Your Virtual Project Guide

Select your repertoire.

We’re so excited to help you get started with your virtual recording! The hardest part is sometimes just knowing where to begin: What repertoire should I choose?

We’ve put together some quick tips on selecting repertoire that will make it easier for your ensemble to coordinate virtually and will sound best in the final product. These tips get a group closer to sounding like they would in a live concert setting and generally ensures our editing time isn’t eaten up by synchronization needs, meaning there will be more time at the end of the edit for your revision comments to be incorporated.

As a general tip, select repertoire that is slightly under the group’s ability level. When factoring in the many additional challenges presented when recording alone and virtually, it’s best to avoid ‘stretch’ pieces.

Questions? If you are unsure about a piece, send us an email with your score and reference audio. We have expert performers and teachers on our staff who can help set you up for success by advising what repertoire will get you closest to your truest group sound.

Download "Tips and Tricks for Selecting Virtual Repertoire"

Submit your reference materials.

“Reference Materials” refers to ALL materials we need from you before we can begin creating a Guide Video for your group to use to record along to. Your project manager will send you a Dropbox link where you will upload all of your reference materials. Send us a note when they are all in, and we can start creating your Guide Video!

At a minimum, necessary Reference Materials include:

the reference audio or video used to make your guide video*
A PDF of the score
Optional: a conducting video to overlay on the reference audio for the performers to watch while recording

*Please note that our standard service includes pieces up to 5 minutes in length. If it exceeds 5 minutes, there is an additional fee. Check with your Project Manager for pricing details.

You will need to provide us with a Reference Audio. You might find your favorite reference audio through:

YouTube link
Your own ensemble’s archival recording
Accompaniment tracks
Professionally-made / purchased tracks such as backing tracks or choir-part bundles from JW Pepper (please discuss with Project Manager prior to submitting files)

Representatives from your ensemble (please discuss with Project Manager prior to recording)
In some instances we can accept reference audio from SmartMusic. Contact your PM and our Guides Team for instructions on how to do this and get information on what audio is required.
Some MIDI reference audio is usable, but it must be in wav/mp3 format and usually with a clicktrack. Check with our PM and Guides Team prior to submitting.

We do NOT accept silent conducting videos (must be performed with reference audio audible and clear).

You may also include a score or lyrics in your Guide Video, charged at our hourly rate of $100/hour.

Your Reference Audio format should be in .wav format if possible for the highest quality. Other acceptable formats:

Mp3
Aiff
Flac
Mp4
Mov
Some other video formats

Arts Laureate creates your Guide Video.

A Guide Video is a video we create for your performers to record along to. This can be a single video or part-predominant videos depending on the needs of the ensemble. These are created using the reference materials you submit to us. Guide Videos are uploaded to YouTube by Arts Laureate, and all performers use the same YouTube link as their performance reference. This ensures everyone listens to the exact same audio at the same playback speed, regardless of device type. The Guide Video is included in your project (no extra fee)."*

*Note that it is required for bands, orchestras, and organ-only accompaniment guides to also have a full metronome click track. The fee for this is $100. This is overlaid on your reference audio so that the Guide Video sounds like the reference audio + a metronome click track. A click track is always encouraged, as our most successful projects are those in which an ensemble recorded to a click track. It is highly recommended that large choral groups (~50+) utilize our click track option.

FAQ

Can I make my own Guide?

A few directors ask if they can make their own guide tracks/guide videos/click tracks. If you create your own guide, we require that this be submitted to Arts Laureate prior to any performers recording to the guide to ensure it is compatible with our software.

In general, groups who make their own guide tracks tend to need extra alignment edits in post production which takes away from the time we could spend in review/revisions with you. It is generally more cost effective to proceed with a full click track at $100 from Arts Laureate if you prefer to have more editing time available at the end of the audio review process for you to send feedback or other notes.

What’s included in my Guide Video?

The Guide Video format is as follows:

An introductory clap count off that asks all performers to clap on beat 4. This ensures we know where a performer’s video begins in relation to the start of the piece and increases the likelihood that we can get a good sync.
An introductory slide to prepare you for the start of the piece.
A title slide which says your ensemble name and the name of the piece
The reference audio will play.
An outro slide reminding performers to hold their pose so their video doesn’t cut out too soon
A final slide letting performers know it’s okay to stop the video recording now

Do I have to have a metronome click track in my Guide Video?

Click tracks are required at $100 per click track for orchestras and bands.

Click tracks are required at $100 per click track for pieces that have organ accompaniment as the reference/guide audio (such as organ and choir).

It is not required for most vocal ensembles, but we strongly encourage full click tracks for all pieces, as this has proven to lead to the most successful and time efficient option later down the editing pipeline. Our best virtual performances have been with groups that use full click tracks. We strongly encourage large choirs in particular to use a click track (~50+ performers).

How do we use the Guide Video?

Please refer to www.virtualchoir.net/recordinginstructions for details on how to use our Guide Videos to record and how to upload submissions to Dropbox.

How much does a click track cost?

Click tracks are $100, up to five minutes of music. Get in touch with a Project Manager to get a quote for pieces exceeding five minutes in length.