Production Essay

According to class materials accessed on teams, In 1955 Joe Meek changed the music production scene into a more exciting and commercial mechanical exchange. (Cue Point 12,Sep,2014) show that Meek changed the idea that records didn’t need to directly mimic a live performance. (Cue Point 12, Sep 2014) continues to say before Meeks experimentations, Pop records were made by sticking a microphone in the middle of the room and placing singers and musicians strategically around it. However, music advanced drastically between the 1960s and 70s when the blueprint of music software and artificial production began. In 1978 around 50 music programs came out showcasing MIDI technology, a form of computer communication still used In present-day technology. (Wikipedia 2022) The development of computers over time lead to songs being recorded into DAWs (digital audio workstations) bringing us to modern-day technology enhancements and progressions as we know them. A definition as listed on (Wikipedia 4, May 2022) A record producer in Morden day times is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creating the song's very sound and structure. A producer is a creative individual who experiments with samples, music programming, audio plug-ins, and digitally composes music.

The producer from the past I will be writing about is Quincy Jones. He is a phenomenal composer, trumpet player, and music producer. Jones started as a jazz trumpeter until he had an aneurysm in 1974 which led to him having to quit playing the trumpet shifting his focus more on producing, composing, and arranging music. (Rolling Stones 2022) stated he bounced back quickly with his mix of studio technology, song writing, and arrangements. Music today would be unrecognizable without jones's influence.

Jones’s is an eclectic producer, in his large spanned career he experimented with many different styles of music such as big band, swing, jazz, hip hop, and rock and roll. (Discmakers.com 2010) the blog states that Jones's favourite sounds to use in the making of his music were four flugelhorns, three alto horns, double bass, four French horns, four trombones, and a tuba. I’d have them all play soft, with no vibrato.

His signature genres were rhyme and blues, soul and funk. Jones is also renowned for his work with Michael Jackson, the first album Jackson and Jones worked on together was called “Off the wall” in 1979. After doing a lot of research on Jones it was clear that he was unique when it came to his methods of working with artists, he played close attention to detail in an interview with (CNBC 18, Jul 2011) Jones explains “You have to build a foundation that accommodates what their personality’s about. And on top of that foundation, you jam...” I related and respected this comment I found these techniques interesting and very endearing. To know that Jones came up with such iconic masterpieces by allowing the artists to explore their creativity and be free with their approach, makes me admire his openness. Most producers I have read about do not focus on the artists, it is normally all about the track and if the artist is right for their music however, Jones values the people he collaborates with and sees beyond usual expectations.

Although it was not Jone's first time working with Jackson his breakthrough happened in 1982 (Inc.com May 2022) states that jones's most definitive album emerged when he shifted the consciousness of modern R&B with Jackson's album “Thriller”. (Achievement.org 23 March 2022) quoted that It became the bestselling album of all time, selling over 30 million copies around the globe and spawning an unprecedented six Top Ten singles, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” The pure genius of his work alone with Jackson, I feel propelled him into the icon he is today. Jones’s sound is most definitely timeless.

When the song Thriller was released according to (The Guardian21.Nov.2013) it sealed MTV’s reputation as a new cultural force; dissolved racial barriers in the station's treatment of music; revolutionised music video production spawning the “making of” genre of documentary. In terms of Jones’s musical equipment, he was always very particular with his apparatus, especially his headphones. Jones always found it hard to have all of the things he needed to be compacted into one device therefore he had to always change headphones for different tasks. In the end, he created his very own. To have the ability to embody all the qualities he needed to produce his work. Jones explains on (GQ- F.Walker 11. Sep.2015) that the N90Q headphones with a microphone in each ear, and dials that spin through three equalizations pre-sets that allow you to change the sound quality no matter the genre or sound.

