Navigating the World of Music Producers
Whether you are a singer-songwriter who has recently completed some of your best songs ever, or a band member tasked with finding just the right producer to realize your band's polished sound, and you don't know where to start, I've got you covered.
In the following sections, I'll provide an honest perspective based on my extensive experience as a producer and being fortunate to work with some of the best music producers in the industry to help you sidestep the mistakes I've made and share the valuable lessons from my successes.
Getting your first real successes in the music industry is a marathon, not a sprint. If you remember only one thing from this article, let it be this: surround yourself with a producer you can learn from, so you can use those skills in the future. Because inevitably, the ups and downs of being an artist will take a toll on your energy, time, and money, and you might find yourself far from the shoreline. Knowing how to fish for yourself could be what keeps you afloat in your pursuit of your dreams.
“My first real producer, when my band landed our first record deal, moved in with us for a couple of months because we were all broke. He convinced me to spend $1,200 of my gig money on a high-end preamp and compressor. We used this mic chain to record almost every instrument on the record. We were recording on a new digital format called ADATs. He was an incredible singer and musician himself, but mostly, this is where I learned about the recording process. I remember him as my first real recording mentor and how we spent so much time making fun of this new band we liked called Soundgarden. Well, little did we know he would go onto be the producer for another band that sounded very similar, called Creed.” - Britton Cameron
— Britton Cameron
When Do I Need A Music Producer ?
One of the first questions to ask is: "Am I, as an artist, and my songs ready to invest time and money into?" A good way to avoid putting the cart before the horse is to surround yourself with a producer who is either a songwriter or has a solid grasp of songwriting. As a music producer and a Singer-songwriter myself, I put a huge priority on the front-end work to bring out the best in the song’s melodies, lyrics, and arrangements. That’s also why I offer Songwriting Mentorship to aspiring singer -songwriters, both before and during their recording process. One of the biggest pitfalls for promising artists is the flood of individuals with recording equipment who skip this crucial step. There was a time not too long ago when, by the time an artist got to the recording process, they were typically more mature, and record labels and publishing companies had invested significant time and money into developing their songwriting, singing, and performance abilities. Now, artists must be very careful not to pick producers who are simply looking to make a quick buck without regard for the integrity of the recordings.
You might have planned for or have ample funds to be creative while paying for studio time, musicians, engineers, and the producer. However, if you’re trying to use your budget wisely, spending ample time on pre-production is crucial. Ensure your songs' foundation is solid and promising enough to justify booking studio time. Ask your producer how much time is budgeted for pre-production and preparation to ensure you’re recording the best versions of your songs. Simple elements like key and tempo deserve careful trial and error before you commit to recording. Choosing a producer who is also skilled as a musician and a recording engineer can be incredibly beneficial.
If you are a live performer or a band that has been testing the waters and circling the magic by repeatedly gigging your songs, then too much preparation can sometimes be to your detriment. It’s important to have a producer who can recognize this. A good producer can help you with the right amount of preparation and pre-production while still leaving room for creativity and inspiration to emerge in the studio.
Many Hats, Many Masters
Independent music producer
Given the wide-ranging responsibilities of a music producer, it’s essential for the artist to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing a producer who can fill in those gaps and enhance the overall sound without losing the vision of the artist’s music is crucial. For younger artists with little experience in the recording process, being honest about those strengths and weaknesses is vital.
Out of necessity, the skills I’ve developed as an independent music producer have gone well beyond managing the recording process and overseeing the songs, performances, and mixing. They also include studio owner, facilitating musicians, managing studio business and budgets, programming tracks, performing parts, singing background vocals, editing, vocal tuning, mixing, and mastering. That’s why, as an independent artist, it can be very beneficial to your budget to find an independent producer who does not delegate these tasks, but has learned to do them themselves.
Worldwide Studio Musicians
Finding the best Studio Musicians
If your music is organic and requires live musicians, it’s essential for your producer to assemble a team of talented professionals or session players to provide the honest sonic landscape your music deserves. Nashville, Tennessee, where I’m based, is renowned for having some of the best musicians in the world, who offer an opportunity that is both economical and dignified. With years of experience making records and demos in this environment, I’ve been fortunate to assemble a versatile group of musicians who truly care about the parts they deliver on recordings. They also appreciate a producer who prioritizes creating an environment that allows them the leeway and time to perform their best. When considering a potential producer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask who the players will be and if they can guarantee those players will be performing on your recordings.
