7 Top Tips for Pre Production

Just Listen

Just Listen

Start by listening to the artist and their material. Perhaps, ask the artist to play to you, it is always better to hear them live. Next, analyze the result together and try to find out what parts you liked as this could help provide you with a foundation to build from.

Demos can be really useful for an artist especially if you want to try out a variety of styles.  Different styles, suit different genres and it’s important to identify where your artist strengths lie.

Be careful not to let initial problems such as using inadequate equipment or poor recording session snowball as this could have a huge knock-on effect in the long-run when piecing together the production, this process also connects you to the artist’s vision.

To be a good producer you need to learn and understand the person in front of you.

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2. The sound is hidden in the root of the artist

2. The sound is hidden the root of the artist para

The sound is hidden in the root of the artist

You’ll find that most of the time an artist is influenced by what they know, what they hear or like the look of.  Often, this will provide you will an insight into what they might be able to achieve given the right musical ingredients and time spent working on their material.

Often, I have found that just speaking plainly will give you the best chance of getting through to your artist as it’s concise and clear to all.  Although, music tech is second nature to you there will be instances where people that you work with will not understand technical terminology so rember to speak plainly.

On occasion you might find that find an artist may lean on you to provide energy, guidance and assurance. Don’t be frightened to voice your opinion after all it’s mutally beneficial that whatever you’re working on is successful.

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3. Find the uniqueness

Find the Unique Quality

I always find that each artist ‘wants to be different’ or perhaps try something outside of the there comfort zone in order to find a ‘unique quality’. As a producer this at times can lie with you as you could be tasked with coming up with creative ways to help to create a new sound or if the artist is moving into a different genre or style.

I find that most of the time there are instruments that will flatter one artist and not so much another and it’s key to understand this as you do not want to waste any time or energy working towards the wrong sound.

The emotional connection between the artist and their material can sometimes play a huge part in defining the ‘unique sound’ and these factors can on occasion trigger a new sound.  As a producer, it’s fundamental to map out how you hear the material sounding in your head before you go and try to reinvent the wheel for your artist.

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4. Fill the Gap

Fill the Gap

You may find that you are working on a project and if you’re stonewalled, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Now and again I have used a third party to offer some advice. Perhaps you could ask the artist if they have any secret talents that might help aid the production of the project. Don’t be afraid to leave no stone unturned.

There will be times where you’ll have to dig deep on production where the artist seems to be struggling. These will be the times where you need to support the artist and fill in the gaps along the way. One way to do this could be putting things on hold to allow for extra time to ensure that you get it right at the end.

Essentially, the role of the producer is just to find the artist’s best qualities and help them to achieve the best sounding material they can create. Hopefully this will help to put them in good stead for the future.

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5. Knowledge….

Knowledge

I always feel that it’s important to understand how to record and produce a large variety of instruments. This understanding can help to prepare you for working with a variety of artists including anyone from solo artists to large bands.

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6.Out of the comfort zone

Go outside of your comfort zone

Try something new on occasion and try not to just be a one-trick pony. Music is extremely diverse and you should be too. Embrace new challenges and broaden your versatility by trying out new things and working in different genres.

Here’s one example that could be useful to know, you can use a bass guitar instead of electric one and with effects try to make it sound unique and different from the sound of a standard guitar. Another way to think outside the box is to use different and uncommon mic arrangements for recording. This could change the ‘sound’ of an instrument and provide some interesting and unique results.

As a producer it’s important to have your ‘bread and butter’, this could be a genre or a sound you tend to excel at. It’s always important to stay connected to ‘your sound’ and know what is considered contemporary because it’ll attract new and exciting artists to working with you.  It’s always important to stay connected to ‘your sound’ because it’ll keep you grounded and on occasion you’ll be dipping in and out.

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7.Don’t be afraid to Commit

Don’t be afraid to commit

Sounds silly to say but always test your equipment, a lot of the time people forget this massive step and are left red faced you do not want to be this person. I always make sure that I’m testing my mics, preamps and even plugins before the first take.

It’s okay to record lots and lots of material. Do not be afraid to press record when your artist goes a little off-piste at times as you never know when you are going to capture that magic moment. An age old trick is to make sure you are recording the artists ‘warm up’ take.

Please always put the time before a session to avoid mistakes or gear mishaps and be as prepared as possible. Commint yourself to being a good a producer as you can be and be prepared for anything might happen in front of you.

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