Why Hire a Producer?

The answer to that question is not as simple as a financial decision. Whether or not to have someone engaged as "the Producer" boils down to a value proposition. What do you have to give and what will get in return? You can't spell producer without "pro".

The tendency with many artists and bands is to take the position they can do everything themselves. Many can, but in an increasingly competitive market, artists and bands are competing for a smaller piece of a smaller pie. The first step in making the self-produced vs. producer produced decision is conducting a self-evaluation.

Taking inventory --

The purpose of self-evaluation is to look at the benefits and risks associated with using a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) model or using a music producer. Ultimately, all artists & bands want to give themselves the best chance for success and meeting their short-term and long-term goals.

These are a few of the dimensions you should evaluate:

Production
Many artists/bands have recording, mixing and mastering experience. However, few have the appropriate facilities or equipment for that super-polished sound. Fewer, have the recording experience that professional producers have. Producers challenge the individual or group to simply be their best. Producers also have relationships with other artists that can aid your project (i.e. that cello part on your killer ballad). Producers will typically pay for themselves by managing the project to fruition on a timely basis through their experience.

Distribution
Getting onto Itunes may be the objective, now what? Getting the maximum impact after the Release Party is more than having it available. Using a producer will allow you pick their brain about what works and what doesn't. They may have distribution contacts that they are willing to connect you to.

Marketing
Marketing is far more than being able to use Photoshop to build your album cover and website graphics. Most producers will have contacts with PR firms, graphic designers, music marketing firms, etc. can aid you if you can get them to hand you off to them.

Relationships
Ultimately, Producers have relationships... lots of relationships. Often employing a producer is about having access to some of those relationships and the experience associated with them.

Financing
Sometimes producers dig an act so much that they will finance some or all of the project. Being able to afford 1000 cd's doesn't necessarily mean that your money is best spent that way. Based on experience, think in terms of having one chance at success. You want to have your best foot forward. Financing an independent release can be done a myriad or ways. Start with spending your hard earned money on the best demo single you can get produced. If it is as killer as you think it is, financing the album and subsequent marketing and distribution will work itself out.
Translating these dimensions to questions you should ask yourself -

1. Do I/we have the equipment, facilities, and experience to record, engineer, mix and master in such a way that the finished product is equal to or greater than what a professional label can achieve?

Considerations: This includes buying studio time... to most studios you are just one time slot amongst hundreds. You get what you pay for. Producers learn your art and ensure you get the most of the recording production.

2. Do I/we have a solid distribution plan established for our release or is relying on luck the plan?

Considerations: No one wants to have a bunch of cd's that they are just hoping and wishing someone will buy. Basic marketing and distribution principles should be utilized prior to pressing you cd. The trick to really to understand what your objective is. If you are just wanting to sell something to your existing fan base that is attending your shows, then you don't have much to do. If you are trying to build a name and sell internationally, you may want start thinking about help.

3. Do I/we have a holistic marketing plan established to get our product to the world?

Considerations: Marketing and distribution go hand in hand. Marketing is about meeting a need. Distribution is about how to fulfill that need. We all assume that the world needs our music... and they do. With respect to your next big project, you need to think through how you intend to advertise your product and anything else that will go with it, i.e. release party, ads, t-shirts, stickers, everything. Typically, a pro producer will be associated with a label. The label (whether you are "signed" or not) will have contacts and a network of resources you can tap into, if you ask.

4. Do I/we have the relationships that will help achieve the short-term & long-term objectives?

Considerations: The music business is above all other things.... a business. In business, relationships rule. I've seen situations where people were brought into projects just to form relationships. As Robert Randolph & the Family Band would say, "Nothing wrong with it".  Riffs don't make the world go round...songs don't... people do. As long as you take the approach of building healthy respectful business relationships, industry people will respond. One reason to hire a pro producer is to take advantage of the relationships that will lead to over time.

5. Do I/we have the financing to adequately sustain efforts to meet the short-term objectives?

Considerations: The key is to leverage as much bang for the buck as you can. I may not be obvious to someone at the outset, but getting your project recorded and physically manufactured is just a fraction of the overall cost when your time and effort are taken into -consideration. My advice is to not over-commit your financial resources until you've got a solid handle on questions 1-4. If you really believe you are the next big thing with the next big sound, hook up with someone who will help you get the message to the rest of the world.

If you want to engage a professional music producer, drop us a line and we'll hook you up.