How to Choose the Right Producer or Engineer

Finding the right collaborators can be daunting, but these steps can ensure you find the best producer or engineer you can for your next project.

You have the vision for a great song, plans for a killer production, want an epic mix, but know that you can’t do it on your own.

Good. When you want a project to turn out the best it can, finding the right people to collaborate with is key.

Putting together a great team can be intimidating but don’t stress. If you take the right steps, it can be a very rewarding process.

The first thing to know is that you must detach yourself emotionally from the process the best you can. It can be disheartening to hear large numbers, beyond your budget being thrown there, waiting endlessly for responses, and opening up your wallet to someone you haven’t met before, but it’s essential to remain objective and calm throughout your decision making on this front.

Whether you’re looking to book a producer or an engineer or a mixer or a session musician, these 4 steps will help ensure you can find the best people for your music, whatever level you’re at.

1. Do your research

Research might sound like a no-brainer, but so many people skip this step. Find out who your prospect has worked with in the past, listen to their work, ask past clients for their experiences with them, and be sure to cross reference any information you collect to be sure no one is blowing smoke your way.

So many of my colleagues and clients have gone to facilities that have boasted major records and accolades to their credit without disclosing the full details of their (often very minor) involvement with the project in question.

Be sure that you have heard work from the producer or engineer in question that they were instrumental in completing, or have them vetted by a friend or colleague that has loved working with them.

2. Approach more than one person

Give yourself options and engage with more than one service provider. One of the beautiful things about this industry is all the personalities you’ll engage with. Some people personalities “click” and that’s great! But don’t expect to always click with the first person you hit up.

Take the time and effort to engage with up to 3 to 5 qualified candidates ahead of a major project. If this is a person you’re going to spend a lot of time with, you’ll want to make sure that time is pleasurable and productive. Get a feel for each of your prospects and go after the ones you have the best chemistry with.

3. Clearly explain your needs and expectations

Start a dialogue with the service providers you’re thinking of working with and be sure to explain your needs and wants in detail. You have to make clear what you’re after, what kind of results you’re looking for, what kind of timeframe and budget makes sense to you.

Go into the conversation knowing this difference between your wants and needs for the project and make sure your candidates have a good sense for which is which as well.

4. Assess their comprehension, and get it in writing

This is the magic ingredient in the pudding which ties together all your hard efforts, and it is too often overlooked. You have to be sure that the collaborator you’ll be working with is really on the same page with you, understands what they need to bring to the table, and isn’t just “yessing” you to land a gig.

It isn’t always necessary to have super formal agreements at every level of the business, but you may want to at least go as far as request they email you a summary of how they expect to approach the project, and what the scope, timing and pricing of their involvement will be. Here is where you’ll be able to see those who truly listened and are going to attend to your needs and wants, and those who haven’t. And if there are ever any questions later, you can always refer back to your original agreement.

If you follow these four steps, you’re going to have a good picture of who will be the best fit to work with you in any capacity in your next project. Selecting the right people is incredibly important for the success of your project, and for your sanity throughout the process of completing it.

Working with others is a critical part of advancing anyone’s music career, and I wish you the best in engaging and moving forward with the best collaborators you can find for your approach. Here’s to you absolutely killing it on your next music project!

Nicholas Di Lorenzo is an audio engineer and the owner of Panorama Mastering.

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