producers

[prsplayer86]

So I'm lootking to go cut an album this year and I'd like to actually work with a producer this go round. Would be a Blackstone Cherry/Alterbridge sound with guitar solos, clean guitars,and overdriven rhythms.

Anyone have any suggestions or previous experience with someone that they've liked in the past? Anyone to steer clear of ?

 

[BSRIAudio]

I generally avoid adding a producer unless a label insists on it or the band is not focused enough and needs outside instruction to develop an identity on their own. What are you looking for the producer to do? A lot of times a solid engineer can manage most of the producer tasks and you can work more efficiently.

 

[Traumatized]

I agree with what Marykelly said. My band just released an album where a friend of ours engineered produced and mastered everything. It saved a lot of time and money as the "too many chefs in the kitchen" aspect was eliminated. The final product came out amazingly.

 

[prsplayer86]

I've had the freedom of doing it "ourselves" for a while now. It is nice doing it on your own... but I often go back and listen to recordings I did 5 years ago and think... "man, I'd totally do that different now".
I'd like to try someones input for a change of pace. Its coming out of our pockets so we can tell them to shove it if it gets stupid... but I wouldn't mind someones input on structure, transitions, and tone. I may end up just doing it like I've done the last several years and just do it ourselves.. but looking to try something else for a change.

 

[Traumatized]

I hear ya. I've been there too with old recordings, but chalk it up to it being a snapshot of my life at the time. Sometimes a fresh set of ears can definitely be of help. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[japetus]

Any producer now. I fucking hate that fucking stupid modern rock sound everyone goes for. If you want it, Jupiter Studios in St.Louis has it mastered, I can assure you that.

 

[Distored]

I agree with some. A producer is something that belongs to the record labels.
For your benefit, an engineer and mixer is your ticket now in the studio.
Throw in mastering, and your looking at hiring four or five people an hour plus studio rental, etc.

I know in my studio, I can do it all and will hand over mastering to a professional if necessary if the project is worthy.

Maybe your looking for a producer that structures the songs if it lacks in some area, and provides back-up vocals, sit-in pedal steel and other musicians, etc. But yes, if that's the case then a producer should be part of your budget.

In my case as a studio owner 3 hours from you, I would say if your songs are good and your band is on the same page, you can do just as well with a local studio owner that will handle and fine tune your efforts as an equipment provider, engineer, mixer, master-er, etc., at a minimal charge. Even local owners/engingeers can provide top of the line equipment if that is benefit as well.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Any producer now. I fucking hate that fucking stupid modern rock sound everyone goes for. If you want it, Jupiter Studios in St.Louis has it mastered, I can assure you that.

100% agree. Everyone is following the same "formula" nowadays. What made those older records great is that the art is also in how the producer shaped the recorded tone. That is what gave those tunes and the production the mojo. The imperfections or balance between the instruments. Now everyone is throwing the same drum samples on top of their recorded drums and pumping the levels the exact same way. It is too pristine and clear. I was listening to a tune off of Cult's Sonic Temple and it was drenched in verb, bass pumping and probably too upfront in the mix and the drums sounding a bit like cardboard.., but man does that album have the mojo.

I would say maybe James Lugo on this board? Seems to have reasonable prices and he is passionate. Doesn't seem like it is just a business. He likes working with people. Again though, maybe he is more on the engineer/mixing side but he writes tunes himself and is a musician so I can't see why he couldn't offer another perspective.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

if you know how to achieve what you want in the studio and have the time to do it yourself then by all means do it yourself. If technically no one in your band can do it then pay to have one but be certain on who you hire.

 

[anomaly]

Phone up Chad Kroeger. He'll help produce your music, especially with that type of music.

 

[BSRIAudio]

I've had the freedom of doing it "ourselves" for a while now. It is nice doing it on your own... but I often go back and listen to recordings I did 5 years ago and think... "man, I'd totally do that different now".
I'd like to try someones input for a change of pace. Its coming out of our pockets so we can tell them to shove it if it gets stupid... but I wouldn't mind someones input on structure, transitions, and tone. I may end up just doing it like I've done the last several years and just do it ourselves.. but looking to try something else for a change.

Everything you are talking about should be settled well before you go into the studio. That's all pre-production stuff. You can bring in a producer to help you work on your music in rehearsal but doing that stuff in the studio is a colossal waste of time and money.

 

[prsplayer86]

I get it gentlemen. All producers are a waste of time and money. All producers want to make you sound like Nickleback. You should have everything set in stone far in advance and not be open to suggestions making the idea of a "producer" mute....

Jesus guys. I'm supper excited you've written extremely successful albums without any external input. Whens your next stadium tour kicking off ?

