Mixing guide / Cleanup / DeEsser
Likely freeKnob names: Threshold confirmed · others typical

DeEsser

A tiny volume knob that ducks only when an S pokes out.

Turns down only the sharp “s”, “sh”, “ch” and “t” sounds, leaving the rest of the voice alone.

Use it when S sounds poke your ears, especially after brightening with EQ.

Every knob, in plain words

Threshold

dB

How loud an S must be before it gets turned down. Lower number = it acts more often.

Turn it upHigher / closer to 0: acts only on the sharpest S's.
Turn it downLower / more negative: acts on more S's, more strongly.

Frequency

Hz / kHzif your version shows it

Which “hiss” range it listens to.

Turn it upTargets higher, thinner hiss (~8 kHz).
Turn it downTargets lower, thicker “sh” (~5 kHz).

Reduction

dBif your version shows it

The most it's allowed to turn S's down.

Turn it upStronger control.
Turn it downGentler.

Start here for vocals

  1. Threshold around -15 dB.
  2. Frequency 5–8 kHz.
  3. Aim for 5–10 dB of reduction on the S's.

Too much? Listen for…

  • The singer sounds like they have a lisp (“thhhe”).
  • The whole voice sounds dull.

Try it in 2 minutes

  1. Loop one line of your mains.
  2. Turn one knob all the way, then back. Hear what changed.
  3. Settle somewhere gentle.
  4. Click the power button to compare before and after, at the same volume.

Tips

  • Place it after EQ: if you brighten with EQ, the S's get sharper and the DeEsser cleans that up.

See the recipes table for per-layer settings.