Spotlight: Cari & Dennis – Crafting Emotion in Vocal Sampling
We’re excited to spotlight the Cari Vocal Pack by renowned trance producer Dennis Sheperd, released via Black Octopus Sound. This collaboration pairs Cari’s deeply expressive vocal style with Dennis’s polished, emotional, and high-impact production approach — resulting in a vocal toolkit designed for producers across genres, from trance and melodic techno to pop and cinematic styles. We sat down with both artists to learn more about their creative chemistry, vocal production philosophies, and what they hope producers will create with these sounds.
Our Interview w/ Cari & Dennis
Tell us about yourselves – what led you to working together on this sample pack?
Cari: When Dennis approached me to work together on a vocal sample pack, I didn’t have to think about it for long. I was familiar with his tracks and the way he produces vocals. I knew right away that with his expertise we could make something special. Through the process, I learned that we're both perfectionists and really passionate about our work. I think it shines through in the pack — I’m truly happy with the result!
Dennis: I’ve been following Cari’s work for years. She’s ambitious, super talented, and I felt our energy matched perfectly. After the success of my previous sample packs, I wanted to release another vocalist-focused one — and the first name that came to mind was Cari.
How does working on a sample pack differ from working on a song for release?
Dennis: From a production standpoint, creating a vocal sample pack is a whole different ball game. You have to be extremely picky with clicks, breaths, noise, and any artifacts — they’re far more noticeable outside of a full mix. It requires a lot of attention to detail.
Cari: This was my first time making a vocal sample pack, and I approached writing the songs the same way I would for a release: melody and lyrics working together to carry the same emotional message. I also loved the freedom of writing without being bound to one genre — but still keeping everything flexible for producers. And yes — I also produced the music under the vocals (except for "Can’t Lie to Love")!
What’s a useful production trick for shaping vocals?
Cari: Every vocal production begins with a quality recording. The voice is an organic instrument — it carries emotion through tone, dynamics, harmony, and timing. Getting the performance right is always step one.
Dennis: A game-changing trick when working with doubles and harmonies is using VocAlign or Cubase’s “Align Audio” feature. It perfectly aligns layers with one click — a massive timesaver and cleaner result than manual editing.
Your music and vocals carry strong emotional depth. How does that translate into a sample pack?
Dennis: Emotion is what separates a memorable vocal from everything else. We wanted to offer that same depth here — something producers can instantly feel.
Cari: Exactly. Our goal was to inspire producers the moment they hear these vocals — to create that spark and set a mood that encourages creativity.
Dennis, you’ve had success with earlier sample packs — what keeps you inspired?
Dennis: I’m passionate about passing on knowledge. Whether through coaching, Soundcation retreats, or sample packs — helping the next generation of producers grow is incredibly fulfilling. That’s what keeps me creating these tools.
Cari: This being my first vocal pack, I must say it was one of the most fun projects I’ve done. It allows my voice to reach a wider range of producers and genres. I can’t wait to hear what people make with it!
The Cari Vocal Pack blends emotional storytelling, genre-flexibility, and professional-quality vocal production — offering producers the spark needed to start something meaningful. Whether you're crafting soaring trance, dark melodic electronica, dreamy indie pop, or cinematic soundscapes, these vocals are designed to inspire new musical worlds.