Table of Contents   Acknowledgements About the Author 1. The Modern Day Record Producer How They Do It Why the Right Producer Is Important The Gender Factor 2. Who They Are   Walter Afanasieff Michael Barbiero Howard Benson Tony Brown Dave Bryson Solomon Burke T-Bone Burnett Ed Cherney Mike Davenport Sully Erna Maya Ford J.D. Foster Dave Fridmann Mitchell Froom Don Gehman Lou Giordano Ryan Greene Brett Gurewitz Ben Harper Joe Henry Mike Herrera Dennis Herring Ross Hogarth   Mark Howard Dave Jerden Nick Launay Dave Leto David Lowery Daron Malakian Longineu Parsons III Linda Perry J.P. Plunier John Porter Garth Richardson Bob Rock Michael Rosen Rick Rubin Sylvia Massy Shivy Craig Street Steve Thompson Mark Trombino Chris Vrenna Rufus Wainwright Butch Walker Matt Wallace Don Was Brad Wood 3. The Evolution of Today’s Producers The Songwriting Producers From Engineer to Producer From the Road to the Studio From Record Company to Producer and Back Going From Remixer to Producer In the Final Analysis 4. Artists as Producers The Art of Co-Production The Risks of Producing a Legend Producing On-The-Fly A Study of Pink Going Solo in the Studio The Key to Success? Perspective Playing While Producing 5. Getting into the Game Moving Up the Ranks The Importance of a Mentor Getting the Gigs Establishing Relationships Got Management? Specialty Producers The Exclusive Gig 6. Label Politics Band vs. Label: The Producer as Referee The Company Line The Difference Between Majors and Indies 7. The Courting Process How Producers Pick Artists How Artists Pick Producers The Key to the Ongoing Relationship Building Trust and Intimacy Working as the Next Producer Finding Acts to Get Them Signed Fighting the Good Fight 8. Putting the Team Together Bringing in Session Players The Engineer’s Perspective Producers Who Engineer Their Own Sessions The Balancing Act Long Term Engineer-Producer Relationships The Boss 9. Selecting a Studio and Technology How to Select a Studio The Pros and Cons of Building Your Own Studio Selecting Technology Using Technology to Find Perfection 10. Managing the Budget Working With the Budget Going Over Budget Producing on the Cheap for the Love of the Band Creative Financing Money Doesn’t Equal Perfection 11. Before the Studio The Art of Pre-Production Selecting Songs Hit Songs? Radio Songs? Polishing Arrangements 12. Working on the Songs To Push or Not to Push? How Receptive are Artists? The Artist’s Perspective Holding the Reins Setting the Vibe 13. In the Studio Setting the Schedules Closed Studio or Animal House? Drug and Alcohol Use Working with Band Dynamics Dealing with Difficult Personalities 14. Recording the Songs Getting Performances A Few Tried and True Tricks Time for Inspiration Hitting Problem Spots Surviving Difficult Sessions Mixing the Songs Getting Ready to Mix Thinking About Multi-channel Formats? 15. Postscript: The Status of the Music Industry How is Piracy Effecting Producers? The Business Side How Do Producers Measure Success? At the End of the Day