1. Preparation and Inspiration: Where the Journey Begins
- Finding Inspiration: For Shaan, each song begins with finding a personal connection to the lyrics and melody. He often immerses himself in the theme of the song, drawing from his own experiences or emotions to bring authenticity to his voice.
- Pre-recording Rituals: Shaan has a few pre-recording rituals. Before hitting the studio, he spends hours listening to the demo version of the song, absorbing its essence. He also goes through lyrics multiple times, marking any parts he feels need extra emphasis or emotional touch.
- Mood Setting: Creating music requires Shaan to be in the right mindset. He’s known to meditate briefly before recording to focus his energy and clear his mind. He sometimes uses lighting or aroma in the studio to set a particular mood that aligns with the song’s vibe.
2. Lyric Analysis: Finding the Soul of Each Song
- Breaking Down the Lyrics: Shaan dives deep into the song’s lyrics, understanding the narrative and emotions behind every word. He believes that understanding the meaning and context of each line allows him to add an extra layer of depth to his performance.
- Creating Emotional Layers: Once he understands the story, he thinks about how to convey different emotions—whether it’s love, longing, joy, or sorrow—through subtle vocal modulations. Shaan often says, “Every song is a story, and I have to be the narrator.”
- Adding Personal Touch: Shaan adds nuances to lyrics that make each song unique. This may mean emphasizing a word or pausing briefly to let an emotion linger. It’s these tiny touches that give his songs their trademark warmth and resonance.
3. Collaboration with Composers and Sound Engineers
- Working with Composers: Shaan has collaborated with Bollywood’s biggest composers, from A.R. Rahman to Pritam. He values input from composers and actively engages in discussions on how to capture the essence of the song. He’s not shy about suggesting changes to make a song sound better, reflecting his commitment to quality.
- Sound Engineers and Mixing: While Shaan respects the expertise of sound engineers, he has a keen ear for the fine details. He often reviews the mixing process and gives feedback on how to adjust pitch or reverb, ensuring the final product sounds just right. His willingness to engage in the technical aspects demonstrates his passion for creating a polished, immersive sound.
- Collaboration Dynamics: Shaan’s respectful and collaborative attitude has earned him admiration from the music industry. His openness to new ideas and constructive feedback helps elevate each track to its fullest potential.
4. Vocal Techniques: Crafting the Perfect Sound
- Breath Control: Shaan’s breath control is one of his signature traits. He believes that how he uses his breath can make a huge difference in vocal delivery, especially in romantic ballads. His control allows him to deliver smooth, flowing vocals even in challenging compositions.
- Voice Modulation: Shaan uses modulation to bring life to his songs. Whether he’s creating a whispering effect for an intimate moment or using a powerful projection for an energetic number, he knows how to make his voice fit each mood.
- Warm-ups and Exercises: Shaan is disciplined about warming up his voice. He begins with basic scales and breathing exercises to ensure his vocal cords are prepared. This preparation helps him maintain vocal clarity throughout long recording sessions.
- Experimentation with Styles: Shaan has never shied away from experimenting with new vocal techniques. He regularly explores different singing styles, from classical to pop influences, allowing him to bring freshness to each new project.
5. Recording Process: The Heart of Production
- Multiple Takes: Shaan is known to record multiple takes, exploring different styles and emotional tones for each. He believes this helps to create the best version, with a natural flow and seamless delivery.
- Feedback and Adjustments: After each take, Shaan listens to playback with the composer and producer. He discusses any improvements that can be made, whether that means re-recording a specific verse or adding a small touch to make the song more engaging.
- Focus on Precision: Shaan is a perfectionist. He often spends hours in the studio refining each note, ensuring that his vocals are aligned with the melody and rhythm of the music. He pays close attention to details, from the pronunciation of each word to the length of each note.
6. Post-Production and Finalizing Tracks
- Reviewing the Final Mix: Once recording is complete, Shaan is actively involved in the post-production process. He listens to the final mix to ensure that all elements align with his artistic vision.
- Feedback on Instrumentation: Shaan believes in balanced sound and sometimes suggests tweaks to the background instrumentation or vocals. His involvement in this stage demonstrates his holistic approach to music creation.
- Polishing the Final Track: After the final mix is complete, Shaan insists on one last round of listening before approval. His attention to detail and commitment to quality have made him a favorite among composers and producers who seek excellence.
7. Connecting with the Audience: Live Performances as a Test of Musical Success
- Test Audience Reactions: Shaan often gauges the success of his tracks through live performances. He looks for audience reactions to understand which songs resonate the most, which helps him refine his approach to future recordings.
- Building an Emotional Connection: Live performances allow Shaan to build an emotional connection with his fans, which he believes is essential for a successful song. Observing the audience sing along to his lyrics is one of his greatest rewards as an artist.
