Hiili Hiilesmaa (produced HIM, Apocalyptica, Amorphis, Sentenced...) was having a lecture / discussion session at our uni today and the session continues tomorrow (5+5 hours). He was talking about producing, business, owning a studio vs renting a studio and stuff like that. I even got to play a song of mine to him. He seemed to really dig the song otherwise, but he said to put vocals to it and maybe do something to the C-part as it was maybe even a bit too "wtf". But you know, I've listened to the song over like 1500 times, so I kinda like it as is... 
But he had a really good punchline what it takes to be a producer. You need to be able to control four things: Music, People, Gear and Finance.
He also said it's better to be a jack of all trades than a master of one, so you have a general understanding on stuff, rather than being "just" a guitar geek. Even if you don't know how to play something, counting also basic stuff like vocals, bass, drums, guitar and synths, but also something more exotic like say a violin, double bass, an accordion or water drum for example, but you know the principles like what kind of sound it makes, what kind of stuff is wise to play on it, where the sound comes from and where it should be captured etc.
He has been a huge inspiration for me for a long time and I was going to ask if I could intern for him, because I really like his style.
But he had a really good punchline what it takes to be a producer. You need to be able to control four things: Music, People, Gear and Finance.
He also said it's better to be a jack of all trades than a master of one, so you have a general understanding on stuff, rather than being "just" a guitar geek. Even if you don't know how to play something, counting also basic stuff like vocals, bass, drums, guitar and synths, but also something more exotic like say a violin, double bass, an accordion or water drum for example, but you know the principles like what kind of sound it makes, what kind of stuff is wise to play on it, where the sound comes from and where it should be captured etc.
He has been a huge inspiration for me for a long time and I was going to ask if I could intern for him, because I really like his style.
