.

Step 8: Limiter on the bus (optional)

If a few peaks jump out, route the vocal to a bus and add a Limiter with a ceiling near -1 dB. Use it as a safety net. If it works hard all the time, the compressor needs more attention.

Save your chain so you can reuse it

Once the chain sounds right, save it. In Logic, click the channel strip's setting name and choose Save As. Name it clearly. Next song, load it on a new audio track and tweak the input level and the compressor threshold for the new voice. This is how a vocal preset works. It is a saved channel strip.

Common vocal chain mistakes

• Boosting EQ before cleaning up. Boosts raise noise. Cut first.
• Too much compression. Heavy settings flatten emotion. Stay near 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction.
• Reverb directly on the track. You lose control. Use sends.
• Copying someone else's numbers exactly. A setting built for one voice rarely fits another. Treat numbers as a starting point.
• Mixing at one volume. Check the vocal quietly and loudly. A good chain holds up at both.

The ready-made option

For a longer look at the stock chain, read The Best Vocal Chain for Logic Pro X.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best order for a vocal chain in Logic Pro?

A common order is Channel EQ, Pitch Correction if needed, DeEsser 2, Compressor, a tone EQ, then reverb and delay on sends. Engineers differ, so treat this as a reliable starting point and trust your ears.

Should EQ go before or after the compressor?

Both work. A cleanup EQ before the compressor stops rumble from triggering it. A tone EQ after the compressor shapes the finished sound. This chain uses one of each.

Which Logic Pro plug-ins do I need for vocals?

You need Channel EQ, Compressor and DeEsser 2 at minimum. Add Pitch Correction for tuning, ChromaVerb for reverb, Echo for delay, and Limiter as a safety net. All come with Logic Pro.

Can I save a vocal chain as a preset in Logic Pro?

Yes. Save the channel strip setting from the setting menu at the top of the channel strip. It then appears in your Library and loads on any track.

Do I need to buy vocal presets?

No. You can build a chain with the steps above. A preset saves time and gives you a finished chain to learn from. Start with a free one and decide later.