Vocalist and educator Chris Liepe, known for his popular YouTube channel and extensive work in the music industry, has launched a new vocal effects plugin, Vocal Menace. Available for both macOS and Windows (with mobile versions on the way), this free plugin is designed to enhance vocal practice and recording for singers of all levels, delivering professional-grade sound with minimal effort.
Liepe, whose videos have garnered tens of millions of views, is renowned not only for his educational content but also for his work on commercial projects, from theme songs to advertising jingles. His latest release, Vocal Menace, reflects his expertise and passion for vocal production, offering a tool that simplifies the often complex process of vocal effects processing.
Key Features of Vocal Menace
Vocal Menace is an all-in-one solution that aims to streamline the vocal mixing process, allowing users to achieve great results quickly without needing advanced technical skills. Whether you’re aiming for polished pop vocals or more aggressive tones, this plugin has you covered. Let’s take a closer look at some of its standout features:
- Heat Control: This feature acts as a compressor/limiter threshold, perfect for bringing intensity to your vocals. It can be used subtly or pushed harder for more extreme results, especially useful for genres that require gritty, powerful vocals.
- Drive Knob: By adding saturation to the compressed signal, this control can transform your voice, giving it a raw edge perfect for aggressive vocal styles like screaming or growling.
- Sheen and Girth: These controls help balance out the vocal tone. Sheen adds presence and air to your vocals, especially after compression, while Girth warms things up, adding depth and reducing unwanted harshness.
- Cup Effect: For a distinct, lo-fi character, this feature applies band-limited post-compression effects. It’s a standout option for those looking to experiment with a more unique vocal texture.
- Reverb and Delay Controls: The reverb (Wash) and delay (Call) controls allow for easy adjustment of space and echo, while Pain applies sidechain compression to the reverb and delay signals for dynamic vocal effects. The delay is also tempo-synced to your DAW, ensuring seamless integration with your projects.
Ideal for Various Vocal Styles
Although Vocal Menace was built with aggressive vocals in mind—think heavy metal or hardcore screaming—it’s also versatile enough to handle everything from gritty pop vocals to more subtle, melodic tones. Vocalists who switch between styles, like those in pop-rock bands similar to Bullet For My Valentine, will appreciate how easy it is to dial in just the right amount of grit and warmth.
How to Get Vocal Menace
Vocal Menace is available as a free download on MyMusicalVoice, Chris Liepe’s platform, where users can create a free account and get instant access to the plugin. For those looking to support future releases, there are also two paid options:
- $20: Support future development and updates.
- $40: In addition to supporting development, gain access to exclusive Vocal Menace recording workshops.
Regardless of which option you choose, the plugin remains fully functional, offering an accessible way for vocalists to take their sound to the next level!
