Overproduction (music)

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In music journalism, the term overproduction refers to music that allegedly uses excessive amounts of audio effects, layering, or digital manipulation.

1 Uses of the Term
2 Context-Dependence of the Term
3 Current Trends
4 See also
5 Notes

[edit] Uses of the Term

It is not always clear what critics mean by "overproduction," but there are at least a few common uses of the term:

A reference to heavy use of audio processing effects such as reverb, delay, or dynamic range compression.
A reference to heavy layering or multitracking; in the context of pop and rock music, this may refer to the addition of elements such as chorused vocals or backing strings.
A reference to heavy use of pitch correction, time correction, or quantization.
A reference to records overseen by a producer who "imposes" his or her own distinctive "sound" or techniques on a band or artist; Phil Spector is one producer frequently accused of this kind of "overproduction." ^[1] ^[2]

All four of these meanings share the idea that a record producer or mastering engineer has made "unnecessary" additions or changes to a record in the production process, and in doing so has decreased the quality or enjoyability of the music.

[edit] Context-Dependence of the Term

The meaning and use of the term "overproduction" can vary based on the aesthetic preferences of the critic who uses it and the genre conventions of the record in question. A critic with a background in independent rock, for example, may have a very different idea of "overproduction" than a critic with a background in dance music. Similarly, some critics might fault a rock record for overproduction if it seems too rhythmically "tight" or "quantized" but not apply the same criticism to a techno record, due to the different conventions of the two genres and the different sets of expectations that listeners bring to them.

In general there is little consensus among music critics or producers about when the use of an effect or production technique becomes "excessive." For this reason, some producers consider the term "overproduction" an unhelpful and confusing one. ^[3]

[edit] Current Trends

The extensive use of audio compression has recently been bemoaned by critics as part of a "loudness war." In August of 2006, folk musician Bob Dylan criticized modern recording techniques, saying that modern records "have sound all over them" and that they sound like "static." ^[4] Those responding to Dylan's comments seemed to assume that he was referring to the trend of increasingly compressed music. ^[5] ^[6]

In spite of the decreasing cost and increasing availability of professional or near-professional recording software and techniques, musicians and producers in some genres consciously set themselves against the idea of "overproduction" and attempt to make music with a rough or "lo-fi" sound; examples of this trend can be found in indie rock and in trip hop.