The NAMM Show 2012

The Psychology of Producing Hit Songs

Producing is Non-Technical 90% of the Time

Technical - 10%Psychological

Arrangement

MusicHuman

MotivationInspiration

Creative

The Joe Solo Constitution

1. The Song is King

2. Vibe is Queen

3. The Star of the Mix: Vocals

4. If it sounds good - it IS good

5. Hooks = Checks

Roles of a Record ProducerProducer

EngineerSongwriterMusicianMotivator

Father / MotherBrother / SisterDictator / Slave

PsychologistChauffeur

Punching Bag

Ego Shaping

The Phonetic Work-A-Round

The Chair Story

Human Tricks in the Recording Studio

Happy Accidents

Using Technology Creatively

Use gear/plug-ins how it wasn’t intended to be used

Invent new instruments & sounds

Ask yourself . . . “What if?”

The Joe Solo Studio Law

Everything in the studio can and will take AT LEAST three times

longer than the absolute longest possible time you

thought it could take, even after you’ve already taken into

account The Joe Solo Studio Law

The Joe Solo Studio Law

Dumb Dog - Smart Dog

Be a Smart Dog, fool !

Dynamics Roadmap

IntroV1

C1 V2

C2

C3C4

Bridge

Outro

Multi-Dimensional Dynamic

Juxtaposition

Huh???

The Key To Holding Your Listener’s Interest . . .

Opposites

1. loud vs. soft2. wet vs. dry3. layered vs. non-layered4. wide panning vs. narrow panning5. stereo vs. mono6. high pitch vs. low pitch7. effected vs. not effected8. distorted vs. clean9. staccato vs. legato10. percussive vs. not percussive11. vocal vs. instrumental12. electronic vs. organic13. vocal harmonies vs. solo lead vocal14. words vs. jibber jabber15. muffled vs. clear16. trebly vs. bassy17. regular time vs. double time *or* half time18. acoustic vs. electric19. busy vs. empty20. fat-toned vs. thin-toned21. left vs. right22. sound vs. silence23. Major vs. minor24. simple vs. rich harmonics25. pre-written vs. improvised26. bouncy vs. steady27. constant vs. occasional28. rhythmically tightvs. rhythmically loose29. HI FI vs. LO FI30. analog vs. digital31. esoteric vs. literal and generally understood32. orchestral vs. modern33. front of the mix vs. back of the mix34. stationary vs. moving35. intense vs. chill36. acappella vs. with instruments

37. compressed vs. uncompressed

Opposites

©2012 Music Success Workshop/Joe Solo Productions, Inc.

How To Find Out if Your Music Blows

A lesson in self-honesty

How To Find Out If Your Music Blows

Joe’s Video Nugget Series

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Before and Afters

From Demo . . . to Final Master

I sound like a hit!

I sound...ok

The NAMM Show 2012

The Psychology of Producing Hit Songs