In the previous article we spent some time discussing pre-production and its importance to the session.
How does this preparation come to fruition? How does it manifest itself? And what lessons and actions or habits should be carried on throughout the sessions?
In this section we look at the possible ways in which a producer can manage and run the ship during the sessions.
We must suggest a caveat inasmuch as every producer will be different, as will every session, and every band you work with.
So take the following paragraphs as a discussion of what you might need to recall later and how you might go about retrieving them.
Producer Preparation
Preparing for the session is something we cover in detail in both project management and pre-production, but there will be personal preparatory routines you might wish to go through.
The session can be a physically and mentally demanding sequence of events. The producer is expected to be serenely on top of matters and consider solutions, answers, and creativity when there’s a block. You might have your own set of activities you like to consider when you’re preparing for a session.
Some producers we have spoken to like to get into the studio and the session at least an hour before any musicians.
Some like to use this time to sit quietly in the space, consider what went on the night before, and how they might work through any issues, or simply plan how the day ahead goes.
The technically minded producers among them suggested they liked to use this time to review the recordings from the previous session and perhaps do some editing or planning the overdubs or whatever today’s session has in store.
Turning up late can be an option for the more maverick producer. The band and engineer can get through the social pleasantries before the producer comes in and cracks the whip for the day at hand. This grand entrance can show who is in charge and will perhaps illustrate a clear signal that the session has begun.
Production Team Meetings
Some producers like to have a short coffee with the engineer and assistants before the act comes in the studio, just to set the scene and prepare for the day.
The less technically minded producers would then use this opportunity for the engineering team to play back material and discuss a to-do list of what is ahead for them.
However you organize your times and work with your engineering team will come from experience or will come through necessity, as each project is very different. Formulating some quality time with your engineering team may help the more difficult projects flow forward.
Artist/Band and Producer Meetings
By the same token, there may need to be clear briefing sessions over another cuppa with the artist so that they know what the day ahead holds, what they may need to prepare or rehearse for, or even write if they’ve got lyrics to complete.
Meetings such as these might be wind-down events after the session in the local restaurant or noisy bar in the city.
However your artists wish to engage in the meetings might become the modus operandi for the remainder of the project.
Alternatively, you may decide to lay down the law and insist on meeting the band in the local coffee shop, out of the studio, prior to the session each day to chat.
