A record producer organizes all elements needed to bring a music recording session to completion. They require substantial finances, copyright clearance, recording equipment, technical assistance, and a recording venue. Producers aim to produce recordings that will appeal to many paying customers, requiring good judgment, understanding of music trends, and cognizance of the market. With technology, producers can try out ideas inexpensively from home studios. Producers need good interpersonal skills, patience, enthusiasm, and the ability to tactfully combine ingredients so recordings stand out.

1. Music Industry
The Record Producer
Chris Baker
www.musicstudentinfo.com

2. Record Producer
Introduction
A music record producer’ role is to organise the
several elements that need to be combined in order
to bring a music recording session to a successful
conclusion

3. Essential requirements
Substantial finance
A song or piece of music
Copyright clearance
Performance
Recording equipment
Technical assistance
A recording venue, studio or hall

4. Personal qualities
The aim of a producer is to produce a recording that will appeal
to many thousands of paying customers.
They require:
Good judgement
An understanding of the type of music
Awareness of current trends in the industry
Cognizance of the market

5. Personal qualities cont.
A good ‘ear’ for a tune
Able to combine the ingredients so that the recording stands out
from similar current recordings
Knowledge of recording equipment
Understanding of legal matters
A good organiser
Ideas for fresh sounds & Interesting arrangements

6. Technology
With today's technology a music can try out ideas inexpensively
with a home midi studio.
Production is about enabling people to give their best
A producer therefore needs:
Good interpersonal skills
A good deal of patience
Enthusiasm

7. Production
• When working with an established band, a producer works
closely with the performers, ideally working as another
creative member of the band.
• If an experienced ‘act’ has been assigned by the record
company to the producer, the producer should play an
active role in advising and developing the performers.

8. Production cont’d
• Meeting performers before a recording before a recording
session will enable the producer to:
• Judge the musical abilities of band members
• Assess their temperaments
• Determine hoe strongly they feel about musical issues

9. Producer etiquette
Band ideas should be tried and discussed but sometimes the
producer will have to tactfully insist on a course of action.
During the mix a producer will also work closely with a sound
engineer and should be aware of their objectives

10. Working practice
They will:
Use the expertise of the engineer
Incorporate most suggestions from the source
Not interfere with the operations of that source
Only overrule the engineer if necessary

11. Budgeting Questions
Before making a commitment the producer will need to evaluate several factors, for
example:
1.Can the ‘writers’ consent to a commercial recording?
2.How much studio time will be required?
3.Will there be a mixdown session?
4.How long will it take?
5.Will session musicians be needed?
6.Will backing vocalists be needed?
7.Will the studio facilities be adequate?

12. Budgeting cont’d
• Will specialist equipment have to be hired?
• Who will do the mixing?
• Should an arranger be engaged?

13. Okay Go!
Lets record…………