Vocal Production
This class is a hands-on study of the production of vocalists in the recording studio. The emphasis is on techniques and strategies for obtaining the best possible vocal performance, in terms of both emotional impact and technical accuracy. Topics include analysis of commercially recorded vocals; discovering a vocalist's identity; psychological and technical limitations; preproduction with vocalists (with emphasis on the song/vocalist relationship); establishing producer/vocalist rapport; working sympathetically and effectively in the studio environment; conducting a vocal session; vocal compilation; and background vocals. Technical topics include microphone choice and associated signal processing and mixing for vocals. In-class sessions are conducted and produced by both the faculty and students. Students are also required to sing and thus be produced. Students produce two multitrack projects incorporating re-recording and compiling of vocal tracks using previous projects.