How to record The Deer Rising (Group 2)
Please note that these instructions are for members of the London and Manchester groups. If you are part of the Newcastle or Teesside groups please click here, and if you are part of the Nottingham group please click here.
Thank you for taking part our digital project The Deer Rising. In this page we will explain how to record your voice part.
Here are some things you need to know:
- After following the steps below you will have recorded an audio file of yourself singing.
- You need to listen to a backing track while you record, but it is very important that the recording you submit does not include any audio from the backing track. Make sure to wear headphones so we can only hear your voice.
- The deadline to submit your recording is 10:00pm on Sunday 16 May 2021.
Step 1 – Familiarise yourself with the lyrics
You do not have to learn them by heart because the backing track video displays the lyrics. But it is worth reading them out loud at least a couple of times so the singing comes more naturally when you are recording.
Hear my life come back to me.
Hear my life come back to me.
Hear my life come back to me.
Drops of rain on my face,
Softly helping me.
Dripping down from the brambles now
I can see the sun slowly rising up.
A new day begins, a new day begins
A new day begins for me.
A new day begins, a new day begins
A new day begins for me.
[ Body percussion:
Chest,
Chest, clap
Chest, chest
Click, click ]
Rising up.
Feeling strong.
Rising up.
Feeling strong.
So strong.
I can see life waking around me.
I can see and hear the day starting.
Trying to rise up, I’m wobbly, but strong.
I am the dew rising off the ground.
Blinded by the sun shining in my eyes.
I blink and refocus,
A warm and gentle awakening.
I’ve been reborn, happy to be alive.
I’ve been reborn, happy to be alive.
Trying to rise up, I’m wobbly, but strong.
I am the dew rising off the ground.
Trying to rise up, I’m wobbly, but strong.
I am the dew rising off the ground.
Blinded by the sun shining in my eyes.
I blink and refocus,
A warm and gentle awakening.
I’ve been reborn, happy to be alive.
I’ve been reborn, happy to be alive.
Hear my life come back to me.
Hear my life come back to me.
Step 2 – Practice and learn the song
Use this learning track to practise the song at least a couple of times before you record.
Step 3 – Set up your recording device
You may be able to record on your phone or tablet, or on your home computer. Please click the options below for instructions.
Step 4 – Choose the best location
Ideally you want a place that is quiet, where you will not be interrupted. We prefer you do this indoors, as doing it outside might also capture the sounds of other people, traffic, birds and other animals, and wind.
If possible, you want to choose a room that is not too echoey, ideally with furniture, clothes or soft surfaces that will absorb any echo. A good tip is to take a clothes hanger or rack, hang some towels or bed sheets from it, and place it in front of you while you record. Here are some photos of how people set up their home studios to get the cleanest audio.
Step 5 – Choose the best time for recording
Do the recording at a time when you know you won’t be interrupted and you won’t be in a hurry. Also, ideally when noise from outside will be minimal.
Before you start to record, pay attention to any noises in the room or coming from outside. Is there a loud appliance on, is there the noise of traffic or a passing train? Maybe wait a bit until the noise passes and then record.
Step 6 – Get your phone or tablet ready
Make sure your device has enough battery or it is plugged in to a power source. If you are using a phone, you might want to set it to Do Not Disturb or Turn Off Notifications, so that you are not interrupted by a phone call or a message. Remember to deactivate these options once you’ve finished your recording.
It would be best if you do not hold your device in your hand while you sing. Instead, rest it on a stable surface with the microphone pointing to your mouth.
Step 7 – Queue up the backing track
Get ready to play the backing track while you record.
Make sure to practise at least a couple of times just singing along to the backing track so that you know what to expect once you are recording.
Step 8 – Record your part
You are now ready to record yourself singing The Deer Rising.
IMPORTANT TIP – At the beginning of the backing track you will hear 8 clicks. Clap along to them while you are recording. This will allow us to sync all the recordings we receive.
Depending on the device/s you are using, click on the options below for further instructions.
Step 9 – Check your recording
Listen to your recording to make sure you are happy with your singing, that there isn’t too much background noise and that the recording is complete.
If you think it needs improvements, feel free to try again. You can submit up to two recordings and we will make sure to use the best bits from each one when we are mixing the audio tracks.
Step 10 – Send your recording to Streetwise Opera
If you used Voice Record Pro, we would prefer you send your recording via email as a password protected link. We explain how to do this from 06:46 in this tutorial.
If you are using a home studio or a professional recorder, just forward your audio file to Streetwise Opera at info@streetwiseopera.org.
You will not receive an automatic email notification confirming we have received your recording. But we will monitor emails regularly and write back confirming we have your recording as soon as possible.
Remember, if you have any questions or need additional help, please get in touch with Rey Trombetta at rt@streetwiseopera.org.
