Vocal Doubler by iZotope

Vocal Doubler

by iZotope
Best for Adding instant width and depth to lead vocals, backing vocals, and harmonies with a natural doubling effect that works across pop, EDM, hip-hop, and R&B productions
Free alternative to
Soundtoys MicroShift View on Plugin Boutique
Soundtoys MicroShift
Sonnox VoxDoubler View on ADSR
Sonnox VoxDoubler

Key Features

  • Natural-sounding vocal doubling algorithm that replicates the timing and pitch variations of a real second performance
  • Interactive two-axis control for simultaneous adjustment of stereo separation (vertical) and human variation (horizontal)
  • Lightweight CPU footprint suitable for large sessions with multiple instances
  • Broad DAW compatibility including Logic Pro 11, Pro Tools 2024, Ableton Live 12, Cubase 14, FL Studio 2024, Studio One 7, and Reaper 7
  • Versatile beyond vocals, effective on synths, guitars, percussion, and any mono source that benefits from stereo width
  • Clean, minimal interface designed for fast workflow with no unnecessary parameters

Description

iZotope Vocal Doubler is a dedicated vocal doubling plugin that adds natural-sounding width and depth to vocal recordings. It uses iZotope's acclaimed doubling algorithm to generate a convincing second voice from a single take, eliminating the need for manual double-tracking.

The interface centers on a single interactive control area where dragging vertically adjusts stereo separation and dragging horizontally controls human variation. This two-axis approach lets you dial in anything from subtle thickening to wide stereo spread in seconds.

Beyond vocals, producers regularly use Vocal Doubler on synths, guitar solos, and percussion to add stereo width and ensemble-like movement. The plugin runs with minimal CPU overhead, making it practical even in dense sessions with dozens of tracks.

Vocal Doubler supports all major DAW hosts including Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Cubase, FL Studio, Studio One, and Reaper. It ships as a 64-bit plugin in AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 formats for both macOS and Windows.

Users consistently praise its simplicity and sound quality, noting that it delivers results comparable to paid alternatives at a fraction of the setup time. The plugin has become a staple in vocal mixing templates across genres from pop and EDM to hip-hop and R&B.

Video Preview

Vocal Doubler video preview
Vocal Doubler video preview

Tips

  • Use the interactive visualization to quickly adjust the stereo separation and human variation.
  • Experiment with the wet-dry mix control to blend the doubled effect with the original vocal.
  • Activate the effect-only mode to apply different effects and equalization to the doubled track.
  • Utilize the plugin to create a wider vocal sound for choruses and hooks.
  • Apply the plugin to non-vocal tracks, such as drum loops, for creative stereo-widening effects.
  • Combine Vocal Doubler with other iZotope plugins like Nectar Elements for a comprehensive vocal processing chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Vocal Doubler be used on instruments other than vocals?

Yes. Despite the name, Vocal Doubler works well on synths, guitars, percussion, and any mono source. Many producers use it as a quick stereo widener on lead instruments or to add ensemble-like thickness to drum loops.

How does Vocal Doubler compare to Soundtoys MicroShift or Waves Doubler?

Vocal Doubler focuses specifically on natural vocal doubling with a two-parameter interface, while MicroShift offers three hardware-modeled widening styles with more tonal control. Waves Doubler provides four voices with up to 100ms delay. Users often keep all three for different situations, with Vocal Doubler excelling at quick, transparent vocal doubles.

Does Vocal Doubler introduce latency or affect CPU performance?

The plugin is designed with minimal CPU overhead and introduces negligible latency. Multiple instances can run simultaneously in complex sessions without performance issues, making it practical for applying doubling to individual vocal tracks rather than using a single send.

Does Vocal Doubler work natively on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. The current version runs natively on Apple M-series chips as well as under Rosetta 2 on Intel Macs. It officially supports macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe.

Reviews & Comments

Loading reviews...