Question for the Producer/Engineer

[Barznbeats1]

If you could do just one, which would it be? Did you already choose one over the other? I feel like Im good at both but will never be great at either if I don't drop one of these hats... I am torn between the 2 myself but feel like I need to make a decision quick.

[backbuss]

dude dont drop either.... theres a reason why you know both.... embrace it... run with it.... sharpen it..... i do both.... been engineering for 8 1/2 yrs, and writing the whole time and i have placed 6 songs... not much but my focus is engineering and mixing but i write to....

Career=Eng/Mixer.....

Hobbies= Writing/composing......

you can do it !!!!!!!!

-samiam-

[tonymission]

sam, as usual, is right on that...

engineering and mixing pays my bills.

beats buy me cool shit like more audio toys and dope kicks.

[Barznbeats1]

I feel ya... I've been getting close to some big placements lately and I have my RnB guy who is now w/ Slip n Slide/Atlantic so Im pretty much guaranteed a placement on that project. So, I'll probably try to use that to fund my gear purchases. Had to sell my gear when I was in a bad situation but should've never done that. Especially after reading about tonymission's situation. But, you live and you learn. I'll be frequenting the "A" more often and hopefully moving there one day soon to get some better gigs.

Anyway, yea, I'll continue to do both but with a lil more focus on the engineering

[scorpio01169]

i recently just started producing other acts. when recording my band i was always pushing my singer and realized that i enjoyed producing.

[phillysoulman]

Started out as a musician.
As a teen,I got into producing and songwriting.
Became an engineer out of necessity and desperation and after watching, learning and being around some of the best in the biz.

[nukmusic]

its kinda hard to "NOT DO" something when you know u can do it and do it correctly. Plus I'm always trying to learn something new. would be hard to choose.

[idlabs]

I've felt a similar pull in both directions and I know how you feel. I enjoy mixing almost as much as producing/composing, sometimes more. I think it's great advice to just keep pushing with both because:

a) you get to see the process from both sides of the fence

b) some of the techniques you pick up while producing can help shed light on decisions you have to make as an engineer and vice versa.

c) if nothing else, as a producer you'll amass a large catalog of drum sounds that you'll have access to when your mixing and need to replace something.


Just my thoughts.

[DROPKICK]

Producer

[bgrotto]

I personally believe anyone with any interest in producing anything other than loop or sample based hip hop or R&B should start off engineering.

Any engineer worth even half his salt will automatically produce most of the sessions he works on; engineering is a great way to learn the ropes, both technical and creative, while simultaneously honing your production chops.

[jimmydeluxe]

You can be great at two, no problem! All it takes is time. I used to love writing/producing, but hate the engineering part, because I wasn't ever satisfied with the sound I was getting (even though I was getting paid). Then, after being on here, making a few key upgrades to my studio, and buying, "The Mixing Engineer's Handbook," now I am getting that sound! Now I'm able to stack tracks/songs for when I make the connections to get them to top artists and produce a couple indie projects a month to pay bills. Once I put pursuing the artist thing aside (used to be signed), it was easier--that was just another thing scattering my attention.

If you're worried about paying bills, do what you do best (or what people pay you the most and the most often to do), focus on those gigs for the moment, and practice the other in your free time, until people are seeking you out equally for both and you can choose!

[Big 3rd]

I say do both man.

But for me....time was the key. The books helped...some of the guys here helped...but nothing did it for me like continuing to mix.
First of all, my first hat was producing. But I'm starting to get what I'm looking for in engineering. I'm really understanding the concepts and philosophies behind the techniques I'm doing. I'm really learning to be able to identify what I want, listening to what is currently going on, and transform it into what I'm looking for ON PURPOSE....not mistakenly falling into what I want.

All that is due to the time I've put in. Doing the shit over and over. Knowing when to step away....knowing when I'm focusing too closely and not letting the music come at me as an entire piece. Just a few things I've learned while putting the time in.

Both can definitely be done. They are two different animals though. You literally have to change how you think when switching from one hat to another. But the knowledge of both will make you better at both.

[Synthy08]

is it true that most engineers play guitar?

[jimmydeluxe]

I do--I was an artist/session guy first, playing guitar, keys, drums, bass, and singing--but I'm not a working engineer per se, I just engineer what I get paid to produce and record, and I like it that way--there are guys that just mix better than me cheaper than I would--I like to do the whole thing.

I know Sam plays guitar, not sure about the other biggies besides him.

[termtables]

I find it hard and was just having this talk with my wife. I started engineering to pay the bills and now it's taken over from my producing. I make maybe one beat a weak whereas I have a session 5 days a week along with my regular job.

Starting to get frustrating that I don't spend as much time as I want making beats, but I also did get better at mixing my beats by mixing more tracks.

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Synthy08

is it true that most engineers play guitar?

I'm a drummer primarily, but I do play guitar (among other things).