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Since the summer of 2002, I've been working in tandem with Jeff Rolka, one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most talented producers/engineers. Together we work with select clients in all stages of record production.
Here are some audio clips of some tunes I've produced. Jeff Rolka (www.jeffrolka.com):
Duff Ferguson (www.allduff.com):
Dave Armanini:
*I play drums on these tunes as well. These are big files, so if you have a slow connection, downloading is going to take a while. Just what is a producer? A record producer works with the artist to help create the best possible recording. Depending on the situation a record producer, can help in many areas. The first and most crucial stage is helping select the best material to record (screening original tunes or selecting great, original cover versions). After the tunes that best highlight the talents of the artist are found, the producer can begin to dial in arrangements. Often keys, tempos, grooves need to be changed or modified in order to best fit the artist's range, style or vision. Sometimes the producer can get involved with songwriting and even possibly contribute some co-writing if necessary. A producer would gather the best possible group of musicians to record. A producer would also lead any necessary rehearsals in advance of the recording session (this is the preproduction phase). This is the time when the producer begins to work with the artist/band and other musicians to help fine tune their parts. When it's time to record, the producer will oversee the recording process, making sure that the right sound, vibe and performance is recorded. The producer also keeps the project on schedule and within the budget. What is the client's role in getting a good product? The most important factor in making a good recording is a total willingness to explore new ideas. Probably the most significant thing a producer can do is to get their artists/bands to look objectively at the songs they are going to record. I always strongly encourage the artists/bands I work with to experiment with new sounds, grooves and instrumentation in order to try to create a fresh sound. But let's face it, you need to start with good tunes. Can you sing the song with just a guitar or piano accompaniment and it still gets the point across? Do the lyrics tell a story? Are the parts your band is playing grooving in time and in tune? The clients that get the best results look at these elements in advance of the session and will work hard to iron out any rough areas. These folks also pay close attention to the details and transitions of the tunes. Lastly, the artists that end up with the best product are professional, punctual and extremely hard working. Basics about how we record: Currently, we have a state of the art studio that we do a lot of our projects at. Located in San Francisco's Portrero Hill neighborhood. Additionally, we have a smaller project studio in West Oakland that is suitable for overdubs and smaller sessions. |
