Hi Friends,
I have been truly blessed to have had many great mentors in my life, they have guided me through so many musical mazes. I know in future blogs I will definitely talk more about them with much reverence, because, frankly they deserve the huge amount of respect they get in the musical community. But as I sat down to write this blog something dawned on me, something really huge, yes, I have learned so much from these mentors, but I have learned even more, much, much more from the Artists I’ve worked with!
In my career I’ve been fortunate to work with both established artists and with young up and coming talent and one thing I have seen with all of them is their need to be understood. This is the greatest lesson I’ve learned in my career, we need to relate to our Artists in order to truly be able to make amazing music.
For us as Engineers and Producers it is our number 1 job to understand the artists vision and bring out great performances in them. I have learned so much more from the Artists I work with than any other source.
Each Artist is unique, they have a voice, whether they sing or they rap, that voice is theirs, completely unique to them. We as Engineers and Producers may get to work with many people during our careers, but for many Artists they may have only a few chances to establish themselves and create a career. It is our job to relate to them, make them feel comfortable, understand their vision and get the best possible performances out of them. We must always remember that it’s their music and it is our job is capture their art and present it in the best possible way we can.
The balance for us between the Technical and the Creative is important, extremely important, but the creative side must always shine! No one has ever bought a song because a waveform looked right on a screen. Let’s get creative and inspire creativity in those we work with.
Thank you all ever so much for taking the time to read this blog and have a marvelous time recording and mixing!
Many thanks
Warren
https://www.producelikeapro.com/video/maintaining-focus/
If an artist has a great song they wrote, to them it’s their baby. It is literally something born from inside them in a process not entirely under their control. It’s not terribly difficult to identify something one is passionate about, but to formulate that into a cohesive message that fits to song form and is also relatable is another matter. Finding the right words is one thing when writing prose (where you have unlimited space to make a point), but finding words that flow, fit a cadence, and rhyme often requires ones entire life experience (and vocabulary) to make happen… and frankly, a bit of luck. It is because of that Bit-O-Luck that an artists song a little extra precious and why an artist can be plagued with the question, “Will it ever happen again?”
Hi @l_scott_knight:disqus I agree 100%!! Wonderful insight! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
thank you warren some great insights
HI @paulpablolawson:disqus You’re welcome! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
This is such a refreshing perspective. It seems rare to encounter engineers and producers who understand the importance of believing in the artists they(we) are working with, let alone know how to confidently accommodate and coax out the artist’s best performances and record it. I was so lucky to have worked with a producer/engineer who surprised me with his earnest and encouraging attitude, (Sam Foster). I remember being so intimidated by the big studio when I first arrived and leaving after our weekend of recording with more confidence and excitement than I imagined possible. Sam was the opposite of uptight, his ideas were gentle and wise. His respect and openness left an enormous impression on me, inspiring me not only to keep playing Rock, but he also inspired me to be an engineer. He was able to coax the magic, because he believed in the magic, and in the right studio with right people, magic happens all the time. I really enjoyed watching your Little Empire recording sessions, they remind me of those days, and I picture them (L.E.) having a similar experience to me way-back-when with Sam. Keep up the great work, Warren, I think you are one of the greats. (Jack too) Cheers.
Hi @frederickthorne:disqus Fantastic stuff! I agree with your assessment, it’s our job to inspire and capture great performances! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Great point about relating to and understanding.
Personally, “Seek[ing] first to understand” (Covey’s Habit) the artist has been challenging yet fruitful for me. I’ve engineered musical works with youths and understanding them and keeping them focused is both fun and frustrating. I always make sure they never know my frustration is growing LOL.
Thanks for the important reminder to instill comfort & confidence and inspire creativity.
Hi @sijel:disqus Agreed, it can be frustrating! But the results are always worth it! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thanks Warren, this is a great companion to your youtube post and have to say, the connection between artist and producer (or director in film etc) is one that is very important. As with any relationship, listening really is paramount, not only sonically, but also the vision and direction, they have in their head, as well as from their heart. By its nature, being human and all, its very complex and why I think, it does need to be a collaborative process, where ultimately the total, is greater then the parts (for lack of a better way of expressing).
In short, its a subject area, that can never be overstated and glad, you have brought it up and such healthy conversations have followed : )
HI @disqus_davevagg:disqus thanks very much I really appreciate your insight and I agree this is an extremely important subject! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Just wish more folks in this industry shared your vision of how it’s supposed to be.
It makes it that much more of an honor and joy to have met you through the internet media and been able to improve my skills as a direct result.
Keep on keepin on Warren. And thank you.
Hi @Martin Weeks:disqus Aw shucks! Thanks very much for your kind comment! Glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Love ya Warren.
Aw shucks thanks @timemarchesonband:disqus You rock! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Great information, I also like Andrew Scheps version as well…..”Don’t be a Dick” 🙂
I hope everyone involved in this community realises how lucky we are to have such lessons presented to us without having to learn it all ourselves.
Thanks Warren!
Hi @plap-disqus-9778d5d219c5080b9a6a17bef029331c:disqus wow that’s very kind of you! I am really enjoying this amazing community in here! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I’m curious whether most engineers are more left-brain or right. I’ve always considered myself sort of both, roughly equal. This blog post made me question that, so I took a test. It turns out I’m two thirds right-brain and one third left. Maybe that imbalance is actually a good balance, high-ish creative drive using the technical skills in service of that.
HI @disqus_yKMNJTgmCG:disqus That’s an interesting question! I honestly don’t know what I am! Haha Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Well put Warren. I think you and I are very similar in age. I was born in 1970. I grew up pre internet, pre CD, TV with more than 2 channels, pre tablets, cell phones etc… heck, we didn’t even get a microwave until I was in my 20’s! I started playing drums at a very, very young age then started learning guitar around the age of 10. Music was just something in my blood and I couldn’t deny it! I will say this however, I feel so blessed these days to have access to your site, your video’s blogs etc… I remember touring across Canada playing guitar for a living, and hitting studios when I could. We recorded in Nashville a couple times, and though I sat mesmerized watching and learning what I could, I asked as many questions as the session would allow and that helped me a lot… but the stuff I learn from your videos is priceless! Even though I didn’t follow music as a final career, and now I develop computer software for a living, music is still a huge part of my life on all levels, and it’s people like you and Pensado that makes me happy to be alive in this time!
Hell, in my attached photo below while I was building my studio, and working on my desk, you can see your interview with Dave playing on the computer… when I’m not writing code, I’m studying what I can and constantly learning and your site is one of the best vehicles I’ve found to transport me to areas I could only dream about seeing and talking to people I could only read about in the “Old Days”.
Thanks again Warren, I truly don’t think you realize how much help you are to fellas like me!
Hi @dannymacnevin:disqus When I left home at 16 my parents didn’t have a Colour TV! haha But that’s because my Dad is cheap! Insanely talented but cheap! I had an amazing time talking with Dave Pensado! Glad you enjoyed it! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Well stated. I’ve responded and expressed my appreciation for everything you have done because it is very refreshing to be able to go to site where you can see and hear the results. More importantly, trusting the info ur receiving is huge! So, once again, thank you. The previous comment was on point in saying that the info is extremely valuable and it DOES help so many of us out here…
Hi @beatkrusha:disqus You’re very welcome indeed! I am so glad to be able to help in anyway I can! I love this community we have it’s truly fantastic! Have a marvellous time reaching and mixing, many thanks Warren
Great! You should focus on learning one skill at a time. You can switch your attention from task to task in rapid succession and call it multitasking, but that only results in doing many things poorly.
For learning focus, http://goo.gl/OgKA8y