Event Calendar

A Roundhouse partnership with the Songwriters Association of Canada
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 7:30pm (doors 7pm)
Performance Centre
TICKETS $30 at the door ($25 for SAC members) reserve online at songbirdnorth.tickit.ca
INFO facebook.com/SongBirdNorthYVR

Host: Shari Ulrich
Musical Guests: T. Buckley, Tom Landa (Paperboys & Locarno), and morning glories

SongBird North continues its 30th season on the West Coast this November 26th, with producer Shari Ulrich hosting T. Buckley, Tom Landa, and the Morning Glories in this popular concert series’ trademark songwriters-in-the-round format. As four very different artists take turns performing and sharing the stories behind their songs, SongBird North offers audiences an insider’s experience of the art and craft of songwriting – and a unique and compelling evening of live music.

SongBird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is produced by Shari Ulrich for the Songwriters Association of Canada. The SAC gratefully acknowledges the support of the SOCAN Foundation. For more information on the SAC’s mandate, activities and membership programs, please visit www.songwriters.ca. 

4 weeks of lessons for S.A.C. members interested in learning more about music production from producer/songwriter/composer Rob Wells

Week 1 – Getting Comfortable with the DAW
Goal: Demystify the recording and production process for songwriters.

Topics:
● Understanding the DAW as your creative canvas
● Setting up sessions efficiently (using templates)
● Basic workflow: MIDI, audio, comping
● Introduction to creative arrangement using loops, samples, and virtual instruments
● Tips for capturing inspiration quickly before it disappears

Takeaway: Participants learn how to confidently open their DAW and start shaping a song idea into a demo.

Week 2 – BREAKING DOWN A PRODUCTION (Inside one of Rob’s tracks)
Goal: Explore how a professional production comes together from the ground up.

Topics:
● Deconstructing one of Rob’s songs step-by-step (session playback)
● Producing from the chorus first, then working backwards
● Balancing instruments and vocals for energy and emotion
● Use of layers, ear candy, and automation for dynamics
● Decision-making – when to add, when to strip back

Takeaway: Participants see a real-world session and understand how creative and technical choices drive a record’s feel.

Week 3 – ROB’S FAVOURITE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS
Goal: Expand participants’ sonic palette and production creativity.

Topics:
● Overview of must-have VSTs and plugins (synths, drums, organic, orchestral, creative FX)
● Sound-design basics and layering techniques
● Creating signature sounds: pads, basses, leads, textures
● Using virtual instruments to spark songwriting ideas
● Workflow tips for CPU efficiency and session organization

Takeaway: Songwriters gain new tools and inspiration to make their demos and productions stand out.

Week 4 – PRODUCING, RECORDING, COMPING & TUNING A GREAT LEAD VOCAL
Goal: Teach the art of crafting a compelling vocal performance.

Topics:
● Recording setup and environment tips
● Vocal coaching in the studio – getting the right performance
● Comping techniques for emotion and clarity
● Subtle vs. stylized tuning using AutoTune & VariAudio
● Vocal mixing basics: EQ, compression, de-essing, reverb, and delay for polish

Takeaway: Participants learn how to produce radio-ready vocals that enhance the song’s storytelling.

4 weeks of lessons for S.A.C. members interested in learning more about music production from producer/songwriter/composer Rob Wells

Week 1 – Getting Comfortable with the DAW
Goal: Demystify the recording and production process for songwriters.

Topics:
● Understanding the DAW as your creative canvas
● Setting up sessions efficiently (using templates)
● Basic workflow: MIDI, audio, comping
● Introduction to creative arrangement using loops, samples, and virtual instruments
● Tips for capturing inspiration quickly before it disappears

Takeaway: Participants learn how to confidently open their DAW and start shaping a song idea into a demo.

Week 2 – BREAKING DOWN A PRODUCTION (Inside one of Rob’s tracks)
Goal: Explore how a professional production comes together from the ground up.

Topics:
● Deconstructing one of Rob’s songs step-by-step (session playback)
● Producing from the chorus first, then working backwards
● Balancing instruments and vocals for energy and emotion
● Use of layers, ear candy, and automation for dynamics
● Decision-making – when to add, when to strip back

Takeaway: Participants see a real-world session and understand how creative and technical choices drive a record’s feel.

Week 3 – ROB’S FAVOURITE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS
Goal: Expand participants’ sonic palette and production creativity.

Topics:
● Overview of must-have VSTs and plugins (synths, drums, organic, orchestral, creative FX)
● Sound-design basics and layering techniques
● Creating signature sounds: pads, basses, leads, textures
● Using virtual instruments to spark songwriting ideas
● Workflow tips for CPU efficiency and session organization

Takeaway: Songwriters gain new tools and inspiration to make their demos and productions stand out.

