If vocals on your records sound sharp, spitty, or piercing—especially on words with “S,” “T,” or “SH”—you’re hearing sibilance. It’s one of the most common (and most annoying) issues in vinyl playback, and it can turn an otherwise great recording into a fatiguing listen.
The causes range from recording choices to playback setup, but the good news is that sibilance is often fixable.
🔍 What Is Sibilance?
Sibilance is an overemphasis of high-frequency consonant sounds, typically between 5–10 kHz. Instead of sounding natural, these consonants become:
- Sharp
- Spitty
- Splashy
- Distorted
On vinyl, sibilance is often magnified compared to digital playback.
🎙️ Causes of Sibilance (From Studio to Turntable)
1. Microphone & Recording Technique
Sibilance often starts at the source.
- Certain condenser microphones exaggerate high frequencies
- Close-miking increases “S” energy
- Inadequate de-essing during mixing leaves sibilance untreated
If it’s baked into the recording, no system can fully remove it.
2. Mastering for Vinyl
High-frequency vocal content is difficult to cut into vinyl grooves.
- Loud sibilants create sharp groove modulations
- Inner grooves struggle even more with these frequencies
- Overly hot cuts increase distortion risk
Poor vinyl mastering can exaggerate sibilance, especially near the end of a side.
3. Stylus Shape & Tracking Ability
This is a major playback-related cause.
More likely to exaggerate sibilance:
- Conical (spherical) styli
- Worn or chipped styli
Better at controlling sibilance:
- Nude elliptical
- MicroLine / MicroRidge
- Shibata
- Fine Line
Advanced profiles track high-frequency modulations more accurately.
4. Cartridge Alignment Errors
Even small alignment mistakes cause:
- Tracking distortion
- Mistracking on vocal peaks
- Uneven groove wall contact
Sibilance often appears first on vocals when alignment is off.
5. Incorrect Tracking Force
Too light:
- Stylus skips micro-details
- Produces spitty highs
Too heavy:
- Increases distortion and wear
Always set tracking force with a digital stylus gauge.
6. Anti-Skate Misadjustment
Incorrect anti-skate causes:
- Channel imbalance
- Unequal groove wall pressure
- Sibilance in one channel more than the other
7. Phono Preamp & System Voicing
Some systems emphasize treble.
- Bright cartridges
- High-capacitance phono inputs
- Forward-sounding speakers
These can amplify existing sibilance rather than create it.
🛠️ How to Reduce or Eliminate Sibilance
✔ Check and redo cartridge alignment
✔ Upgrade stylus profile
✔ Set tracking force accurately
✔ Adjust anti-skate correctly
✔ Clean or replace worn stylus
✔ Reduce phono stage capacitance if possible
✔ Slightly lower treble if needed
📊 Quick Sibilance Diagnosis
| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Sibilance on all vocals | Stylus or alignment |
| Worse at end of record | Inner groove distortion |
| One channel harsher | Anti-skate issue |
| Only on certain records | Recording or mastering |
🏁 Final Thoughts
Sibilance is rarely caused by a single factor. It’s usually the result of recording choices plus setup sensitivity, with vinyl playback making problems more obvious.
🎶 With proper alignment, a capable stylus, and a well-matched system, vocals should sound natural, smooth, and human—not sharp or spitty.