Are you an engineer? producer? Or both?

John J. · 21st February 2007, 09:44 PM

Slutz!

I know probably most of us wear a variety of hats when helming the console during a session. I'd like to know opinions about the actual knob-twiddling duties of a sound engineer. As a generalization, is the engineer's main duty to be sure a session is properly wired, all gear functioning at maximum, and making sure the best signal gets to tape/hard drive?

How much is engineering and how much is producing when the engineer is the only studio dude in the control room and among other things makes many final decisions on which was the best drum take, the best bass, which rhythm guitars should be comp'ed together and basically guides the vocalist from warm up until the final keeper vocal?

- John

tsd · 21st February 2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John J.

Slutz!

is the engineer's main duty to be sure a session is properly wired, all gear functioning at maximum, and making sure the best signal gets to tape/hard drive?

No, thats the assistants job!

Curve Dominant · 21st February 2007, 09:52 PM

If I'm producing a band or in a studio, I always budget for a house engineer to work the session. Trying to do two jobs at once means neither will get done to 100% satisfaction.

It also saves time, time = $$$, and you can pass those savings on to the artist. That extra money for an engineer pays for itself inevitably.

Recording a solitary singer/songwriter in my crib, is another story. But I don't even like doing that anymore.

There's nothing like a TEAM.

-Eric @ Studio Curve Dominant

heathen · 21st February 2007, 09:58 PM

Yep, cleaner, counsellor and psycotherapist as well. Man I just realised I need a sexy assistant who will kiss my arse, make my coffee and clean the place, for free

.

ecsound · 21st February 2007, 10:12 PM

unfortunately a lot of the smaller guys that are recording less serious local bands have to play both roles. it's necessary when a band isn't at all professional to make suggestions to make the final product come out better.

otherwise, you're just pressing the buttons, and you don't want your name on that, imo.

Drumsound · 21st February 2007, 10:16 PM

I run a small one man shop. Most of the time I'm producing and engineering (and counsling, playing sometimes and whatnot).

DeathMonkey · 22nd February 2007, 12:22 AM

I'm with those two - my main focus is production, but my budgets (and name) are so small that I have to do everything myself, which I actually love, and I think will make me a much better producer - more knowledge is always better than less.

Having gone through this, I am better able to communicate my own wishes to another engineer, and I have the appropriate respect for the talent and dedication each part of the chain brings to the table. I've worked with producers who have NOT engineered much, or mixed much, who since they haven't, have no doubt that they could if they wanted to.

I hate those guys, I'll bet you do, too.

Protools Guy · 22nd February 2007, 12:37 AM

When I do small budget recordings with inexperienced players, I get an engineering credit because I don't want my name as a producer associated with sub-par performances.

When there's a real budget and real players, I am both the engineer and producer.

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21st February 2007, 09:44 PM	#1
John J. Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 44	Are you an engineer? producer? Or both? Slutz! I know probably most of us wear a variety of hats when helming the console during a session. I'd like to know opinions about the actual knob-twiddling duties of a sound engineer. As a generalization, is the engineer's main duty to be sure a session is properly wired, all gear functioning at maximum, and making sure the best signal gets to tape/hard drive? How much is engineering and how much is producing when the engineer is the only studio dude in the control room and among other things makes many final decisions on which was the best drum take, the best bass, which rhythm guitars should be comp'ed together and basically guides the vocalist from warm up until the final keeper vocal? - John

21st February 2007, 09:52 PM	#3
Curve Dominant Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: PHITOWN Posts: 1,915	If I'm producing a band or in a studio, I always budget for a house engineer to work the session. Trying to do two jobs at once means neither will get done to 100% satisfaction. It also saves time, time = $$$, and you can pass those savings on to the artist. That extra money for an engineer pays for itself inevitably. Recording a solitary singer/songwriter in my crib, is another story. But I don't even like doing that anymore. There's nothing like a TEAM. -Eric @ Studio Curve Dominant __________________ http://www.curvedominant.com http://www.myspace.com/studiocurvedominant

21st February 2007, 09:58 PM	#4
heathen Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,376	Yep, cleaner, counsellor and psycotherapist as well. Man I just realised I need a sexy assistant who will kiss my arse, make my coffee and clean the place, for free . __________________ If you don't like it don't do it, its like banging your head into a brick wall, you always feel better once you stop. http://www.myspace.com/lizard42c http://www.myspace.com/eggshellrecords http://www.underworldmusicproductions.com http://www.myspace.com/poetlaureatte http://www.myspace.com/thanorthernlightscrew http://www.myspace.com/originaldrzeus

21st February 2007, 10:16 PM	#6
Drumsound Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il Posts: 3,555	I run a small one man shop. Most of the time I'm producing and engineering (and counsling, playing sometimes and whatnot). __________________ Tony Oxide Lounge Recording See the Oxide Lounge! WWJMD? Come see me on the Tape Op boards! "If I have to flip flop more than three times in an A/B test to figure out what the difference is, I lose interest in that difference.'--Tchad Blake

21st February 2007, 10:12 PM	#5
ecsound Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 89	unfortunately a lot of the smaller guys that are recording less serious local bands have to play both roles. it's necessary when a band isn't at all professional to make suggestions to make the final product come out better. otherwise, you're just pressing the buttons, and you don't want your name on that, imo.

22nd February 2007, 12:22 AM	#7
DeathMonkey Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 645	I'm with those two - my main focus is production, but my budgets (and name) are so small that I have to do everything myself, which I actually love, and I think will make me a much better producer - more knowledge is always better than less. Having gone through this, I am better able to communicate my own wishes to another engineer, and I have the appropriate respect for the talent and dedication each part of the chain brings to the table. I've worked with producers who have NOT engineered much, or mixed much, who since they haven't, have no doubt that they could if they wanted to. I hate those guys, I'll bet you do, too. __________________ Screaming Monkey Studio - Seattle, WA Clips, and songs in progress! www.MySpace.com/teebes www.MySpace.com/thissoilisdiseased

22nd February 2007, 12:37 AM	#8
Protools Guy Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US of A Posts: 946	When I do small budget recordings with inexperienced players, I get an engineering credit because I don't want my name as a producer associated with sub-par performances. When there's a real budget and real players, I am both the engineer and producer. __________________ I only need one more piece of gear...

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