The dictionary defines "Producer" as:

• a person responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of making of a movie or broadcast or for staging a play, opera, etc.

• a person who supervises the making of a musical recording, esp. by determining the overall sound.

       "Produced by..." and "Executive Produced by..." are terms that we all see in the liner notes of our favorite albums.  Have you ever wondered exactly what the Producer does?  What does the Executive Producer do?  Well, those terms are different for the film industry, so don't let that confuse you.  Traditionally, the Record Producer can best be described as a creative coordinator.  He's usually the one with the most creative control over the recording project and is ultimately responsible for the finished product.  However, the Producer's roles may vary.

 

Typically, a Producer will take on some or all of these roles:

• Act as creative director

• Decide song selection with Artist

• Arrange or co/arrange the music

• Contract/hire the musicians

• Act as the musical/vocal director

• Manage the time and budget

• Oversee mixing & mastering
 

The Producer may also:

• Score music in preparation for sessions

• Compose music for the project

• Engineer some or all of the project

• Perform on the project

• Oversee the budget/distribute checks, handle accounts payable

• Oversee and assist in album package design, mastering & manufacturing.
 

      In the Independent Music Industry, the Producer and Executive Producer may share many of these roles.  When an Executive Producer and/or Artist chooses a Producer, they are entrusting him with these responsibilities.  If the Producer is also hired as an arranger or songwriter, often a percentage of publishing rights applies.

 

       The Executive Producer is the one responsible for funding the recording project.  Although he/she may have entrusted the Producer with the creative decisions, he/she is usually the one with the final say in all matters pertaining to the project.  The Producer works closely with the Executive Producer to stay within the agreed budget.  It is common in the independent music industry that the Executive Producer and the Artist are one in the same.