Let's hear it for the girls! I am a female producer, vocalist, songwriter and mix engineer. Let's give some life to that project of yours. We will take all the drama out of the process and pump it straight into the track. Ready, set, go!
Ever wanted to work with a female producer? Check this out. Women perceive sound different from men. This means, as an experienced female producer, I can bring you a unique sound that hits the ear just a little different-in a good way. My goal is to collaborate and help you bring your vision to life without all the techy talk. Just give me a voice memo and a few references and I can take your song from an idea to something tangible and competitive. I am a multi-instrumentalist (I have a music degree) and have a huge network of session musicians in LA and Nashville.
Got a track already? I’m also a trained vocalist. I specialize in Lead, BGV, harmonies/stacking and toplining. While I am versatile, if you want 90s fem-rock, I am 100% your girl. You will get a high degree of responsiveness and professionalism with me. I consider your project more than a gig.
Click “Contact” and let’s make some magic happen!
Pricing varies by project, but starts at:
Production: Depends on project
Mixing: $300
Mastering: $40
Lead Vocal: $200
Background Vocal: $70
Songwriting/Topline: contact for pricing/royalty
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Languages
- English
7 Reviews
Endorse Kimberly Shires- check_circleVerified
Kimberly did an awesome job arranging background vocals for one of my songs. Very quick turnaround.
Kimberly Shires is a Swiss-army knife of musical talent, from songwriting, to singing, to producing and mixing and general sensibility, all which I've benefited from first hand. She's produced 3 songs for me, and was cognizant of my vision every time while elevating the music with her own creative sense, staying sensitive to what I wanted for the song. They all turned out fantastic. and I can't wait to do more with her.
I have always valued Kimberly's professionalism as a songwriter, vocalist, musician, and collaborator. She is willing to take direction or to offer her advice and suggestions in order to meet the needs of a song. She delivers quality performances within technical specifications and productions deadlines. Any project she is a part of benefits from her involvement and I'm looking forward to working with her again soon.
I have produced numerous songs on which Kim sung background vocals. Each time it was a breeze to work with her. She not only knows how to blend her voice well but she knows the recording process and is great at working remotely. She comps her own vocals and tunes them professionally, which makes my job as a producer much easier. She is a pleasure to work with...a consummate professional.
I have collaborated with pro vocalist and musician Kimberly Shires on several recent music projects. Kim is a consummate music professional with an appealing combination of talent, reliability, and an attention to detail. She delivers spot-on lead and background vocal tracks for every session in which she is involved. She has an innate ability to provide just the right vocal parts to fit the track, which is obviously due to the combination of her intuitive musical sense and experience honing her craft. I would absolutely recommend Kimberly Shires to track vocals on your upcoming project!
I’ve had the privilege of working with Kimberly on several different songs and projects over the past two years. She’s an intuitive writer, an incisive editor, and a reliable communicator. Her voice is as dynamic as it is expressive, shifting depending on what the song needs, and I’m particularly impressed with her quick turnaround on gangs/BGVs. If you’re considering hiring her, do it! You will be very pleased with her work and her process.
I recently collaborated with Kimberly on a up-tempo pop original Christmas song. She was super easy to work with - creative, responsive, a good communicator and excellent vocalist. Her range is mainly alto. Rich tone. She also has a good instinct for accompanying backing vocals.
Interview with Kimberly Shires
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently produced several songs from one of my best friends hard drive graveyard. She liked the songs but they were not consistency with her brand so she never pursued them. I gave them a life and pursued sync licensing opportunities for them. I'm so proud of the project because it gave her chills when we listened together in my studio. I gave these songs purpose and they are damn beautiful.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Do I think the song sounds finished? I compare it to the thickness of the reference and discuss any differences with the client, make adjustments and help them feel confident. When to "call it" can be the hardest part.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is your budget, timeline, expected outcome and references. I will probe to gain a better understanding of the outcome. We will have a conversation.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a good idea of the outcome you are looking for and be open minded.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A generator, acoustic guitar, mic to capture all those glorious sounds, laptop, interface (we are assuming all the chords are included right?)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been a musician my entire life and I pursued a degree in music. I pursued a business career however so I am pretty strategic and intentional in all of my actions, which spills into music. I started out as a session vocalist but realized my real passion and talent lay in production. I have a sizeable catalog and I am represented by a number of boutique libraries/agencies.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Blended.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Hozier. He's a babe. Just kidding. No, I'm not. But seriously, listen to his production. I am in absolute awe of the way he uses background vocals. It is so rich and powerful. I like big sounds. Ain't gonna lie.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie pop, bedroom pop, rock and blue eyed soul
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I am good at hearing through the frequency spectrum. I have a strong intuition for where everything should sit. This also transfers to vocal work and creating harmonies and stacks.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A woman's ear! Sort of kidding. Did you know that woman hear differently? We actually perceive and use sound in our own unique way, which can deliver something fresh in a male dominated industry. I'm also terrible at naming techy things like serial numbers. This is good. Hear me out. I'm really focused on does it work? Does it sound great? Am I giving both of us chills? Did I actually make myself cry in the middle of it? That's how we know we are making greatness. Screw the serial number ;0)
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Production: I talk with the client to understand their values and vision and what they like and don't like in various references. I then study the reference and map out the structure and instrumentation and discuss it with the client and realign as needed. I then map it out into the DAW to create a template. I create a mono and dry arrangement first and make sure that sounds great (ie high quality recording and good use of frequency spectrum), once the client is happy with the arrangement, I do a levels mix and then start adding processing where needed. I have a less is more approach as I believe a great track is working with great source material. Vocals: I first gain stage and ensure correct mic placement. I typically record multi-takes section by section and use the takes for comping. I record dry to get the best quality raw sound. I create doubles for chorus leads and all BGV and harmonies. I will create lead doubles on request. When recording harmonies and doubles I will drop "s" "k" and other semblance and plosives so they do not overwhelm when compressed. I edit all doubles, BGV and harmonies to remove breaths, mouth noises, clicks and soften any missed semblance or plosives. I tune all vocals by hand ensuring no artifacting.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by artists such as Adele, Hozier, Brandi Carlile and Pheobe Bridgers. Honestly a lot inspires me, these are just the first few that came to mind.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Production and toplining for clients
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: n/a
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. It's current, flexible, compact and accessible.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: High quality and on-time delivery in the requested formats
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love fitting pieces together and bringing a vision to fruition. It is amazing how I can start with nothing and end up with a competitive radio-friendly track.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Often people assume I am pursuing the artist route. I actually prefer to help artists get where they want to go or using my talents for commercial purposes such as licensing.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen for the frequency holes in a production. This is where an extra part might be needed to fill it out. Be careful not to overwhelm by adding parts in the same frequency range that compete for space.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a professional home studio with a professional grade condenser mic, FocusRite interface, studio monitors/headphones, professional sound treatment.
I was the Singer in this production
- ProducerContact for pricing
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $300 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Singer - FemaleAverage price - $200 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $400 per song
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $40 per track
*1 free revision is included.
*Typical turn around times are from 3 days to 1 week based on availability.
*All communications will be on the Soundbetter platform
- P!nk
- Fleurie
- Natalie Merchant
- GIK Acoustics Sound treatment
- Professional Studio Monitors
- Condenser Microphone
- Pop Shield
- high quality plugins