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Print this page Print Version Working with a producer

Your relationship with a producer will depend to a certain extent on your experience in production. A less experienced act can benefit from an experienced producer.

It is always worthwhile having a few meetings with the person producing your demo or CD before going into the studio. This means you can get to know them a little personally but also talk through what you want to do.

You can't hum a production.
Graham Gould

Your producer may have suggestions on how to do things differently. This may be because it will make it quicker or cheaper to work this way. Be prepared to listen to what your producer has to say and consider what he or she is suggesting. If you haven't been working with a producer before then it can be easy to feel over protective about changes to your work or ideas. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everything but it may be new suggestions are going to improve your recording.

The producer will leave the engineer to work the desk and carry out technically what is musically required. A good, experienced producer will rely on the engineer to do this without interference, leaving the producer to get on with the creative decisions.

In the studio it is easy to hear something and jump in with a response. Give a little room. Allow the producer, engineer and other musicians to listen to the recording as well.

Sue Verran Sue Verran, songwriter
"Unless you're working with cutting edge producers, don't try to create a sound that's already on the radio because that means it's already old"
Listen to Sue Verran
Audio help
Gary Numan
Gary Numan claims he was trying to work within his own limitations when he wrote his classic electronic anthem Cars: "I was doing something innovative by accident rather than by design."
Listen Gary Numan
Audio help Leave time for mixing at the end of the session and include some time to think about the mix without jumping in. If you have been listening to tracks all day it is good to give your ears a rest from what you have been hearing before starting the mix.

The producer may suggest some extra time to finish off. It may be worth paying for half a day's extra studio time (£30 - £50) to get it right. Back to top 

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