To use de-essing most effectively, insert the De-Esser after compressor or limiter plug-ins.

The Frequency control should be set to remove sibilants (typically the 4–10 kHz range) and not other parts of the signal. This helps prevent de-essing from changing the original character of the audio material in an undesired manner.

Similarly, the Range control should be set to a level low enough so that de-essing is triggered only by sibilants. If the Range is set too high, a loud, non-sibilant section of audio material could cause unwanted gain reduction or cause sibilants to be over-attenuated.

To improve de-essing of material that has both very loud and very soft passages, automate the Range control so that it is lower on soft sections.