The person I decided to write about, for my future producer is David Guetta. As an artist, I can relate to his music. As published by (E.Ycaza on 9 Sep 2018) Guetta is the global superstar who brought EDM (Electric Dance Music) out of the underground and into the mainstream music scene. Before Guetta I was not as fond of this kind of music however, he opened my mind to it with the use of his versatility and the quirk that he embodied. Guetta’s, the sound is iconic as well as being the sound of EDM Guetta is furthermore known as the face of EDM with his Cameos in multiple artists' music videos along with his collaborations. Guetta is known for being one of the richest DJs in the world. Not only is he world-class for his turn table skills but also his production repertoire. (Square mile.com11Jul,2019) states that Guetta was the first collaborator with Urban pop, artists such as; Kelly Rowland with the song ‘When Love Takes Over’, then again with The Black Eyed-Peas with their hit ‘I Gotta Feeling’ and lastly with megastar Rhianna’s ‘Sexy Bitch’.

(Squaremile.com11Jul2019) continues to state that Guetta has been called “the godfather of EDM” where he has played a crucial part in the genre’s staggering rise from underground to…music industry’s main money-makers. Before Guetta emerged as a producer it was as if there was a huge divide between electronic and urban music. Being a fan of Guetta’s music influences me to want to produce and create a similar sound myself as an up-and-coming producer. This inspired me to dive deeper into his creative process because in almost every song Guetta releases I can hear something magic within it which is rare as an R&B /soul singer I would usually go for more urban music or look for influences of jazz and blues. The thing that stands out for me is his ability to seamlessly combine different genres. In terms of

Guetta’s music-making process when he is collaborating with artists, he spends a lot of time shaping and mixing the songs he co-writes on his laptop whilst using the music software program Ableton (sound on sound.com Oct2018) published that Guetta has a small in-box setup in his house in Ibiza sound Micromain27 gen2 monitors burl audio B26 Orca as his monitor control for the speakers, a few MIDI keyboards, Mic stand and an AKG mic and he plugs his laptop directly into the burl audio B26 Orca. His setup suggests to me that although he is known worldwide he remains humble and appreciates the small things and attention to dealing with his unique process much like how Jones does things in a certain order and also respects all elements of the creative process.

(Square mile.com11Jul,2019) Continues by adding, that although Guetta is a talented producer he was not able to read music notations. Unlike most music producers Guetta is not a trained musician that can read music or someone who can play an instrument. Guetta revealed in an interview on (Squaremile.com 11Jul,2019) that My limitations were defining a style, not because I chose to, but because I had no other option. Guetta’s lack of technical knowledge and notation gave me hope as a beginner knowing the standard of work that was created solely through having a good ear for music and by trial and error gives me confidence in myself as a novice. Not only is this an inspiration for me but he also rose to fame in his 30 the same age I am starting at.

When I compare my work to producers in the industry I instantly feel overwhelmed and start to lack confidence in my abilities. For example, Billie Jean produced by Quincy jones starts by front loading and immediately plays the hook of the song to get straight to the point. I found this very clever with me being new to production I found this a great reference to build from. Generally speaking the biggest difference in comparison to differentiate published music from my own is the sound quality. I also feel as a vocalist, elements like melodies, drum beats, and bass lines are second nature to me however, there are many features in production that I sometimes miss or under look due to being a novice.

To be able to produce music independently you need your setup and equipment for starters, however, making music is not for everyone. You need to have musicality, and creativity, definitely have a good ear for music, and possibly the ability to read music notations.

Bibliography:

Achievement.org 23 March 2022

https://achievement.org/achiever/quincy-jones/

CNBC 18,Jul,2011

https://www.cnbc.com/2011/07/18/qa-with-quincy-jones-life-lessons-from-the-master.html

Cue Point Medium’s Premier Music Publication Website 12, Sept 2014

https://medium.com/cuepoint/the-first-record-producers-909c85d99427#:~:text=Joe%20Meek%20was%20Britain's%20first,record%20producer%20in%20the%20world.

Discmakers.com 2010

https://blog.discmakers.com/2010/12/quincy-jones-tools-for-success/

GQ- Florence Walker 11.Sep.2015

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/ifa-akg-n90q-headphones-quincy-jones#:~:text=Their%20answer%20was%20the%20N90Q,or%20shoulder%2Dpopping%20hip%20hop.

The Guardian 21.Nov.2013