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I attended the Learn to Be Your Own Producer class at this year's Rally. For me, it was more of a "Be Your Own Audio Engineer" class but it least it confirmed that I was doing some things right already, and I learned some new things too. I appreciated the very practical approach from the instructor (Tommy?) as he didn't get all precious about setting up a pristine recording environment but focused on simple, important stuff you can do right now to make it work.

I would have liked a class also that focused on being your own producer, taking a look at the challenges of self-production: how do you know when you've get the right take? Is your arrangement working? Is the tempo right? It's easy to waste time second guessing yourself, but you also need to recognize if you're off course.

Hi,
I havent noticed this subject get too much air around here as most folk have probably paid their dues, or at least the regular posters may have.
Like you I have found these things challenging -mostly with songs. I think you have to have your ducks in a row as the vocal is the most important part of a song. I have written songs because certain chord shapes have inspired them but even with the use of a capo I haven't been able to give the desired delivery OF MY OWN SONG.

Key and tempo are first starters. Key is important if you are using a vocalist, do a key check before you put too much effort into building the song.

Working out which hat you have on is good to do. Producer, arranger,performer, engineer or mixer? Ive gone chasing a problem with the wrong hat on, thinking somethings not right but not sure what it is. A lot of time its the performer.{for me}

How deep do you go at each step? Its nice to add SOME processing in the early stages but how much? Probably should keep it minimal. Finding a balance between re-recording a vocal take and faffing around with a pitch correction plugin?

I think your post touches on some really important points that some might take for granted. Its the dreaded LEARNING CURVE.
Like anything given the right information and the right frame of mind you can fast track the process. It is a process with stages and I suppose its about being aware of where you are in each stage and knowing how deep to go before moving on to the next.

The 3 components of acquiring a skill are: INTENSITY, FREQUENCY and DURATION
INTENSITY; perform the correct action
FREQUENCY; do it regularly
DURATION; over a period of time you will have acquired the skill.

So we should search out the knowledge of best practice and then do it and keep doing it.

This link may be of some help http://www.music-production-guide.com/m ... ocess.html

Best wishes for the journey

Mike Senior addresses this topic in his book Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio.

karlhourigan wrote: I would have liked a class also that focused on being your own producer, taking a look at the challenges of self-production: how do you know when you've get the right take? Is your arrangement working? Is the tempo right? It's easy to waste time second guessing yourself, but you also need to recognize if you're off course.

Mike Senior addresses these topics (and many more) in his book Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio.

mojo ... thou hast maxed out your meter... +10bd...

I , as an emerging audio buff , techno goober & soul searching songwriter... have learned some good stuff .. thanks.