Roles Within the Industry
An A&R executive will usually be the first point of contact for artists entering into a contract with a record label. They will act on behalf of the record label, to find and develop new artists who they believe have the potential to be commercially successful, and are expected to have an understanding of the current tastes of the market. The A&R division will then oversee the recording process. This includes choosing studios and producers that will be suited to the artist, as well as scheduling dates, negotiating fees and sometimes booking appropriate session musicians. They will continue to work directly with the artist, advising them on every aspect of the recording process in order to achieve commercially viable results that will be satisfactory to the label. The role of an A&R executive may also include making suggestions about the songs that will be included on an album. In short, the function of the A&R department is to locate and sign new acts and then communicate with corresponding departments within the label, to establish a contract and ensure the production of a commercially viable record.
The role of an artist’s manager is similar to that of an A&R representative in the sense that they have to take up a variety of roles, dealing directly with the artist and with other involved parties. The manager’s main role is helping to make decisions relating to the artists progression within the music industry, including bookings, promotion, business deals and recording contracts. The role of an artist’s manager is often a complex and extensive one, and may include duties similar to that of a press agent, booking agent, business manager, tour manager, promoter and at times, a personal assistant. Many artists manage their own schedules, but as they become more involved with the industry, the need for a manager can become evident. Assuming multiple roles, a manager may act as a, mediator, spokesperson or authoritarian on behalf of the artist. Though not directly involved with the making of contractual agreements, the manager should be able to understand and explain the long-term implications of the contract for all involved, and advise their client (The artist) accordingly. The manager will also liaise with professionals from other areas of the industry such as concert organizers, publishing companies, producers, lawyers and the creative team. Ideally, a manager should be someone who has excellent communication skills and good temperament, as well as being able to multi task. The manager should always aim to develop and maintain relationships that may aid the progression of their client within the music industry.
The role of the music producer differs from that of the executive producer. An executive producer is specifically concerned with the finances of the project, whereas the music producer’s role is to oversee the creation, to turn a musical idea into a physical product. The music producer acts as a mediator between the technical and creative elements. And should coordinate the required events, to ensure that the project is completed to a high standard, in the most efficient and cost effective way. A music producer should be a versatile individual, and more often than not is also a capable songwriter, arranger and/or composer. Their role may include making suggestions and adjustments as well as generally offering ideas and advice, providing an honest opinion, while keeping in mind the overall marketability of the product, and providing feasible solutions to overcome difficulties. The music producer will often be responsible for selecting the appropriate engineers and session musicians, so should work to establish connections with skilled individuals, and maintain professional working relationships. There is no doubt that the role of the music producer is a demanding one, each will have a different approach depending on their area of specialty, and they may uptake varying role and responsibilities depending on what is required by the client. In the past record labels would usually have in house recording facilities, and employees who would carryout and oversee the process. These days it is more common for work to be assigned to independent producers, creating a lucrative foothold within the industry for entrepreneurial music producers who are skilled and dedicated.
In some cases a producer may also be an engineer. A sound engineer’s basic role is to deal with the audio effects for a recording, performance or event. They may be hired by a client to oversee the technical aspects of any project that requires the projection of sound to an audience, either live or in the form of a physical recording. There are various sub branches within which an engineer may specialize but weather working to their own specification or under the instruction of the artist or producer, the engineer should be proficient with all of the necessary equipment, and have a thorough understanding of the various types of recording media. The sound engineer should be knowledgeable about matters both electronic and acoustic. As well as being responsible for capturing sound, the engineer is often skilled at manipulating it, in order to achieve the sound envisioned for the project. Responsibilities may also include mixing and mastering the recordings.
The sound engineer is usually someone with a deep appreciation for music, many engineers are also themselves musicians. Similarly to the previously mentioned roles, a sound engineer should be someone with a good temperament and excellent communication skills, as they will have to work directly with other involved parties, and offer viable solutions to problems wherever possible. With constant advances in technology, the engineer should be an adaptable individual. Not to mention someone with an interest in a variety of music styles. For the adequately equipped individual, employment as an engineer within the music industry can provide exciting opportunities, and can be a lucrative trade for those who are versatile and can work to a high standard.
The role of an artist’s manager is similar to that of an A&R representative in the sense that they have to take up a variety of roles, dealing directly with the artist and with other involved parties. The manager’s main role is helping to make decisions relating to the artists progression within the music industry, including bookings, promotion, business deals and recording contracts. The role of an artist’s manager is often a complex and extensive one, and may include duties similar to that of a press agent, booking agent, business manager, tour manager, promoter and at times, a personal assistant. Many artists manage their own schedules, but as they become more involved with the industry, the need for a manager can become evident. Assuming multiple roles, a manager may act as a, mediator, spokesperson or authoritarian on behalf of the artist. Though not directly involved with the making of contractual agreements, the manager should be able to understand and explain the long-term implications of the contract for all involved, and advise their client (The artist) accordingly. The manager will also liaise with professionals from other areas of the industry such as concert organizers, publishing companies, producers, lawyers and the creative team. Ideally, a manager should be someone who has excellent communication skills and good temperament, as well as being able to multi task. The manager should always aim to develop and maintain relationships that may aid the progression of their client within the music industry.
The role of the music producer differs from that of the executive producer. An executive producer is specifically concerned with the finances of the project, whereas the music producer’s role is to oversee the creation, to turn a musical idea into a physical product. The music producer acts as a mediator between the technical and creative elements. And should coordinate the required events, to ensure that the project is completed to a high standard, in the most efficient and cost effective way. A music producer should be a versatile individual, and more often than not is also a capable songwriter, arranger and/or composer. Their role may include making suggestions and adjustments as well as generally offering ideas and advice, providing an honest opinion, while keeping in mind the overall marketability of the product, and providing feasible solutions to overcome difficulties. The music producer will often be responsible for selecting the appropriate engineers and session musicians, so should work to establish connections with skilled individuals, and maintain professional working relationships. There is no doubt that the role of the music producer is a demanding one, each will have a different approach depending on their area of specialty, and they may uptake varying role and responsibilities depending on what is required by the client. In the past record labels would usually have in house recording facilities, and employees who would carryout and oversee the process. These days it is more common for work to be assigned to independent producers, creating a lucrative foothold within the industry for entrepreneurial music producers who are skilled and dedicated.
In some cases a producer may also be an engineer. A sound engineer’s basic role is to deal with the audio effects for a recording, performance or event. They may be hired by a client to oversee the technical aspects of any project that requires the projection of sound to an audience, either live or in the form of a physical recording. There are various sub branches within which an engineer may specialize but weather working to their own specification or under the instruction of the artist or producer, the engineer should be proficient with all of the necessary equipment, and have a thorough understanding of the various types of recording media. The sound engineer should be knowledgeable about matters both electronic and acoustic. As well as being responsible for capturing sound, the engineer is often skilled at manipulating it, in order to achieve the sound envisioned for the project. Responsibilities may also include mixing and mastering the recordings.
The sound engineer is usually someone with a deep appreciation for music, many engineers are also themselves musicians. Similarly to the previously mentioned roles, a sound engineer should be someone with a good temperament and excellent communication skills, as they will have to work directly with other involved parties, and offer viable solutions to problems wherever possible. With constant advances in technology, the engineer should be an adaptable individual. Not to mention someone with an interest in a variety of music styles. For the adequately equipped individual, employment as an engineer within the music industry can provide exciting opportunities, and can be a lucrative trade for those who are versatile and can work to a high standard.