Vocal Chain V2

The Ultimate Channel Strip for Vocals

Vocal Chain V2 is the ultimate channel strip designed specifically for vocal processing. It combines a high-quality equalizer, compressor and saturator in one intuitive interface, giving you everything you need to sculpt, balance and enhance your vocal tracks. V2 adds a Mid band to the EQ, a Width control, a dedicated filter section with its own display, and the full V2 top bar with Oversampling, A/B compare, Smart Gain and Link Gain.

Vocal Chain V2 plugin interface
Setup

Installation

Mac

  1. Open the .pkg installer.
  2. Accept the license agreement.
  3. Choose the Tuned plugins you want and the format (VST3, AU and/or AAX).
  4. Click Continue, enter your password and install.

Windows

  1. Open the .exe installer.
  2. Accept the license agreement.
  3. Choose the Tuned plugins you want and the format (VST3 and/or AAX).
  4. Click Next → Install.
After installing: restart your DAW so it rescans the plugin folders and finds Vocal Chain V2.
Activation

Registration

When you open Vocal Chain V2 for the first time, you will see the registration screen.

  1. If you already have a license key, paste it into the serial field and click Activate to unlock the full version.
  2. No license yet? Start the free 14-day evaluation from the same screen.
When the demo ends: the plugin interface and processing are disabled until a valid license is entered.
Control Layout

Controls & Features

The bottom row works from left to right: saturate, shape with the EQ, then clean up with the filters. Compression and stereo width sit together at the top of the display. Input, Output and Blend sit in the corners, and global functions live in the top bar.

Compressor & Width

Comp
A straightforward one-knob compressor. Turn it up to control the dynamics of your vocal and keep it smooth and balanced with minimal effort.
Width
Adjusts the stereo width of the processed signal for precise stereo imaging.
Comp & Width Comp & Width

Saturation

Saturate
Adds warmth and character to your vocal with a single knob. Control the amount of harmonic distortion for rich, analog-like saturation.
Saturate Saturate

EQ

Body
Enhances the low frequencies to add warmth and fullness to your vocals.
Mid
Shapes the midrange, where the presence and intelligibility of the vocal live.
Air
Adds top-end frequencies to brighten your vocals and add clarity.
On / Off
The power button switches the whole EQ section in and out for quick comparisons.
Body · Mid · Air Body · Mid · Air

Filters

Low Cut
Removes unwanted low-end frequencies, making room for the vocal in the mix.
High Cut
Removes harsh top end above the vocal for a smoother, darker result.
On / Off
The power button switches the filter section in and out.
Low Cut & High Cut Low Cut & High Cut

Display & Metering

EQ Display
The curves in the display show the EQ and filter shapes in real time, so you can see what each knob is doing to the vocal.
Gain Reduction Meter
The meter on the right of the display shows how much compression is being applied, from 0 down to −12 dB.
Gain reduction meter Gain reduction meter

Input, Output & Blend

Input
Input
Sets the level going into the processing. Use it for fast gain staging before the signal hits the plugin. Push it for clean compression, or drive it hard for more character and energy.
Output & Blend
Output & Blend
Sets the final level coming out of the plugin so it sits correctly in your mix. Controls the mix between the processed (wet) signal and the original (dry) signal.
Smart Gain
Smart Gain
Automatically matches the output loudness to the input, so louder never gets mistaken for better.
Link Gain
Link Gain
Links the Input and Output controls so raising one lowers the other, for effortless level matching while you drive the processing.
Gain staging tip: Smart Gain and Link Gain are two modes of one switch, so only one is active at a time. Use Smart Gain for a loudness-matched comparison, and Link Gain when you want to drive the processing harder while holding your output level steady.
Global Functions

The Top Bar

Every global function lives in a single strip across the top of the plugin - bypass, quality, presets and A/B compare. Smart Gain and Link Gain are covered in Input, Output & Blend above.

The V2 top bar The V2 top bar
On / Bypass
On / Bypass
Bypasses the plugin’s processing while leaving it loaded, for quick before-and-after checks.
Oversampling
Oversampling
Processes the signal at a higher internal sample rate, reducing aliasing for a cleaner, more detailed sound. Worth engaging when you push Saturate hard.
Preset Menu
Preset Menu
Shows the loaded preset. Use the arrows to step through presets one at a time, or click the name to open the Preset Browser.
A/B Compare
A/B Compare
Holds two independent settings so you can flip between them and hear which one works, without losing either.
Tooltips: hover over any control and a short description appears in the bar along the bottom of the plugin.
Workflow

Preset Browser

The preset menu sits in the centre of the top bar. Use the arrows to step through presets one at a time, or click the preset name to open the Preset Browser.

Preset menu Preset menu
Preset browser Preset browser
Search
Type any part of a preset name to filter the list instantly.
Factory / Artists / User / All
Switch between the presets we shipped, artist presets, your own saves, and everything at once.
Save / Rename / Delete
Store your own settings as User presets and manage them without leaving the plugin.
Favorites
Click the heart next to the preset name to mark it as a favorite. The Favorites button filters the list down to just those.
Presets List
Click any preset in the list to load it. The loaded preset is highlighted.
Support

Troubleshooting

If something is not working as expected, don’t worry - most issues are quick to resolve.

  1. Re-read the Installation and Registration sections to confirm both were completed.
  2. Double-check your DAW settings, plugin folder paths, and system compatibility.
  3. Restart your DAW and try loading Vocal Chain V2 again.
  4. Make sure your OS and DAW are up to date.

Still stuck? Email info@tunedplugins.com with a quick description of the issue, your operating system and DAW version - and we’ll get you sorted out ASAP.