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

There are almost as many different definitions of a "producer" as there are producers. Rather than giving a textbook definition of a record producer let us explain what a producer may (yet sometimes may not) do. Keep in mind that when you see liner notes that suggest the recording was produced by the artist and a seperate producer, it generally means that the producer handled all of the production, but then the artist made the final call on all decisions. Most artists cannot produce themselves because a producer has different motivations and goals than the creators.

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 stays focused- especially during recording


• 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.