Record producer

Record producer

A record producer or music producer oversees and manages the sound recording and production of a band or performer's music, which may range from recording one song to recording a lengthy concept album. A producer has many roles that may include, but are not limited to, gathering ideas for the project, selecting songs or session musicians, proposing changes to the song arrangements, coaching the artist and musicians in the studio, controlling the recording sessions, and supervising the entire process through audio mixing (recorded music) and, in some cases, to the audio mastering stage. Producers also often take on a wider entrepreneurial role, with responsibility for the budget, schedules, contracts, and negotiations.

History

In the 1960s, Phil Spector is considered the first auteur among musical artists for the unprecedented freedom and control he had over every phase of the recording process. Moreover, he developed a music production "formula" that was imitated by many record producers, including George Martin of The Beatles, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and many others.

Roles

Executive producer

An executive producer (EP) is usually in charge of business decisions and more recently, organizing the recordings along with the music producer, whereas the record producer oversees the entire production process.

Music producer

A music producer's job is to create, shape, and mold a piece of music. The scope of responsibility may be one or two songs or an artist's entire album – in which case the producer will typically develop an overall vision for the album and how the various songs may interrelate.

See also

• Audio engineer
• Music executive
• Musician