ACAPELLA Production
Human voices. Cinematic scale.
Impact Recording Studios is widely known for the genre of acapella, with full, explosive arrangements and mixes that push the boundaries of what the human voice is capable of creating. These productions done by Ethon Dorrity push the illusion of instruments, guitars, powerful drums when it is in fact completely the human voice.
Understanding how the right mixing engineer can make or break the sound of a good arrangement is imperative to a high quality arrangement. The example below is the result of "The Cinematic Release Package".
Acapella (or A Capella) is one of the most complex forms of music to record/mix. A lot of factors have drastically different outcomes on the final mix/master. One acapella group might want to have all the voices blend together seamlessly into one sound, while another might want every part to be distinct, or separate from the rest of the group. One group might want a powerful beatbox section, and another might want it to blend in similar to barbershop acapella. Rhythm and Pitch correction for Acapella must be dead on or it sounds jumbled.
Producing a finished Acapella mix/recording is done in three stages. The first is rhythm and pitch correction, which is the most difficult and time-consuming part of the process. The second is the mixing process, where volumes are balanced, and effects are put in place to enhance the sound. The third is the mastering process, which is the final stage in audio production before distribution.
Our Mixing/Mastering Engineer Ethon Dorrity has special training in Acapella and has worked with and associated with Acapella groups such as Vocalocity, Backtrack Vocals, some members of Eclipse 6, Ethon's own group Voice Metric, and completed pre-production for several pieces mixed by Ed Boyer. Dorrity is known for his explosive, full sounding mixes in acapella, giving the illusion of a full band performing when it is in fact, just vocals and beatboxing.
Mixing packages listed on the Mixing page do not apply to Acapella, as the process is different.
Below are a few example recordings of Ethon's acapella mixes, as well as a few beatbox solos by esteemed beatboxer Franco Barbiero.
Rhythm
& Pitch
This service corrects and perfects the rhythm and pitch curves of an entire Acapella recording.
Mixing
This service is done after rhythm and pitch correction is done, including adding effects, panning, and balancing volumes. (This is ONLY done after rhythm & pitch correction is applied)
Mastering
This service is the final stage in audio production getting ready to distribute, including limiting, maximizing, and other forms of editing and exporting into the correct format.