A Demo (commonly 3-4 tracks) is to demonstrate who you are and what your marketable talent/image is. Industry professionals hear sound/music differently and don’t necessarily expect a production masterpiece when hearing a demo. Focus on high-quality voice/instrument recording and processing, sing a cover if you have to, and thoroughly consider how someone wishing to invest in your career can take you to the next level. That investment or 'signing' will include a fully produced product.   Full Production is for the purpose of Sale, Performance (Live/Radio/Public) and Synchronisation(Film/Games/Ringtones/TV Etc.) Every stage (Composition, Arrangement, Recording, Mixdown and Mastering) is professionally produced and engineered which takes time and involves multiple parties. Plan ahead and make sure that everyone involved is on the same page.

Composers ‘write’ the fundamental melodies and lyrics for music to be recorded. Arrangers and Session Musicians add the ‘band elements’ to compositions, arranging/performing vocal harmonies, drums, bass, guitars and keyboards Etc.    Engineers operate studio equipment, acquire sounds and accommodate the audio needs of artists and producers. Generally speaking, Producers are all of the above and can be considered as extra band members for their time involved in artists' projects. From concept/composition, to arrangement, recording and post production, they will manage and engineer your project through to completion (either solely or with co-producers). NB! One should hire these professionals based on their previous work and familiarity with the studio being used.

This is Your Voice Productions’ way of helping you effectively shape your concept, execution and application into the modern music world.  From visual story-boarding and direction, to strategic marketing assistance and Electronic Press Kit production, we’ll help focus your creative energy!

Music Storyboarding is our way of breaking down all the elements of a composition/production before all parties agree on a track’s foundation and overall formate. This extremely time saving step also ensures that the intended tone, impact and message are all truly felt by the listener.

Most importantly, if you don’t know, ask!  Make sure everyone involved is on the same page, consult with your producers and engineers, plan ahead, be prepared and know your material. Always remember that what can be forgiven in live performance, is often brought into focus in studio. 'Feeling things out in studio' can be effective but takes time. Consider set up time, anticipate overdubs, know your lyrics by heart, provide lyrics for producers, warm up vocals beforehand, string guitars with new ‘played-in’ strings, and have a spare set ready.

After all of a song’s elements are arranged and recorded, each individual audio track is placed and processed to achieve the correct balance of sounds in relation to one another. This considers time and three dimensional space, applying levelling, stereo imaging, equalization, compression and effects Etc., before the song is Mixed Down (Exported/Rendered) to a single stereo audio file and sent to be Mastered.

Where mixing considers every channel in a multi-track recording, Mastering processes the single stereo file that has been mixed. It is the crucial final part of the production process, responsible for overall loudness, punch and clarity. Mastering is usually the difference between the ‘home studio’ and ‘international commercial studio’ quality. Most modern music is mastered to be extremely loud at the unfortunate expense of dynamics. At Your Voice Productions we maximize volume in a way that keeps dynamics intact.

The Music Industry sells Compositions, Recordings, Performances and Synchronisation of music. This is split into a Copyright in Composition (Publisher and Composer) and a Copyright in Recording (Record label and Artist) and those two copyrights generate four royalties: Mechanical (Copy and Sale of CD’s & Vinyl Etc.)New Technology (Copy and Sale of Mp3’s)Performance (Live/Public performance of music E.g. on radio, in restaurants, stadia Etc.) Synchronisation (Music synchronised to film, TV, games, hold music and ringtones Etc.)

Publishers apply a song writer’s Copyright in Composition. They promote compositions to be recorded, performed and synchronised into the many multibillion dollar sub-industries that music exists in today. They handle administration with registration/collection agencies and track royalty collection and payments.

Record Labels apply the Copyright in Recording. They pay for the right to record a composition with a signed artist, and for the recording itself. They promote the sale of recordings and sell the ‘image’ of artists to generate ticket sales for live events, as well as other merchandise.

Publicity agencies and professionals leverage and market the musical product that studios and labels produce. They are responsible for making listeners feel like they are missing out if they haven’t listened to a track, bought merchandise or tickets to a show, or watched a video on the net. From fine tuning your image, to creating radio campaigns, articles and press kits, this process is almost as important as the product itself.

NB! Learn the basics at the very least. If you know the game you can get the most out of good managers AND protect yourself against immoral ones. Agents and Managers don’t come free. They need something to work with and if you are just starting out, then having one may not be the best use of your budget right now. They are generally extroverted people whose personalities and contacts are among their biggest assets.  A Manager's first duty is to develop and protect an artist's career and interests. The take care of logistics to allow the artist to spend time creating and upgrading his/her craft. They communicate on behalf of artists, book studio sessions, arrange sponsorships and negotiate contracts/deals. They also send material to labels, managing profiles and concepts.  Agents handle publicity, communicate with radio stations and other media, book events, inviting labels and the media.

Cape Town is known for its inter-genre experimentation and musical expansion, and Your Voice Productions is proud to be a part of this movement. We specialise in modern music of a more electronic and vibrant nature, however, the experience and influence of our composers, engineers and producers span a vast selection of genres.

Please visit www.soundcloud.com/rossgabriel

We have an extensive composition and production library. Please remember that producing music is a creative and time consuming process. Please note that Instrumentals are only available for Full Production services.

By appointment onlyMondays-Thursdays: 2pm to 10pm Fridays: 2pm to 7pm

Yes, we do. These sessions are booked well in advance. Please inquire within.

Yes. We offer free consultations. All we ask is that you are serious about recording here. Please write down your questions before hand, and do your research.

Yes, please see the Studio TAB for a full list of our instruments.

Yes.

Our main focus is on delivering a musical production of great value but we offer expert assistance getting your music out there.

Yes, a lot of the engineering work begins during set up.

Currently, we are mainly set up for small-medium scale instrument multi tracking but isolated drum recording/arrangement sessions are available.

Yes, we do. Please Contact Us with your specific project details.

Yes, but conditions apply. Please inquire within.

Timelines can only be given once all the project details are known and considered. Even a well-rehearsed artist/band still has to consider performance, extra tracking and overdubs Etc., and the overall project duration is also very much dependent on the artist, genre and project type.

The studio is in the close vicinity of multiple fast food restaurants, most of whom deliver as well. You are welcome to use our facilities during breaks.

Only people directly involved in the project, are permitted to enter the studio building, and only during the booking period.

Cash and Electronic Fund Transfers are accepted. 50% of accepted quotations are to be paid before the commencement of work, and confirmation of a particular booking date. Product delivery will only take place upon final payment of the balance.

We cater to all modern high quality audio bit and sample rates. Each project includes 1 client-suggest change/edit, as well as 1 GB of allocated internet bandwidth.

Clients are responsible for acquiring the rights to any licensed material used in productions. Upon project completion of original music, signed registrations (detailing copyright ownership) will be submitted to SAMRO.

Your Voice Productions’ studio equipment is available to you during booked sessions. The point of consultations or planning sessions is to consider all the factors involved in the project, and then provide an accurate package and quote. Further third-party session musicians, extra storage media, equipment, bandwidth and client-suggested edits/processing beyond the quoted amount, are at the client’s expense.