Vocal doubler

Vocal doubling is one of the most popular techniques in modern mixing. This technique helps make the voice richer and wider, and emphasize the expressive stereo image. Using a vocal doubler, you can create an original vocal shape and connect it in space to achieve the effect of volume and space.

Today, there are many plugins that allow you to double vocals. They do not simply duplicate the signal, but add effects, change the timbre and spatial position, making the sound higher. Some of them provide additional features such as modulation, delay or harmonization, which allow you to flexibly control the result.

In this article, we will consider the best plugins for doubling vocals that will help you achieve a professional sound.

How does the vocal doubling effect work?

Vocal doubling can be done in two ways: manually or automatically.

Manual doubling involves the vocalist recording multiple takes of the same section and then recording these takes in a panorama, creating a sense of sound and volume. This method requires precision imaging, as the small distances between takes give the sound a natural side.

Automatic doubling (ADT) is achieved using software tools. In this case, one take of the vocal is taken, chopped up and processed by a plug-in that makes small changes to the pitch and timing, simulating the effect of double recording. Initially, this technique was implemented using tape recorders, but today, the tools built into any modern DAW are sufficient for this.

1. Waves Abbey Road ADT

The Waves Reel ADT plugin is based on the legendary Artificial Double Tracking technology developed at Abbey Road Studios. This effect was first used during the recording of The Beatles, when engineer Ken Townshend was looking for a way to avoid the repeated overdubbing of vocal parts that particularly irritated John Lennon. The solution was simple but brilliant: the main tape machine was synchronized with the second one, adding slight variations in pitch using the varispeed control. This technique was first heard on the Revolver album (1966), and is now available digitally thanks to Waves.

The Waves developers carefully recreated the sound of the original Abbey Road equipment, preserving the characteristic controls. The plugin has two independent sections: the main signal (SRC) and the doubled (ADT), each of which has separate controls for panning, gain, phase and volume. The central varispeed knob can be controlled manually or via the LFO, where you can adjust the range, speed, waveform, and sync to the project tempo.

Waves Reel ADT is not only suitable for vocals. The doubling effect adds depth to guitars, keys, strings, and even drums. Experimenting with varispeed can produce anything from subtle richness to powerful sonic distortion. Assigning this function to a physical controller and recording automation creates a dynamic and lively effect that fully captures the spirit of the original technique developed by Townsend.

2. Sonnox VoxDoubler

Sonnox VoxDoubler is a handy tool for creating a natural vocal doubling effect. Unlike many other plugins, it is divided into two independent modules, allowing flexible control over the width and density of the sound. This makes it easy to achieve the effect as if the singer actually recorded another take.

The plugin includes two versions: Widen and Thicken.
Widen is designed to add stereo breadth to vocals. It takes the original signal, creates two additional voices and spreads them across the panorama. This makes it ideal for processing monophonic vocals when you need to add volume and space. This version has parameters for adjusting the width, depth, timbre and mix level.

Thicken works differently – it duplicates the stereo vocal and superimposes it on the original signal. The result is the feeling that the singer is performing the same part twice. Here you can adjust the level of stereo breadth, while maintaining the natural coloring of the voice.

The Sonnox VoxDoubler interface is minimalist and clear. Large knobs make the plugin easy to use even when mixing quickly. If you need doubling that sounds as natural as possible, this tool will do the job perfectly.

3. UAD MXR Flanger/Doubler

UAD MXR Flanger/Doubler is an emulation of one of the most iconic analog processors, which combines two effects: flanger and signal doubling. This plug-in recreates the iconic sound of the 70s, which can be heard in the records of Van Halen and Pantera. Eddie Van Halen especially often used this effect, adding volume and depth to the guitar sound.

UAD developers transferred all the features of the original MXR Flanger/Doubler to a digital format with the approval of Dunlop. In the plug-in, you can switch between flanger and doubler modes, adjust the intensity of the effect, control the speed and width of the modulation, and adjust the balance between the processed and original signal. Additionally, there are parameters for synchronization with the tempo of the project and phase switching, which expands the possibilities of working with the effect.

One of the most interesting features is the Manual Knob, which allows you to manually change the modulation parameters. This makes it possible to fine-tune the effect or create smooth transitions in the sound. Also useful is the Mix knob, which helps blend the wet and dry signals to achieve a balance between natural sound and richness of the effect.

If you are looking for a plugin that combines the capabilities of an analog flanger and a vocal doubler, UAD MXR Flanger/Doubler is one of the most interesting options for experimenting with sound.

4. Soundtoys Microshift

Soundtoys Microshift is one of the most powerful vocal doubling tools available, based on the legendary AMS DMX 15-80s and Eventide H3000 hardware pitch shifters. This plugin expands the original signal, creating a rich stereo image with a distinctive analog sound.

