This tutorial will walk you through how to mix and automate Sylvan Vocal Layers to achieve a professional, cinematic sound inside your DAW.

🎚 Step 1 – Clean Up the Sound with EQ

Sylvan Vocal Layers works best as a background atmosphere, not a dominant lead.

1️⃣ Add a High-Pass Filter

• Set between 80–150 Hz

• If the mix feels muddy, push it closer to 200 Hz

2️⃣ Reduce Mud

• Slight cut around 250–400 Hz

• Keep the cut subtle (2–3 dB)

3️⃣ Add Air (Optional)

• Gentle boost at 8–12 kHz

• Avoid overboosting to prevent harshness

🌊 Step 2 – Add Depth with Reverb

Reverb gives this library its emotional space.

Use a Send Channel

Instead of adding reverb directly on the track:

1. Create a Reverb Bus

2. Insert a Hall Reverb

3. Set decay time to 2.5–4 seconds

Shape the Reverb

• High-pass reverb return at 200–300 Hz

• Low-pass at 6–8 kHz for warmth

💡 Tip: Blend two reverbs:

• Short room (low level)

• Long hall (main atmosphere)

🎛 Step 3 – Automate for Emotion

Automation is what transforms this library from static to cinematic.

🎚 Volume Swells

• Draw gradual fade-ins before transitions

• Increase volume into choruses

🌬 Automate Vowel Changes

If your patch allows vowel control:

• Slowly morph between “Ah”, “Oh”, and “Mm”

• Slow transitions create cinematic builds

🎛 Filter Automation

• Start with a low-pass filter closed

• Slowly open it during build-ups

• Combine with increasing reverb send

🎧 Step 4 – Add Light Compression

Use compression sparingly.

• Ratio: 2:1

• Gain reduction: 1–3 dB

• Slow attack

• Medium release

The goal is control — not squashing the dynamics.

🎼 Step 5 – Layer for Bigger Impact

With Pads

Blend Sylvan underneath a soft synth pad at low volume.

With Strings

Layer chords one octave higher for a choir-like lift.

With Piano

Introduce during chorus for emotional enhancement.

🔥 Step 6 – Create a Cinematic Build

Follow this automation sequence:

1. Start dry and filtered

2. Slowly increase:

   • Volume

   • Reverb send

   • Filter cutoff

3. Hit a full chord at peak

This technique creates powerful trailer-style transitions.

🎬 Final Mixing Checklist

✔ High-pass applied
✔ Mud reduced
✔ Reverb on send channel
✔ Automation added
✔ Light compression only
✔ Balanced in context of full mix