Creative
There are many ways in which creativity can be inspired and achieved and we know that many producers have a variety of styles and methods (even if they themselves struggle to explain exactly how they do it).
Of course, some would argue that much of the creativity takes place before the recording sessions occur and that after pre-production there is not always time to be experimental and creative.
However, let’s remember that, despite the careful planning and arrangement achieved via the pre-production stage, the recording sessions are more often than not the place where ideas blossom and develop and where great performances can make a real difference to a song. The producer’s role is integral in steering this creative process.
So how do you create a creative environment or engender creativity within a session? As you have by now realized, you will not find a hard and fast answer to this question, no matter who you ask (believe us, we have!).
However, there are considerations and ideas that may be helpful when tackling this issue. Creativity can come from a variety of different sources, some of which are more obvious than others, but in order for a producer to create a creative environment some basic issues need to be realized.
Firstly, for any person to be creative they need to have a sense of security. Therefore, in the context of the session they need to feel comfortable with the people around them.
In order for this to be the case, the people they are working with need to understand them and what makes them tick; a mutual trust needs to be developed.
This may sound rather deep but a producer really needs to put some time into getting to know the artist and musicians they are working with in order for this to take place.
It may sound trite, but a preliminary meeting over a coffee or beer really could help the creativity of a session further down the road.
Secondly, creativity is a very personal thing and usually comes from some kind of emotion. Therefore, creating an environment that someone can feel relaxed (or safe) enough to be emotive in is essential.
An artist or musician needs to feel sure that whatever they do or say in the studio stays in the studio and that they are essentially able to be themselves.
Therefore, it might be worth considering who is around the studio during recording sessions and the space that is used in order to capture a performance.
If you want an intimate and personal performance and delivery, then the live space of Studio 2 at Abbey Road may not be the best place!
Thirdly, think energy! It is difficult to be creative in an atmosphere that lacks energy. There’s nothing worse than trying to be creative and bounce ideas around when something or someone in the session is bringing the vibe down.