SCHOOL OF ED (5) Producing records - July 15, 2005
SCHOOL OF ED (5)
Producing Records
The way I see it, producing records and producing movies are most often repleat with intangible tasks that are often obscured from the appreciative gaze of all but those involved in the project. If the project fails, it is the producer’s fault. If it succeeds, it is the artist’s wonderful talent.
A producer has to have the confidence of the artist in order to do his job…make the project better. It is often a thankless, invisible job, that, when done in the spirit of cooperation, can bring the best out of an artist.
Most local musicians never have never been produced. Most people on the local level who say they produce records are often mis-spoken because of a lack of knowledge regarding what is expected. The “what is a producer” waters are murky here. Let me clear this point up first. The Executive Producer is the person artists love; they are the ones producing the finances for the project, but usually have little or nothing to do with the artistic production of the music.
The following are my “opinions” on what makes a producer
He has a hand in every sound that goes on the record.
As a facilitator. He susually selects the studio, picks the engineer, arranges for guest artists and sidemen. He is not an engineer, though some engineers can produce, (all think they can) it is better when they only wear one hat. It is as asking the quarterback to be a receiver as well as a passer. He might be able to do both, but if he does both at the same time, the chances of winning the game are greatly diminished.
He challenges the artist on the quality of the lyrics, the arrangement, and general shape of the songs, usually long before the band hits the studio
He makes things happen in the studio in a timely fashion, trying to get the best performance from an artist, by having them prepared and making them comfortable
He guides the engineer in directions that will achieve the artist/producers vision of the project.
To my mind, a good producer will not make up specific parts, or play them on the disc. He suggests that we need some harmony here, or another guitar part there. He does not say “sing this” “play that”. A good producer guides and supports the artists while “they” come up with the harmony or guitar part.
A producer should make the artist shine, while being invisible. When people introduce me and say, “This is Ed, he produced my record.” It makes me feel good that those artists appreciated what I did, but the person they say it to usually has a look of “What does that mean?” on their face. They just do not know the true involvement. Nevertheless, it remains a wonderful, creative and fulfilling position to be in.
It is a most difficult task to produce one’s self. You cannot really taste the stew if you are in it. I have done it on a number of occasions, but I often wish I had a producer. We all can appreciate a little guidance at times.
Producing Records
The way I see it, producing records and producing movies are most often repleat with intangible tasks that are often obscured from the appreciative gaze of all but those involved in the project. If the project fails, it is the producer’s fault. If it succeeds, it is the artist’s wonderful talent.
A producer has to have the confidence of the artist in order to do his job…make the project better. It is often a thankless, invisible job, that, when done in the spirit of cooperation, can bring the best out of an artist.
Most local musicians never have never been produced. Most people on the local level who say they produce records are often mis-spoken because of a lack of knowledge regarding what is expected. The “what is a producer” waters are murky here. Let me clear this point up first. The Executive Producer is the person artists love; they are the ones producing the finances for the project, but usually have little or nothing to do with the artistic production of the music.
The following are my “opinions” on what makes a producer
He has a hand in every sound that goes on the record.
As a facilitator. He susually selects the studio, picks the engineer, arranges for guest artists and sidemen. He is not an engineer, though some engineers can produce, (all think they can) it is better when they only wear one hat. It is as asking the quarterback to be a receiver as well as a passer. He might be able to do both, but if he does both at the same time, the chances of winning the game are greatly diminished.
He challenges the artist on the quality of the lyrics, the arrangement, and general shape of the songs, usually long before the band hits the studio
He makes things happen in the studio in a timely fashion, trying to get the best performance from an artist, by having them prepared and making them comfortable
He guides the engineer in directions that will achieve the artist/producers vision of the project.
To my mind, a good producer will not make up specific parts, or play them on the disc. He suggests that we need some harmony here, or another guitar part there. He does not say “sing this” “play that”. A good producer guides and supports the artists while “they” come up with the harmony or guitar part.
A producer should make the artist shine, while being invisible. When people introduce me and say, “This is Ed, he produced my record.” It makes me feel good that those artists appreciated what I did, but the person they say it to usually has a look of “What does that mean?” on their face. They just do not know the true involvement. Nevertheless, it remains a wonderful, creative and fulfilling position to be in.
It is a most difficult task to produce one’s self. You cannot really taste the stew if you are in it. I have done it on a number of occasions, but I often wish I had a producer. We all can appreciate a little guidance at times.