FL Studio Vocal Chain: Mix Vocals With Stock Plugins (2026)

Vocal Chains · Meshplugins.com

You can build a pro vocal chain in FL Studio with only stock plugins. Here's the whole thing, in order.

FL Studio ships with everything a vocal chain needs. Here is the stage-by-stage chain using stock plugins - no purchases required.

Related: best free autotune plugins, how to mix vocals like a pro and the vocal chain explained.

1. Pitcher / NewTone - tune — stock correction

Use Pitcher for real-time correction or NewTone for detailed manual tuning. Both are stock.

2. Fruity Parametric EQ 2 - clean — subtractive first

High-pass the rumble and cut mud before you compress. Add air with a high shelf later.

3. Fruity Limiter (COMP mode) - control — even it out

Switch it to compressor mode for smooth level control - or stack a gentle then a faster stage.

4. Fruity multiband / de-ess - polish — tame sibilance

Use the multiband or Maximus to catch harsh S sounds so the top never bites.

5. Fruity Reeverb 2 + Delay - space — the depth

Add a plate reverb and a synced delay on sends - keep the lead dry and upfront.

The chain at a glance

Starting settings (dial these in)

• Pitcher / NewTone - tune: Set the song's key/scale first. Retune speed fast (0–20 ms) for the obvious effect, slower (40–90 ms) for a natural feel.
• Fruity Parametric EQ 2 - clean: Start around 3–5 dB of gain reduction. Fast attack, medium release for control; if it pumps, ease the ratio or release.
• Fruity Limiter (COMP mode) - control: Start around 3–5 dB of gain reduction. Fast attack, medium release for control; if it pumps, ease the ratio or release.
• Fruity multiband / de-ess - polish: Target 5–9 kHz and pull only 2–4 dB, and only on the harsh 's' sounds — don't dull the whole vocal.
• Fruity Reeverb 2 + Delay - space: Plate or hall, 1.0–1.8 s decay, 20–40 ms pre-delay; roll off the lows and extreme highs so it sits behind the vocal.

Putting it together

1. Pitcher / NewTone - tune
2. Fruity Parametric EQ 2 - clean
3. Fruity Limiter (COMP mode) - control
4. Fruity multiband / de-ess - polish
5. Fruity Reeverb 2 + Delay - space

Work top to bottom, commit as you go, and A/B against a reference. The order matters more than owning the exact plugins.

Want the exact chain — and 87 more?

This is the short version. The Vocal Chain Bible has the full reported chain for a pro vocal — every plugin, the exact signal order, free + paid alternatives, and the source clip — plus 87 more from 70+ artists. 5+ years and 100+ Grammy interviews in one 187-page PDF.

Get the Vocal Chain Bible →

FAQ

Can you mix vocals with only stock FL Studio plugins?

Yes - Pitcher, Parametric EQ 2, Fruity Limiter, a de-esser and Reeverb 2 cover the whole chain. The pro reported chains are in the Vocal Chain Bible.

What order should the FL Studio vocal chain go in?

Tune, EQ, compression, de-ess, saturation, then delay and reverb on sends.

What matters most for this sound?

It's the whole chain working in order: pitcher / newtone - tune, fruity parametric eq 2 - clean, fruity limiter (comp mode) - control, fruity multiband / de-ess - polish, fruity reeverb 2 + delay - space. Nail the take and those stages in sequence and you're most of the way there — the exact settings are in the Vocal Chain Bible.

Who's behind this

Ivan Meshcheriakov · IvanFromRnD

5+ years ago I moved to LA with zero connections and started building from nothing — 14-hour days, and every night I'd hit my block, meet people and intern at studios. It took me 5+ years to meet and interview 100+ Grammy-winning engineers — then I sorted every interview and pulled the original vocal chains behind Drake, Beyoncé, Travis Scott & many more into one book.

Read my full story →