As a music producer, I'm always on the hunt for standout vocals. It can be frustrating when a vocal performance has potential, but there are technical or stylistic issues that make it unusable. Often, it’s not about the singer’s talent or lyrics, but small, fixable problems that could make all the difference in a recording. Today, I want to share insights into the key qualities that producers, like myself, value in vocalists. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve, these are five essential areas to work on if you want your vocals to stand out in a production.
1. Master Timing: Sing on Beat
Singing on time is crucial for delivering a professional-sounding vocal. This means staying in sync with the tempo of the track, hitting each note exactly when it’s supposed to be hit. No matter how strong your voice is, being off-beat can throw off the entire song.
How to improve:
Practice using a metronome or click track to develop your sense of timing. Over time, you want to internalize the rhythm so that it becomes second nature, allowing you to focus on delivering an emotional performance without worrying about the beat.
2. Tone Matters More Than Pitch
While staying on pitch is essential, tone is even more critical when working with producers. Producers can easily correct pitch issues using software, but if your tone is off, it can make the vocal sound unappealing or lifeless. Tone is essentially the unique quality and character of your voice.
How to improve:
Work on vocal exercises that help you control the color and depth of your voice. Record yourself frequently to analyze your tone and adjust as needed. When recording, ensure that your tone complements the mood of the track and stays consistent throughout the performance.
3. Find and Refine Your Unique Voice
In a world full of vocalists, having a distinctive voice is what can set you apart. Whether it’s a unique rasp, a smooth vibrato, or an emotional delivery, finding your vocal identity is essential.
Why it matters:
Producers and listeners alike are drawn to singers who stand out. You don’t want to sound like every other artist out there. Take time to explore and cultivate your personal sound so that listeners can instantly identify that it’s you singing after just a few notes.
4. Invest in Quality Gear
Good equipment is as important for vocalists as it is for guitarists, drummers, or producers. Just like musicians spend hundreds on their instruments, you should invest in a quality studio microphone if you plan on doing any serious recording.
Why it’s important:
More and more collaborations are happening remotely, with producers and singers exchanging audio files rather than meeting in the studio. Having good gear allows you to record clean, professional vocals from anywhere. If your recording quality is poor, it could make it difficult for the producer to work with your vocal, no matter how great your performance was.
Recommendations:
Shop around for high-quality studio microphones. Sites like Sweetwater offer a variety of options and reviews to help you make the best choice for your budget.
5. Develop Technical Skills: Record and Send Stems
In today’s music industry, having basic technical skills is essential, especially when collaborating remotely. You may be asked to record your own vocals and send them to a producer to be mixed into a track. If you don’t have the skills to capture a clean recording, it will limit your opportunities.
What you need to know:
- Ensure your vocals are recorded without distortion or clipping.
- Add a one-bar click track at the beginning to help the producer sync your vocals.
- Record multiple takes, including background vocals and harmonies, to give the producer more creative options.
Having these skills and offering polished vocal stems shows professionalism and makes you easier to work with, which will encourage producers to collaborate with you in the future.
Conclusion: What Producers Want
At the end of the day, producers are looking for vocalists who can not only sing well but also deliver clean, well-recorded vocals that can be easily worked into a track. If you can sing on time, with a great tone, and have a distinct voice, while also making the producer’s job easier by providing high-quality recordings, your chances of landing collaborations and getting noticed will skyrocket.
With these five qualities in mind, practice hard, invest in yourself, and keep pushing to improve every aspect of your vocal performance. The sky's the limit if you can master these skills!
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