Recording - April 2021 - 20

singer/songwriters and producers

The relationship

Pictured: Beto Hale with Juan de Dios Martin

Trust and communication
You need to trust your producer completely and always feel that
their suggestions and feedback are there only to improve the music,
never to make you feel criticized or demeaned in any way. A
producer must understand that singer/songwriters can be extremely
vulnerable to critique. A producer's approach has to include encouragement and constructive feedback-they're there to find
solutions to challenges. Ultimately, a producer's job is to listen. You
hire them to help you realize your vision, not to insert themselves
into your music. They must be transparent. This doesn't mean they
shouldn't or won't add their signature to your songs, but you and
your creative goals should always be front and center.

Team, technology, treasury, and treaties
Knowing how to assemble the right team for the project is one
of the producer's key roles. Musicians, and tracking, mixing and
mastering engineers will play a crucial role in the success of your
release. If you and the producer play several instruments, the
producer might hire only a specialized player or two. As a singer,
you could easily multi-track your voice to cover lead and background
parts, but it's a good idea to consider background singers since they
will add another color to the vocal blend. Good producers can also
recommend a mastering engineer at the end of the process.
Choosing the studio is another essential job for the producer.
Even if you or the producer have a studio, renting out another
space might be needed if your place doesn't have the specs
required for a particular overdub-think drums, strings, or even
a real, well-maintained piano.
Pictured: Beto Hale with Nancy Sanchez

What's this gonna cost?
All the above variables are potentially expensive. Many singer/
songwriters are struggling artists. Make a detailed expense plan
and stick to it. Even if you have a label funding the project, watching every penny is crucial. High-quality players, engineers and studios are expensive, so take all this into account when determining
your budget. Producers need to get paid, and it's essential to have
a written contract that stipulates the terms of your relationship. I
recommend that you keep the ownership of all your masters and
100% of the publishing (unless you co-write). I also recommend
working out a flat fee for the producer and making sure that the
contract is a work-for-hire agreement; this means that you own
everything that comes out of the collaboration. Then again, if you
are short on cash, you might consider giving the producer points
on future earnings; here, the producer makes a certain percentage on any money the music generates in the future. Include clear
duration and termination clauses as well. You want to be able to
get out of the deal if things take too long or if the producer does
not deliver a satisfactory product. Get a lawyer. They are also
expensive, but this will give you peace of mind.

A word for producers

As a producer, you need to follow
some basic principles to achieve a
successful relationship with your client.
Be available
The artist is relying on you to be their guide, guru, shrink
and mentor. You need to be available for them to ask questions, dissipate doubt, get reassurance, and feel empowered.
Answer their calls, texts and emails in a timely manner. Show
up on time for sessions. Keep your promises. Be honest about
every aspect of the process, including your own limitations.

Be inspiring
Artists will look up to you. Keep them motivated by sharing
your experience with them, helping them out of a rut, and solving
problems. And don't hold back-no matter where they are in
their career, treat them as if they were a platinum-selling artist.

Share the music
Be proud of what you and the artist have created together.
Help them share it with the world after its release. It means
the world to an artist that you remain involved after the last
song has been mastered.

Conclusions
I hope this has piqued your interest in the crucial relationship between artists and producers, and that you can apply
these considerations to your careers.
Beto Hale is a singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist living in LA. He owns Los Olivos Recording Studios
and has released several albums under his own name. He
recently produced an EP for Nancy Sanchez.
Social Media: @betohale Official site: www.betohale.com
20 RECORDING April 2021

http://www.betohale.com

Recording - April 2021

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