If the role of record producers was nebulous from the start, digital music production made it even harder to define. The resulting depth and richness of sound were unheard of at the time, and Spector went on to produce Let It Be by the Beatles and Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel using that technique. Developed by music producer Phil Spector in the early ’60s, the Wall of Sound involved recording the same instrument multiple times while carefully adding layers upon layers of soundscapes to enrich the recording further. The Wall of Sound was a revolutionary approach to recording music. This mix of knowledge, expertise, and an excellent ear for music, transformed the figure of the record producer into a versatile supervisor/band member who can guide the sound of an album until it reaches the ideal quality according to the bands and their audience. Furthermore, by working for the main record labels and producing hundreds of albums every year, they knew the best engineers and developed an almost infallible music taste. The record producers were the only ones who had a complete overview and understanding of the technical requirements necessary to produce the album. However, the technical knowledge necessary to maximize the potential of these new tools was beyond most artists’ abilities. The possibilities provided by multitrack recording and electronic instruments allowed musicians to explore new sounds. Record producers: a brief historyĪt the early stages of the album era (until the late ’50s), record producers mainly were in charge of handling finances, music equipment and personnel in short, they were the ones who would ensure that the album’s creation would run smoothly.įrom the early ‘60s, things started to change. The digital era has magnified the importance of producers, as it became even clearer that they’re the ones connecting artists, engineers, and audiences to create a successful work of art. In the ever-changing context of digital production and distribution, the figure of the music producer has changed over the years: from technician to manager, from coordinator to mentor. Often the role of the music producer combines creative and managerial elements, which means they influence the song creation process at all levels. Producers oversee multiple aspects of an album’s creation, from choosing the personnel working with the artists to guiding the selection and shaping of sounds. Music producers bring artists’ visions to life. In this article, let’s peel back the curtain. While the role of musicians and engineers is defined and clear to most, the music producer may seem like a mystical figure at times: a person who can single-handedly change the sound of a band and lead it to success (or failure). Yet, each of those publications results from a different mix of human qualities: the meeting of minds, a delicate balance between freedom of expression and business profitability. Over the last 60 years, an ocean of albums has been produced by artists exploring all sorts of genres. Were they the result of the immense talent of creative individuals or the collective work of artists, engineers, and managers? Have you ever wondered how the best albums came to life?
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