A music producer has many roles during the recording process and the making of a record. Traditionally a record label would entrust the making of the record to a producer who's job it was to marry the labels needs with the artists.
Nowadays the artist themselves often employ a producer to ensure the quality of a recording for use in various mediums. The recording process can be time consuming and expensive and an experienced producer will steer sessions to a successful outcome and be able to work within an agreed budget to achieve the best possible result. A good producer should actually save you money in the recording budget.
There are many different kinds of producers and you need to know which is the best choice for your particular project. Some want to be in complete control and expect the artist to conform to their methods of working. Here at Offbeat we take a collaborative approach and work closely with artists to get the result they want. Our attitude is that it's your name on the record and as such you need a recording that represents exactly what you are about. If you are unclear about that at the outset, we will definitely suggest ways to come to an agreed vision of the production.
When the choosing a producer the main criteria is that you like the sound they produce and the recording methods they use to create a production.
In our view undesirable types of producer are those who exert so much control on your music that it becomes unrecognisable to you. Having all your suggestions shut down is more than unhelpful and highly unproductive. Working together in a collaborative way is the best way forward.
In the same vein, a producer who offers no guidance and doesn’t warn the artist where things are going wrong isn’t much use either. If the producer isn’t adding anything new to the project then you might as well be producing yourself!
1. How much does a production cost?
Each project has different requirements, so once we know how long a song is, how many instruments are involved and what style of music you are making, we'll work out a recording schedule and price for your production. You may be surprised how affordable a master recording can be when working to a plan!
2. Why do I need a producer?
Working to a plan can actually save you money in the studio if you are making a record for release — and that’s where a producer comes in. If you have a vision for your music, a producer can make that vision into a sound that suits your style.
3. What’s unique about Offbeat?
If you're a solo-artist, singer or songwriter and need musical accompaniment for your recordings, Offbeat can provide all the musical support required to make a great production. So if you just write and play one instrument and want to hear a full band sound without having to find musicians and rehearse — and everything else involved in making your vision real — get in touch!
4. Can you work in my style of music?
If you have a demo — however rough — of your music then send it in so we can let you know if this is a style we can work in. Offbeat has previously produced music authentically in Rock, Pop, Dance, Hiphop, Jazz, World and Classical styles.
5. I live outside Scotland, how do I work with Offbeat?
We work with artists Worldwide and have devised methods of producing tracks remotely. Check out the Remote Production section to find out more.
6. Can you work using my own recordings?
Yes we can work from your recordings if the quality is good enough. Just send in a version so we can evaluate if we can work from it.
7. Do you do re-mixes?
Yes we can remix tracks either with you attending the session or working remotely.
8. I don’t play any instruments, is that a problem?
No, we often work with singers and lyricists who create melodies, and can write music from that.
9. What is a remote recording?
If you live abroad, or in this country, we can still produce music with you. Using Dropbox file sharing technology we can work on recordings with anyone, anywhere in the World that has an Internet connection. Dropbox is free for up to 2 gigabytes of information, more than enough to transfer at any one time.
10. How long does it take to record a song?
Each song has different requirements, once we know how long a song is, how many instruments are involved and what style of music you are making we'll work out a unique recording schedule together from which we'll be able to estimate a time for the recording.
11. Will you promote my music?
No, Offbeat isn’t a promotion company, that’s the role of record labels and management companies. We work with companies of all kinds in the music business and can sometimes put artists in touch with third parties, but it’s not our principal business.
12. I am a solo artist, can you help with musical accompaniment?
Yes, we can provide all the musical instrumentation you need for your recordings. Go to the Musical Accompaniment section.
13. I am musician who needs a singer on my recordings, can you help with this?
Yes, we can suggest singers that suit the style of your music.
15. Can you help me develop my own music and sound?
Yes, definitely, this is something we excel in .
16. Will you try and change my music?
Not at all. Unless, of course, you want us to. We'll go through a process of discovery to find out exactly what you want to achieve and then we'll help you to make that happen. It’s your name on the record so the music has to represent you 100%.
