What Recording Producers Do For Artists

By Judy Rodman

What does a recording producer do? If you are a new independent artist and are contemplating doing a recording project, the following step by step schedule may help you know what to ask and expect from your producer to ensure the best recording product you can get for your budget.

* Hold a face-to-face planning consultation with your producer.

* Ask them to explain the options you have and costs of different kinds of recorded projects such as full tracks demo, limited pressing, low budget or master -- or a smaller project like piano or guitar and vocal, or pre-existing track and vocal). Unless your producer is an expert vocal producer, discuss the feasibility of adding a vocal producer to the production team. You will then decide what kind of project and how many songs to do.

* Ask and be very clear about how and when your producer expects to be paid. Almost always, you will be expected to have all agreed upon funds for the project in the producer's hands in time to clear the bank before a session is called.

* Ask how your producer intends to help you find and choose songs that fit you. If you are a songwriter who needs more or better material, ask about professional co-writers with whom the producer could connect you.

* Discuss pre-production vocal lessons to get your voice ready and to work on the songs and keys. Not all producers suggest this, but it is a very important step if you want to get your best vocals on your project.

* If you are doing a full band project, ask to have a pre-production meeting to go over choices of musicians and production ideas. You, your producer and sometimes the band leader should be present.

* Your producer would then book the band, the recording studio and engineer according to your budget, and should either write the music charts or make sure the band leader has song demo recordings from which to write charts.

* Your producer will then do the tracking sessions. You would probably be singing "scratch tracks", singing the songs as the musicians play, but these will rarely be good enough for your final vocals. The focus for these sessions is on the band getting it right; don't waste your studio time working on your vocals at this time.

* At this point I recommend taking the rough tracks home and working with them for a while (a couple weeks to a couple months), and if possible, work on them at several more voice lessons with a professional vocal coach.

* When you and your producer and/or vocal coach feel you are confident with your vocals, book the vocal sessions with the studio, as well as any needed background vocalists.

* The day of your final vocal sessions, make sure you are rested, hydrated and have a good breakfast. Be sure to do some warm up vocal exercises before singing!

* Your producer will then have your vocals tuned and the tracks digitally edited before mixing the project.

* The last step is for you and your producer to listen to the mix, do any tweaks and then approve the final mix.

Sometimes a recording producer will go on to "pitch" your project to recording labels. Don't expect this unless it is spelled out at your first meeting.

For information on recording production, vocal production and/or vocal lesson pre-production services for your next recording project, contact...

Judy Rodman -veteran professional singer/songwriter/producer/vocal instructor, developer of... "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training - Learn from a pro who's been where you want to go!

Visit website http://judyrodman.com for vocal training, recording services, blog & newsletter and more.

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