Comments on: Psychology and the Music Producer – an audio engineer often has to do it all

By: Psychology and the Music Producer – an audio engineer often has to do it all (Presented by Disc Makers) | MAGIX Samplitude Pro X

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:58:06 +0000

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By: How To Record A Great Vocal Take

How To Record A Great Vocal Take — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:44:34 +0000

[...] to feel the artist out. Listen to the words, if they have a lot of meaning to the artist, you can use that psychology and say, “Hey, you’re talking about how this guy broke your heart, try drawing on that anger [...]

By: Sound engineering courses

Sound engineering courses — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:51:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing.

By: Steeledwadders

Steeledwadders — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:16:00 +0000

If the engineer was watching the meters he or she would know they you were clipping and should have adjusted accordingly. They should have had you sing your loudest part before recording to check levels. An engineer should also have known about correct panning to give all componets their own space. I would say get someone who is a little more knowledgable next time. It is a misconception about “fixing it in the mix” syndrone. Always start off with the best recording possible. That would be like taking a blurry picture and photoshopping the blur away. At the end of the day it is still not a very good picture. It seems you caught some of this. Perhaps you should have engineered yourself lol. Keep pushing on and achieving your musical pursuits.

By: Tyrone Johnson

Tyrone Johnson — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:38:00 +0000

I agree enthusiasm is important to bring the best out of artists and get them to be positive and keep performing. When a producer becomes condescending, it can destroy a performance and have a negative impact on their reputation for future performances. It is definitely a mix of skill and psychology to get the job done right.

By: Geebaby

Geebaby — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:19:00 +0000

As a recording artist, once I hired an engineer to record my music with no producer on the job. I figured I would produce the record myself. The engineer did a lot to spark production ideas, but it not being his job, he didn’t do anything to help me follow through with them. His knowledge of producing records, though limited, steered me in the right direction to go and learn about things on my own. I couldn’t have done it without him. BTW it took me a year to figure it out on my own, even with the help!

By: Geebaby

Geebaby — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:09:00 +0000

Often good producers catch these things. Not only that, a good producer will realize that a singers “live” energy is not happening, and some steps can be taken. For one get 5-10 close friends together and have them be an audience for your recording. Nerves in the studio are usually fear of failure, nerves on stage are fear of social disapproval. If a singer accels at live performance, then their social acceptance can help overcome the nerves of the studio.

By: Jon Marc Weiss

Jon Marc Weiss — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:31:00 +0000

Thanks everyone for the good words!

By: Musix

Musix — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:13:00 +0000

To: Jon Marc Weiss… Inspiring to read such a candid article! Good job. I’ve been recording 30+ years and love to hear everyone’s take on the process. Lots of laughs with all the emotional comments as well. The art of recording and performing… there is nothing like it on the planet. Part science, psych, audio, surprise, joy and more than I have to contemplate at the moment.

By: Hugh Jass

Hugh Jass — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:54:00 +0000

Hey wormy…I know whatcha mean…but do ya have to be so mean about it? An experienced and seasoned engineer picks up lots of production tips and tricks along the way and I always approach studio sessions by telling everyone to put all ideas on the table and if a production idea works, then it works, if not, no harm no fouk and that goes for everyone in the studio for a project.

A brand new engineer typically concentrates on just the “tekkie side” of the job where as a veteran engineer might suggest enhancements that make the songs/project shine even more. Some examples I experienced are an engineer added a split second break after the chorus and before the next verse and it added a nice “pop” to the song.suggesting and using effects properly is great if the band/artists didn’t think of it first. The key is that during basic tracks recording is that the engineer gets perfeft drum sounds and recorded tracks as typically once the drummer is done, he or she is DONE….and the rest of the band overdubs unless they are contect with their track durings basics. During basic tracks the engineer must listen for a steady tempo from the drummer and not record a roller coaster fluctuation in tempo from the drummer. Shimmering cymbals are nice too proper placement of the right type of mics etc.

The ‘producer’ comes in handy with vocal phrasing and backing vocals arrangements. If an engineer is skilled enough in arranging then great!

I know the pseudo-producer types people are mentioning here…those are more interested in the sales and finances of the project rather than a pro sounding recording with hooks and commercial radio-ready material.

You get what you pay for and if you’re engineer offers producton deas, let him/her suggest and then play back and decide if you like it or not.

Artists/bands must do their homework before contracting with a studio, producer, engineer(s)…..listen to their previous work and decide for yourself if tehy sound fantastic or average or maybe crapola?

If your producer and/or engineer has worked with succesful artists then that’s a GREAT sign of their credentials and abilties…but you’ll pay more for the major label type producers and engineers.

So shop around and find the best talent for your bucks….

Of course, a producer and engineer are only as good as the material they are working with that the artist wrote.

Don’t expect an engineer or producer to make a hit song out of crappy material…. otherwise you’re just sking your engineer and producer to polish a turd. LOL

DO HAVE FUN in the studio…be open minded to ideas while having tight arrangements and great hooks going in to the studio… bring at a minimum the “90% solution” to the studio and solid engineers and producers will make your music shine! But bring in great stuff for them to work with.

Hope all this helps!
Your pal,
Hugh