Studio Vocal Production

Program Overview

Studio Vocal Production

Program Overview

pointblank's Studio Vocal Production course is a deep dive into professional vocal production techniques. You’ll build on your current knowledge by exploring specialist recording methods such as comping and looping, pitch correction, vocal effects and many more. You’ll also study vocal track editing, studio vocal techniques and develop communication skills through collaborations with live vocalists to make sure you know how to get the best takes from your singers and place them comfortably in the mix.

Key Info

• Duration: 1 Term
• Start Dates: Jul 2025, Oct 2025, Jan 2026, Apr 2026, Jul 2026, Oct 2026, Jan 2027, Apr 2027, Oct 2027, Jan 2028
• Timetable: One 4-hour class each week for 10 weeks. Daytime, evening & weekend slots available.

Courses

Studio Vocal Production

This course will give you a deep dive into vocal production techniques to get your best performances onto your tracks. Build on your sound engineering knowledge by exploring specialist vocal hardware and recording techniques. To create a polished professional vocal performance we'll look at timing and pitch correction. Through collaboration you'll develop communication and editing skills to get great takes and learn how to process your vocals to put them right where you want them in the mix.

• Vocal Recording Techniques
• Vocal Microphones and Preamps
• Editing & Comping Techniques
• Vocal EQ & Dynamic Processing
• FX for Voice
• Compression and Processing to Tape
• Creative and Corrective Auto-Tuning
• Correcting Vocal Timing and Synch
• Communication and Getting the Best Out of the Performer
• Re-triggering & Re-sampling
• Ensemble Recording

Expert Instructors

• Carol de Leon: Singing
  • Grammy Award winner Carol de Leon has bachelor's and master's degrees in voice performance from UC Riverside and CSU Northridge and deep experience as a recording artist, choir director, and singing instructor.
• Mitch Kaplan: Singing
  • An award-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist, Mitchell Kaplan has worked as a producer, songwriter, and musical director with such iconic luminaries as Sandra Bernhard, Ana Gasteyer and Cady Huffman. His songs have been performed or recorded by artists such as Chaka Khan, Thelma Houston, Sister Sledge, Sam Harris, and Martika and his songs have appeared in films such as Jonathan Demme’s “Something Wild”. His song “If I Travel Up” is the end credit song for the documentary film “Studio One Forever”.

Career Opportunities

Following a few difficult years of the pandemic, the music industry is now in a period of rebuilding (14% bigger in 2022 compared to 2021) meaning that there are more opportunities than ever to forge a new career as a vocal performer. A renewed interest in gigs, festivals as well as more productions and sync work means that there are lots of options to establish a range of exciting careers in vocals, composing or engineering in the studio or live.

• Perform: Vocalist
• Write: Songwriter
• Produce: Vocal Producer
• Write: Lyricist
• Perform: Artist/Performer
• Arrange: Composer
• Manage: Artist Manager
• Direct: Musical Director
• Compose: Vocal Arranger
• Coach: Vocal Coach

FAQ

• Are there any admission requirements?
  • Admission into any college-level program at pointblank requires that the prospective student:
    • Be 18 years of age or older (under age 18 may be accepted only with signed parental consent)
    • Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent
    • Be provided a current pointblank Music School Catalog
    • Sign a School Performance Fact Sheet and an Enrollment Agreement for their program
• What equipment do I need to buy?
  • None at all! Every pointblank student has access to their own fully-equipped workstation in class and during their practical studio work outside of class time. If you decide to purchase equipment for your own home studio, we will be happy to help you arrange student discounts from our leading industry partners including Apple, Ableton, Pioneer, Native Instruments, Serato, Izotope, Waves, and more.
• When are the classes scheduled?
  • For most 10-week courses within in this program, classes meet once per week for 4 hours (with a 15-minute break included) at one of the following session times:
    • 10:00am – 2:00pm (Morning Session)
    • 2:30pm – 6:30pm (Afternoon Session)
    • 7:00pm – 11:00pm (Evening Session)
  • Musicianship and instrumental courses meet once per week for 2 hours each at similar times. Some programs contain up to 3 or 4 courses per quarter, so check the "Key Info" section on each program page to see how many classes you'll be attending each week. Classes are scheduled before the start of each quarter; call for the most up-to-date information on scheduling and class availability. Our facilities are also open for student use six to seven days a week (depending on the quarterly course schedule), giving you valuable studio time to make your music and reinforce your new skills outside of class sessions.
• Do you provide student housing?
  • Our students have many options for housing accommodations near pointblank Los Angeles. Please visit our Student Accommodation page or Contact an Admissions Advisor for more info.
• I work full time. Can I enroll?
  • Yes. Classes are usually available in the evening and on weekends, and we will be happy to arrange a class schedule that works around your other professional commitments. Please check with an Admissions Advisor to see what scheduling options are available by calling or by completing the Contact Us form.
• I'm an international student. Can I enroll?
  • International students have different options for attending pointblank classes depending on their country of origin. These include the B2 visitor visa, the ESTA visa waiver program, and more. We do not offer F or M student visas at this time.
  • Further information for international students can be found here on our International Students USA page. Please call or contact us for assistance.
• Help! My question is not answered here.
  • If you have further questions, please contact an Admissions Advisor or call us directly at . You may also review the pointblank Music School Catalog for complete information about our programs and policies.