These are two of the most common questions that are posed to me by many of the artists who come to record at Cloud 9.

I must admit that the answer to these questions has led me down the path of some long winded explanations, complete with blow by blow accounts of some recording sessions that both promote and denounce the presence of a record producer. I hope to make this written explanation a bit more compact. But if it gets a bit long please forgive me and just hang in there till the end. I think you'll find that it will be time well spent.

Let me start by saying that if you are a young band with little recording experience who is coming into the studio for a weekend, and you have a very minimal budget, then the need and the effectiveness of a producer is questionable to say the least.

However, if you are a band or solo artist that has experienced the trials and tribulations of the studio and have come away with a project that did not meet with your artistic satisfaction and failed to generate the industry interest you hoped for, then by all means, read on.

As with any artistic endeavor that requires more then one creative presence it is important to pick the right people to work with. This holds true for the production of a theatrical show, a motion picture, TV program and certainly the creation of a hit song or album.

When analyzing the answer to the producer question it is first necessary to define the producer's roll in the creative process.

The main goal of the producer is to get out of the artist the best possible performance that the artist has to give and help the artist to stay focused on each performance during the session. Along with this it is necessary to help an artist craft the sound of the record and create a unique sonic signature for that solo artist or group. Producers help make decisions ranging from the sound of the kick and snare etc.... to the arrangement of a song (for example, should the bass come in at the intro of the song or start at the top of the first verse?). These are just a fraction of the artistic decisions that need to be made during the recording process.

I can't tell you how many hours of valuable studio time I've seen wasted while the drummer and the guitarist debate over the placement of a guitar solo or level of the snare drum in a mix. It is at this time that a producers metal is tested and he may need to act as referee, and if need be judge jury, and executioner. (Did I forget to mention that being a producer could be a very dangerous job?)

In the case of a solo artist the above scenario may not apply, but other problems can occur. How about the difficulties of putting together a band for the session. You may think you have musical friends you can depend on to help you out, but it's always been my experience that you get what you pay for. A producer can be extremely effective in the selection, and coordination of several musicians. Bringing them together to perform as a group that you would swear has played with you for years. This will certainly save countless hours of studio time which will far out way the cost of the musicians themselves. Not to mention the superior performances and the lack of debate on the performances that would undoubtedly occur if you were using your best guitar friend on the session.

Stepping away from the creative side for a moment, it is also important when looking for a producer to seek out one that has a good working knowledge of the business end of the music business. A producer that can help an artist navigate the often shark-infested waters of this uncertain industry can be an invaluable asset. Lets face it, more careers have ended in a board room then on a stage.

Also, having a hand full of those all to allusive contacts never hurts. When you think about it, no matter how good a song is, it doesn't stand a chance in hell if it never gets heard.

At first glance most artists would see the above decisions and hurdles as something that they could handle without question. But, if you have ever tried to do it yourself you know all to well that you can become overwhelmed and get lost in that all too seductive world of "Production". Self production can be compared to being a painter who tries to paint his own portrait. No matter how good an artist he might be he will always paint himself from his own perspective. Creating his likeness the way he thinks he appears or would like to appear and not how he is actually seen by others. A painter may be able to get away with this but if a musical artist is not sincere and does not show his true self, he may achieve financial success, but he will never create great music, the kind that will influence others and stand the test of time. A great producer helps an artist to overcome their inhibitions and helps to remove the cloak of self doubt that stifles the creative flow that keeps the artist from exposing his true self and achieving true artistic freedom.

If after reading this section of our web site you don't think it's necessary to work with a producer, then so be it. But for those of you who feel that way I would bring up one last question. Why is it that so many of the most talented and well established artists of our time have chosen to work at least in some part with a producer? Just some food for thought.

For those of you who have decided that working with a producer is the way to go but are still left with the daunting task of finding one, you can rest easy. After years of being in this crazy business of music Jack and I have found...

...A Few Good Men

John Hampson, of Nine Days. Along with producing his own recordings and gold record for his group Nine Days, John has also worked along side such great producers as Nick DiDia & Chris Lord-Alge.

Mike Scielzi. Mike has recording and engineering credits  to long to list.