How to Collaborate with Session Singers: A Comprehensive Guide (Part 1/5)

Find top platforms for hiring session singers and get prepared for you collaboration.

Alex Harper

14 Aug 2024 • 7 min read

What is a Session Singer?

A session singer, also known as a studio vocalist, is a professional singer hired to perform vocal tracks for a variety of music projects. Session singers do not typically join a band or group as a permanent member. Instead, they collaborate on a project-by-project basis, bringing their vocal abilities to recordings, live performances, and other musical ventures as needed.

A session singer's role can encompass a broad range of genres and styles, requiring versatility and adaptability. They are often called upon to perform background vocals, lead vocals, harmonies, or even imitate the vocal style of other artists. The work can involve recording in studios, performing live on stage, or even contributing to commercial jingles and film soundtracks.

Session singers are hired for a variety of reasons and contexts, such as:

Recording Studios: For album cuts, demos, soundtracks, and commercials.
Live Performances: As backing vocalists or to fill in for absent band members.
Commercial Work: Including jingles, voice-over work, and other advertising needs.
Special Projects: Such as tribute albums, charity singles, or collaborative tracks with artists who need additional vocal support.

What do session singers do?

Session singers are professional vocalists hired to perform during recording sessions for various projects such as albums, advertisements, movies, TV shows, and more. Their roles can vary significantly depending on the demands of the project. Here are some of the primary responsibilities and tasks that session singers typically undertake:

Recording Vocals: One of the main tasks is recording lead or backing vocals for songs. This could involve singing entire tracks or contributing harmonies, ad-libs, and other vocal layers.
Reading Music: Session singers often need to read sheet music or interpret chord charts accurately. They may be required to sight-read and perform without extensive rehearsal time.
Vocal Arrangement Contribution: Many session singers assist in creating vocal arrangements. They might suggest harmonies, melodies, or other stylistic changes to enhance the track.
Versatility: They must be adaptable across various genres, such as pop, rock, jazz, classical, R&B, and more. Versatility allows them to work on a wider range of projects.
Studio Etiquette: Professionalism in the studio is crucial. This includes being punctual, responsive to feedback, and maintaining a positive working relationship with producers and other musicians.

"Working with a skilled session singer can transform a simple track into a polished piece."

Quick Learning: Session singers often work in time-sensitive environments. They must learn new music quickly and be able to deliver high-quality performances on short notice.
Vocal Techniques: Mastery of various vocal techniques, such as vibrato, falsetto, and extended vocal ranges, allows them to meet the specific needs of different tracks.
Emotion Conveyance: In addition to technical skill, they must convey the emotion and story of the song through their voice. This can be crucial for film and commercial work where the vocal delivery impacts the overall effectiveness of the project.
Language Proficiency: Occasionally, session singers may be required to sing in different languages, adding another layer to their skill set.

Session singers contribute significantly to the music industry by enhancing the quality and diversity of musical productions. Their flexibility and adaptability ensure that both independent artists and major labels can deliver polished, professional-grade material tailored to their specific needs. The hidden heroes of many hit records, session singers embody the voice behind the scenes, providing the vocal prowess that brings music to life.

Top Platforms for Hiring Session Singers

To find the right session singer for your song project, several online platforms cater to various needs, genres, and budgets. Alternatively, you can choose an AI vocal generator like ACE Studio. ACE Studio offers dozens of professional AI singers in various styles, capable of synthesizing high-quality AI vocals from MIDI and lyrics. You can even customize your own AI voice for use in your music projects.

