The history of pop music presents many examples of a great, pioneering music producer advancing its innovations. Take the example of George Martin, who crafted 10 of the 11 Beatles albums, or the example of Quincy Jones, deliberately handpicked by Michael Jackson to bring his "Thriller" album to new heights. Then there is Phil Spector, whose famous "Wall of Sound" laid out the blueprint for the modern pop record.
Yet, for many people, the actual role of producer is unclear. This might be because the job they do will vary from artist to artist and album to album. In some cases they will be the guy in the control room with the headset, making sure everything is happening as it should, when it should and, later, mixing it all together.
Often, however, they become much more than that. They become co-writers of tunes and architects of albums. They become coaches of the band and de facto managers, budgeting, scheduling and negotiating in the band's favor.
One famous example of how a production team can redirect the sound of an album is Lou Reed's 1972 album "Transformer". Reed had 11 songs written, most of them with simple acoustic arrangements, which he then handed over to producers David Bowie and Mick Ronson. The British glam rock duo laced songs like "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love" with soaring arrangements relying on strings, piano and backing vocals and one of pop's most beguiling albums was created.
As technology has taken over much of how pop is now written, the role of producer has become yet more crucial. Hip Hop, and its long journey to the mainstream, has had a lot to do with this. In rap, the beat-maker has always been crucial to the composition element of the songs, with the rapper concentrating on the lyrics.
As rap music, playing upon the blues habit of expanding upon an already established musical backdrop, has traditionally relied upon sampling, the role of the producer is often based around layering snatches of music performed by other artists into a new, fresh sound. A pioneering example of the form is Dr. Dre's debut solo LP "The Chronic" from 1992. Here Dre put together his own band to interpolate old P-Funk riffs and beats, adding his own drum loops and breaks to create a new, stylized sound.
In the modern era, where pop stars from talent shows rely completely on production for the musical direction they will take, the role of music producer is more crucial than ever. The singers are the ones who get the press. It is those behind the mixing desk, however, who are the true creative force behind their output. Producers are now offering Hip Hop beats for sale online so that singers and rappers have more options when it comes to their music production.
Yet, for many people, the actual role of producer is unclear. This might be because the job they do will vary from artist to artist and album to album. In some cases they will be the guy in the control room with the headset, making sure everything is happening as it should, when it should and, later, mixing it all together.
Often, however, they become much more than that. They become co-writers of tunes and architects of albums. They become coaches of the band and de facto managers, budgeting, scheduling and negotiating in the band's favor.
One famous example of how a production team can redirect the sound of an album is Lou Reed's 1972 album "Transformer". Reed had 11 songs written, most of them with simple acoustic arrangements, which he then handed over to producers David Bowie and Mick Ronson. The British glam rock duo laced songs like "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love" with soaring arrangements relying on strings, piano and backing vocals and one of pop's most beguiling albums was created.
As technology has taken over much of how pop is now written, the role of producer has become yet more crucial. Hip Hop, and its long journey to the mainstream, has had a lot to do with this. In rap, the beat-maker has always been crucial to the composition element of the songs, with the rapper concentrating on the lyrics.
As rap music, playing upon the blues habit of expanding upon an already established musical backdrop, has traditionally relied upon sampling, the role of the producer is often based around layering snatches of music performed by other artists into a new, fresh sound. A pioneering example of the form is Dr. Dre's debut solo LP "The Chronic" from 1992. Here Dre put together his own band to interpolate old P-Funk riffs and beats, adding his own drum loops and breaks to create a new, stylized sound.
In the modern era, where pop stars from talent shows rely completely on production for the musical direction they will take, the role of music producer is more crucial than ever. The singers are the ones who get the press. It is those behind the mixing desk, however, who are the true creative force behind their output. Producers are now offering Hip Hop beats for sale online so that singers and rappers have more options when it comes to their music production.
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Want to find out more about music production, then visit www.phoenixrecording.com. There are also great resources for finding Hip Hop producers.
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