Let’s take a look at the world of a song producer, and answer some questions you might have about song production. Kip Allen has been a Nashville fixture since 2008, a trusted song producer, songwriter, music producer, session drummer, and touring musician. You can call Kip at 817-995-8093 the next time you need a song producer, and what you want is one of the best in the music industry.
What is a song producer?
“A music producer/song producer is someone who makes sure that when recording a song or making a record, the end result is as good as it can be by ensuring that a song is well produced and well recorded. It may mean giving the band or singer or songwriter advice when it comes to certain aspects of their performance, or making sure the engineer is doing his job the best way possible. A good song producer is an overseer of sorts, a foreman on the job, making sure the end result is the absolute best result that can be attained.”
A music producer understands every aspect of studio production. They understand about audio mixing and microphone placement. They understand about studio acoustics. They understand how the addition, or subtraction, of one instrument will make the difference between “very good” and “outstanding.”
What skills must a song producer have?
A good music producer is a jack-of-all-trades, incorporating knowledge gained from years of experience into each song. A good music producer listens to the artist, asks questions of the artist, until a thorough understanding of the artist’s goals and vision is gained, and then finds a way to make that vision a reality. An outstanding music producer is a savant, of sorts, hearing instruments before they are played, finding combinations before they are attempted, in possession of a God-given gift which sets them apart from anyone else in the music industry save a handful of other gifted producers.
Where would The Beatles be without their producer, George Martin? It is impossible to say, but just the fact that the question has been asked, now, for almost sixty years points out the important role Martin played in the success of the most famous rock band in history.
How do you find an outstanding song producer?
If you hang around your local music industry long enough, names will arise. Good producers do not stay hidden and unknown for long. Ask around your city. Trust the opinions of those musicians you admire in your area. And nationally it is perhaps even easier to gather a quick list of the really good ones, or you can simply consider songs and albums you admire, which are similar to your style of music, and find out who produced those songs.
And once you have a list of music producers, what then?
Sit down with several of them. Talk about your goals and your vision. Ask them for their opinions and input. Do not rush the process. The success of your music literally hangs on this choice, so enjoy the process and find the music producer who best works with you.
A word about Kip Allen
Kip Allen, Drum Workshop Artist, is a highly-respected music producer, songwriter, and musician, having worked with many of the top names in the Nashville area.
