5 reasons you should learn how to vocal produce
Posted by Sammy Hakim on Nov 09, 2021 in: Music Career Advice
Let’s face it. When you’re a working songwriter or vocalist it’s pretty easy to assume that nine times out of ten a producer will be in the room and able to get your vocals done fast and efficiently. After all, vocals are a huge part of production.
However, since the pandemic kept most of us out of writing rooms with our favorite collaborators, many took matters into their own hands. There’s been an influx of writers and artists learning how to produce their own vocals this year. And along with the new skill set comes a lot of other benefits.
Still not convinced you should look into it? Here’s five reasons why you might want to jump on that train yourself and learn how to vocal produce.
1. Convenience
First and foremost, learning the skills needed to produce your own vocals at home is a huge convenience. Not only does it save you time, but if you need to send someone an idea you won’t have to resort to a voice memo. In fact, you can get a finished product in your living room.
Additionally, if you’re a writer working on tracks you can get closer to sharing the final vision for pitches. You can also record session vocals for collaborators, or other work for hire projects available on sites like Fiverr or other job boards.
Again, all from the comfort of your living room. Who doesn’t love that?
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2. Increase your value in the room
Being able to record and produce phenomenal vocals will not only allow you convenience, it will raise your value in every writing room you walk into. Picture it like you would a triple threat. Instead of acting, singing, and dancing, you walk into the room able to write, and/or sing, and produce.
Additionally, your new ability opens up the possibilities for working without a producer in the room and still getting a clean vocal at the end of the session. This means writing to tracks or with other non-producing friends and still walking away with a beautiful demo at the end.
If you are working with a producer, you’ll walk in with the unique opportunity and skill set to give the producer a break. Even if you aren’t vocal producing the session, you’ll know how to engineer the vocal takes.
In that way, not only does vocal producing make you more valuable in the room, it makes the world your musical oyster.
3. Master points
When you do production on a record you collect what’s called Master Rights, or Points.
Master means you collect money on this actual recording of the song. To further explain, if Mariah Carey cut the song, you’ll collect master on the Mariah Carey version. However, if Alicia Keys were to do a re-release the song, you wouldn’t have the right to collect on that master (unless you struck some sort of deal or worked on that vocal production as well.)
So why is collecting Master a big deal? Well, it’s important to know that the master earns more money than publishing. So, giving yourself an avenue to collect master works through vocal production means you’re not only increasing your value in the room, but your value overall.
4. Cost
Another benefit of learning how to produce your own vocals is undeniably the financial factor. When you’re working at home you have the potential to save lots of money on gas, and any other transportation costs. However, the major cost-saving benefit is that you won’t have to pay someone to produce your vocals for you.
Now keep in mind that learning to properly vocal produce to the level of many producers takes years, and that is why you should always pay your producers, but if you take the time to learn to the same skill level and want to do it yourself, you will undeniably be saving money in the long run.
5. Vocals how you like them
Being in control of your own vocal production means that you can ensure you’re happy with all of your vocal takes, on your own song AND others. That means you won’t have to do multiple rerecordings or switch producers until you find somebody who gets it right. You’ll have the power to do that on your own.
In conclusion, vocal production is really a powerful tool for any musician’s daily musical life. If the cost and convenience can’t sway you, maybe the other tips can. If you’ve enjoyed the article, or have any tips for prospective vocal producers just starting out, comment below.
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Sammy Hakim is an up and coming young songwriter based in Los Angeles. In May 2018 she graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Major in songwriting and a focus in music business. These days she spends most of her time in songwriting sessions with artists all over the country.
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