A top priority should be having a producer with relationships with preeminent, versatile, and dependable musicians who currently play on successful records. However, a few words of caution are necessary. Many of these musicians earn a good portion of their income based on the union scale, where pay varies depending on whether the session is for a master or a demo. Some of the best players in the world, who usually earn master scale rates, also perform at demo scale sessions. One way to stretch a demo budget while achieving quality close to that of a master record is a full band to record as many songs as possible within a three-hour session. Don’t get me wrong, this can be an extremely fruitful process, especially for demos. Recording with world-class musicians who can read charts, perform five or six songs in three hours, and play similar parts to what they played the day before can be impressive and fun. However, keep in mind that, on average, you will end up with very professional and amazing parts about 50% of the time on 50% of your songs. Studios and producers offering these expedited services rely on the fact that these amazing musicians can offer some sincerely creative parts in that small amount of time to put a smile on your face. But honestly, it’s a tall order for even the best to be consistent without being redundant. So you might want to ask yourself, “Am I taking a risk on 50% of my songs paying 50% too much? If you’re looking for just an experience or an adventure without concern for your money meeting the fullest potential of your music, you might be better off going skydiving or renting a hot air balloon.
““I was fortunate enough in 2000 to land a major record deal that gave me the chance to work with one of the biggest producers of the '80s with a crazy amount of accolades. It was only after spending vast amounts of the record company’s money and years of experience that I realized our super producer, who was running off fumes of the past, clocking in at 11 AM and leaving at 6 PM, was more interested in the advance he received and the amazing studio we were renting—which he owned—than in making sure the songs we were recording were truly ready. While I learned some incredible things from this individual and had moments I will forever cherish, I could have shaved years off the learning curve by working with any of the other producers my A&R guy recommended, who most likely would have put the songs as a priority. Ouch!!””
— Britton Cameron
How to communicate with my Record Producer
Many producers are versatile, but usually, what they excel at is what they excel at. Also, they’re as versatile as the other musicians they surround your music with. When you communicate with them, providing plenty of examples of the sound you’re aiming for is invaluable. Producers are not mind readers. By giving examples, you can also see if your potential producer is inspired by those examples.
There is another side to the proverbial coin. One of the wonderful aspects of working with a producer is that you are, in essence, sharing part of your sound and vision with this person. Yes, it is your project, your vision, but not appreciating and possibly celebrating the producer’s unique skills and creativity won’t benefit anyone. You can’t push a rope, and while the examples you provide can keep you out of the ditches, it’s important to remember that while producers aren’t mind readers, nor are they vending machines.
With that being said, you don’t have to be overly loyal to a producer if the collaboration isn’t working. It’s okay to thank them kindly, discuss an option that is fair, and walk away if you’re not happy with the direction things are going. P.S. this is also why the pre-production with your producer is so vital. This is one more opportunity to figure this crucial step out.
Where do I find a producer
Ultimately, you need to remember that this is your vision and your sound. At the end of the day, you’re the one stepping up to the microphone. Begin with artists you admire and appreciate, find out who their producer is, and ask for a referral. Search online for producers who make music similar to your vision. Have good conversations with them. Make sure your hearing solid ideas for the direction of your music. If your tripping over too many names their dropping that can be a red flag. Aim high, and then work your way down towards what you can afford. Remember to not be afraid to ask. You can start with folks like myself taking the time to write this blog post about something I’m sincerely still passionate about hundreds of records later.
““Having my major record deal, a Nashville publishing deal, and being from the same city lined up all the stars, allowing me to work with a producer and songwriter who also happened to be one of the greatest drummers for one of the greatest rock bands of all time. After writing a batch of songs, I was surprised when he actually offered to go into the studio to play on the demos. On our third take, all performing together, I was singing the scratch and pinching myself, thrilled to be singing along with this drummer I idolized growing up! After the take, my newfound mentor/producer smiled and said, “Hey, that was great singing, Man! I could almost stand to have you in my headphones on that last take!” What felt like a punch in the gut shine a spotlight on a valuable lesson I had been struggling to learn: I was singing ahead of the groove and fighting his pocket. From that day forward, my pocket has improved. This is why I firmly believe in surrounding yourself with players who elevate you by challenging you to keep up. Then you can offer that same energy back to them.””
— Britton Cameron