XXXTentacion’s Vocal Chain: Reverb, Distortion, and Compression Explained

XXXTentacion’s music was raw, emotional, and experimental, with a unique vocal mixing style that combined melodic singing, aggressive distortion, and atmospheric effects. His ability to shift between vulnerable, melancholic tones and explosive, distorted screams made his vocal chain an essential part of his signature sound.

In this guide, we’ll break down XXXTentacion’s vocal chain, focusing on reverb, distortion, and compression, and how you can replicate his vocal style in your own mixes.

Understanding XXXTentacion’s Vocal Style

XXXTentacion’s vocals were heavily influenced by DIY recording techniques and lo-fi aesthetics. He often recorded in untreated rooms, which gave his vocals a raw, unpolished character. However, his vocal mixing wasn’t just about lo-fi quality—it was intentionally crafted to evoke emotion.

His vocal style typically falls into two categories:

• Soft, melodic vocals – These are often processed with reverb and subtle pitch correction.
• Aggressive, distorted screams – These vocals rely heavily on distortion, compression, and filtering.

If you want to mix vocals like XXXTentacion, you need to balance these two contrasting styles while maintaining clarity, depth, and energy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Mixing Vocals Like XXXTentacion

1. Recording for the Right Tone

A dynamic microphone like the Shure SM58 is great for capturing aggressive vocals without excessive harshness. For softer, melodic sections, a large-diaphragm condenser mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020 works well.

Since XXXTentacion recorded in untreated environments, you can replicate the natural imperfections by avoiding excessive vocal booth treatment.

Record both clean and aggressive vocal takes to layer them properly in the mix.

2. Cleaning Up the Vocals with EQ

Start with subtractive EQ to remove unwanted frequencies. Use a high-pass filter at 80-100 Hz to remove low-end rumble. Cut around 250-500 Hz to reduce muddiness. Apply a slight boost at 2-5 kHz to add presence. If the vocal sounds too harsh, cut a little around 4-6 kHz.

For aggressive vocals, enhance the upper mids (around 3-6 kHz) to add extra bite.

3. Applying Compression for Dynamic Control

Compression is essential to control loudness variations between soft singing and aggressive screams.

For soft vocals, use a gentle compressor with a 3:1 to 4:1 ratio, medium attack (10-20ms), and medium release (40-60ms) to smooth out dynamic jumps.

For aggressive vocals, use an aggressive compressor with a 6:1 to 8:1 ratio, fast attack (1-5ms), and fast release (10-30ms) to smash the vocal and maintain intensity.

If needed, apply a limiter at the end of the chain to prevent peaks from clipping while keeping the vocal upfront.

4. Adding Grit with Distortion & Saturation

XXXTentacion’s screamed vocals were often distorted and overdriven, adding aggression and emotion.

To add subtle grit, use a saturation plugin with tube saturation to add warmth without excessive crunch. Blend it in at around 20-30% mix for texture.

For extreme grit, use overdrive or amp distortion with plugins like Soundtoys Decapitator, FabFilter Saturn, or Guitar Rig. Set drive between 30-50% and adjust the mix balance.

To create a layered effect, duplicate your vocal track, apply distortion only to one layer, and blend it subtly. Pan the distorted track slightly left or right for a wider effect.

5. Creating Depth with Reverb & Delay

XXXTentacion’s reverb settings were usually dark, short, and moody.

Use plate or room reverb with a short decay time (0.8 - 1.5 sec). Set the pre-delay around 30-50ms to keep the vocal upfront. Reduce high frequencies in the reverb damping to create a darker tone.

For choruses or emotional sections, increase the wetness slightly and automate reverb levels for added impact.

For delay effects, use a ping-pong delay set at 1/4 or 1/8 note timing. Apply a low-pass filter to prevent delay tails from cluttering the mix. Keep feedback around 20-30% to avoid excessive repeats.

6. Widening & Layering for Impact

To make vocals sound fuller, use doubling, panning, and stereo widening.

Duplicate the main vocal track and pan one slightly left and the other slightly right. Apply a chorus effect on backing vocals for width. Slightly pitch shift duplicates (±5 cents) for a natural double-tracked effect.

For background screams, apply more reverb, distortion, and stereo widening to push them into the background while keeping the lead vocal centered.

7. Finalizing with a Vocal Bus Chain

Once all processing is applied, route everything to a vocal bus and add final touches.

Apply subtle EQ adjustments to glue everything together. Use final compression to maintain consistency. If necessary, apply a mastering limiter to prevent peaks from clipping.

Final Thoughts

XXXTentacion’s vocal chain was a blend of rawness and creative processing, making his vocals feel authentic and emotionally charged. The key to nailing his vocal style lies in balancing distortion, compression, and reverb while keeping the dynamics and imperfections intact.

If you want an easier way to achieve this sound, check out the XXXTentacion Vocal Preset, designed to replicate his signature mix with just a few clicks.

Now it’s your turn—experiment with these techniques and craft your own raw, emotional vocal mixes!