Geoff Wood wrote:

Bob Cain wrote:
Phil Brown wrote:

Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as
Producer.

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

What does a producer do? I'm serious, I've never been in
the presence of one at work and have no idea.

The nominated person who makes the final decisions as to what stays, what
goes, what directions to follow, what is good enough, what isn't, what the
end-product should sound like. Can either be the engineer, a band member,
an associate of the band, or an externally hired gun.

And all of that might be after planning where and with whom the tracking
and mixing will be done, arranging for any outside gear or instruments
that will be needed, lining up extra musos for stuff that might be
outside the regular lineup's realm, finding housing, arranging for
appropriate nutrition and transportation, seeing that all the
appropriate forms are filed and proper payments made if AF of M
musicians are involved, making sure licenses are acquired if outside
material is used, managing preproduction to the benefit of the material
and the performers (arrangements, backing and solo development, proper
charts or leadsheets), ensuring the band members have supporting
agreements between them in order to maintain control of the product (see
_The Musician's Business & Legal Guide_), and more (or less) depending
on the specific situation.

It pays to decide who before anything happens.

Somebody or a recognized team of somebodies, must be in charge. An
endless stream of "I dunno; what do you think?" rarely delivers
memorable product. It also pays for anyone contemplating shouldering the
producer's responsibilities to recognize one's personal limitations to
avoid sacrificing perfectly good material at the altar of arrogance.
Successful teamwork derives from individuals working from their strong
points toward a common goal.

--
ha