Curiously, Lin Yuan asked, "By the way, System, what do you plan to use the money for in customizing the song?"
"š¯™‰š¯™¤." The System's response was unexpected for Lin Yuan. "I plan to donate it to people in need in this world."
Understanding this, Lin Yuan nodded silently.
The days passed as usual until April 18, another weekend, when Lin Yuan finally informed Sun Yaohuo, "Get ready to come to the company; we're starting to record the songs today."
"On my way!" Sun Yaohuo had originally made plans to go out with his girlfriend, but upon receiving Lin Yuan's call, he turned the car around without hesitation and headed straight to the company.
"Are you feeling alright?" Lin Yuan asked upon seeing Sun Yaohuo, who was catching his breath as if he had just finished a rigorous workout.
"Nothing... just fine." Sun Yaohuo forced a smile, not wanting to worry Lin Yuan by revealing his rush to the company.
"Are you ready to sing?" Lin Yuan inquired. He had sent "Red Rose" to Sun Yaohuo a few days earlier, so he should have had time to practice by now.
"I've rehearsed it thoroughly," Sun Yaohuo replied earnestly.
He had received the lyrics and demo of "Red Rose" a few days ago and had been practicing diligently ever since. After listening to the demo, he was determined: this song deserved to be sung by someone as talented as Lin Yuan! If he couldn't do it justice, he wouldn't deserve to sing his junior's song ever again!
Satisfied with his response, Lin Yuan led the way to the main control room of the recording studio. The staff there were ready, skillfully adjusting their equipment and putting on their headphones.
On the other side of the glass, Sun Yaohuo nodded to Lin Yuan, signaling his readiness to begin. With a deep breath, he launched into the first rendition: "In my dream, I saw the red thread, the red thread I couldn't wake up from, the red thread trapped me in a dream, unmoved by all the stimuli and wearying pain..."
Lin Yuan refrained from interrupting.
Only after Sun Yaohuo had finished singing did the recording engineer offer some feedback. Lin Yuan chimed in with his own thoughts: "Your proficiency is good, but your tone is too open. The overall mood is too somber. You need to hold back a bit more while singing to convey the sadness more effectively. Let's try again."
Sun Yaohuo nodded.
On his second attempt, he adopted a more subdued approach, yet Lin Yuan still intervened: "The emotion of the song is indeed melancholic, but there are different levels of sorrow. At the beginning, it's more of a lament."
"Lament?" Sun Yaohuo nodded in understanding.
As he sang through the verses again, Lin Yuan provided further guidance: "The unattainable will always torment, while the favored will feel no fear. This represents a deeper level of melancholy, a lament within a lament."
Some of these suggestions came from the System, while others were based on Lin Yuan's own understanding.
He didn't expect Sun Yaohuo to mimic the original song completely; everyone had their own interpretation. In his previous life, Zhang Bichen had also covered "Red Rose" in a style completely different from the original, but it was equally outstanding. Although Sun Yaohuo had a similar vocal range to the original, pure imitation wasn't necessary.
This pattern continued throughout the recording session.
Lin Yuan and the recording studio took turns offering suggestions, while Sun Yaohuo absorbed and implemented them, constantly adjusting his performance. The recording would have a profound impact, as it would be the studio version that would resonate with listeners the most.
"Next, let's focus on conveying a deeper sense of sorrow."
"When you embrace her from behind, the anticipation of seeing her face is what drives you. As you sing this part, try to evoke a sense of self-deprecation, not too intense. This will help with the pacing of your breath."
"Don't focus too much on technique."
"Most songs rely on emotion, supported by technique. This song is the opposite; it's about conveying emotion, with technique playing a supporting role. Let the soft sigh gradually build up, without raising your voice, until it becomes a plaintive rasp..."
The recording engineer offered technical advice, while Lin Yuan delved into the emotional depth of the song. The former provided objective feedback, while the latter's understanding of emotion was more subjective, making it the most impactful aspect for Sun Yaohuo.
"Let's try that again..."
"Once more..."
Lin Yuan's explanations were concise, occasionally supplemented by demonstrations using his own voice. Though he couldn't be a professional singer due to vocal limitations, singing low notes was simple enough.
After showcasing his voice, Lin Yuan said, "Have you noticed that before singing, you should take a breath and lower your air pressure? Adjust your breathing after each line according to the emotional intensity. If your emotions are genuine, I can overlook imperfections in your breath control."
Sun Yaohuo could only nod in agreement.
Most composers weren't as exacting as Lin Yuan; singers typically relied on the feedback of sound engineers. However, Lin Yuan's extensive vocal training set him apart. Many composers couldn't match his standards and understanding of singing.
In a way, the recording studio was also filled with tools.
Lin Yuan was a complete packageā€”lyrics, music, arrangementā€”and there were few composers proficient in singing. If composers were like Lin Yuan, many in the recording industry might face unemployment.
"Let's take a break from recording for now."
After several hours of work, Lin Yuan suggested a break. Sun Yaohuo hadn't yet reached Lin Yuan's standards, but this was expected. "You need to practice diligently over the next few days."
"Okay." Sun Yaohuo prepared to "grind away" in the studio.
To "grind away" meant to spend prolonged periods practicing in the recording studio. While one could practice singing at home, the studio environment was optimal for improvement. The studio's equipment provided detailed feedback on sound, and the studio engineer could offer immediate guidance on performance.
Lin Yuan left the studio.
In the following days, he paid little attention to the recording process. He knew that the official version of the recording would only come once Sun Yaohuo had fully grasped the song. There was no rush; Lin Yuan trusted Sun Yaohuo's dedication.
Meanwhile, as the end of the month approached, the literary section of the tribal platform saw the culmination of the short story competition among thirty writers!
Some joked:
"This is the moment the king reveals his face!"