Slight introduction. I'm a singer/songwriter and I've got a solid
backing band lined up to record an album. Currently, I'm doing
pre-production in my home studio. I've got the songs worked out but
I'm hoping for some creative input from the session players,
especially the keyboardist.

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.

This is an independent release so I will be responsible for making
production decisions along with the engineer. Mark Plancke (who visits
this newsgroup) is currently the engineer I'm going with.

Your tips and advice will be of great value to me. Examples of what
veteran solo artists have done (right) in your studios would be ideal.
Thanks!

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.

Raymond wrote:
Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.

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

geoff

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

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

"Phil Brown" wrote in message
...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees. You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

Bob Olhsson wrote:

"Phil Brown" wrote...

Geoff Wood -nospam wrote:

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

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees.

Agreed. Those who've not been there and done that do not often
understand this, but it's reality. Kind of like the difference in time
it takes a selfbuilder to beget new housing from scratch versus the same
structure delivered by a contractor. If time isn't money, and sometimes
it is not, then DIY is keen; other times time is money and a producer
saves time.

You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

The operative word above is "might", IMO. Sometimes it's the obvious and
only hopeful route; other times it's a recipe for disaster, robbing all
the soul from the material's presentation, achieving near perfection
while destroying the soul of the beast.

--
ha

Bob Olhsson wrote:

"Phil Brown" wrote...

Geoff Wood -nospam wrote:

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

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees.

Agreed. Those who've not been there and done that do not often
understand this, but it's reality. Kind of like the difference in time
it takes a selfbuilder to beget new housing from scratch versus the same
structure delivered by a contractor. If time isn't money, and sometimes
it is not, then DIY is keen; other times time is money and a producer
saves time.

You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

The operative word above is "might", IMO. Sometimes it's the obvious and
only hopeful route; other times it's a recipe for disaster, robbing all
the soul from the material's presentation, achieving near perfection
while destroying the soul of the beast.

--
ha

Bob Olhsson wrote:

"Phil Brown" wrote...

Geoff Wood -nospam wrote:

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

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees.

Agreed. Those who've not been there and done that do not often
understand this, but it's reality. Kind of like the difference in time
it takes a selfbuilder to beget new housing from scratch versus the same
structure delivered by a contractor. If time isn't money, and sometimes
it is not, then DIY is keen; other times time is money and a producer
saves time.

You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

The operative word above is "might", IMO. Sometimes it's the obvious and
only hopeful route; other times it's a recipe for disaster, robbing all
the soul from the material's presentation, achieving near perfection
while destroying the soul of the beast.

--
ha

"Phil Brown" wrote in message
...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees. You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

"Phil Brown" wrote in message
...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.

A VERY good idea.

Most experienced producers should be able to save you most of the cost of
their production fees. You might also want to consider hiring an arranger
and session musicians instead of using your live band.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

unged (Phil Brown) wrote in message ...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions. If the producer isn't recommended by someone you feel knows
what you are looking for, I wouldn't venture it. But what you can do,
is just get someone who knows what you are looking for to be a set of
ears during tracking. The engineer/equipment monkey/studio owner will
be paying attention to the mics being in the right place, and the
meters not clipping, and the tape and or daw running smoothly. They
may hear some really gross anomolies but they won't catch the detail
during the tracking, most of the time. Even at the editing stage, the
editor/studio monkey whatever will be wrapped up in that part of the
performance. That extra set of ears will be there to always hear
weather it sounds okay etc.


Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions.

Let me tell you a little secret. The producers work starts long before the
session starts and ends long after. During the pre production process you will
learn if the producer is right for you. If not fire him. After all, you hired
him. Then find someone else who may be more sympathetic to your music or what
not.
The days of Mitch Miller's cold dead hand running all of Columbia's sessions
are long gone. Find some one you like and can help you. Maybe even me if you
live in the San Francisco Bay Area and Î have some feeling for your music. I
can pretty much guarentee you'll come in on budget at a minium.
Phil Brown

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions.

Let me tell you a little secret. The producers work starts long before the
session starts and ends long after. During the pre production process you will
learn if the producer is right for you. If not fire him. After all, you hired
him. Then find someone else who may be more sympathetic to your music or what
not.
The days of Mitch Miller's cold dead hand running all of Columbia's sessions
are long gone. Find some one you like and can help you. Maybe even me if you
live in the San Francisco Bay Area and Î have some feeling for your music. I
can pretty much guarentee you'll come in on budget at a minium.
Phil Brown

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions.

