Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 05:42 PM CST

Quincy Jones was on The Colbert Report last night, discussing what it is a producer does. To paraphrase, "Q" explains that a producer partners with the artist to create the best possible expression of the artist's vision. There's a lot of subjectivity in that statement, but I'm sure as hell not going to argue with Quincy Jones.

You can watch the interview here:
http://www.colbertnation.com/home

I think it would be useful to decide if this is about the role of "producer" as Q defines the role or whether it includes the idea of "remixer." A "producer" who is paired with a country song will work to create the best version of that song possible within the parameters of the artists original vision. A "remix artist" might turn that song into a pop dance hit or doom metal anthem.

Also, I think I may have experimented with this before. I once re-worked a song by "be_silent_galileah." I did a fair amount of re-engineering and added some bits, but I really did try to interpret her work as directly as possible.

Original:http://www.macjams.com/song/47026
Re-Work:http://www.macjams.com/song/47343

Would this fit the challenge, or does it deviate too far from the original (or perhaps not far enough)?

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 05:44 PM CST

Quote by: chikoppi Quincy Jones was on The Colbert Report last night, discussing what it is a producer does. To paraphrase, "Q" explains that a producer partners with the artist to create the best possible expression of the artist's vision. There's a lot of subjectivity in that statement, but I'm sure as hell not going to argue with Quincy Jones.

Of course Phil Spector took the liberty of putting a whole orchestra behind McCartneys' guitar plinking, and I think "the long and winding road" is the better for it.

Victor.

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 05:53 PM CST

Quote by: -Harold- Volunteer subordinate w tracks, requests a certain producer. If I have death metal tracks, I don't want a disco/dance producer (random pairing scenario) Or was there even an option here for "non" producers to have input OK I'll go back to sleep now

This is why the random pairing thing is potentially problematic on this occasion

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Friday, November 12 2010 @ 05:55 PM CST

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Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 05:57 PM CST

Quote by: chikoppi I think it would be useful to decide if this is about the role of "producer" as Q defines the role or whether it includes the idea of "remixer." A "producer" who is paired with a country song will work to create the best version of that song possible within the parameters of the artists original vision. A "remix artist" might turn that song into a pop dance hit or doom metal anthem.

Good points - there have been many great deconstructions and remixes of other peoples songs on here, but I am not aware of any occsion where someone has acted as 'a producer' for someone else.

Whatever it turns out to be, I think it will be an interesting challenge nevertheless

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 06:02 PM CST

i'll work in any genre, although if I am not familiar or fond of that genre, there is always the chance that your song may end up sounding like one of mine.

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 06:10 PM CST

Quote by: jdholliday I think a perfect example of what I sense this challenge would, could , might be is what Loob did for tf10music: http://www.macjams.com/song/63896 http://www.macjams.com/song/64220

Yep. Not a "different" song, but a version that is more specific and thought-out. It varies from the original, but only in the sense of artistic and technical punctuation - the "story" remains unchanged. (Nice job, by the way!)

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 06:35 PM CST

Someone brought up the point of defining "producer" and that is probably a good idea; if for no other reason than to spare peoples feelings and prevent discord.

over the years I have worked with a lot of people, and a lot of different production styles. some were more comfortable than others and some yielded better results. i can think of 3 basic styles:

the "let's get this sounding really good" producer. I worked with Sylvia Massy (prince, johnny cash, the geto boys, tool, love & rockets) and she was of this school. Her job was to facilitate us sounding as good as possible. She worked on fidelity, gave us input on parts that were unnecessary or too long..., tempos that should change and rode us mercilessly about our performances and tuning. she wanted everything to be perfect before mixing, but wanted a vibe as well. most of the time it seems like producers fall into this school.

then there's the "George Martin" style producer: I worked with a guy Mickey Patralia
(beck, dandy warhols, bjork , ladytron...) who was basically a 5th member of the band. the studio was like jamming in a garage. a lot of experimentation, and suggestions. He would poit out things that were cool, and say "maybe it would be cooler if we used a drum machine instead." This was WAY fun. I imagine that Dangermouse works this way or Brian Eno.

then there's the "re-mix" guy. you send them your stuff and they create something and send it back. Also WAY fun. You basically pick someone you admire and trust and then let 'em go nuts.

maybe we need to get a consensus on what type of "producer" people want.

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 06:39 PM CST

Quote by: particledots Quote by: -Harold- Volunteer subordinate w tracks, requests a certain producer. If I have death metal tracks, I don't want a disco/dance producer (random pairing scenario) Or was there even an option here for "non" producers to have input OK I'll go back to sleep now This is why the random pairing thing is potentially problematic on this occasion

i think a death metal band produced by an electronic producer would be awesome.

seriously

Re:Producers Challenge
Friday, November 12 2010 @ 06:52 PM CST

I'm up for this one. producer or artist, or both. I'd certainly like to have a go at remixing/mastering someone else's stuff, yes.