It could be argued that the role of a music producer is one of the most underrated jobs within the music industry – at least, from those outsides of the industry.
While you can guarantee that there will be many who will be thankful for the work that they do behind the scenes, such as artists and record labels, listeners of the tracks that are released will typically not have any idea about who managed to put everything together and will only know who sung the lyrics.
However, a music producer is an essential component of the industry. Some would perhaps classify them as the glue that helps to put all the pieces together and provide the famous creations that we hear today on the radio, on our TVs, and through our favorite streaming sites. But, what does a music producer actually do when behind the scenes?
Oversee & Manage
The main role that a music producer will typically have is to oversee and manage the entire recording process. This means they are required to work closely with the artists that are being used for the track, while they will also need to work closely with others involved in the production team.
They can be incredibly effective in the entire recording process as they have a range of expertise and can be the individuals who help elevate an artist’s recording and make it a chart-topping hit. They would do this by providing the advice that they have and applying it to certain aspects of the track being recorded, including the use of sounds and instruments. They can recommend and advise on the use of sound effects and whether they can make a positive difference, or whether an artist should consider using certain sounds as they may not resonate with the public at the time of release.
How Involved Can Music Producers Be?
Each music producer will operate in a different way from the other, as they will have learnt certain techniques and methods that work for them. These can differ as what works for one will not always work for another. This can be one of the reasons why some are more highly sought after by artists when looking to record new music and release it.
Nonetheless, there will be a degree of involvement. Some will have a very hands-on approach as they will want to have an element of control and help as much as they possibly can. This may include working with the artist from the very beginning and recommending aspects such as lyrics, sound effects, and the creation of an album or song. Some producers will step in when it comes down to recording the track and assisting them in producing the desired sound that they want to achieve and want everyone else to hear.
Ultimately, their main role is to help an artist achieve the very best outcome with what they are recording. Some will find that they need to be more involved than others, while their involvement might also be limited by the artist or team being worked with, too.
Do Music Producers Have Other Tasks?
While music-making and the recording processes can be rather intensive and time-consuming, music producers are also tasked with a range of other things that they need to complete and accomplish when working. A juggling act needs to be managed.
They need to communicate with everyone involved, from the artist to record labels, the production team and even distributors and promoters in order to get the finished product out and into the mainstream media in order for it to have a chance of being a success. Without all of these tasks being completed, artists would find it very difficult to get their music out there and achieve success on their own.
Technology has played a role in helping to aid music producers with new software, but individuals who work in this space need to ensure they can handle multiple tasks at the same time effectively. They are not always working with just one artist at times, either, with some working with multiple depending on their schedules.
Don’t Underestimate What A Music Producer Does
A music producer is a vital key in the cog of music production, regardless of where they enter the process. Without them, it could be argued that the music industry would not be where it is today as they have the best interests of the artists that they work with at heart. They may go unnoticed and be underrated by many, but they are well respected by their peers and colleagues because, without them, we might not have the tracks being produced today available.