The Approach to Music Production is just as Multidimensional as the stars in the heavens.

As I leaf through Rick Clark's over sized "Mixing, Recording and Producing Techniques of the Pros," it's fascinating to explore the psyche of these Masterminds and Gauge their Approach. Obviously as One Not Yet Included in such a Stellar Institution of Greatness, albeit hopeful, I am Grateful for Every Opportunity to Produce Outstanding Songs by Serious Artists of Various Genre.

At the Genesis of Every Session, the Fundamental Framework I Build Upon is the Emotional Journey the Listener will traverse as the Song is Played. My Goal is ALWAYS to Reproduce the Exact Feelings of Joy, Anger, Sadness, Betrayal, Devotion, Militancy, Encouragement, Strength, Remorse, Warmth or Flavor the Songwriter(s) Intended to Convey. One Million Repeated Listenings of the Recording Must Evoke these Same Emotions, or I Have Failed, whether the song Sells One or One Hundred Thousand Copies. 

I Perceive My Position in the Studio as Tour Guide, Ushering the Musicians, Arrangers, Vocalists & Engineers through an Expedition of Finding Moments. Every Chosen Person, Instrument, Sound, Note, Effect & Ambience will lend itself to the Nuance of Multiple Moments, Creating Symbiotic Memories that Outlast Lifetimes. Those are the Snapshots that Take Your Breath Away and Force You to Immediately Rewind the Song or a Section of the Tune to Allow Your Brain to Process What Your Heart Just Heard and then Begin Again.

Perhaps I am being melodramatic in My Interpretation, but I Offer No Apologies. Often Before Discussing DAWs, Plug Ins, Mic Techniques, Mixing & Mastering and the Usual Banter with Various Producers, I am Always Most Interested in the Range of Emotion sought after and how they wished to reveal them, even (especially) if they've chosen some Non Traditional or Outdated Means to Do So. In Berry Gordy's autobiography "To Be Loved," he talks about how the Classic Motown Producers used to sit around the table and Vote On the Upcoming Release. Mr. Gordy stated the Main Question asked would be 'If You Were Starving and Only Had Enough Money to By a Sandwich or This Record, What Would You Do? If the Vote was for the Song, They'd Release It! Hence the Company's Enduring Legacy.

David Byrne confesses in his book "How Music Works" what most Producers already know. A "Tight" Recording or Performance has Nothing to do with Meter. It has Everything to do with The Groove! Singing or Playing in Front of or Behind the Beat or Harnessing a Vibe as Sloppy as Gravy Foaming Down a Mountain of Mashed Potatoes Feels as Wondrous as Classically Trained Precision if You've Channeled the Proper Emotions.

God Bless the Sacredness of Music Production and the Solace of a 3AM Session where the Sweat is Soaking Through the Walls...

Here are a Few Examples of Moments I'm Blessed to Have Captured:

Hermeneutics (SounDoctrine feat. Keith McKelley, Cliff Barnes, Derek Dixie & Paul Douds)

Meant2B (SounDoctrine feat. Keith McKelley, Stefano and Jazmine)

Source (SounDoctrine feat. Michaela Write)

Maranatha (SounDoctrine feat. John Thomas)

Stop On By (SounDoctrine feat. Eric Tyus)

I was Listening to "Elegant Gypsy" by Al Di Meola on Vinyl while composing this blog...full of Multiple Moments!