Whats going org members, I'm a musician and want to get into producing. I want to know know if any singers, fellow players, or producers out there have any advice on what makes a good producer. Im a young guy and want to be taking serious. I know about music and the theory of it, so thats not a problem. Well just please respond!!!!

I make music occasionally. had a couple of goes in a real recording studio with my old band etc.....go in at night, its cheaper LOL. The hire is fucking expensive. We didn't have a producer, baaaaad idea.

I wouldn't mind doing it proper when older. I use to be able to read music pretty well. I need to re-learn it again.

Of course, I, being the dated newjack lover that Iam, would bring in loud ass snares for the beat etc.....

A good producer is versitle. From robert "mutt lange (Michael bolton, shaniea twain, ac/dc, billy ocean) to Prince, to Quincy jones, to dan hartman ("fletch get outta town" "relight my fire") but its fucking hard being versitile though.

thesexofit said:

Well, there you have it.

thesexofit said:

I wanna hear

Adisa said:

Stop making fun.

lilgish said:

No. Its heavy grundge shit. I got kick'd out (i was lead singer too)

I wanted to go for a more "melodic" sound at times. They didn't agree. The band fell apart after I left anyway. But we were good though. Many a good (and bad) time doing pub gigs. Some pubs are fucking weird too.

It's great you know music theory. A truly versatile producer can also make all the sounds they want to create by playing various instruments, and be the band for the band. Also, the producer knows what material and arrangements compliment the vocalists/band.

A good producer:

1.Knows how to relate to and work with all kinds of people whether it's a shy singer, a self centered guitarist, etc.

2.Knows about music, has listened to many different genres and many different artists within each genre. Knowing music theory is a plus too.

3.Knows how to communicate in a musical way what he/she wants the artist to do (instead of "I'd like your tone to sound more.....orange." a good producer can say, "Try turning your midrange up a bit.")

4.KNows how to play one or more instruments well.

5.Has some knowledge of the studio and how it works (you dont' need to be an engineer but knowing SOMETHING is a plus)

6.Is versatile.

7.KNows when enough is enough.

I'm a television producer, but some general rules that could apply are:

-Know your sh*t. Age will only work against U, so b prepared 2 show U can b taken seriously.
-Be active in your leadership role. Listen and b fair in your decision making.
-Know when 2 say no. There's a reason you're the producer.
-Let the artist play their strengths, even if that means going beyond the norm.
-and 4 god sakes, if the record sells, please don't appear in the video!

npgmaverick said:

the main thing I would say is knowing how to mix. of course there's much more to it, but creating an aural picture and balancing all instruments and voices with the right EQ is the most important thing.

Hip Hop producers are more like one man bands for the rappers.

But Rock producers are more of knob twiddlers. They know about eq, effects like delay, reverb, compression, etc, and how to achieve a sound that the artist desires. They know which musicians (if any) to bring in, or which engineers, equipment, or studio to use.

They also encourage the artist, getting them to repeat the same line over & over so it's right, while keeping them happy so they don't sound bored.

On the lower-budget end of things, they might do the actual setup of microphones & equipment in the studio & they might own the recording equipment/studio or burn cds for the band.

It's a hard job, but it's a longer lasting job in general than superstar.

Another quality I find in good producers is that they experiment with different sounds and studio techniques. Sir George Martin, for example, came up with so many tricks and recording devices when he produced those Beatles albums. He used orchestras, backwards effects, etc. Quincy Jones is another example. He tried different methods of creating new sounds to add to the artists' work. Guy Stevens (may his crazy ass rest in peace), who produced The Clash's masterpiece "London Calling" used different emotional and intense techniques to enhance the performance. He would throw stuff around and yell at the players and use other aggressive ways to intensify the music, which in the long run made it greater and stronger.

CinisterCee said:

I think teddy riley started that trend. Anyone seen James Ingrams "it's real"?

Sorry to bring you down, but unless you're going to make it big in the business (and only few do) a producer's role as a profession isn't that favourable. Be prepared to spend your time working with names whose music you could be less interested in. "Can you make my singing sound better?", or worse yet, "Make my singing sound better!" And then they think you're the technician. Pretty.

Use your imagination and dont be afraid.

guitarslinger44 said:

Exactly. All the great producers who are consistent with hits poesss the qualities above.