Why You Need A Music Producer

By Chip Campbell

 I have had many artists and songwriters tell me that they don’t need a music producer. Then, they are wondering why they are not getting the air play, the gigs, or selling many CDs they expected. This is what I tell them, I say, “If you are building a brick home, you can buy the mortar, you can buy the brick, and lay the brick yourself. But unless you are a professional bricklayer, you’re not going to have a great looking brick home,,, If your car needs painting, you can buy the paint, the gun etc… but unless you have the know-how and experience — it’s going to look like crap.”

Many people think they can produce their own CDs, but most often that’s what they will sound like. Some others will go to a great studio that has great gear and a good audio engineer, etc. But an engineer usually is someone who is concerned about getting the right levels and clarity of what’s being recorded and most are very good at delivering that and what you ask them to do. But that’s not producing.

A music producer is like a director in a film. His job is to examine what’s best for the artist and knows the market the artist is trying to reach, always keeping the goal of the artist in mind, remembering how to make a viable product to accomplish this goal. The music producer is responsible for picking the right studio, engineer, musicians, songs, and is looking at the over-all end results that will achieve the objectives within the budget parameters of the project,. He will be working to get the best from the studio, the best from the engineer, the best from the musicians that will fit the market or goal to be reached.

Choosing the right music producer is very important. Some music producers have a niche and, generally, all their productions pretty much have the same flavor, no matter who the artist is. This is good if you need that particular sound without too much varianc. Other producers, including myself, have a deferent approach. I and we produce a wide divergence of music from mariachi, jazz, blues, rock, rap, country, folk etc.

Music producers that have the same approach as I usually pick projects that are unique and get this in the recording, but still keep the market and goals in mind. So think about your goals and what market you want to reach, then choose a music producer wisely. Listen to their prior recordings. Remember that most good music producers have many contacts in the industry that can help you along your way.

So why do you need a music producer? Because, unless you have the knowledge and experience you can not and will not create a viable product that will further your goals in an expedient and professional manner. Lay your bricks and paint your cars yourself, or go get a pro. Make a great recording and learn the ins and outs in the process.

Chip Campbell can be reached at 214-908-7682

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