Composition
UCA has two professional composers, Radha Sahar and David Antony Clark, who are regularly contracted to write original songs or instrumental music for special projects. We are also contracted to compose music beds for stories or other spoken audio. Sometimes clients require a stirring theme song or anthem; at other times a selection of action songs or ‘sing-along’ numbers. When not working on contracts and commissions, we are busy creating original music albums for the UCA label.
Song Creation
Sometimes we start with the lyrics, other times with the music, and sometimes we develop the music and lyrics together.
A basic outline of the composition and arrangement is programmed on Sonar, our music sequencing software. We may then employ session musicians to lay down the live tracks. Usually we invite musicians’ input and improvisation so the piece also benefits from their personal strengths and creativity. Occasionally the musicians are asked to play from a written score.
The next stage is to record guide vocals, do a rough mix then send this, together with the song lyrics, to the singers – adults & children. We have a pool of professional session singers, so it is simply a matter of choosing those whose vocal styles best suit particular songs. We record several takes of the lead vocals so that we can later edit them, combining the best sections, fine tuning and ‘cleaning up’ the track. We multi-track the choruses, ensuring that everyone is in tune, then mix and master the chosen tracks.
Other Work
- Consultancy. We are sometimes paid to advise artists, writers or performers planning or working on their own children’s albums. Government departments also consult us or contract us regarding educational resources for preventative health, safety, conservation, etc. David, our engineer and technical manager is also consulted about technical issues and processes.
- General studio work. Clients also employ us to re-work, edit, ‘clean up,’ remix or re-compile their own material, to do field-recording work or to transfer a recording from one format to another. We’re often required to make quality MP3 files, to record voice-overs or to hire the studio to record another musician’s or composer’s songs.
- Mastering. David, UCA’s sound engineer, is highly skilled at mastering; the client provides a finished mix and the mastering process brings it to its optimum sound. Good mastering is the difference between an album with the ‘x’ factor and one without. Mastering also optimises the CD's ‘loudness’ and sets all technical process in place for the successful manufacture of the CD.
Design & Duplication
We hire professional designers to design our album covers. Rimshot Productions designs our new titles and the final designs are checked with Flax Creative, the UCA brand designers. We then contract either Stebbings or Amstore to manufacture our CDs. We sometimes refer our own clients to Amstore or arrange duplication for them since we do not duplicate CDs ourselves.
Activity Notes
We create Activity Notes for an increasing number of our albums. These are usually 10– 6 A4 page books containing song lyrics and ideas of how to use the music. The activity notes, available as free downloads on our website, are welcomed by teachers & parents.
Creative Partnerships
UCA has experience working in partnerships to co-create exciting new products. For example, UCA produced the music for Time for Dancing; two CD's and a DVD. We attended the children’s dance classes, timing the children’s movements so we could compose music at the right tempos for young dancers. After consulting closely with the dance teachers, we adjusted already recorded tracks and completed new compositions. Both parties worked on the contract, agreeing on copyright ownership, territories and prices then the product was successfully launched.
We also work with organisations to produce compilation CD's of UCA songs for fundraising purposes or to promote a cause or programme. For example the Junk to Funk compilation accompanies a Teachers Treasures book implementing the creative ‘trash-to-fashion’ programme in schools.
Last Updated: September 18, 2007