To manipulate it in ways not possible with "real" instruments. This was true 60 years ago and its true today. From composers such as Stockhausen* to the 90's genius Aphex Twin* to today's hottest name in dubstep Skrillex*, (or was this yesterdays flavour? Times a-changing {Bob Dylan reference here} One can never be sure! ) everyone is trying to incorporate some sort of electronic trickery into their sound.
From the first oscillators, the tape machines, the first analog synthesizers, the midi sequencers, the first digital multitrack recorders and of course today's ubiquitous music software (DAW* - or Digital Audio Workstations) artists, mixing engineers, DJ's today can be a successful producers. A fresh approach into music and of course use of imagination can take you a long way.
A producer usually is someone who's credited with either developing the song from the original idea of the artist, or someone who will take it to another level, or someone who will expertly "sculpt" the sound to give it some very specific elements. Either very contemporary or referencing the artists that the band/artist is following the steps of. Confused? Well the role of the producer is not very well defined. Its certainly not static and it very multitasking in that respect. Sometimes the mixing engineer, with the ear and attention to analyse specific sounds will be the producer, sometimes the musician/ writer of the song, sometimes a third person. record company executive, a composer, an arranger... Classic examples, include Phil Spector with his "wall of sound" sound, George Martin of Beatles, Trevor Horn, Nigel Godrich, Beck, Alan Parsons, Paul Epworth, Butch Vig, Brian Wilson, Brian Eno amongst others.
Programming / Production:
A lot of modern songs are based in tight production and polished drums beats and vocals.
As a musician and a producer of my own music I have the necessary experience to add the extra "polish" and "sheen" in your song, or do a very different remix, or to add some electronic elements onto a more acoustic mix.
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