Is it possible not to laugh when someone says calls them self a "producer"?

[Aliens]

Amateur music maker?

Edit: I personally just say songwriter and leave it at that.
I know my limitations and am happy with my lot.

[Mushy Mushy]

Amateur music maker?

Ok but what about those who aren’t musicians per se but still have massive success by simply moving a piano roll around randomly?

I’m referring to the likes of Avicii, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, etc.


* if any of those are indeed great keyboard players please don’t shoot me, they were merely examples.

[Aliens]

Same term applies, doesn't it?
If you're a player, then you can suffix with musician.

[Mushy Mushy]

Same term applies, doesn't it?
If you're a player, then you can suffix with musician.

I’m saying the majority of EDM artists aren’t musicians because they can’t play. But they do pull together tracks (not songs) so they’re producers.

[vurt]

I don’t have a problem with this term in the English sense of word. If I made something then I produced it

What are the alternatives? I’m certainly no musician.

Though I guess the argument surrounds those who define their profession as a producer.

I take the term producer, in relation to the music business, to recognise the specific talent and skill the historic term means, that is someone who sits in the big chair in the control room and makes the mundane in to a hit - The turd polisher, if you will.

Having access to professional tools, perhaps illegally downloaded, used by people who don't really understand them is akin to me having a snap on socket set and being able to change the oil, filters and brakes on a car, it certainly doesn't make me a mechanic.

you are aware there was an actual professional producer behind the birdy song, shuddupya face and coldplay.

so im not sure it's anything to aspire to anyway

[Aliens]

Maybe, MM, maybe. Now days anyone with a pc can write a song to a decent basic audio quality, through playing or mousing.
Again, speaking from my own perspective, I'd never call myself a producer, even though I make music, use some tools to make demo tracks utilising basic pan/balance techniques.
I produce, as in make, but as a music biz technical term, no way is that traditional producing.

[Hink]

someone here repeatedly called me a hack guitarist, I just go with that...it's worked out quite well

[Protocol_b]

i dont even own a lawn.

haha!

You may not be aware, but you are the luckiest person in the universe. Admittedly I keep the bar low.

[chk071]

Always wondered why you aren't a musician, when you're doing music. What's the difference between making music on a instrument, or several virtual instruments, working with software? TBH, it seems like elitism.

I used to play drums and guitar. If i made a track now usigng virtual instruments and a DAW, couldn't i call myself musician all of a sudden? Splitting hairs, in my opinon.

I strongly dislike the usage of "producer", to be honest. Producers for me are mixing and mastering engineers. Simply because that's how the term used to be used.

[Mushy Mushy]

Maybe, MM, maybe. Now days anyone with a pc can write a song to a decent basic audio quality, through playing or mousing.
Again, speaking from my own perspective, I'd never call myself a producer, even though I make music, use some tools to make demo tracks utilising basic pan/balance techniques.
I produce, as in make, but as a music biz technical term, no way is that traditional producing.

Agreed. I’m in the same boat. I don’t even have a name for what I do other than farting around with toys. I would never in a million years be so arrogant to call myself a producer and saying musician is simply untrue.

[Aliens]

you are aware there was an actual professional producer behind the birdy song, shuddupya face and coldplay.

so im not sure it's anything to aspire to anyway

Sure, and I can cut out my own verrucas, but I'd never do as good a job as a trained professional.

[Hink]

Always wondered why you aren't a musician, when you're doing music. What's the difference between making music on a instrument, or several virtual instruments, working with software? TBH, it seems like elitism.

dont let others define you, be comfortable with who you are...those who have a problem with it likely aren't having issues with you at all

[Aliens]

someone here repeatedly called me a hack guitarist, I just go with that...it's worked out quite well

That's racist. Hacks lives matter

[Mushy Mushy]

Always wondered why you aren't a musician, when you're doing music. What's the difference between making music on a instrument, or several virtual instruments, working with software? TBH, it seems like elitism.

I used to play drums and guitar. If i made a track now usigng virtual instruments and a DAW, couldn't i call myself musician all of a sudden? Splitting hairs, in my opinon.

I strongly dislike the usage of "producer", to be honest. Producers for me are mixing and mastering engineers. Simply because that's how the term used to be used.

Because after 25 years of doing it I still don’t know where E is on the keyboard. I know C so I count up from there. Every time. And that’s before we even get into the little squiggly symbols for time signatures.

That’s ample reason to not call myself a musician.

[vurt]

you are aware there was an actual professional producer behind the birdy song, shuddupya face and coldplay.

so im not sure it's anything to aspire to anyway

Sure, and I can cut out my own verrucas, but I'd never do as good a job as a trained professional.

well you're less likely to give yourself gangrene from using wrong notes or heavy compression