Producer or Beat Maker


As advancement in technology over the decades has resulted in the simplification and affordability of the music production process, the word "Producer" has also evolved in meaning and usage over time. Gears like the Alesis Digital Audio Tape (ADAT) recorder,  Akai MPC's and Rolands range of portable synthesizers and drum programmers like the TR-808 are just a few in a host of other revolutionary audio equipment that brought music production to the everyday musician.

 In the digital realm, personal computers have become much more powerful and Steinberg's VST technology along with other Digital Audio Workspaces (DAW's) have made mixing "in the box" (ITB for short) a reality. The 21st century producer can literally make great sounding instrumentals with only a laptop! This change is however more evident in hip-hop and other electronic genres of music.

 So who's a music producer and what's his job? 

 Traditionally, music producers can be likened to a movie director as they oversee the creative process from start to finish. A producer will arrange the recording session, play instruments or have other musicians do so, help in song writing and arrangement, oversee the recording, mixing and in some cases the mastering process. He is the creative and (to a great extent) the logistics director for a song.

 The producer works with the artist to craft a unique sound that has the potential for commercial success. But like I said that's the traditional definition.

 Who is a Beat Maker?

The workload and skill set greatly reduce when it is possible to make a fire beat from the comfort of your bedroom using virtual instruments on your laptop. A vast army of producers whose jobs are to make fire beats however they can are the new suppliers of what we know today as popular music. While some go the extra mile to direct, most have the sole objective of making banging beats at all costs. 

 How to differentiate

- Beat Makers tend to follow music trends, Producers are more concerned with the musical inclination of the song than what's reigning.

- Beat Makers tend to use similar sound palettes in a lot of their productions, Producers have a way of sounding different in many of their works.

- A Beat Maker will deliver a fire beat to you, a producer will coach you through the recording and also oversee the mix.

- Producers are more suited for album works, Beat Makers usually make great singles.

Myths

Producers must play instruments in their works.

A producer is musical director,  while the knowledge of music composition is necessary, he is free to have other musicians bring his sonic ideas to life. 


 The Fun part

In the light of this information, I'm going to list some prominent Nigerian producers and your job is to group them into Producer or Beat Maker.

 Don Jazzy
E-Kelly
Shizzy
Sarz
Young John
Ty-Mix
Legendary Beats
Major Bangz
Gospel
Masterkraft
Pheelz
Cobhams Asukwo
Spellz
Young D
Icon


 Written by:
Chidi "Yung Tite" Nnadi

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