| Probably the biggest "trick" that a music producer needs to learn, is to be objective about evaluating the potential of a music production. Its not easy. Human nature goes against you every time. We are equipped with a set of ears that are much more than mere microphones - they are directed by our brains and by our emotions. The kind of things that get in the way of our better judgment include the mental and emotional commands of: 1) If Joe likes it, I like it, 2) If I did it, I love it, ;3) If Joe did it, I like it, and 4) If everyone likes it, I should too. A producer needs to know what is good and what is bad, what is done and what remains to be worked on, and these "fixed opinions" get in the way of that. |
| Professional producers combat these natural tendencies by breaking down the song and the production into its elements, evaluating each aspect separately and then summing the quality of the elements to create an overall quality rating. |
| The Production Elements |
| Below is a list of elements, or possible elements, that should be evaluated. You will see that performance of the part is rated separately from the part. In rock productions for instance, you need to get used to looking at the vocal performance separately from the "song." The "song" consists solely of lyrics and music., it is possible to have a great performance of a mediocre song - which tends to be rejected by John Q Public. The "fix" for a poor song is different than the fix for a poor performance |
| Evaluating the production is done by rating the production in each of the elements listed below: |
| Melody: Regardless of style, the music of a song (the melody) is an important element in production, and what you would tend to hum while listening to the production. In rock and pop productions, the melody is performed by the lead vocalist and by the lead instrument in the solo break. In jazz it would be performed by instruments. In rap or hip hop, the melody could be in the "hook" or could be a repeated riff that was even a sample. Sometimes in R&B productions, the bass line will perform the melody. |
| Lyrics: Although not all productions have lyrics, the majority do The lyrics can be sung (Rock, pop & R&B) or "spit" in Rap and hop hop productions. |
| Melody Performance: Separate from what the melody is, how it is performed would be rated here. Those "pitchy" voices would reduce the evaluation in this category |
| Lyrical performance: Likewise, the lyrical performance by the singer or rapper is rated separately from the written lyrics. |
| Rhythm: The rhythm would include the drums, but also the "basic" instruments that establish the beat and move the listener. |
| Recording/mixing/mastering quality: At the point of release, we have to determine if we really have the recorded tone and clarity or appeal. The whole production is communicated through the sound, making the sound quality an important evaluation element. |
| Harmony Performance: Harmony tends to reinforce and thicken the melody. Harmony can be additional voices singing the same notes with higher (or lower) pitches, but can also take the form of counter-melody or even a call-and-answer part. |
| Different Musical Styles |
| Different styles of music may not have all of these "standard" elements. The jazz production may not have a lead vocal but have several lead and solo instruments. Hip Hop and Rap tunes may not have a lot of melody for the lead vocal which still performs lyrics. |
| The Rating System |
| Performed Elements |
| Once you have broken down the production into the elements, you need to rate each element as separately as you can. We suggest using a five-point scale: |
| The person giving feedback rates each area of the song, and production for the parts performed according to the following five-point scale. |
| 1 Point (Needs Serious Review) means that the evaluator feels that the quality of this point is so weak that the producer should consider dropping plans for this song or performance before including it in the final product or release. |
| 2 Points (Needs Improvement) means that the evaluator feels that the part, performance or production is going in the right direction but needs to be done more precisely or carefully. |
| 3 Points (Almost There) means that it is rated generally good but there are minor points that should be corrected. |
| 4 Points (Good Quality) means that that the evaluator feels that good quality has been achieved in this area. |
| 5 points (Excellent Quality) means that evaluator rates the element excellent. |
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| Missing Elements |
| As stated earlier, different styles of music may intentionally not have certain parts, like background vocals, lead vocals (for jazz and instrumental tunes). When this happens you should rate how appropriate it was no not have such a part. Again, use a 5 point scale: |
| The person giving feedback rates each of the basic parts that were not performed according to the following five-point scale. |
| 1 Point (Needs Serious Review) means that the evaluator feels that there should have been such a part to get a good production, and that the producer should consider adding such performances before release. |
| 2 Points (Needs Improvement) means that the evaluator feels that adding this part, would significantly help the production. |
| 3 Points (Almost There) means that the evaluator feels that the production is good without such a part but be even better with adding the part. |
| 4 Points (Good Quality) means that that the evaluator feels the additional part should not have been done. |
| 5 points (Excellent Quality) means that evaluator very strongly that there shouldn't be such a part in this production. |
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| When you properly evaluate the production, you can add up all of the points an get a total production rating number between seven and 35. You use this rating to determine of a production is ready for release and which cut would be the best "single" or "A-Side" tune. |
| Generally speaking a total rating of 22 points should be achieved before releasing. If the rating was below 22, the producer should consider improving some elements before releasing the tune. |
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