Sora (aka Andrea Hunt) is a singer from Calgary whose vocals call to mind Loreena McKennitt to Enya with some Sarah Brightman thrown in for measure. Her first EP, Light was recently released and will be followed in 2009 with a full length. Earlier in her career she toured with Calgary Youth Orchestra and the Calgary Fiddlers. We asked her for some tips for vocalists in the studio and on the road. We also asked about the use of vocal effects.

"My advice to singers is to record yourself PRIOR to going into a studio. Even if you only have the worst of all recording equipment, even if you just have an recordable mp3 player, you should be recording your songs, your practicing, and if you see a vocal coach, you should be recording your sessions with them. This way you actually get to know your voice," she says "It sounds crazy but we all know that the sound coming from our mouths sounds differently while we are making it, than when we listen back. Record yourself, often. Listen to these recordings and learn about your own voice. This way you start making the connection between what it feels like to produce great sound, and what it feels like to produce crappy sound, and you can begin to have consistency in your performances."

She notes that it costs a lot of money to go into a studio and that is money wasted if you spend time learning how to sing for recordings. These days there are all sorts of relatively inexpensive ways to record yourself at home prior to going into the studio. Among these would be field recorders. The Zoom H2 and H4. The former lists for $334.99 and the latter for $494.99. Realistically you can get them for around $200 and $300 respectively. Another option would be picking up a USB mic for your computer or a condenser microphone plus a portable interface like a Tascam US 122. It lists for around $269 but you can find it for a good deal less. There are a number of quality condenser microphones for less than $100 on the market.

One thing gear cannot help you with, however, is maintaining your voice. And that is the last bit of studio advice Sora has for singers going into the studio for the first time.

"Take care of your voice. Whatever you do, don't push your voice! Stop whenever you need to. Nothing is worth ruining your voice over," she says. " Drink lots of water, bring apples to munch on, and lemon ginger tea. That's my favorite."

When she toured she was playing violin so her advice is general -- but well worth heeding, regardless of the type of music.

"I think it goes without saying, that you need to be prepared for anything! Know your voice. Know your mic," says Sora. "And be courteous! Most people are more than happy to help you out [and] teach you if you approach them with an open and friendly attitude. Singers have reputations for being divas, prove that reputation wrong."

Sora does not use vocal effects in her recordings but she is also not opposed to their use.

"No, we haven't used too many effect on my voice. There is, of course, reverb added and in The Juniper, there were some effects in the oooing part. That is the technical term --'ooing'," she says. "I think vocal effects are great when they add to the voice without taking away from the inherent character of the voice. Too many singers rely on technology to produce great sound. A vocal coach is a terrific thing and I think people should be able to produce a great sound live as well as in the studio. Saying that, I think vocal effects can add something magical and very special to the recording when done right."

Although we did not ask her, I suspect she would say that there is no way to do "pitch correction" right. Learn how to sing. There are lots of effects -- from pedals to software -- that can add something to your vocals but ultimately it is your voice that counts.

"It's almost like alchemy to create that perfect balance between technology and authenticity. Sometimes the voice is one of the only "real" elements to the tracks and to me, it provides a very real and visceral connection with the audience. The human voice is inherently compelling, and amazingly intricate. Which is why I think singers need to be honing their craft outside of the studio as well as in. I like vocal effects, but then need to be grounded within the emotional message the voice is conveying."

Sora is in store for a busy summer. Recording dates loom in June (in a studio in Toronto). She is also performing with pianist, Frank Horvat at a recital he is putting on in Calgary at the Scarboro United Church on June 20. The next day Sora is performing at the Water Valley Celtic Music Festival. In July I am she appears a the Pembina River Nights Festival.

"It's an exciting time for me, and I can't wait to see what comes." she says.