Hire music producer: Basic Tips and Guidelines

After all the tracks are recorded, it will be saved either in the hard drives or other medium. The recording engineer is the one that will ensure that the tracks are properly recorded according to the producer standard. The producer will approve all recordings. The mixing engineer will then be hired to mix the project.

Separate schedule might be formulated for the mixing engineers depending on the producer. The record producer will provide an input to the audio mixing engineer as to the expected sound of the mix. The record producer might be providing commercial reference CD for the mixing engineer. The song will be mixed based on these preferences. Some producers are also engineers, so they can record, mix or master your project.

Once all the tracks have been mixed properly, and the mixdown of each song are completed, the record producer will call its client to approve the mix. If the mix is OK; the record producer will then hire a mastering engineer.

The mastering engineer job is to transform the raw mixdown to actual broadcast quality recordings suitable for any application (radio, TV, any hi-fi audio equipment, CD players, iPods, etc.). Strong emphasis will be given on mastering the radio singles because they strongly affect the success of the album. The recording producer will then review the master recordings and also need its client approval.

The recording producer will finally submit the CD master or digital masters (24-bit WAV, MP3 or other formats) to the client and the job is done. You will be paying the producer services based on the terms agreed before the recording.

So do you really need record producer?

Below are the conditions when you “really” need to have a record producer:

1.) If you desperately need a broadcast quality recordings of your song. Only a record producer can “professionally” transform your completely written song into professional recordings. This recording may be used for promotional purposes such as demo submission or to radio, etc.

2.) If you drastically need to release an independent recording album which will compete with major or other indie label artist; then you surely need to hire a recording producer to supervise the recording sessions, create artistic sonic vision of the album and to produce a complete master CD.

3.) Creating a demo version of your song does not need a producer; you can do this by yourself. However, if you really need the demo to sound as professional as possible (with all elements enhanced such as the arrangement, recording, etc.); then you need a producer.

OK I need a producer, now what?

Hiring a record producer is not an easy task because you need a “perfect” man to do the job which should pass in all these qualifications:

1.) Attitude – this is the most important. You need someone who is: supportive, honest, creative, strong and someone that has the potential to love and believe in your musical abilities. Get to know the producer attitude you are hiring.

2.) Experience and mastery in your selected genre – this is the second most important; you need to ask the producer about his or her previous experience and completed recording projects. Try to listen to it and make sure that it was your selected genre. Ask for samples of the previously released works.

3.) Professional fee – the third most important. Of course, you should be hiring a record producer based on your budget. For example, there are superstar producers with tons of hit songs under their name, so they are very expensive compared to most producers.

4.) Proximity to your location – of course, it would be nice that both of you are living in the same location and close to its other. This will reduce the cost of recording the project.

Content last updated on July 14, 2012