What Exactly Does The Music Producer Do???

[Musicman408]

So I've been wondering this. I know over the years we have talked about Mac producers that we have liked more than others, and it got me wondering- what exactly does the producer do?

So that band is recording a song, and they lay down all the tracks of all the different instruments, right? So, what is it that the producer does? This has probably been talked about before, but I've always wondered about this, just out of curiosity and not knowing.

Thanks Guys,
Ethan

[nailatixela]

I don't know much about this part of music either. But I always thought the producer was in charge of getting the "sound" of the song. Sort of expands on the idea that the band/singer gives them and puts all the right sounds in all the right places. (hopefully) To make the lyrics and music wrap around each other the best that they can. That's what I've always thought, at least.

But then I wonder what the engineer does, or what the mixer does. And why can't the producer do the things that they do.

[Musicman408]

Yeah- see that's what I'm confused about. If the band is the one that laid down the tracks of instruments and everything what does one mean by the producer "gets the sound of the song"? Are we talking getting the levels and balance right, or placing affects on the different instruments and everything. This has always perplexed me.

[JWS]

Similar to a film producer. The producer is the overall person in charge of the production. Hires the recording studio, engineers, mixers, studio muscians. The producer is responsible for the final product...although the musicians certainly have a lot of input. A producer may have a background as an engineer or musician. Legendary producer Phil Spector was a former guitarist and music writer in the 50's.

That's my understanding.

[trackaghost]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_producer