Hip Hop Vocals + General Production Practices.

[isa215]

I'm interested as to how a typical vocal session might work. Most of my experiences/exposure have been with less well-established ('underground' for want of a better word!) artists - but I'm curious as to recording practices for more established artists (ie larger production budget!)

Do sessions and general production follow the 'conventional' pattern of pre-production->tracking sessions, overdubs->mix-> mastering - or is it far more fluid and less strictly defined? (certainly my limited experience indicates there's far less distinction due to the fact that most of the work is done in one studio)
Is there a lot of vocal comp-ing (many takes and then piece together in protools)? double tracking?
Typical mics? (obviously varies with MC/vocalist but wondered if there was a particular favourite/popular combo) - ample compression?

[XHipHop]

Have you by any chance seen Jay-Z's Fade to Black DVD? I think the studio shots really give you a good glimpse of how a "professional" should be in the studio.

I'll get back in a few days with some of my experiences.

[isa215]

Thanks man - I'll check it out.
Just found the link to that Pharrell production video - downloading now

[rickrock305]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

Have you by any chance seen Jay-Z's Fade to Black DVD? I think the studio shots really give you a good glimpse of how a "professional" should be in the studio.

I'll get back in a few days with some of my experiences.

that was a great DVD. some very inspiring footage in there. Highly recommended