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Here are some of the best options:

SoundBetter
- Overview: A leading platform with over 20,000 professional vocalists across genres.
- Features: User-friendly interface, extensive filtering options, and a review system to assess singers’ past work.
- Cost: Prices range from $100 to over $2000 depending on the vocalist's experience and project requirements.
AirGigs
- Overview: Popular for hiring professional singers specializing in various genres.
- Features: In-depth profiles, audio samples, and a direct messaging system for clear communication before hiring.
- Cost: Varies widely based on the singer and project specifics.
Musiversal
- Overview: Offers remote vocal recording sessions with a focus on collaboration.
- Features: Vocalists discuss your vision and provide multiple takes, with high-fidelity audio files delivered post-session.
- Cost: Subscription model available for unlimited sessions, plus additional services like mixing and mastering.
Fiverr
- Overview: A versatile freelance marketplace where you can find singers for various budgets.
- Features: Wide range of vocalists, but quality can vary; it's essential to review profiles and ratings.
- Cost: Typically starts around $5, but more experienced vocalists may charge significantly more.
Supreme Tracks
- Overview: Focuses on high-quality vocal recordings from top session singers, particularly in New York and Nashville.
- Features: Offers a satisfaction guarantee and royalty-free options.
- Cost: Generally around $185 for lead vocals, with discounts for multiple songs.
Vocalizr
- Overview: A platform dedicated to connecting producers with vocalists for collaboration.
- Features: Allows you to post projects and receive bids from singers, facilitating a collaborative environment.
- Cost: Varies based on the singer and project specifics.
ACE Studio
- Overview: A desktop app that can generate vocals from various pro AI vocalists by typing MIDI&Lyrics.
- Features: Dozens of high-quality AI singers available 24/7, highly editable, highly controllable, and royalty-free.
- Cost: Unlimited AI vocal generation begin with $22 per month.

📌As you embark on your journey to collaborate with session singers, consider exploring additional resources to enhance your music production experience. GuitarRec is an excellent option, offering an online recording studio with comprehensive music production services and session musicians for composers and artists worldwide.

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned professional, platforms like GuitarRec can provide the support and expertise needed to bring your musical projects to life.

Preparing for Collaboration

Effective collaboration with session singers requires thorough preparation. By laying the groundwork properly, one can ensure smooth and productive sessions. (However, if you use ACE Studio's AI singers, none of the following preparations are needed. You can freely experiment with different AI singer styles and arrangements in ACE Studio, exploring various inspirations without having to decide in advance.)

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Understanding Project Requirements: Clearly define the project scope and the specific role of the session singer. Determine the genre, style, and vocal range required. This allows for targeting the right talent and ensures alignment with the project's musical objectives.
Budgeting and Contracts: Set a realistic budget for the session singer's fee, factoring in studio time and any additional costs. Draft a comprehensive contract outlining payment terms, the extent of use for the recorded material, and other legal particulars. This protects both parties and sets clear expectations.
Selecting the Right Singer: Use platforms such as music forums, social media, and professional sites like SoundBetter or Fiverr to discover potential session singers. Review their portfolios, listen to samples, and consider their experience and versatility. Scheduling auditions or meetings can further aid in making the best choice.
Providing Necessary Materials:
- Sheet Music and Lyrics: Supply accurate sheet music and lyrics well in advance. This affords the session singer ample time to familiarize themselves with the material.
- Demos: Include vocal or instrumental demos to provide a sense of the desired outcome. This guides the session singer in achieving the intended sound.
Technical Preparations:
- Recording Equipment: Ensure high-quality recording equipment is available. This includes microphones, headphones, interfaces, and mixing consoles. The setup should facilitate a seamless recording process, whether in a professional studio or remotely.
- Software Setup: Familiarize with and have the necessary DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) installed and configured. This allows efficient editing and sharing of files during the collaboration.
Communication and Scheduling:
- Initial Meeting: Arrange an initial meeting to discuss the project vision, schedule, and any logistical details. This fosters a mutual understanding and builds rapport.
- Ongoing Updates: Maintain open lines of communication. Regular updates on progress and any changes in the project scope ensure everyone remains on the same page.

By adhering to these preparation steps, the overall collaboration process becomes more fluid and productive.

How to Collaborate with Session Singers: A Comprehensive Guide