Sean Divine Divulges his Top Five Plugins for Vocal Mixing

Sean Divine has built a multifaceted career as a producer, mixing and mastering engineer, sound designer, and educator. Known for his work across Hip-Hop, R\&B, and Electronic music, his credits include chart-topping albums, film soundtracks, and Grammy-nominated projects. Beyond the studio, Sean’s sound design work has been featured in factory libraries for leading plugins and digital audio workstations, influencing producers worldwide. Through his widely respected YouTube channel, which boasts over 200,000 subscribers, and his Instagram, he continues to share his expertise in the art of production.

“Hey, what’s going on! I’m Sean Divine. With over 15 years in mixing and mastering, I've been fascinated by the art of the modern vocal, especially in Hip Hop, R\&B, and Pop. In these styles, the vocal demands an incredible level of quality and character – it’s the lead instrument. I spend a great deal of my time on this, because even a sparse vocal arrangement is actually quite complex to mix. Getting that balance just right to complement the song is a challenge I’m truly passionate about, and it's a topic I love simplifying for up-and-coming engineers!”

Sean turns his focus to one of the most critical elements of modern music production - the vocal mix. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, he breaks down his top plugins for crafting mix-ready vocals, revealing the tools, techniques, and creative strategies behind his signature sound.

 

1. Waves Silk Vocal

Professionally sounding tone shaping on Plugin Boutique, perfect for saving time when processing vocals

“Its real strength is its intelligent processing – it essentially listens in real-time to identify and correct harshness, which is a massive time-saver. But it's more than just a tone shaper. The built-in 'DYN' control is a surprisingly powerful and musical compressor in its own right. It's an incredibly efficient way to dial in a professional vocal sound.”

 

 

 

2. Tube Tech CL 1B MKII (Softube)

Have full control over vocals without killing the emotion with this compressor, available on Plugin Boutique.

“When it comes to vocals, I frequently rely on the CL 1B. It’s the ultimate 'glue' compressor. It has a unique ability to control a vocal performance transparently – you can tame the peaks without killing the emotion. It just gives the vocal a beautiful warmth and presence that helps it sit perfectly in the mix. It's a classic for a reason.”

 

 

 

3. SSL Native X-Saturator

To keep your vocals warm, try out this saturation from Plugin Boutique

“Many modern vocal recordings are very clean, but can feel a bit 'cold’. With digital recording being so pristine, tracks can sometimes lack the warmth and character we associate with classic records. I use saturation to intentionally add that 'analog heat' and harmonic complexity back in. It’s my go-to for giving a thin vocal more body and helping it feel more substantial and present in the mix.”

 

 

 

4. Avalon VT-737SP (UAD)

If you’re chasing pristine, professional vocals, the Avalon 737 UAD plugin is available on Plugin Boutique. The EQ alone makes it worth it.

“The Avalon 737 channel strip is an incredible hardware vocal processor that I’ve owned, and I can attest the UAD plugin emulation is spot on. It offers a wonderfully clean and pristine foundation, but it’s the EQ that truly excels – it adds a stunning amount of air and professional sheen to help the vocal cut through the mix. As a pro-tip, I utilize the 'side chain mids' mode on the compressor; it's a fantastic, musical way to dynamically de-ess or shape the tone.”

 

 

 

5. Waves DeEsser

If smooth, natural vocals are your goal, this de-esser is available on Plugin Boutique. Start light and hear how it cleans up your recordings effortlessly.

“One of the biggest issues I hear in modern vocal recordings is sibilance! Even with proper mic technique, it can still be overbearing, especially considering how bright and detailed most modern mics are these days. There are a TON of de-esser plugins but this is the only one you really need. It has the usual controls but the sound is where it shines. You can control sibilance and harshness without any weird artifacts or ‘lispy’ results. I would recommend just keeping it light to begin with (no more than 4-5 dB of reduction).”

 

 

 

The Key Takeaway

“I honestly believe that if you only armed yourself with these five plugins, you’d be ready to tackle any vocal that comes your way. This combination, from the 737's top-end sheen to the CL 1B's glue and the Saturator's warmth, provides everything needed for character and a professional vibe. It’s hard to overstate the quality of modern plugins, and these are shining examples. If you’re serious about leveling up your vocal sound, trust me these are five of the best investments you’ll ever make!”