Microshift is based on three unique modes, each using different delay and detuning parameters. This allows for flexible adjustment of the effect – from a subtle enrichment of the timbre to an expressive doubling that is noticeable in the mix. An additional mix knob allows parallel processing, which is especially useful for fine-tuning.

Although Microshift is ideal for vocals, it also works great with monophonic instruments. It can be used to expand the sound of bass guitar, synths, or even individual guitar parts, adding volume and depth.

Soundtoys is famous for its warm analog sound, and Microshift is completely in line with this philosophy. The intuitive interface makes working with the plugin fast and convenient, allowing you to quickly achieve the desired result. And a nice bonus – when you buy Microshift, you get a lightweight version of Little Microshift, which saves processor resources while maintaining the characteristic sound.

5. Waves Vocal Doubler

Waves Doubler is one of the oldest vocal doubling plugins, which, despite its age, remains in demand due to its wide modulation capabilities and flexibility in settings. Although its interface is not the most modern, the functionality fully compensates for this drawback.

At the top of the plugin are the main controls: double tracking parameters, stereo width adjustment, detuning and equalization. They allow you to fine-tune the sound of the doubled vocal, adjusting the tonal characteristics and spatial arrangement of the signal.

One of the key features of Waves Doubler is the ability to create up to four copies of the original vocal. For each of them, you can separately adjust the pan, pitch, gain, delay (from 0 to 100 ms), speed and modulation depth. This gives full control over each doubled element and allows you to achieve both natural and more experimental sound.

The only noticeable drawback of the plugin is the lack of a Mix knob, which complicates parallel processing. To do this, you will have to use an auxiliary track, sending a dry signal to it. Despite this, the Waves Doubler remains a reliable and affordable tool for those looking to add dimension and richness to their vocals.

6. Antares Duo

Antares, famous for its autotune, produces not only tools for vocal correction, but also effective plugins for doubling. Duo is one of the most intuitive and convenient tools for creating a double track with flexible settings for panning, volume, pitch and timbre.

One of the key features of Duo is the ability to select the vocal range of the original track. This helps to minimize artifacts and achieve a more natural doubling. Several presets are available: soprano, alto / tenor, baritone / bass, as well as a mode for instruments, which makes the plugin universal not only for vocals, but also for processing synthesizers or guitars.

The pitch change function adds random variations between the original and the doubled track, and the time adjustment sets the delay between them. Additionally, you can change the timbre of the doubled signal, making it darker or lighter, and also add natural vibrato for greater expressiveness. Duo has a simple and intuitive interface, making it a great choice for those looking to quickly achieve big, rich vocals without having to worry about complicated settings.

7. Acon Digital Multiply

Acon Digital Multiply is a handy free plugin that lets you quickly create a doubled vocal effect. A recent update has added improved EQ capabilities, allowing you to fine-tune the tone of the doubled signal.

The main feature of the plugin is the ability to generate multiple voices with independent frequency modulation settings. The built-in amplitude modulation works cleanly and accurately, creating a natural chorus effect without being too intrusive.

Although there are more powerful tools for lead vocals, Multiply does a great job of enhancing background parts. If you need to quickly add volume to backing vocals, this plugin is a great solution.

8. iZotope Vocal Doubler

iZotope is known for its cutting-edge tools for creating, mixing, and mastering music. Their flagship products, such as Iris, Vocalsynth, Neutron, and Ozone, have become industry standards. However, the company also produces affordable and practical plugins, one of which is Vocal Doubler, a free tool for naturally doubling vocals.

The plugin has only three main parameters. Split controls how in sync the doubled signal sounds with the original. Variation adds small fluctuations in pitch, creating a live performance effect. Amount controls the intensity of the doubling, affecting the overall perception of the effect. An effect-only mode is also available, allowing you to remove the original signal and leave only the processed sound.

This tool is especially useful for dynamically highlighting certain parts of a song. For example, doubling can be used in the chorus to make the vocals sound tighter and more energetic, or added to the bridge, creating contrast with the rest of the arrangement. It’s important not to overload the track with this effect – moderate use helps make doubling moments more expressive.

Conclusion on doubling vocals

The most natural sound when doubling vocals can be achieved by recording several takes. This method preserves the live dynamics of the performance and allows for organic overlapping of voices. However, in some cases, a doubling plugin can be a great alternative. If you need to create a surround sound, but there is no possibility to record several takes, software doubling will help to achieve the desired effect.

Depending on the settings, you can get both a natural doubling that imitates a live recording, and a more experimental sound with modulation, detuning and delays. This approach is especially useful when working with backing vocals, when it is important to maintain the density of the sound without losing intelligibility.