A presentation given by Keith Hatschek during the 2013 Pacific Music Business Camp that gives an overview of the entire record production process and concludes with sharing five notable tracks that show some of the key attributes of a well produced popular music recording.

1. Presented by Keith Hatschek
PacAve Records COO
Music Business Camp
July 2013
Recording Secrets of the Pros
Understanding the Record-Making Process

2. What is record production?
 Discuss with your neighbors
 Each group make a list of what is needed to
produce a commercial recording – include
everything you can think of
 What did you come up with?
 Map on white board
 What role do you think “vibe”
plays in making good records?
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3. Today’s Game Plan
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 Background info
 Process of Producing a Record
 The Cast of Players
 Some “Secrets” to Making a Good Record
 Listen and Learn from the Pros

4. Did you come up with?
 Musical instruments, cables, amps, drums, etc.
 Recording software, computer
 Recording hardware (gear):
microphones, stands, cables, patch bays, monitor
speakers, headphones
 Musical ideas, songs, arrangements!
(lead sheets, lyrics, etc.)
 Room to record in (home or pro?)
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5. Other Important “Tools”
 Ears (your most valuable musical instrument)
 Hearing protection is vital
 Musical knowledge & musicianship
 The room becomes part of your recorded sound
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6. Learning from My Experience
 Recording at Capitol Studios in Hollywood – a
“Rolls Royce” recording studio, 24-track analog
($4-5,000)
 Recording in an equipment rental company office
in San Francisco – DIY on a Sunday morning,
everything performed live in one pass to stereo
($100)
 Why was the DIY recording so much better?
 Each recording you make is a “snapshot” of
where you are at that day – use it to evolve
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7. The Process of Making a Record
 Before you can start making a record, you will
need varying amounts of these:
 People in various roles
 Material, inspiration (songs, lyrics)
 Equipment
 Studio space
 Money (even DIY requires some $)
 Manufacturing and distribution plan
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8. The Five Steps of Record Production
 Pre Production
 Basic Tracks
 Overdubs (including vocals)
 Mixing
 Post production
(including mastering)
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9. Pre Production
 Auditioning material –choose only to record the best
of the best
 Rewriting material – is the material ready to record
and distribute?
 Chops – does the band have the skill to play at a pro
level?
 Who will produce? Why does that matter? Having a
sound in mind to achieve – why that’s essential.
 Getting instruments in tip top shape for recording
(differences between live vs. studio)
 Making a demo at home to “test” everything before
going into the studio
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10. Basic Tracks
 The foundation of every pop song
 Click track often used as a time reference, even
with a great drummer
 Less is often more, when it comes to playing on
the backing tracks
 Leave “space” for the vocal and featured
instruments
 Timing, intonation and feel must be killer or keep
at it
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11. Overdubs
 Solo instruments
 Lead vocals
 Background vocals
 “Sweetening” tracks, such as strings, percussion,
hand claps, sound effects, walla, etc.
 Fixes to all tracks, sometimes removing parts, as
well
 Avoid temptation to keep adding – Stevie Wonder
sez . . .
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12. Mixing
 Begin by ending the
overdub process with rough mixes on all tracks
 Mixing is the opportunity to balance and shape every
tracks’:
 Volume levels
 Tonal character
 Spatial perspective in stereo field (Left-Right)
 Reverb, echo, or other signal processing as needed
 Keep asking, “Does this decision serve the song?”
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13. Post Production
 After all mixes are approved
 Sequence for the album
 Mastering (polishing) the overall sound of the album,
optimizing levels and timbres (trust a professional for
this step if you can’t afford any other pro
involvement)
 Formatting the album for deliver to CD plant, digital
distribution, etc.
 Confirming all credits are accurate & complete
Photo: Bob Ludwig, Gateway Mastering
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14. Timetable, Budget & Results
 Some albums are recorded in a day or two . . .
 Some albums take years to complete!
 Time = money
 Spending more money or time does not
necessarily lead to a better final product
 The role of the producer and engineer is to set
the stage for the artist to give her best
performance and capture it as a recording
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15. Our Cast of Characters
Artist
Producer
Studio
Musicians
Production
Asst.
Engineer
Asst.
Engineers
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16. Artist’s Role
 Create the music
 Perform the music
 Be open to suggestions
 Learn what it takes for you to deliver your best
performance
 Be realistic – listen to those with experience
 Be enthusiastic – it’s your music, career & life!
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17. Producer’s Role
 Spans the artistic and business sides of record
making
 Gets on the same “wavelength” as the artist
 Provides musical input to help artist’s talent and
ideas come through with clarity – nearly every
song has different production needs
 Plays “bad cop” when needed (examples)
 Ultimately responsible for seeing that a
commercially viable record comes out of the
studio
 Handles budget, papers, union docs, sample
clearances, credits, studio selection, sidemen,
etc. (w/ help of Prod. Asst.)17

