#201: What If Your De-esser Plugin Could Do More Than Fix Sibilance?

What if your go-to vocal de-esser plugin could do so much more? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson break down the creative power of de-essers and why they might be the secret weapon missing from your mix. We kick things off with how de-essers work (spoiler: it’s more than just “s” sounds), before diving into smart, non-traditional de-esser techniques—like taming harsh cymbals, controlling boxy kick drums, and even smoothing out reverb tails and delay returns. Can you use a de-esser on backing vocal buses? Is a de-esser better than dynamic EQ for harsh instruments? We answer these, share real-world wins (and mixing mistakes), and explain when less control = better results If you've ever asked, “Should I use a de-esser on something other than vocals?” or “How do I stop overprocessing my mix?”—this one’s for you. Whether you’re producing electronic vocals or mixing acoustic drums, you’ll leave this episode with actionable tricks to clean up harsh frequencies without killing vibe or tone. Links mentioned in this episode : We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question Listen to 'Darklight' on Spotify Listen to 'Future No More' on Spotify Send me a message Support the show Ways to connect with Marc : Listener Feedback Survey - tell me what YOU want in 2026 Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Follow Marc's Socials : Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Try Riverside for FREE