NL5 said:
Maybe I am confused, but aren't thier two types of producers?
One that merely keeps the band on track, but doesn't contribute to the artistry.
And, one that heavily influences the artistry - ie. Mutt Lange, Rick Rubin, etc.....
there's definitely more than one type of producer as well...
I've always been taught/worked with/or seen about four "overall" general kinds:
-The fly on the wall, simply there as the investor and cordinator. Usually has good ties to other types of producers and suits.
-the director, for the artist who hasn't found direction and/or produces better results with outside direction. Usually very musically and artistically oriented. Maybe like a Bob Rock or something.
-the servant, for the artist who has a fierce sense of direction and just needs a producer to agree with and handle all the technical aspects. "ex. a Madonna or Mariah carey".
-The triple threat, the one who combines all three talents extremely well.
But like I said, you also see vocal producers, musical producers, producers who handle performance aspects, songwriters who can act as producers...the titles just vary.
In the end, anyone can be a producer. The only thing that changes and where the title means anything is in level of responsibility a "producer" has over any given project.
Beat makers, in my personal opinion, fall under a type of programmer/songwriter credit, not technically a producer.
Now the day they raise the money, book the studio, book the session musicians, discuss goals and deadlines, deal with the pressure to create something beyond himself, deal with the pressure of company concerns, vow to march foward no matter what problems may arise, keep the band, himself and deadlines together until the end...all in the best interest and representation of the artist:
then they've become a complete producer in the classical sense.
See, Rick Rubin for example is very business savy. I understand that for a fact. I've heard he's not exactly as "technically musical" as some other producers might be, but there's a huge gap between having great musical technicality and a great sense of context. Also, great organizational skill.
Rick Rubin has an amazing sense of context and aesthetics in music. Reading his interviews, he has a really good idea of where he wants something to go. Very similar to Al Schmitt in that aspect. Two producers who I highly respect.