There’s no mistaking that spacious, emotional, and slightly robotic vocal sound Tory Lanez is known for. Whether he’s singing over a moody trap beat or going off with layered harmonies, his vocal chain plays a huge role in getting that polished yet futuristic mix.
The good news? You don’t need expensive third-party plugins to start building a similar vocal chain. In this post, we’ll break down how to get Tory Lanez-style vocals using stock plugins, plus how to speed up the process with one of our custom vocal presets.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only. The preset(s) and techniques mentioned here are inspired by the vocal mixing style heard in songs by Tory Lanez but are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or created in collaboration with him.
Step 1: Start with Tuning (Autotune or Pitch Correction)
Tory’s vocals almost always start with tuning — usually with that modern “locked-in” feel, but not completely robotic. The key here is speed and subtle shaping.
- Use your DAW’s stock pitch correction plugin (e.g., FL Studio’s Pitcher, Logic Pro’s Pitch Correction)
- Set key and scale correctly before adjusting anything else
- Try a retune speed between 10–20ms and lightly shift the formants for a slightly deeper, stylized tone
Pro Tip: If your vocal isn’t clean going in, the tuner won’t sound good. Record dry and aim for consistent pitch and tone from the start.
Step 2: EQ for Clarity and Air
Tory’s vocals are crystal-clear up top with zero mud in the lows. Use subtractive EQ to shape the tone before boosting anything.
- Roll off lows under 80–100 Hz (even higher if your voice is boomy)
- Cut boxy mids around 250–500 Hz
- Add presence and air with a gentle shelf around 8–10kHz
This gives you that bright, modern tone without sounding harsh.
Step 3: Compression to Level the Dynamics
Tory’s vocal performance moves between breathy falsetto and full-voice belting — so compression is key to holding it all together.
- Use one stock compressor with medium attack and fast release
- Set the threshold so you’re getting about 3–6 dB of gain reduction
- Optional: Add a second compressor later in the chain with a slower attack for more body
You’re aiming for consistency, not flatness. Let the emotion breathe, but keep the volume tight.
Step 4: Add Space with Reverb and Delay
Here’s where the “atmospheric” part of Tory’s sound comes in. He often blends short room reverbs with longer tails and timed delays to create a 3D effect.
- Start with a short plate or room reverb (low mix, fast decay)
- Add a quarter-note delay and tuck it underneath the main vocal
- Experiment with ping-pong or stereo delays to widen the space
Balance is everything — you want to feel the space without drowning the vocal.
Step 5: Polish with Saturation or Exciter
To round things out, a touch of warmth or harmonic content helps the vocal sit right in the mix.
- Use a stock exciter, tape emulator, or subtle distortion
- Apply gently to the high-mids and highs
- Avoid going too far — this is a polish, not a distortion effect
Done right, this adds edge and sheen to make the vocal pop through the instrumental.
Want to Skip the Setup?
If you want that Tory-style sound fast — no manual setup, no plugin juggling — we’ve got you covered.
Our Tory Lanez-inspired vocal preset gives you a ready-to-go vocal chain built entirely with stock plugins, dialed in for that polished, emotional trap/R&B vibe.
Whether you’re using FL Studio, Logic Pro, or BandLab, it loads in seconds and gives you a pro-level sound without the guesswork.
Check out the Tory Lanez-Style Vocal Preset
Final Thoughts
You don’t need expensive gear or complicated chains to sound radio-ready. With the right settings and some understanding of how vocal FX work, you can get remarkably close to the mix styles you hear from major artists — all inside your stock DAW environment.
And if you want to speed things up, our professional grade vocal presets are built to do exactly that.