Recording tips and tricks submitted by Studio S.b>Recording Tips and Tricks Submitted by Shane Irwin Web Site URL: www.nashvillesongworks.com Tell us about your recording studio and the services you offer: Equipped Specializing in Indi-label CD projects and also songwriter demos, weconsitantly and efficiently put out some great music, at quite a bang for thebuck! Recording Tips and Tricks (250 - 600 words): Getting the best performance froma vocalist. I have recorded many many different singers here in Nashville. Some great, somefar from great. In either case, getting that absolute best vocal performacefrom a vocalist in the studio can sometimes only come after a bit of trial,warm up takes, encouragement, and some coaching. A given song can either be brought to life with a great vocal, or it can bebrought down. Sometimes, a specific vocalist may not be right for a given song,yet there may be no choice to go on with it. How to get that "best possibletake" out of a singer can often take longer than you hope for, but the resultsare usually worth it. Recording Tips and Tricks In short, here are a few tips, with some explanation of them. 1) Almost always, just plan on redoing verse 1, after you think you are donewith the song. A great thing to do is to record the whole song in one take, just as a warm up.You MAY actually get some great lines to keep, especially when the vocalistknows you are just recording a "practice run". The heat is off! No pressure.This is often perfect for bringing out some great vocal licks, and some greatphrases to keep. Either way, whether you record one line at a time, or wholesections at a time, I advise usually going back and redoing V1. The singer willusually be "feeling" the song by then, and can really nail it. Maybe even redothe first chorus as well. Recording Tips and Tricks 2) Don't be afraid to "coach" a singer through a song, but with plenty ofhumility! Often, when I hire a singer for a particular song, the singer is already agreat vocalist, but may need coaching though this one song. I don't meantelling him how to breath, or how to sing. I mean, coaching the performance outof him/her. "Hey Brandi, I really need to HEAR the emotion on that bridge. Canyou give me a little attitude at the end of the 2nd phrase?" 3) Have fun! Recording vocals in a HUGE part of the song. Have fun with it, even if it's asad song. Get into it. Take on the song. Have the singer take on the emotion,or the role within the song if need be. Laugh, be silly, have fun. Keep it"loose". Nothing brings out the best in a singer as when he/she is loose andrelaxed. These were just a few of my favorite nuggets of knowledge I've collected overthe years. I hope you can apply some of them! Recording tricks and tips submitted by Shane Irwin of www.nashvillesongworks.com Learn how to build your own recording studio. Return from Recording tips and tricks to Songwriting homepage.
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