Quick answer: A Post Malone-style vocal is melodic, a little rough and clearly tuned. In Logic Pro, use medium-fast pitch correction, a compressor for a steady level, light saturation for grit, and doubled hook lines. Add a short room or plate reverb and a slapback-style delay on sends. In GarageBand, use the pitch slider at a medium to high amount and the same layering. All numbers are starting points.
Looking for another sound? See all our vocal sounds by artist and style in one place. Thir13een is not affiliated with any artist named.
The video below shows one approach. The rest of this guide explains the choices behind it and how to rebuild the sound in Logic Pro and GarageBand. It describes a style, not a copy of any record.
What defines a Post Malone-style vocal sound
- Melody first. Hooks carry the song and the vocal stays in front.
- A little grit. The tone has a rough, lived-in edge. Clean and polished would miss the feel.
- Audible tuning. Pitch correction is noticeable but not extreme. Notes land cleanly with a slight robotic touch.
- Doubled hooks. Choruses sound thick because the same line is sung more than once.
- A moody, mid-sized space. The effects feel like a room, not a cathedral.
The chain in Logic Pro
| Order | Plug-in | Starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Channel EQ | High-pass near 90 Hz. Cut 2 to 3 dB around 250 to 350 Hz if the tone is boxy. | Clean base |
| 2 | Pitch Correction | Set key and scale. Use a medium-fast response. | Tuned but still human |
| 3 | Compressor | Ratio near 4:1, medium attack, 4 to 6 dB of gain reduction. | Steady, forward level |
| 4 | Distortion or Overdrive | Low drive and a low mix. | Adds the rough edge |
| 5 | DeEsser 2 | Near 6 to 8 kHz. | Saturation and compression raise S sounds |
| 6 | Channel EQ (tone) | Warmth of 1 to 2 dB near 200 Hz. Presence of 1 to 2 dB near 3 kHz. | Body and clarity |
Effects on sends
- ChromaVerb: a room or plate style with a decay near 1 to 1.5 seconds.
- Echo: a short slapback time (roughly 80 to 150 ms) with low feedback, or an eighth note at low level for the hook.
Making the hook thick
- Record the hook line three times. Keep timing and pitch close.
- Keep one take in the centre as the lead.
- Pan the other two left and right, and lower them by 4 to 8 dB.
- Apply a stronger high-pass and a little more reverb to the doubles.
- Bus the doubles together and compress them gently.
Leave the verses single so that the chorus feels bigger by comparison.
The same sound in GarageBand
- Tuning: use the track pitch correction at a medium to high amount with the key limit on. See Is There Auto-Tune in GarageBand?.
- Grit: add a GarageBand overdrive or distortion effect at a very low amount.
- Compression and EQ: use the built-in Compressor and Channel EQ with the settings above.
- Doubles: record them on extra tracks, pan them and lower their volume.
- Space: set a small room reverb and a short echo at low levels.
Problems that show up with this sound
- Grit turns into fuzz. Lower the drive or the mix. The words should stay clear.
- Doubles drift out of time. Edit the start of each word to line up with the lead.
- Tuning sounds too stiff. Slow the response a little, or tune only the hook.
- Muddy chorus. Raise the high-pass on the doubles and cut around 250 Hz.
Get the Post Malone-style preset
Skip the building, or study a finished chain.
Logic Pro X: Post Malone-style vocal preset for Logic Pro X is $10 and uses only Logic's stock plug-ins. GarageBand: Post Malone-style vocal preset for GarageBand is $10.
Not sure which style you want? Try our free Toronto Warmth preset for Logic Pro X first. Then compare the Logic Starter Pack ($19, three best sellers), the GarageBand Starter Pack ($19) and the Vocal Preset Mega Bundle ($49). You can also browse the Logic Pro vocal presets and GarageBand vocal presets collections.
We do not publish the exact values inside our paid presets. The starting points above are general mixing practice that you can use with or without them.
The Post Malone-style preset is also in the Logic Pro Starter Pack. For the method behind any chain, read Logic Pro vocal chain, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my vocals sound like Post Malone?
Use medium-fast pitch correction, firm compression, a little saturation and doubled hooks. Add a short room reverb and slapback delay. Your voice and mic still shape the result.
What plug-ins do I need in Logic Pro?
Channel EQ, Pitch Correction, Compressor, Distortion or Overdrive, DeEsser 2, ChromaVerb and Echo. All come with Logic Pro.
Is Auto-Tune required?
No. Logic's Pitch Correction works for this. See Auto-Tune in Logic Pro.
Can I do it in GarageBand?
Yes, for a close mood. Use the pitch slider, a Compressor, a Channel EQ, a light overdrive and doubles on extra tracks.
How much saturation should I use?
Start very low and raise it until you hear edge, then back off a little. If the words blur, you went too far.
More artist-style vocal guides
- Drake-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- The Weeknd-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Travis Scott-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Tory Lanez-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Chris Brown-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Ed Sheeran-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Justin Bieber-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Migos-Style Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Reggae Dancehall Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Radio-Ready Pop Vocals in Logic Pro and GarageBand
Thir13een is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Post Malone. "Post Malone-style" describes a sound we aim to approximate, nothing more.
Back to the full list: every artist-style vocal guide. Related: How to Find Your Rap Voice and Rap Persona.
