EWO's-Engineers with Opinions
Big_Stacks
"I don't worry about hittin' power, cause I don't give 'em nuttin' to hit." 4,670 Posts
Hey Produca cats,First of all, let me say we have a GREAT engineer for our CD. Our current engineer generally has good suggestions (especially about arranging). He produces a different style of rap music from me, so I sometimes disagree with his assessments. But, over the years, I've noticed that nearly ALL engineers have opinions/suggestions about the music being recorded. My responses to these have varied from "hey, that's a great idea" to "hell no, we're not recording a Lionel Ritchie album". Sometimes, the opinions are constructive and well-informed, other times, they come from some heavy-metal looking, Grizzly Adams-type dude who knows NOTHING about rap. So, how do you guys feel about EWOs-Engineers with Opinions? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Fuck em'? What? Please share stories.Peace,Big Stacks from Kakalak
Comments
I think presenting options for song mixes is fine... but arrangements, changes to the song, etc, should be left to the songwriter or depending on the situation, the person designated "producer". A lot of engineers work on a per-hour basis, and so presenting 5 different options for a mix is a good way for them to make an extra 30 bucks. Do what you feel. You are paying them for thier ears.
On the other hand, sometimes it is nice to have a totally random opinion on what you're doing. That metalhead engineer might have a great idea how to re-edit your hiphop masterpiece.
Bottom line - if someone is there in a strictly technical role as an engineer, they shouldn't get too bent out of shape about you shooting down their idea. If they are professionals, they'll do whatever you want them to do, including shutting the fuck up.
Mike
if everything is going well, there is a producer-type person there calling shots,etc, then i generally dont have a whole lot of input other than "get a little closer to/further from the mic" or "watch those Ps."
most of my clients trust me with their mixes for the most part, but they are more than welcome to say "turn ____ up/down" or whatever.
only time i start adding my 2 cents are when i feel like the session is either going nowhere, or going the wrong way. or maybe i just have an idea that i think will elevate the song. i try to play my role as i dont want to be that guy, you know?
i am a team player and really only like to work with people who like working with me and respect me and are team players as well. i try to see the big picture and do whatever i can to get it there.
but if i was to go into someone else's studio with just some tracks and the engineer started coming at me giving me suggestions, i might just say shut the fuck up and get to mixing.
but i probably wouldnt do that(go to someone else's studio to work). i like mixing more than making beats anyway.
I would assume in most instances that you are already hiring a guy because you like his work first and foremost, and that he is going to respect your decision to bring him buisness.
I do everything myself, but wish that I had a realy good engineer to mix my stuff... preferably in a studio that was reasonably priced, with good gear, large format sounding, but most importantly a dood with a big bag of tricks for getting multed-stems to sound really fucking good.
As for opinions on composition, arrangement, etc....well, I'm always open to suggestions, but I also have a good idea of what I want to do, so I'm probably more likely to stick to my own plan. Still, I've gotten excellent composition/arrangement suggestions from engineers because, well, they really know music.
Bottom line, though- your music, your project, your final decision when it comes to how the schitt is gonna sound. If it sounds good to you even though the engineer is saying it's too muddy, just let it be your muddy ass music and be happy with it. See, songs are like kids; they come out of your body and most of them aren't worth shit, but they're yours (words for the music maker to live by).