Launch your preferred digital audio workstation, such as Pro Tools, Reason, Mixcraft or Logic. These programs let you record, edit, mix and master your music using a computer.
Open the “File” menu and select the relevant project file. If the vocals in question are part of a work-in-progress, select that session. If you have the vocal recordings but haven’t integrated them into a session yet, click “File,” then “New” to open a new session. Once open, click “File” again, then “Import” and then select the vocal files required from your hard drive. The vocals will open as audio files in the digital-audio-workstation interface.
Click the “S” icon on each vocal track. This "solos" the vocals, muting all other audio. If you’ve imported vocals and have no other tracks in the session, there's no need to do this.
Open a compressor tool. The method for doing so varies slightly according to which digital audio workstation you use. Typically, you click “Effects,” then “Dynamics” and then select a compressor from the list. Some programs, such as Logic, have a range of compressors. If you're unfamiliar with audio compression, select the compressor with the most basic interface.
Hit “Play” so you can hear the effect of the compression in real-time. A compressor removes volume spikes from a recording to create a tighter and punchier sound.
Adjust the “Threshold” parameter to around 80 percent. This parameter determines how much of the sound gets compressed. With an 80 percent threshold, only the loudest 20 percent gets reduced. It gets reduced to the equivalent of the loudest volume beneath the threshold.
Adjust the “Attack” parameter to your preference. This parameter governs how quickly the vocal is cut. The faster the cut, the tighter the sound. However, if you set it too fast, the vocals will sound so tight that they seem unnatural. Tweak this parameter until you find a balance you like.
Adjust the “Output Gain” by 20 percent. When using compression, increase the output to compensate for gain reduction. So, if the top 20 percent of volume is cut, increase the overall gain by 20 percent. This way, there are fewer spikes in the vocal, but the overall volume remains the same.
Open the “Effects” menu and select “Equalizer.” This opens an equalizer interface. The interface contains an array of dials, each governing a specific frequency range.
Reduce the amplitude of the lowest frequencies by lowering the slider dials farthest left on the equalizer interface. This cuts out much of the bass, leaving the sharper, brighter frequencies to stand out.