 

[prsplayer86]

I'll just grab a presonus interface and a 57. Throw everything in a garage converted into a temporary studio and bada bing bada boom..I'll have a non radio sounding, non polished, turd that no one will ever listen too.. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions !

 

[japetus]

I'll just grab a presonus interface and a 57. Throw everything in a garage converted into a temporary studio and bada bing bada boom..I'll have a non radio sounding, non polished, turd that no one will ever listen too.. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions !

I would probably listen to that over some over compressed, overly loud, auto tuned, artificial sounding, generic, boring modern rock production that sounds like every other thing out.

 

[prsplayer86]

I'll just grab a presonus interface and a 57. Throw everything in a garage converted into a temporary studio and bada bing bada boom..I'll have a non radio sounding, non polished, turd that no one will ever listen too.. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions !

I would probably listen to that over some over compressed, overly loud, auto tuned, artificial sounding, generic, boring modern rock production that sounds like every other thing out.

Well, thanks for the input! I learned long ago that key words like "compressed, auto tuned, artificial" where code words used attract other music elitist to discuss what records had more earthy tones and what obscure sect of metal was better than the rest on that particular day.

I don't give two metaphoric shits if you don't like a polished recording... YOU'RE not the concert going, drink,cd,poster,coozy and t shirt buying 18-40 year demographic I'm going for.. If I wanted to impress all my musician buddies.. I'd have a Lynch cover band and a RedFang style original fuzz rock band...

So if anyone has a producer they've worked with in the past that they liked, and are approachable.. I'd love to hear about it.

If your going to bash the idea completely... Troll somewhere else.

 

[tubortski]

Who's to say you couldn't try a guy for one song? Someone who understands Lynch and Red Fang

You are going for a big sound, without a label. Don't blow the budget with one guy on 12 tunes, to find out he's a bad match. Perhaps an EP?

Check out some of your fav bands out of TX, just before they hit it. Start there.

... unless all your favorite albums were independently recorded....

 

[prsplayer86]

Who's to say you couldn't try a guy for one song? Someone who understands Lynch and Red Fang

You are going for a big sound, without a label. Don't blow the budget with one guy on 12 tunes, to find out he's a bad match. Perhaps an EP?

Check out some of your fav bands out of TX, just before they hit it. Start there.

... unless all your favorite albums were independently recorded....

Actually that is a great Idea. We've talked about doing a cheaper recording locally for "pre pro", and looking for the right guy after that. I think 1 song with someone to see how they fit would be great.. I know my last studio project tanked about 15 grand on a record that no one really liked the tone of. The guy was a great pop rock engineer/producer.. not so much a metal/hard rock guy.

Thanks for the suggestion

Also, Red fang and lynch are fucking sweet.. just don't want to go for that sound is all.

 

[Badronald]

I'll just grab a presonus interface and a 57. Throw everything in a garage converted into a temporary studio and bada bing bada boom..I'll have a non radio sounding, non polished, turd that no one will ever listen too.. Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestions !

I would probably listen to that over some over compressed, overly loud, auto tuned, artificial sounding, generic, boring modern rock production that sounds like every other thing out.

Well, thanks for the input! I learned long ago that key words like "compressed, auto tuned, artificial" where code words used attract other music elitist to discuss what records had more earthy tones and what obscure sect of metal was better than the rest on that particular day.

I don't give two metaphoric shits if you don't like a polished recording... YOU'RE not the concert going, drink,cd,poster,coozy and t shirt buying 18-40 year demographic I'm going for.. If I wanted to impress all my musician buddies.. I'd have a Lynch cover band and a RedFang style original fuzz rock band...

So if anyone has a producer they've worked with in the past that they liked, and are approachable.. I'd love to hear about it.

If your going to bash the idea completely... Troll somewhere else.

Good Lord.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Like I said.. why not check out Lugo and see what he can offer. You know he can handle the rock/metal tones you are going for. If not, he might be able to suggest someone that could provide the service you are looking for.

It is too bad everyone wants to sound the same production wise now. If nobody starts the revolution, the overly compressed modern formula will never die. Nobody is saying not to polish the end product, they are just saying record it with a tone you like and then let someone else polish the end product... which again, led me back to thinking Lugo could be your guy. He'll make it sit nice in a mix for sure from what I have seen/watched on his youtube channel.

 

[DrewJD82]

Hey man, not sure if you're a Sevendust fan but Clint Lowery does a LOT of writing/production work for hire. The dude has an amazing ear, great sense of melody and is a genuinely great human being. I'm sure every deal he does is different, so ya might want to do some digging on your end as far as financial stuff goes, but he might be exactly who you're looking for.