Music production (music industry)

Record producer

A recording session in Denmark
Occupation
Names	Record producer, music producer
Occupation type	Profession
Activity sectors	Music Industry Music
Description
Competencies	Instrumental skills, keyboard knowledge, songwriting, arranging, vocal coaching
Related jobs	Recording engineer Executive Producer Film Producer A&R

A record producer or music producer oversees and manages the sound recording and production of a band or performer's music, which may range from recording one song to recording a lengthy concept album. A producer has many roles during the recording process. The roles of a producer vary. He or she may gather musical ideas for the project, collaborate with the artists to select cover tunes or original songs by the artist/group, work with artists and help them to improve their songs, lyrics or arrangements.

A producer may also select session musicians to play rhythm section accompaniment parts or solos; propose changes to the song arrangements; coach the singers and musicians in the studio to encourage them to do their best; the producer helps the band to polish their performances and get the desired sound and tone that a specific genre or style of music requires. The producer controls or provides guidance during the recording sessions, such as by selecting the audio engineer and, in some cases, controlling the audio console to adjust the mix and sound of the recording. In some cases, the producer may not do the mixing, but they will nevertheless help select the engineer, and provide suggestions to the engineer. The producer typically supervises the entire process from preproduction, through to the sound recording and mixing stages, and, in some cases, all the way to the audio mastering stage. The producer may also pay session musicians and engineers and ensure that the entire project is completed within the record companies' budget.

A record producer or music producer has a very broad role in overseeing and managing the recording and production of a band or performer's music. A producer has many roles that may include, but are not limited to, gathering ideas for the project, selecting songs or session musicians, proposing changes to the song arrangements, coaching the artist and musicians in the studio, controlling the recording sessions, and supervising the entire process through audio mixing (recorded music) and, in some cases, to the audio mastering stage. Producers also often take on a wider entrepreneurial role, with responsibility for the budget, schedules, contracts, and negotiations. In the 2010s, the recording industry has two kinds of producers with different roles: executive producer and music producer. Executive producers oversee project finances while music producers oversee the creative process of recording songs or albums.