If you’re making music in FL Studio, you already know it comes packed with a ton of built-in plugins. But when it comes to mixing vocals, not all stock effects are created equal — some will give you instant clarity and polish, while others are more specialized.
Let’s break down the best FL Studio stock plugins for vocal mixing, plus a couple of free alternatives for those on newer FL versions that don’t include Pitcher. Then we’ll talk about how you can skip the tweaking and load a preset that does the work for you.
1. Fruity Parametric EQ 2 (Tone Shaping)
If you only master one FL Studio plugin for vocals, make it this one.
Fruity Parametric EQ 2 lets you clean up muddy lows, remove boxy mids, and add sparkle in the highs.
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High-pass filter: Cut rumble under 80–100 Hz
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Mid cleanup: Dip 250–500 Hz to remove muddiness
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Presence & air: Boost gently around 5–10 kHz
This plugin’s visual feedback makes it easy to see what you’re cutting or boosting.
2. Fruity Limiter (Compression)
Fruity Limiter isn’t just for controlling peaks on the master — it’s also a capable vocal compressor.
Set it in COMP mode and use it to even out your vocal performance:
- Ratio: 3:1 to 4:1 for most vocals
- Medium attack / fast release
- Aim for ~3–6 dB gain reduction on average
This keeps your vocal level consistent without sounding squashed.
3. Pitcher (Tuning) — Plus Free Alternatives
Pitcher gives you real-time pitch correction for clean, in-key vocals, plus optional harmonies. It’s straightforward and works well for everything from subtle correction to hard-tuned rap effects.
Note: In many newer FL Studio editions, Pitcher is no longer included by default. If you don’t have it, try these free alternatives:
- MAutoPitch (MeldaProduction) – Great control, formant shifting, and easy to use.
- Graillon 2 Free Edition (Auburn Sounds) – Excellent for both subtle correction and creative tuning effects.
All three can give you a pro-level tuned vocal without expensive third-party plugins.
4. Maximus (Advanced Dynamics & Tone)
Maximus is a multi-band compressor, limiter, and maximizer all in one. While it’s often used for mastering, it’s also powerful for vocals.
- Use the low and mid bands to add warmth and control boominess.
- Use the high band to bring out clarity and shine.
- Subtlety is key — small changes can make a big difference.
5. Fruity Reeverb 2 (Space & Depth)
Reverb is what makes a vocal feel “in the room” rather than pasted on top of a beat. Fruity Reeverb 2 gives you everything you need without overcomplication:
- Keep room size small to medium for rap and pop vocals
- Use short decay times for tight mixes
- Roll off low end in the reverb to avoid muddiness
You Could Tweak All Day… or Load a Preset
All of these plugins are capable of great results, but getting them to work together in a full vocal chain takes time — and every adjustment changes the feel of your mix.
That’s where vocal presets save hours.
With a preset, you get:
- The right stock plugins already loaded in the right order
- Pre-dialed settings for your genre and vibe
- Instant pro sound you can tweak from as a starting point
Instead of spending a session fighting with EQ bands or reverb decay, you can focus on your performance and creativity.
Final Thoughts
FL Studio’s stock plugins are more than capable of delivering radio-ready vocals — if you know how to use them together. But if you’d rather skip the trial-and-error, start with a pro quality vocal preset for FL Studio and make music faster.
Load up your chain, hit record, and get your sound dialed without leaving your DAW.