This month I am starting a new series on what kind of professionals you might need to help create your record. Future installments include:
Do I need a Mixing Engineer?
Do I need a Mastering Engineer?
For the purposes of this discussion, I’m thinking mainly of a producer for rock/pop/indie/folk music. In hip-hop and R&B the producer may be needed to directly write the music or beats that the artist is going to use. But for these other genres it is typically the artist (band or individual) that comes up with the spark of creativity that begins a record. But it’s hard to know how a producer can help and what they might need to bring to the table. This requires a little bit of reflection, so let’s dive in!
How refined is your songwriting?
This is really where a high quality producer can bring out the best in your music. Do you find yourself writing songs that are solid, but ultimately don’t catch on? Do you get stuck in a creative rut that you can’t break out of? Is one aspect of your songwriting (melody, lyrics, rhythm) significantly better or worse than the rest?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, a producer would be a valuable tool for you. They can help with the arrangement of the song to help it stay engaging for your fans, without getting in the way of your artistic aesthetic. This can involve helping with specific melodic hooks, organizing the song in different ways, cutting out dead spaces to keep the song streamlined. Their experience at working with a variety of artists has given them a perspective that allows them to see the finish line and they can take your record with them. Additionally, if you need help with writing the songs from scratch they can often get you in touch with co-writers that you can work with.
How much studio experience do you have?
For me personally, working in the studio is the most exciting part of being a musician. It’s where I get to take an idea and mold it into a final vision. To me it’s the closest we get to working with a physical art form, because we shape and craft, leading to a finished product that others can enjoy for years to come (similar to a painting or sculpture). But what if you’ve never been in the studio before? Are you unsure of the process required to get your musical vision across? Do you struggle to verbalize exactly what you want to sound like? Are you hoping the recording studio / engineer know enough to get you what you want?
If you answered yes to this, then a producer can help you get on the right path in the studio. They can hear a song and cast a vision for where the music is going. This assists with knowing what instrumentation to use, what studios would be beneficial, and what the goal line needs to look like. They will also be able to push you in the studio to get the best possible performance. The producer has their mind focused on the big picture and can make sure that each instrument brings the best possible result to the final song. The musical world is a tricky place and getting a record produced can be a complex maze. Having the right guide during the process can make all the difference.
Where is your musical career at?
Have your previous recordings been good, but don’t seem to get you the results you want? Do you want to invest more time and money into growing your career, but all your current approaches are stalling out? Are you just starting and want to get flying leap on your music career?
You are probably noticing a trend that I keep going back to the word “perspective.” Knowing where you want to go but struggling to get there can give a producer clues in how to treat and release your music. They could give recommendations on similar artists in the area to perform with, ways to market your music to a wider audience, and what online distribution services make sense for your goals.
I want a producer, where do I find them?
So after all this discussion you’ve decided you want a producer, but where do you find one? First, talk to musicians and bands that you know to find out who they have used and how they have helped. You might find out that a local studio acts like a producer without the title. If you don’t find what you are looking for locally you can reach out online to producers and in many cases they can travel to your location to help make your record (just keep in mind this isn’t cheap).
If you are interested in having me help produce your record, feel free to reach out to me on my contact page. Helping others create their best work makes me come alive, so let me help you on your musical journey!