This is a guest post by Andrew Reilly. If you are interested in guest posting, check out the guidelines in the author box below.
You’ve written some great songs and you or your record company have decided that it is time to bring these songs together and head into the studio. This is an important time for any band but a big decision has to be made.
The impact that the right producer can have on your sound is crucial but is a big name producer the right option for you?
There is no doubt that a good producer will be able to make a massive difference to your songs. Even though a band may be capable of writing great songs, there is likely to be ways to polish up the track, make improvements or perhaps give it a unique twist.
Producers are not just there to make a song or an album sound cohesive or in a particular style, they can play a vibrant role in the song making process. This is why having a producer you trust and who has great ideas can make all the difference.
Producers can make a good song great
It is obvious that there is no specific need for a named producer to get these benefits. There are many producers all over the world who have an ear for a song and a knack for improving songs that aren’t really known about by music lovers. It is easy to develop a good reputation in the music industry without being known by the wider public and this is an ideal producer to work with.
However, there is no doubt that there are benefits to be gained by working with a producer who is well known. The added publicity for your group will give the potential to increase your fan base and there is a greater chance that your song will be played by DJs or be picked up on by people who wouldn’t normally hear it. This can make a big difference and is the major reason why artists and bands want to work with a known and respected producer.
Big name producers carry a big name fee
It should always be remembered that these producers do not come cheap though and a justification for their fee has to be made. If you truly believe that the added exposure that will come from them working on your track will bring financial dividends in the long run, hiring a named producer can be a sensible choice.
Sometimes the only difference between what a known producer and an unknown producer can do for your track lies in their popularity. If all you want to improve is the song and you have no interest in aligning yourself with a famous name, choose the producer that fits your budget and can tweak your sound accordingly.
However, if you think that you need a helping hand with respect to sound and publicity, choosing a named producer may make a difference. You should always remember though, a producer can only work with what they are given so it is important for the band to ensure that their material is as strong as possible before they start looking for external assistance.
[Björgvin's response: You can always do it all yourself. The equipment is cheap, and you can build a working home studio for under $1,000. Additionally, you can learn all the tips and tricks yourself, with books such as How to Record Great Music...with whatever equipment you got, which has just been released. It's on special through this week, for only $9 so hurry if you want to get a great deal!]
Andrew Reilly is a music loving, gig-going fanatic from Glasgow, Scotland. A career in music was cut short by a criminal lack of talent but Andrew has since found his niche in writing about the music he loves…and some that he doesn’t! A background in marketing has ensured that Andrew is always keen to explore the promotional and business side of the music industry.
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2 Comments on "Is a Big-Shot Producer Really Worth it?"
This post was very interesting, as my band had been discussing this subject not long ago.
We self funded a project a few years back and hired a producer who had engineered on a few ‘big’ albums for major label artists. We saved up the cash and headed into the studio, bragging to everyone about who we are working with. The guy was great, full of knowledge, experience, stories, etc. But what we didn’t realize at the time was how expensive it is recording with people like this and how long he would normally spend on a project of this nature. In the end we ended up a product that was rushed, sounding pretty dull and lifeless and had no money left for marketing etc.
Fast forward a year and we got signed to a small indie label with an in house producer. We recorded an EP in this guys home studio, spent about a week or two on it and the end result was at a different level. Simply because we had time to work on the project, experiment with ideas etc. As a result we now self record our own material.
Working with the first guy was a great experience, but for an indie band with no outside funding its not really a feasible option. For a fraction of the cost we paid for the first guy, we have set up a home recording studio that we can use at our will, get stupidly drunk, and spend weeks working on the project, getting the best possible results. Hopefully we will get to work with a big producer again but for now we are perfectly happy taking the DIY route.
Oh yeah, stifled creativity that’s rushed will always end badly. Being relaxed and knowing that you have the time to work on your project is invaluable, more so than a big producer that’s probably too expensive in the long run.