E03 - The TRUTH About Music Producers (What They Really Do!)

The TRUTH About Music Producers (What They Really Do!) | Studio Stuff Podcast #03

Music production isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when producers just sat on a couch, sipping coffee, while engineers did all the work. Today, producers are arrangers, mix engineers, problem solvers, psychologists, and sometimes even the artists themselves. In this episode, we dive deep into how the role of the music producer has evolved and whether that’s a good thing—or a bad thing. Are we just pressing the space bar now, or do producers still play a critical role? Oh, and we also have some strong opinions on recording with a click track (spoiler: it’s complicated).

You'll Learn

✅ How the role of the music producer has evolved from the days of legendary producers like Rick Rubin to today’s multi-tasking reality.
✅ The difference between old-school producers and today’s multi-hat wearing music creators.
✅ How budget constraints have reshaped the role of the music producer for indie artists.
✅ The psychological and emotional roles a music producer often plays during recording sessions.
✅ Why producing isn’t just about gear and sound—it’s about translating the artist’s vision into reality.
✅ When you should (or shouldn’t) record with a click track—and why it matters.

Topics and Stories:

📌Rick Rubin's legendary approach and why he brought his own couch to recording sessions.
📌Chris’s memorable (and stressful!) first production experience producing a live album straight out of music production school.
📌When and why Chris "fired himself" as a drummer—and why knowing when to delegate is key.
📌Why Steve thinks today's producer is often just “the other person in the room.”
📌The ongoing debate: Should you always record with a click track?

Listener Q&A

"Do you always need to record to a click track? "
Chris and Steve share their strong—and nuanced—opinions about the pros and cons of recording with or without a click.

Final Takeaway:
Being a music producer in 2025 means wearing many hats. You’re a collaborator, technician, counselor, and translator of artists’ visions. Understanding this helps you navigate the complexity—and joy—of making great music.

📢 Join the conversation!
Have thoughts on the evolving role of producers? Drop your stories, opinions, or questions in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

Got a Question for a Future Episode?

We love hearing from you! If you have a question about mixing, recording, mastering, or home studio gear, send it our way.

📩 Submit your question here: Form Link

We’ll do our best to answer as many as possible, but due to time constraints, we can’t guarantee every question will make it on the podcast. Priority will be given to the most relevant and commonly asked questions. So, ask away—your question might just be featured in an upcoming episode! 🎙️🔥