18. Engineer’s Role
 Help to translate the artist and producer’s vision
for how the record will sound into reality
 Manages all of the recording processes and steps
 Anticipates problems, issues, challenges and has
solutions at hand before they arise
 Keeps technology “out of the way” of the
recording process – invisible until needed
 Understands the role of technology in achieving
the end goal – a commercially viable master
recording
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19. Studio Musicians
 A virtual band that can provide any musical style,
genre, color or emotion to a recording
 Flexible, fast, experienced
 Checks their ego at the studio door (even though
they are amazing musicians/singers) – the artist
is the star (Seawind)
 Creative problem solvers
 Able to read music very proficiently and also play
“by ear” in all genres
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20. Some “Secrets” to
Making a Great Record
 Pre Production is often the most crucial part of
the entire recording process – why?
 Working with experienced professionals can
make a big difference in the overall quality (ex.
Origins mastering)
 Artist must be comfortable to create and perform
– engineer and producer must foster optimal
environment
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21. The “Good” Rule
 To achieve the best results in recording, always
strive to have:
 A good musician
 Performing on/with a good instrument
 In a good sounding room
 Into a good microphone properly placed to achieve
the intended result
 Doing so will dramatically improve your
recording’s overall sound quality
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22. Perfection vs. Emotion
 Making your recording “perfect” via tools and
technology such as Auto-Tune or Beat Detective
is possible – is it smart?
 Some of the most moving and commercially
successful recordings of all time were recorded
live with just a few microphones or on only 2, 4
or 8 tracks
 Remember, the use of recording technologies
and techniques must always “serve the song”
(examples to follow)
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23. Knowledge is Power
 Musicians today must know the basics of how
records are made
 Understanding the process and the players
allows you to make the most of various options
 Good idea to use free or inexpensive programs
and mic to do some home made demos, get
comfortable working with mics, hearing yourself
on playback and making recordings (Garage
Band, Audacity, CuBase, PreSonus, Pro
Tools, etc.)
 Only then you will start to understand the
potential of how to use the studio as an
instrument itself
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24. Learning by Doing
 The more you record, the more you’ll understand
how to get your music into the most commercial
(or distribution-appropriate) format
 Find a mentor to help you develop your studio
sound and skills
 Become a “local expert” in recording and you will
soon be in demand to help others
 It’s a lifelong learning journey filled with
opportunity!
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25. Stellar
Production Samples
 “What’s Goin’ On” – Marvin Gaye
 “Norway” -- Beach House
 “Travelin’ Soldier” -- Dixie Chicks
 “Southern Point” – Grizzly Bear
 “57821”– Janelle Monáe
 “You Wreck Me” – Tom Petty &
the Heartbreakers
Whileyouarelistening,askyourself,
doestheproductionservethesong?
How?
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26. Let’s Talk About It . . .
Questions later?
khatschek@pacific.ed
uwww.hatschek.com
Available here, Regular
price $19.95; PMBC
discount 25% off, $15.00
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