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#659897 - 07/06/09 01:31 AM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: Dwight]
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slider
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Registered: 08/26/04
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I have this feeling of not one but two generations of really significant production wisdom just fading into obscurity.
Sad these guys aren't more active as mentors.
Or am I off base there? Now that literally anyone can produce a record, there's less need for the sort of heavyweight talent you used to see in record producers. It's not that those people don't exist anymore, it's that they're doing other things these days.
Literally anyone can RECORD a record, of some sort- the technology is cheap and widely available. But to produce a worthwhile recording takes an array of talents. The leadership and psychological savvy to pull the best performance from an artist, the ears to supervise a mix, business skills to deal with record companies, and a bunch of other stuff.
Talented folks like this are still around, though making a lot less than they used to. Young producers are still coming up, with lower expectations. Probably the lower financial rewards are not affecting the amount of new talent: if you are fascinated with the recording process, you're going to make recordings, just for the love of it. And the increased availability of the technology gives even more young folks the chance.
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#659903 - 07/06/09 01:37 AM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: slider]
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jacques mehoffe
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Doesn't the producer get paid first?
_________________________
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Anyone?... Anyone? RIP John Hughes
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#659923 - 07/06/09 02:30 AM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: jacques mehoffe]
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slider
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Doesn't the producer get paid first?
Points- percentage of sales- is where the big dough is. Or was.
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#659934 - 07/06/09 04:30 AM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: slider]
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tipsheetxx
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Dwight - very good point and sadly one of the reasons for a decline in quality; even the greatest artistes need guidance and protection from self indulgence and without that mentor, the producer, music is frequently just not quite as good as it could be.
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#659935 - 07/06/09 04:51 AM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: Dwight]
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quadguy1
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Registered: 03/31/04
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I have this feeling of not one but two generations of really significant production wisdom just fading into obscurity.
Sad these guys aren't more active as mentors.
Or am I off base there? I think it's a "Last of the steam-powered trains" situation. Record production used to be an art and you needed someone who was part psychic, part visionary genius to do it well with most bands (I give as examples George Martin and Eno/Flood). Now that literally anyone can produce a record, there's less need for the sort of heavyweight talent you used to see in record producers. It's not that those people don't exist anymore, it's that they're doing other things these days.
Anyone can now produce a record (or self produce in their basement), and just about anyone does. Unfortunately, you get the expected results...Above anything else, the key to a good producer is a good set of ears. The producer needs to be able to say "that one's crap, that one needs a better arrangement, that guy in the group isn't cutting it, that take isn't good enough, etc..." VERY few artists are self aware enough and objective enough about their own work to make the decisions that a good producer can make for them. A good producer also, generally, makes good choices for his engineer, sound technicians, etc. A producer also sees the big picture, knows what it takes to create a hit record, knows that sometimes art drives headlong into commerce, and one needs to be able navigate that collision.
The very best producers usually have some musical talent they can bring to the table themselves. Think the arrangements that George Martin wrote. But you can be an excellent producer without yourself being a musician.
So, while it is true that more and more records are being released without the help of big name (or more significantly, good) producers, it does not mean that they're not needed, or that we are somehow ahead because you can now record on 24 tracks in your basement.
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#660004 - 07/06/09 04:52 PM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: Danhedonia]
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NARAS1
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Registered: 03/17/06
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I have this feeling of not one but two generations of really significant production wisdom just fading into obscurity.
Sad these guys aren't more active as mentors.
Or am I off base there?
Well If I have something significant I still run it by my legendary mentors, go see them spend the day, have lunch, and get their brutally honest opinion pro or con! Its quite valuable.
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#660636 - 07/08/09 01:56 PM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: Ditka]
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chrisquidweek
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Sometimes they run B&Bs in Western Mass...and share tales.
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I am the infernal optometrist...
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#661027 - 07/09/09 05:43 PM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: chrisquidweek]
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gearheadgirl
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Registered: 01/25/00
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Loc: Hollywood
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Not anyone can produce a record.
Like I mentioned earlier, all of those producers on the list and many more that are alive are around. A real record with a real budget with some songs and you are not going to get a better producer than those on the list. I have heard of some of the "old" producers tell of rejecting big budget projects to produce squashed mp3s. They won't do it. Someone else will.
I know an artist who just last year worked with Glyn and then Tony Visconti. Good artist, good songs, real release, good producers, great record. Now with many having their own rooms, they can defer producer fees and charge only room fees out front. Or own the songs. And to the artist it would be worth it.
And yes the window of opportunity for these ears to be available to you is timing out. And the stories these guys do tell.
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#661042 - 07/09/09 06:17 PM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: zookeeper]
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notreallyme
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Registered: 07/08/06
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In Nashville, most of the high profile ones came from publishing.
The engineers were the unsung heros. Most of the producers here wouldn't know one end of the console from the other. There are exceptions, of course. Owen Bradley, Tony Brown and Dan Huff were studio and road players first.
Also add Garth Fundis, Emory Gordy, Paul Worley. More road/studio guys. And let's not forget Barry Beckett.
Which ones from publishing? Many seem to get into publishing after they produce as it's easier to glom onto the songs then.
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#661097 - 07/09/09 08:55 PM
Re: What happens to old record producers?
[Re: Ditka]
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Shelby68
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Registered: 07/30/04
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Now that I've answered these you have to go find Ted Templeman and report back to us.
As of 2008 he's working on a new Doobie Brothers record, reportedly.
Bill Szymczyk has had an interesting career, producing some huge records in the 70's, then recently emerging from retirement to record again with the Eagles and some younger artists:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Szymczyk
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