Attributes that a great producer/engineer should have?

[EmilDelaRosa]

In your opinion, what are some of the main attributes that a producer/engineer should have in order to execute better work/product?

 

[Capitancambarro]

In Order of Importance for me:
Enthusiasm for what he's doing - read: loving to work with music every day, checking new gear, experimenting with new techniques etc. Experience, as a musician and engineer/producer. General social intelligence. Endurance. Technical Knowledge of software and hardware.

 

[jeid]

All of what he said^.. and patience! Sometimes, people push you when you're trying to get work done and you need to be able to tell them to knuckle under without sounding like a total dick.

 

[SocialNumb]

I think it's important to have hands.

Oh, and ears of course.

 

[Jack Pirate]

What jeid said is absolutely true. The technical abilities needed to perform the job are obviously a priority to develop, but having "people skills" is also a very important part of the trade.

 

[Sloan]

Patience.

 

[C_F_H_13]

You can have below average technical skill level, but if you're patient and fun to be around you'll get tons of work.

I can't count how many jobs I've gotten that were probably too advanced for me,and it was solely on the fact that engineers/producers liked me and trusted me.

Get good at the craft, but know that that alone won't help you.

 

[Mikaël-ange]

,and it was solely on the fact that engineers/producers liked me and trusted me.

Get good at the craft, but know that that alone won't help you.

This

If you want to know what producing is read The zen art of producing by Mixerman...

 

[KHE]

a vision.

 

[AudioGeekZine]

Intelligence 120
Strength 80
Dexterity 80
Magic 110

 

[Mashreef]

Super power's

 

[if6was9]

Patience and good people skills are huge. Having a good work ethic will keep clients happy too.

I don't think having "golden ears" is so important in the sense you can hear tiny things in the background and that sort. Being able to use your ears and have them trained for what sounds good and how tone's work together and knowing how to shape sound using gear in different ways is different and something you learn over time and can work on. This is much more important in my opinion.

 

[EmilDelaRosa]

Thanks guys! Really helpful insight! For me discipline, creativity, ability to look ahead and eagerness to be better than your last are the most important things. Btw I just started out 2 years ago and I kinda have decent understanding of the technical side (my mixes still sucks hard lol), just wanted to tap that philosophical side of producing and engineering.

 

[RevoltStudios]

All great things but I find the most important aspect, being in Nashville especially, is to sound different and create your own tones, techniques, and samples.

 

[BLUElightCory]

Patience, and the ability to work with and manage lots of different types of personalities.

Also, stow the "engineer's ego." Know enough to know that you don't know jack shizz, and be willing to try new things. I think it's healthy to feel like you're never good enough.