Week 4 – PRODUCING, RECORDING, COMPING & TUNING A GREAT LEAD VOCAL
Goal: Teach the art of crafting a compelling vocal performance.

Topics:
● Recording setup and environment tips
● Vocal coaching in the studio – getting the right performance
● Comping techniques for emotion and clarity
● Subtle vs. stylized tuning using AutoTune & VariAudio
● Vocal mixing basics: EQ, compression, de-essing, reverb, and delay for polish

Takeaway: Participants learn how to produce radio-ready vocals that enhance the song’s storytelling.

4 weeks of lessons for S.A.C. members interested in learning more about music production from producer/songwriter/composer Rob Wells

Week 1 – Getting Comfortable with the DAW
Goal: Demystify the recording and production process for songwriters.

Topics:
● Understanding the DAW as your creative canvas
● Setting up sessions efficiently (using templates)
● Basic workflow: MIDI, audio, comping
● Introduction to creative arrangement using loops, samples, and virtual instruments
● Tips for capturing inspiration quickly before it disappears

Takeaway: Participants learn how to confidently open their DAW and start shaping a song idea into a demo.

Week 2 – BREAKING DOWN A PRODUCTION (Inside one of Rob’s tracks)
Goal: Explore how a professional production comes together from the ground up.

Topics:
● Deconstructing one of Rob’s songs step-by-step (session playback)
● Producing from the chorus first, then working backwards
● Balancing instruments and vocals for energy and emotion
● Use of layers, ear candy, and automation for dynamics
● Decision-making – when to add, when to strip back

Takeaway: Participants see a real-world session and understand how creative and technical choices drive a record’s feel.

Week 3 – ROB’S FAVOURITE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS
Goal: Expand participants’ sonic palette and production creativity.

Topics:
● Overview of must-have VSTs and plugins (synths, drums, organic, orchestral, creative FX)
● Sound-design basics and layering techniques
● Creating signature sounds: pads, basses, leads, textures
● Using virtual instruments to spark songwriting ideas
● Workflow tips for CPU efficiency and session organization

Takeaway: Songwriters gain new tools and inspiration to make their demos and productions stand out.

Week 4 – PRODUCING, RECORDING, COMPING & TUNING A GREAT LEAD VOCAL
Goal: Teach the art of crafting a compelling vocal performance.

Topics:
● Recording setup and environment tips
● Vocal coaching in the studio – getting the right performance
● Comping techniques for emotion and clarity
● Subtle vs. stylized tuning using AutoTune & VariAudio
● Vocal mixing basics: EQ, compression, de-essing, reverb, and delay for polish

Takeaway: Participants learn how to produce radio-ready vocals that enhance the song’s storytelling.

4 weeks of lessons for S.A.C. members interested in learning more about music production from producer/songwriter/composer Rob Wells

Week 1 – Getting Comfortable with the DAW
Goal: Demystify the recording and production process for songwriters.

Topics:
● Understanding the DAW as your creative canvas
● Setting up sessions efficiently (using templates)
● Basic workflow: MIDI, audio, comping
● Introduction to creative arrangement using loops, samples, and virtual instruments
● Tips for capturing inspiration quickly before it disappears

Takeaway: Participants learn how to confidently open their DAW and start shaping a song idea into a demo.

Week 2 – BREAKING DOWN A PRODUCTION (Inside one of Rob’s tracks)
Goal: Explore how a professional production comes together from the ground up.

Topics:
● Deconstructing one of Rob’s songs step-by-step (session playback)
● Producing from the chorus first, then working backwards
● Balancing instruments and vocals for energy and emotion
● Use of layers, ear candy, and automation for dynamics
● Decision-making – when to add, when to strip back

Takeaway: Participants see a real-world session and understand how creative and technical choices drive a record’s feel.

Week 3 – ROB’S FAVOURITE VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS
Goal: Expand participants’ sonic palette and production creativity.

Topics:
● Overview of must-have VSTs and plugins (synths, drums, organic, orchestral, creative FX)
● Sound-design basics and layering techniques
● Creating signature sounds: pads, basses, leads, textures
● Using virtual instruments to spark songwriting ideas
● Workflow tips for CPU efficiency and session organization

Takeaway: Songwriters gain new tools and inspiration to make their demos and productions stand out.

Week 4 – PRODUCING, RECORDING, COMPING & TUNING A GREAT LEAD VOCAL
Goal: Teach the art of crafting a compelling vocal performance.

Topics:
● Recording setup and environment tips
● Vocal coaching in the studio – getting the right performance
● Comping techniques for emotion and clarity
● Subtle vs. stylized tuning using AutoTune & VariAudio
● Vocal mixing basics: EQ, compression, de-essing, reverb, and delay for polish

Takeaway: Participants learn how to produce radio-ready vocals that enhance the song’s storytelling.