"Clicks"

“Clicks”, sometimes also known as “clix”, are something we often use to help support our group singing. We record ourselves singing in isolation to either a metronome or a backing track, usually in small groups by vocal part, and these are then played back alongside the music during the show.

This allows the Musical Director and sound engineer to fine-tune the mix of voices as needed, as well as giving us more confidence in some numbers.

What happens?

We’ll set up a space – usually (but not always) the Community Centre – with individual areas for each part to be recorded. Each of these will have a microphone, and connectors for headphones. You should expect there to be a significant amount of cabling in the middle of the room, so it’s safer to keep around the outside.

Head to the appropriate spot (the Musical Director will let you know which group to start at), and plug your headphones in.

The Musical Director will let you know which parts of which numbers are being sung. This may be as simple as a single take with everyone singing together, or may be several takes to isolate things as needed. You may also be asked to move between different microphones.

Recording session tips

Before we start

  • It helps if you can bring a pair of headphones (either in-ear or over-ear is fine) with a 3.5mm jack connector. If you don’t have any then don’t worry, we have some spares.
  • Try to arrive early, so you have enough time to find your spot and arrange your things.
  • Bring a bottle of water, you’ll be doing a lot of singing.
  • Make sure you have your music prepared, including any notes of when you start or stop singing.

During the recordings

  • Pay attention to the Musical Director for instructions.
  • When you’re singing, be as loud as you would on stage. Microphones can only pick up what they can hear.
  • Keep as quiet as you can when you’re not singing during a take to reduce background noise.
  • Don’t worry if you make a mistake. The worst thing you can do is comment on it during a take as this will undoubtedly ruin it, so just keep quiet (no matter how annoyed you are) and come back in at an appropriate point in the number.

After the recordings

  • If you know what you’re doing, help with tidying away the equipment is always appreciated by the sound engineer.