Working with Vocalists Cheat Sheet

• Search your local independent newspaper’s A&E section
• Ask other producers or musicians for intros
• Ask local studios for referrals
• Search ReverbNation, Fiverr, Upwork, or AirGigs
• Solicit on social media; ask friends to share the post

Vocalist Considerations

• Do they have any prior stage or studio experience?
• Do they have their own setup for recording a first take
• Do they have good mic technique?
• Does their sound translate to your genre and style?
• Are they professional, punctual, and easy to work with?
• Do they trash talk others?

Set Expectations

• Payment information
• Define singer deliverables
• Define producer deliverables
• Songwriting split
• How will the singer be credited?
• Vocalist financial arrangement:
• Work-for-hire, royalty sharing, or hybrid
• Artist fee if work-for-hire
• Studio fee if applicable
• When payment is due: up front or upon completion
• Agree upon deadlines and a schedule
• Technical requirements:
  • File format, bit depth, sample rate, headroom
  • How will files be shared and transferred?

Prepare for Recording

• Provide the tempo, key signature, and chord charts
• Provide a lead sheet with melody and lyrics
• Complete a skeleton Instrumental arrangement
• Record a scratch vocal of the song, or at least provide
• Provide reference tracks to the singer
• Schedule the session
• Optionally schedule a backup or rework session

Recording

• You don’t need a professional studio
• You don’t need an expensive microphone
• Reschedules might happen; be professional and gracious
• Have bottled water available for the singer
• Take frequent breaks
• Beware of headphone bleed
• Give the artist space to do their thing, but. .. also don’t be
  shy about giving feedback
• Promptly pay the studio and/or vocalist
• Acquire all files from the studio and/or vocalist