RECORDING
IN STUDIO REHEARSALS
All in-studio rehearsals require you to attendance sign up for capacity and tracing. Click here to reserve your spot.
Bring your own earphones (wired only, no bluetooth) for in-ear monitoring
Bring your own face mask or face shield (mandatory)
Keep 2+ metre distance at all times (chatting, waiting for bathroom, etc)
Disinfect any surfaces you touched - music stands, chairs, microphones, piano, percussion (disinfectant wipes provided)
Frequent hand-washing recommended (antibacterial soap provided)
SHEET MUSIC
Sheet Music will be provided through downloadable PDF’s (access granted to registered members only)
PRACTICE WITH A CLICK TRACK
Use the click track video once you're ready to play at tempo. If there is a delay in the conductor strokes, ALWAYS FOLLOW THE METRONOME CLICKS, not the conductor. Make sure you practice the tempo changes, those are places most difficult to feel.
It helps to play the video on a large screen, to make it as life like as possible. If it's too small, the gestures won't be noticeable.
Here is the CLICKTRACK FOLDER (Contains all up-to-date clicktracks)
HOW TO VIDEOS
How to extract audio from your video file you created
STEPS TO RECORD YOUR AUDIO TRACK
Use a computer/laptop/tablet to listen to the clicktrack, plus a smartphone or microphone to record audio only
Play and record the first 20 seconds of the clicktrack audio, then plug in your headphones for the rest of the clicktrack to record your performance. Do not play the record the clicktrack audio except for the first 20 seconds. Your recorder/microphone should only pick up your instrument sound and nothing else.
Check that your recorded signal volume is not too loud, and not too quiet. Somewhere in the middle is best.
Make sure you are in a quiet room with no background noise (IE. Washer, fans, heaters, cars, children, etc). Carpeted, dampened rooms are better than echoey reverberant rooms (bathrooms). Try to make page turns quietly.
Import your recorded audio and the clicktrack audio into an editing software like GarageBand
Edit the timings to match the clicktrack. Redo sections that could be improved. Repeat editing process. Layer your audio if appropriate
Save your file as SONG TITLE - INSTRUMENT/PART - NAME - AUDIO (in this order)
Reminder: Getting a clean and rhythmically accurate recording is essential. Make sure you tune your instrument. The more "complete and accurate" your recording is, the less our editors will have to tweak. Try not to rush your subdivisions, and sustain full values for long notes.
STEPS TO RECORD A SYNCHRONIZED VIDEO
Make sure LIGHTING is good (coming from in front of you and from multiple angles, and not too harsh), so the video doesn't appear dark or too bright.
Visual backgrounds should be plain and tidy. Avoid a cluttered appearance. Avoid seeing the music stand.
Use a device to play the clicktrack, plus a smartphone or camcorder to record
Video resolution: Record with 720p at 30fps. This lower resolution will make for faster uploading/downloading and editing.
For both instruments and vocals, please use landscape orientation (horizontal)
Frame your shot to show your instrument, face, and upper body (above the hips). Perform as if you were in a concert hall with expressiveness and movement.
For TWINS - please wear different tops/shirts to contrast your parts
For Flutes - place camera centred in front of you, try to show your elbows
For Oboe/Clarinet - place camera centred in front of you, try to show both your hands
For Horn/Trombone/Tuba - place camera on your RIGHT side (15-45 degrees off centre), try to show your shoulders and elbows
For Trumpet - place camera on your LEFT side (15-45 degrees off centre), try to show your shoulders, elbows, and bell
For Piano/Mallets - camera film from your RIGHT side (75-90 degrees off centre) and 12-24 inches above keys pointing downwards, should show the keys, and elbows
For Violins/Viola - film from your RIGHT side (15-30 degrees off centre), should show your full fingerboard and elbows
For Cello - film from centre, should show full fingerboard, elbows, and bridge.
For Upright Bass - film from centre, try to show fingerboard and face
For Guitar Bass - place camera on your left, try to show fingerboard and bridge.
Record entire clip in one take. Do not separate your video into multiple segments.
Listen/play-along with the clicktrack video out loud. The clicktrack audio should be recorded with your playing. Perfect pitches is not required, as the video will be providing just the visuals.
Hold at least 3 seconds of your “performance posture” after the last note before stopping the recording. Wait for the sound to fade.
Make sure your FILE NAME is clearly labelled with SONG TITLE - INSTRUMENT/PART - NAME - VIDEO (in this order)
SUBMIT YOUR YOUR AUDIO AND VIDEO
Title your video as SONG TITLE - INSTRUMENT/PART - NAME - VIDEO or AUDIO
DROP YOUR FILES HERE (look for the correct folder, by song title)
If you are going to be late submitting your video, please let us know. We can give 1 day grace period, but after that, the deadline would be past. We have many videos to edit, and many deadlines to meet to keep the workflow moving. Submissions later than 2 days would interrupt the process for the next video.
EDITING AND PUBLISHING
Once we gather everyone's video, a team of editors will compile the video and audio together, and post it as a YouTube video. The sooner you get your clips in, and the more accurate it is, the easier and quicker we'll be able to produce the final video. If you are interested in volunteering as part of the editing team, please email us!
COMPLETED VIDEOS
See CONCERTS page
IN PROGRESS
The Mummy Returns
ET
Come Alive