Let me tell you a little secret. The producers work starts long before the
session starts and ends long after. During the pre production process you will
learn if the producer is right for you. If not fire him. After all, you hired
him. Then find someone else who may be more sympathetic to your music or what
not.
The days of Mitch Miller's cold dead hand running all of Columbia's sessions
are long gone. Find some one you like and can help you. Maybe even me if you
live in the San Francisco Bay Area and Î have some feeling for your music. I
can pretty much guarentee you'll come in on budget at a minium.
Phil Brown

unged (Phil Brown) wrote in message ...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions. If the producer isn't recommended by someone you feel knows
what you are looking for, I wouldn't venture it. But what you can do,
is just get someone who knows what you are looking for to be a set of
ears during tracking. The engineer/equipment monkey/studio owner will
be paying attention to the mics being in the right place, and the
meters not clipping, and the tape and or daw running smoothly. They
may hear some really gross anomolies but they won't catch the detail
during the tracking, most of the time. Even at the editing stage, the
editor/studio monkey whatever will be wrapped up in that part of the
performance. That extra set of ears will be there to always hear
weather it sounds okay etc.


Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com

unged (Phil Brown) wrote in message ...
Decide, prior to the session, who exactly is going to act as Producer.

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

The thing about a producer is they can enhance or destroy your
sessions. If the producer isn't recommended by someone you feel knows
what you are looking for, I wouldn't venture it. But what you can do,
is just get someone who knows what you are looking for to be a set of
ears during tracking. The engineer/equipment monkey/studio owner will
be paying attention to the mics being in the right place, and the
meters not clipping, and the tape and or daw running smoothly. They
may hear some really gross anomolies but they won't catch the detail
during the tracking, most of the time. Even at the editing stage, the
editor/studio monkey whatever will be wrapped up in that part of the
performance. That extra set of ears will be there to always hear
weather it sounds okay etc.


Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com

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.


Thanks,

Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

"Bob Cain" wrote in message
...


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


I used to think they were useless lumps (and some are) but a good one is
worth their weight in gold.

"Bob Cain" wrote in message
...


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


I used to think they were useless lumps (and some are) but a good one is
worth their weight in gold.

"Bob Cain" wrote in message
...


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


I used to think they were useless lumps (and some are) but a good one is
worth their weight in gold.

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.

It pays to decide who before anything happens.

geoff

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.

It pays to decide who before anything happens.

geoff

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.

It pays to decide who before anything happens.

geoff

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

And neither do some producers. Thank you, thank you, here all week, try the
veal, tip the waitress.
But seriously, there isn't one template for what they do. Some just sit there
and direct the session by indirection, making a comment here and there, I like
that, don't like that, let's try another take, let's move on, and so on. I
call that the Lou Adler approach because that's what Lou does although he
doesn't produce many records anymore.Very low key and in Lou's case very
effective because he has great taste. BYW, Lou is the tall guy with the beard
sitting next to Nicholson at the Laker games.

Some producers arrange, write, tell the players what notes to play, very
involved in every aspect. Can work just as well. It all depends.
As an aside there is a documentary about Tom Dowd coming out about now that
should offer some insights on what some of the great producers of R&B do.
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.

And neither do some producers. Thank you, thank you, here all week, try the
veal, tip the waitress.
But seriously, there isn't one template for what they do. Some just sit there
and direct the session by indirection, making a comment here and there, I like
that, don't like that, let's try another take, let's move on, and so on. I
call that the Lou Adler approach because that's what Lou does although he
doesn't produce many records anymore.Very low key and in Lou's case very
effective because he has great taste. BYW, Lou is the tall guy with the beard
sitting next to Nicholson at the Laker games.

Some producers arrange, write, tell the players what notes to play, very
involved in every aspect. Can work just as well. It all depends.
As an aside there is a documentary about Tom Dowd coming out about now that
should offer some insights on what some of the great producers of R&B do.
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.

And neither do some producers. Thank you, thank you, here all week, try the
veal, tip the waitress.
But seriously, there isn't one template for what they do. Some just sit there
and direct the session by indirection, making a comment here and there, I like
that, don't like that, let's try another take, let's move on, and so on. I
call that the Lou Adler approach because that's what Lou does although he
doesn't produce many records anymore.Very low key and in Lou's case very
effective because he has great taste. BYW, Lou is the tall guy with the beard
sitting next to Nicholson at the Laker games.

Some producers arrange, write, tell the players what notes to play, very
involved in every aspect. Can work just as well. It all depends.
As an aside there is a documentary about Tom Dowd coming out about now that
should offer some insights on what some of the great producers of R&B do.
Phil Brown

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.


Thanks,

Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

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.


Thanks,

Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

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

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

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

Or hire one.
Phil Brown

Be prepared.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS provide a lyric sheet/chord chart/score for the engineer.
Please.


Scott Fraser

Be prepared.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS provide a lyric sheet/chord chart/score for the engineer.
Please.


Scott Fraser

Be prepared.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS provide a lyric sheet/chord chart/score for the engineer.
Please.


Scott Fraser

Raymond wrote:
Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.

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

geoff

Raymond wrote:
Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.

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

geoff

Raymond wrote:

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.



Be prepared.

Ditto!


--
Les Cargill

Raymond wrote:

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.



Be prepared.

Ditto!


--
Les Cargill

Raymond wrote:

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.



Be prepared.

Ditto!


--
Les Cargill

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.

Chuck wrote

I've been thinking a lot about how I can help make the process run
efficiently while not sacrificing creativity by setting too many
parameters on both the players and the recordist.


Be prepared.