The Role of a Record Producer in Artist Development
by Camille Barbone
In the first installment of this series we established the function and importance of creating an artist development team for individuals aspiring to a successful career in the Music Industry. We listed the team members, discussed when to begin the process and focused on one of the team’s key members, the artist manager whose primary responsibility is to guide the artist’s career, help select the other members of the development team and to lead everyone towards the common goal.
This installment focuses on an integral member of the creative side of the artist development team, the music producer. Half creative muse, half commercial music maven, this person can change the trajectory of an artist’s career. The producer serves as a translator, taking each composition and marrying it with the musical vision and talent of the artist and what’s hot in the musical market place. This person is tasked with transforming the artist and music into a “viable” brand, a commercial calling card, an actual sound that is synonymous with the identity and reputation of the artist.
What to Look for in a Producer
Always at the top of the list, and the same for every member of the artist development team is the honesty and trustworthiness of the individual. There are so many “moving parts” to the creative mechanism that comprises the artist-producer relationship so you must be sure that you are dealing with a sane, law-abiding and respectful human being. This is the first of many litmus tests that this team member must pass. The producer must share a creative vision and be committed and skilled enough to make the artist’s music as powerful as possible. The objective is to generate masters that are commercially and critically acclaimed. The artist has a responsibility to his or her career to ask the right questions and select the right person to lead the studio effort.
Does the producer understand and have experience in studio protocol, tracking, overdubs, mixing and mastering? Does the producer know how to coordinate and oversee the orderly recording and production of musical compositions? How much does the producer charge? Does he work for a flat fee, an advance and/or royalties? Does the producer have experience in the type of music the artist wants to create? Ask for samples and names of the producer’s past work and the artists they have worked with. Make contact with these artists, engineers and studios references and ask about their experience and opinions on the producer. Has the producer generated masters that have been released independently or on record labels? Were any of the producer’s past projects successful? Get as much information as you possibly can. You make critical decisions by basing them on facts not feelings. Take control and responsibility for your career and future.
Sometimes artists are attracted to potential production candidates for the wrong reasons; a perceived, shared musical vision, a “gut” feeling or an interesting personality. On the surface, these attributes may point to the perfect producer but don’t make a fatal mistake. You need a talented and experienced producer to compete in the blood sport known as the music business. If your choice is based on gut and not bonafide experience and mad skills, you are gambling with your own career and may be wasting time, money and good will
What Record Producers Do
The job description of a producer is customizable depending on the artist and the given situation but there are certain skillsets that are indigenous to the function of the role.
For example, the producer must have great ears as a primary responsibility is to listen to the music, the material and decide on the best songs to record. He or she must take commerciality and the current state of the artists career into consideration. The producer must decide if the band is capable of recording in the studio or if studio professionals should be hired. But don’t panic your studio musicians can be a blend of both band members and outside musicians. Remember the objective is to get the best damn masters possible. Regardless of the musicians used to record, the producer must be certain that they are well rehearsed and ready to lay down smoking tracks. The producer is also responsible for selecting the recording studio, a tracking and mixing engineer if needed, the type of outboard gear, instruments, amplifiers, and microphones used and where they should be placed for proper “sound design.” The producer is the key to consistent quality.
The Record Production Deal
All professional relationships, including one with a producer, are memorialized by the contracts that you sign. Familiarize yourself with production deals and contracts. Sit down with a coach or manager and go over the key sections. You must understand what you are signing. You must grasp the terms and conditions. You must realize the basic premise of a contract; to help you if things go badly. It is a point from which to negotiate. If your studio and producer experience is running smoothly, the contract will sit in a file and rarely if ever be looked at or referenced again.
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