What does a producer actually do ?

Pat · 22 Dec 2007, 03:30

I tend to refer to records as poorly produced, well produced or over produced but what I'm really refering to is the sound quality, which has more to do with the studio eng knowing how to get the best out of the studio and the quality of the studio .
Mick Jagger was once interviewed after someone ( his name escapes me)successfully sued for production credits on Sympathty for the Devil.
Mick said that everytime the tape rolled this guy was in the booths with them shaking a tambourine and doing backing vocals yet the judge rulled in his favour.
So what does a producer do ?

nick the stripper · 22 Dec 2007, 06:25

Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.

Big Si · 22 Dec 2007, 11:35

Wikipedia

Steve Albini refers to himself as a recording engineer, though other people refer to him as a Tw*t

Pat · 22 Dec 2007, 11:57

nick the stripper wrote:Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.

Cracker

@ Big Si cheers, that's one less question to keep me awake at night.
I'll just PM you in future

paul · 22 Dec 2007, 12:23

Pat wrote:
nick the stripper wrote:Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.
Cracker

@ Big Si cheers, that's one less question to keep me awake at night.
I'll just PM you in future

Producers have an important role in a music production. Most band go into a studio to record, are very enthousiastic, heard their own songs millions of times etcetera. A producer can give a fresh, unbiases opinion about the music, give options for improvement, fill in blanks or emphasize certain parts. At the end he can give his opinion about the mixed instuments, colour of instruments, balance in music etcetera. Or he can steer the production into a certain direction.

Most producers are chosen because of their experience in and view on a particular music style.

Izzy HaveMercy · 22 Dec 2007, 13:10

paul wrote:
Pat wrote:
nick the stripper wrote:Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.
Cracker

@ Big Si cheers, that's one less question to keep me awake at night.
I'll just PM you in future
Producers have an important role in a music production. Most band go into a studio to record, are very enthousiastic, heard their own songs millions of times etcetera. A producer can give a fresh, unbiases opinion about the music, give options for improvement, fill in blanks or emphasize certain parts. At the end he can give his opinion about the mixed instuments, colour of instruments, balance in music etcetera. Or he can steer the production into a certain direction.

Most producers are chosen because of their experience in and view on a particular music style.

And a good producer can make a band question their abilities and good/bad points over and over again, so that they give the best of themselves in the studio.

The producer is the mirror in front of the band. Shaking a tambourine, most probably

IZ.

Big Si · 22 Dec 2007, 14:10

Pat wrote:
nick the stripper wrote:Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.
Cracker

@ Big Si cheers, that's one less question to keep me awake at night.
I'll just PM you in future

Maybe I should change my title from The Big Man to Resident Search Engine

Izzy HaveMercy · 22 Dec 2007, 17:28

Big Si wrote:
Pat wrote:
nick the stripper wrote:Producers stand in the back of booths, shaking tambourines.
Cracker

@ Big Si cheers, that's one less question to keep me awake at night.
I'll just PM you in future
Maybe I should change my title from The Big Man to Resident Search Engine

BigSiPedia, the Gorbal Edition.

IZ.

itnAklipse · 22 Dec 2007, 18:17

With good bands extremely little, with most bands, most of the work.

Produced music = s**t.

paul · 22 Dec 2007, 18:48

itnAklipse wrote: Produced music = s**t.

You mean: over-produced music = s**t

paul · 22 Dec 2007, 18:52

Izzy HaveMercy wrote: The producer is the mirror in front of the band. Shaking a tambourine, most probably

IZ.

If the producer happens to be a good tambourine player and he can add something to the band's production, he must definately do so!

And get royalties for it

boudicca · 22 Dec 2007, 19:24

I think his (why is it never a her?) role is rather questionable, since so many musicians manage to successfully produce their own music

Having said that, that's not to dismiss them entirely. It's when they take on the role of svengali that I get suspicious...

nick the stripper · 22 Dec 2007, 19:35

boudicca wrote:I think his (why is it never a her?) role is rather questionable, since so many musicians manage to successfully produce their own music Having said that, that's not to dismiss them entirely. It's when they take on the role of svengali that I get suspicious...

To understand the importance of a good producer, you merely have to contrast "Alice" with "Anaconda". Whether or not the producer is a member of the band being produced doesn't really matter, in my opinion, just as long as the end result is good. Phil Spector may have been a gun-wielding maniac with an ego the size of Pink Floyd's stage act, for example, but who would have heard of "Be My Baby" without him?

Zuma · 22 Dec 2007, 22:56

I presume to a huge degree it is helping bands especially new to recording to find a sound in the studio that works and sounds right -

Martin Hannett did wonders for example with New Order..

limur · 23 Dec 2007, 00:05

Zuma wrote:Martin Hannett

"...over produced by Martin Hannett, take 4..."

James Blast · 23 Dec 2007, 00:52

or under produced by Martin Rushent, he destroyed Generation X's first album and I will never forgive him for that

I got it home, stuck my t/t on and placed this thin slice of pap over it, an under mixed strangulated sound of Young Britain eminated, it was 'orribble!

their 7"s had fire and power, the album was dreadful

Big Si · 23 Dec 2007, 15:32

boudicca wrote:I think his (why is it never a her?) role is rather questionable, since so many musicians manage to successfully produce their own music Having said that, that's not to dismiss them entirely. It's when they take on the role of svengali that I get suspicious...

It's often a "her" these days, but "he" is more well known due to being an ex-member of some big selling and popular beat combo

Besides, how many people want to spend 9 hours or more cooped up in a dank room, stinking of farts and stale beer

rian · 23 Dec 2007, 16:27

Earn "Money for nothing"?

boudicca · 23 Dec 2007, 16:59

Big Si wrote: Besides, how many people want to spend 9 hours or more cooped up in a dank room, stinking of farts and stale beer

Now now, no-one forces you to come to HL meets, Simon

Big Si · 23 Dec 2007, 17:11

boudicca wrote:
Big Si wrote: Besides, how many people want to spend 9 hours or more cooped up in a dank room, stinking of farts and stale beer
Now now, no-one forces you to come to HL meets, Simon

It does sound rather like a Southside Pub though, don't it?

James Blast · 23 Dec 2007, 17:33

aye, bring back smoking in public places

limur · 23 Dec 2007, 19:50

Big Si wrote:Besides, how many people want to spend 9 hours or more cooped up in a dank room, stinking of farts and stale beer

Call it three hours and it'll be called a gig...

I'll be there...but after last week, I'm contemplating nose plugs...(how do you ID mr farty man AND TELL HIM...)

James Blast · 23 Dec 2007, 20:15

Smiley Culture

Maisey · 23 Dec 2007, 23:47

If you head down to the Legion myspace their are 2 tunes on there that illustrate the difference.

Chemical Hands is written and recorded by Legion but produced by myself with cheap gear (One all purpose mic and free recording software).

Rosanna is written and recorded by Legion but has been through the production process by someone with the right kit and the knowhow of sound engineering. The difference is unmistakable.

James Blast · 23 Dec 2007, 23:51

I think we're talking "real world" not demo bands