DaBear
01-11-2009, 09:49 AM
evo lep clanak za "producente"..
I've written before about the advances in music technology and how in the last 20 years the quality has gone up as the price has come down. What cost us ?100,000 20 years ago now costs around ?2,000 on a bad day!
So with all this technology at our disposal and knowing what anyone can buy with around ?10,000, the days of the producer must surely be numbered one would think? With our own gear, we must all be producers?
It depends what we define the producer role as, if it is just to get an amazing sound with the hottest new gear, then yes, we're all producers. But that's as mad as suggesting that if we can lay our hands on a canvas and oils then we're all as good as Picasso, Holbein or Constable. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows that's just a silly deduction.
I've just read an interview with producer Trevor Horn which ended with this quote 'How would Horn describe his job, now that anyone with a computer can sample and synthesize to their heart?s delight? ?To get the record finished. And that?s harder than you might imagine. I guess there?s only one real job for the producer: to know when something is right.'
And there is the truth, the job of a producer is to know when something is right. It's not compulsory for a producer to know how to play, or how the gear works, although to my mind it's essential if a producer is going to get the best performance, they at least have some understanding of how to get the sound, or empathize with their performers.
The producers I value most are those who know what a thing will sound like before it's finished, in most cases before it's started. They have a visionary, prophetic role of seeing things before they come into being.
This has nothing to do with gear, all the gear does is act as a tool to make the vision a reality.
A couple of weeks ago I spent the day teaching the next generation of would-be engineers and producers. It was late in the day and one of the students on the course announced to the class that he was a producer. I asked him what he's done so far, his answer was nothing. Here's a hint, the job title says it all, if you haven't produced anything then my guess is you're not yet a producer.
A producers skills are acquired over years, to 'know when something is right' takes wisdom and as they say wisdom comes from making good judgements and that normally comes from having made bad ones!
So if your desire is to be a great producer may I suggest you invest in the most essential tools of the trade:
* A good set of ears
* A willingness to learn
* A fantastic team around you
* A huge and eclectic collection of music
We need a new generation of producers, but don't get seduced by the gear, without the above list you're probably wasting your time.
I've written before about the advances in music technology and how in the last 20 years the quality has gone up as the price has come down. What cost us ?100,000 20 years ago now costs around ?2,000 on a bad day!
So with all this technology at our disposal and knowing what anyone can buy with around ?10,000, the days of the producer must surely be numbered one would think? With our own gear, we must all be producers?
It depends what we define the producer role as, if it is just to get an amazing sound with the hottest new gear, then yes, we're all producers. But that's as mad as suggesting that if we can lay our hands on a canvas and oils then we're all as good as Picasso, Holbein or Constable. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows that's just a silly deduction.
I've just read an interview with producer Trevor Horn which ended with this quote 'How would Horn describe his job, now that anyone with a computer can sample and synthesize to their heart?s delight? ?To get the record finished. And that?s harder than you might imagine. I guess there?s only one real job for the producer: to know when something is right.'
And there is the truth, the job of a producer is to know when something is right. It's not compulsory for a producer to know how to play, or how the gear works, although to my mind it's essential if a producer is going to get the best performance, they at least have some understanding of how to get the sound, or empathize with their performers.
The producers I value most are those who know what a thing will sound like before it's finished, in most cases before it's started. They have a visionary, prophetic role of seeing things before they come into being.
This has nothing to do with gear, all the gear does is act as a tool to make the vision a reality.
A couple of weeks ago I spent the day teaching the next generation of would-be engineers and producers. It was late in the day and one of the students on the course announced to the class that he was a producer. I asked him what he's done so far, his answer was nothing. Here's a hint, the job title says it all, if you haven't produced anything then my guess is you're not yet a producer.
A producers skills are acquired over years, to 'know when something is right' takes wisdom and as they say wisdom comes from making good judgements and that normally comes from having made bad ones!
So if your desire is to be a great producer may I suggest you invest in the most essential tools of the trade:
* A good set of ears
* A willingness to learn
* A fantastic team around you
* A huge and eclectic collection of music
We need a new generation of producers, but don't get seduced by the gear, without the above list you're probably wasting your time.