VCM Vocal Doubler
Add natural width and thickness to vocals with tape-style ADT modulation.
Main Controls
Modulation
Saturation
Stereo & Options
Audio processed locally. Nothing uploaded.
What is a Vocal Doubler?
A vocal doubler creates the illusion of two voices singing in unison by playing a slightly delayed, modulated copy of your vocal alongside the original. Unlike static delay, a good doubler adds subtle timing and pitch variations that mimic the natural inconsistencies of a real double-tracked performance.
Tape-style ADT (Artificial Double Tracking) takes this further by simulating the wow, flutter, and drift of analog tape machines. The result is a warm, organic doubling effect that sounds more human than digital—adding width, thickness, and presence to any vocal.
VCM Vocal Doubler uses modulated delay with independent stereo modulation, optional saturation, and precise control over the character of the effect. Upload a vocal, dial in your settings, and export a processed WAV file—all in your browser.
How It Works
Upload or Mic
Drop in a WAV, MP3, or M4A file, or use your microphone for live monitoring.
Dial In the Effect
Adjust delay, width, wow/flutter, and saturation. Use presets for quick starting points.
Preview & Export
Listen in real-time, then export a processed WAV file with your settings baked in.
Preset Starting Points
Tight Double
Subtle thickening with minimal modulation. Great for natural-sounding vocal support.
Wide Chorusy
More modulation and width for a lush, spread-out vocal sound.
Dreamy Drift
Heavy wow and slow flutter for ambient, floating vocals.
Slap Thickener
Short delay with light saturation for punchy, present vocals.
Features
Tape-Style Modulation
Wow and flutter simulate analog tape drift
Stereo Width Control
Spread the doubled signal across the stereo field
Independent L/R Modulation
Each channel has its own random seed for natural width
Optional Saturation
Add warmth with gentle drive and tone control
Real-Time Preview
Hear changes instantly as you adjust settings
Mic Input Support
Monitor through the doubler live with your microphone
WAV Export
Download processed audio with effect baked in
Low Latency Mode
Reduced CPU and delay for live performance
Honest Limitations
Browser CPU usage
Complex modulation uses more processing power. Use Low Latency mode if needed.
Inherent latency
Doubling requires delay (15-40ms). This adds latency for live monitoring.
Best with clean sources
Works best on isolated vocals or instruments without heavy reverb.
Headphones recommended
Stereo width is best appreciated with headphones or studio monitors.
Doubler vs Chorus vs Static Delay
| Feature | VCM Vocal Doubler | Basic Delay | Chorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural human variation | ✓ | — | Partial |
| Tape-style drift | ✓ | — | — |
| Stereo width control | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Subtle thickening | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Independent L/R modulation | ✓ | — | Partial |
| Low phasiness | ✓ | — | — |
| Works on vocals | ✓ | ✓ | Partial |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vocal doubler?
A vocal doubler creates the effect of two voices singing together by playing a slightly delayed and modulated copy of the original vocal. This adds thickness, width, and presence without recording a second take.
What's the difference between a doubler and chorus?
Chorus uses shorter delays (typically under 20ms) with consistent pitch modulation, creating a shimmery, watery sound. Doublers use longer delays (15-40ms) with irregular, tape-like drift that sounds more like a real human performance variation.
What is ADT-style doubling?
ADT (Artificial Double Tracking) was invented in the 1960s to simulate double-tracked vocals without re-recording. It uses varispeed tape manipulation to create subtle timing and pitch variations. This tool creates a similar effect digitally.
What delay time should I use for vocals?
For natural doubling, 15-25ms works well. Shorter delays (5-15ms) create tighter, more subtle thickening. Longer delays (25-40ms) create a more obvious double that can sound like slapback.
How do I make doubles wider without sounding phasey?
Use the Width control to spread the doubled signal across the stereo field, and add some Wow (drift) to keep the timing constantly shifting. This prevents the static comb-filtering that causes phasiness.
Why does modulation make it sound more human?
Real human performances naturally vary in timing and pitch. Wow and Flutter simulate the imperfections of tape machines, which themselves mimic human inconsistency. Static delays sound artificial; modulated delays sound alive.
Does this work on instruments too?
Yes! Doublers work great on guitars, synths, and other instruments. Use lower modulation amounts for cleaner sources to avoid pitch wobble, or crank it up for creative lo-fi effects.
Can I use it live?
Enable Low Latency mode for live use. This reduces modulation to minimize CPU load and latency. The effect will be more subtle but still adds width and thickness in real-time.
Why is there latency?
Web audio processing requires buffering for stability. The base delay itself (15-40ms) also adds inherent latency. Low Latency mode minimizes this by reducing the base delay and disabling heavy modulation.
What audio formats are supported?
VCM Vocal Doubler supports WAV, MP3, and M4A files. For best quality, use WAV files. Export is always in WAV format for maximum compatibility.
Is my audio uploaded or stored?
No. All processing happens directly in your browser using the Web Audio API. Your files never leave your device.
How do I export the processed vocal?
Click Export WAV to render and download your processed audio. The free version exports up to 30 seconds. The export uses the same settings you hear in preview.
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