What Makes Hyperpop Vocals So Unique?
If you've ever listened to artists like Glaive, 100 gecs, or Ericdoa and thought, “How do their vocals sound so crisp, chaotic, and clean at the same time?” — you’re not alone. Hyperpop is one of the most sonically explosive genres in modern music, and one of its most defining features is the vocal treatment.
Hyperpop vocals don’t just sit in the mix—they leap out of the speakers. Whether it’s pitched-up leads, distorted harmonies, robotic textures, or glitched-out delays, the genre thrives on vocal manipulation. But with all those layers and effects, it's easy to lose clarity. This guide will show you how to shape your hyperpop vocals so they cut through the mix, sound professional, and retain that beautifully chaotic energy the genre is known for.
Start with a Clean Vocal Recording
Before you apply any effects or reach for your favorite pop vocal preset, make sure your raw vocal take is clean. Even in a genre as wild as hyperpop, a poor recording will sabotage the final product.
Use a large-diaphragm condenser microphone in a treated or quiet space. Don’t worry if you’re working in a bedroom—what matters is reducing room noise and capturing a clear performance. Sing with intention, even if you plan on altering the pitch later. Emotion still shines through post-processing, and hyperpop listeners connect with raw energy.
For best results, record at 24-bit/48kHz, use a pop filter, and aim for a signal level peaking around -6 dB.
Pick a Vocal Preset Tailored for Hyperpop
The fastest way to get a professional sound is by starting with a high-quality pop vocal preset. Cedar Sound Studios offers Logic Pro and stock plugin-compatible vocal presets designed specifically for genres like hyperpop, glitchcore, and digicore. These presets are preloaded with EQ, compression, distortion, reverb, and pitch settings that align with hyperpop’s bold aesthetic.
These plug-and-play presets save you hours of trial and error and let you jump straight into the creative process. They’re ideal for achieving that polished, punchy sound hyperpop thrives on, even if you’re just starting out.
If you’re using FL Studio, Logic Pro, or Ableton, Cedar Sound Studios has presets made for your DAW that don’t require third-party plugins—just drag, drop, and tweak to your taste.
Shape the Vocal with Pitch and Formant Shifting
Hyperpop loves extremes. One of the genre’s signatures is its use of pitch-shifted vocals. You’ll often hear leads pitched up by several semitones, creating a childlike or alien-like quality. This isn’t just for effect—it helps the vocal stand out from thick, overproduced instrumentals.
Use pitch correction plugins like Antares Auto-Tune, Logic’s Pitch Correction, or FL’s NewTone. Set your key, increase the retune speed for a robotic feel, and experiment with formant shifting. Raising formants makes vocals sound smaller and brighter, while lowering them adds a darker, more mature tone.
Layering different pitch and formant combinations is a hyperpop cheat code. Try duplicating your vocal, pitching one layer up, and the other down, then blending both with the dry vocal for a wide, otherworldly texture.
Use Compression to Control Chaos
With hyperpop vocals bouncing through multiple layers and FX chains, compression is your best friend. A good pop vocal preset already comes with multi-stage compression baked in, but here’s what you need to know if you’re building from scratch.
Start with a fast attack and medium release to control transients without killing energy. Use a ratio around 3:1 to 4:1 and aim for 3–6 dB of gain reduction. Then, follow up with a limiter or secondary compressor to tame the peaks.
In some cases, using parallel compression can preserve the vocal’s dynamic punch while adding thickness. Blend your compressed signal with the dry vocal to get the best of both worlds.
Carve Space with EQ
Even in a maximalist genre like hyperpop, clarity is king. Your vocals need to find their own space amidst distorted 808s, screechy synths, and heavy glitch elements.
Start with a high-pass filter to remove unnecessary low-end rumble. Then dip any muddy frequencies around 200–400 Hz. Boost gently in the 2k–5k range to bring forward presence and add shimmer around 10k if needed.
If you’re working with multiple vocal layers—leads, doubles, ad-libs—EQ each one slightly differently. This creates contrast and prevents frequency build-up that could clutter your mix.
Get Experimental with Distortion and Saturation
Hyperpop wouldn’t be hyperpop without a bit of vocal destruction. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries with distortion plugins like Logic’s Bitcrusher, Ableton’s Saturator, or Soundtoys Decapitator (if you’re using third-party plugins).
Use soft saturation on your lead vocal for added harmonics and warmth. Save heavier distortion for background vocals, vocal chops, or ad-libs. Adding subtle saturation to delays or reverb buses can also help glue the vocal into the track.
Tip: Distorting only specific frequency ranges (using multiband distortion) gives you more control and keeps your vocals intelligible.
Use Reverb and Delay for Space—but Not Too Much
Hyperpop thrives on big, energetic mixes—but if your reverb is too loud or too long, you risk pushing your vocals back in the mix. Instead, use short decay times and light wet mixes. Plate and room reverbs work well for this.
Delays are more prominent in hyperpop, often used with ping-pong or stereo effects. Try syncing delay to 1/8 or 1/4 notes and automate feedback throughout the track. Filtering the delayed signal helps it sit behind the lead vocal without overpowering it.
Vocal Chops, Glitches, and FX
One of the most fun parts of hyperpop is vocal manipulation. After you’ve laid down your main vocals, slice them up and experiment. Reverse them, stretch them, stutter them—use your DAW’s tools to create new melodic or rhythmic elements from your voice.
You can even bounce vocal effects to audio and apply granular synths or glitch plugins to go full experimental. Tools like iZotope’s VocalSynth (or manual automation in Logic/FL) can create wild robotic textures that elevate your chorus or drop.
Final Touches and Automation
Hyperpop tracks are dynamic. They breathe, explode, collapse, and restart. Your vocals should follow that energy. Automate EQ cuts, delay feedback, reverb sends, and pitch shifts throughout the song to create contrast between verses, pre-hooks, and choruses.
Don’t just set your vocal chain and leave it. Use automation to pull back during quiet moments and boost intensity during drops. Hyperpop rewards creative risk.
Make It Easy with a Pop Vocal Preset Built for Hyperpop
Want to skip the technical deep dive and get straight to sounding amazing? Cedar Sound Studios has pop vocal presets designed for hyperpop artists who want fast results without sacrificing quality. These presets work with stock plugins and come pre-loaded with everything you need to sound like a pro—from tuned pitch correction to controlled dynamics and vibrant FX chains.
If you’re an artist making chaotic, emotional, and genre-bending music, these presets were built for you. They’re perfect for Logic Pro, FL Studio, Ableton Live, and more—and they make your vocal mix sound polished from the start.
Explore our Hyperpop Vocal Presets to take your sound to the next level.