AES (Audio Engenering Society)
London, UK, April 2011
‘What Every Sound Engineer Should Know about the Voice’ Cathrine Sadolin, Julian McGlashan, Adrian Fourcin, Eddy B. Brixen, Mikkel Nyman workshop

Abstract workshop:
What every sound engineer should know about the voice

Chair:
Eddy Bøgh Brixen, EBB-consult, Denmark, TC-MA and TC-AF

Panel:
Cathrine Sadolin, Complete Vocal Institute, Denmark
Julian McGlashan, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen’s Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals, UK
Adrian Fourcin, Department of Phonetics and Linguistics University College, London, UK
Mikkel Nymand, Timbre Music / DPA Microphones, Denmark

The purpose of this workshop is to teach sound engineers how to listen to the voice before they even think of microphone picking and knob-turning.

The presentation and demonstrations are based on the “Complete Vocal Technique” (CVT) where the fundamental is the classification of all human voice sounds into one of four vocal modes named Neutral, Curbing, Overdrive and Edge. The classification is used by professional singers within all musical styles, and has in a period of 20 years proved easy to grasp in both real life situations and also in auditive and visual tests (sound examples and laryngeal images/ Laryngograph waveforms). These vocal modes are found in the speaking voice as well.

The four vocal modes does not only sound and look differently, they are also subject to different rules to secure healthy voice production. What is helpful in one mode may cause voice trouble in another. When singers/speakers respect the rules of the modes, and combine them with elements such as Sound Colours and Effects they can produce all sounds in a healthy way.

Cathrine Sadolin, the developer of CVT, will involve the audience in this workshop, while explaining and demonstrating how to work with the modes in practise to achieve any sound and solve many different voice problems like unintentional vocal breaks, too much or too little volume, hoarseness and much more.

Julian McGlashan will demonstrate laryngograph waveforms.

Mikkel Nymand will explain essential parameters in the recording chain – especially the microphone – to ensure reliable and natural recordings.