You’re a musician. Express your sound, and leave the technical guidance and honest feedback to a producer.

Don’t worry. We’re musicians too. We speak your language and respect your vision. But let’s talk about how having a producer on board on for your project may benefit you.

- Do You Need a Producer? What Does a Producer Exactly Do? -

There are almost as many different definitions of a "producer" as there are producers. The definition varies between industries, with a movie producer differing quite a bit from the music producer. So rather than give you a text book definition of a record producer let me tell what a producer may (and sometimes may not) do. Keep in mind that when you see liner notes that suggest the recording was producer by ABC Band and So and So, it generally means that Mr./Ms. So and So did the production, but then band made the final call on all decisions. Most bands cannot really produce themselves, because by nature, a producer has different motivations and goals from the band members themselves.

A producer, in many cases will:

• Attend pre-production rehearsals and meetings


• Help focus the songs


• Make sure the band is ready to record


• Keep the project on time and on budget


• Make sure that the band keeps their eye on the prize - their goal - keep them focused


• Help the individual members get the best performance possible


• Provide a source for ideas when things are getting stagnant


• Make the final decision as to whether an idea stays or is scrapped


• Help work out difficult musical problems or ideas


• Provide a method for tracking

During pre-production, the producer and the band will discuss the project's scope and goal. What kind of music is it? Who is the target audience? What do you want it sound like? Schedule and budget will also be discussed.

Once the project's scope is defined, we begin to work on the songs. We fine tune the songs to make sure that they connect with the listener. Many times the artist is so close to the song, that they can't see that the song is missing a hook, or is losing focus, or has other misplaced musical elements. It is up to the producer to help focus the song and the arrangement. Sometimes the producer must offer difficult advice (such as when a singer is singing in a key that they should - or could - not). The producer is not a band member and he/she has no ego to protect within the band, so the opinion is motivated only by the desire for the song to be the best it can be.

After the song has been exercised and the writing and arrangement is fairly well locked in, the producer then begins to evaluate how it is played. We work on how to get into a song, what constitutes the "main" or "basic" part of the tune, how the songs ends (fade or actual ending), etc. Proper preparation will save you expensive studio time. No one wants to be trying our three or four different endings at $50 hour!

If the band wants to experiment with unique production techniques or sounds, it is at this time that it gets mapped out. A well planned method of attack in the studio will save you a lot of money. Plan your work and then work your plan. It will help you stay on schedule and on budget.

When the time comes to get in the studio and start tracking, the producer will make sure that everyone stays focused. Time spent playing around with toys and gear will be monitored by the producer and when a road is leading nowhere, the producer will put the brakes on and guide the artist back onto a productive course. The producer will map out how the sessions should be run - will the band play together in the same room, will we try for keeper takes on all the instruments during the basics or will we overdub and if so, what parts will be overdubbed, how will we cut the lead vocal tracks, how will the harmonies be cut and created, will we need additional studio musicians, who will they be and how much will they cost, and much more. The producer deals with all of this so that the artists can do what they do best....perform. If a performer is having a hard time executing a part, the producer will do whatever it takes to help the part get done - that may mean kicking everyone out of the studio (including the engineer sometimes), pouring a shot of whiskey, stroking the ego of the performer, helping the performer work out a more "playable" part musically, changing the environment, or just helping the performer give up the idea in an effort to finish the song.

Once the tracking is done, the producer will work with the mixing engineer to make sure that the sound of the recording is inline with the desires of the band and compatible with their target audience.

A producer can add value to your recording by helping you make the best recording possible. The cost to hire a producer in many cases is offset by the savings you will get in the studio. In most cases, the cost of the producer can easily be justified by the additional quality and value your recording possesses.