How to Sound Like Ariana Grande: Vocal Chain (2026)

Vocal Chains · Meshplugins.com

Ariana's vocals are silky, bright and impossibly clean. Here's the reported pop chain behind that polish.

The reported chain started with a 251 into a Neve 1073 and an LA-2A, then Auto-Tune EFX and a Pultec EQ. This is the short version; the full order is in the Bible.

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

1. Mic and preamp — the silk

Reported ELA M 251 into a Neve 1073. A smooth condenser into a clean preamp is the pop starting point.

2. LA-2A then leveling — the glue

An optical Teletronix LA-2A for gentle control, kept musical rather than crushed.

3. Auto-Tune EFX — the clean pitch

Transparent correction (Auto-Tune EFX / Antares Auto-Tune) so the runs are flawless but still human. Free: MAutoPitch.

4. Pultec-style EQ + air — the sheen

A Pultec move for low-end and a high shelf for air; surgical cuts with FabFilter Pro-Q. Add oeksound soothe to smooth harshness.

5. Reverb and doubles — the pop space

Tight plate reverb, short delays and stacked doubles/harmonies give that glossy, radio pop width.

Want the real studio version? See Ariana Grande's full $22,000 studio vocal chain by Joe Gallagher — the exact gear an award-winning engineer used.

The chain at a glance

Starting settings (dial these in)

• Mic and preamp: High-pass 80–100 Hz, dip mud around 250–450 Hz, lift presence 3–5 kHz and add air with a high shelf at 10–14 kHz.
• LA-2A then leveling: Start around 3–5 dB of gain reduction. Fast attack, medium release for control; if it pumps, ease the ratio or release.
• Auto-Tune EFX: 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.
• Pultec-style EQ + air: High-pass 80–100 Hz, dip mud around 250–450 Hz, lift presence 3–5 kHz and add air with a high shelf at 10–14 kHz.
• Reverb and doubles: 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. Mic and preamp
2. LA-2A then leveling
3. Auto-Tune EFX
4. Pultec-style EQ + air
5. Reverb and doubles

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 Ariana Grande — 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

What is Ariana Grande's vocal chain?

Reported 251 into a Neve 1073 and LA-2A, then Auto-Tune EFX and a Pultec EQ. The full reported chain is in the Vocal Chain Bible.

How do I get a clean pop vocal like Ariana?

Clean source, transparent tuning, gentle optical compression, a Pultec-style EQ for air, and tight reverb.

What matters most for the Ariana Grande vocal sound?

It's the whole chain working in order: mic and preamp, la-2a then leveling, auto-tune efx, pultec-style eq + air, reverb and doubles. 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 →