Overproduction (music) - Uses of The Term

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 radio versions of songs pushed to be more "pop" through the use of loud drum beats or other instrumentation changes.
• 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; Producers frequently accused of this kind of "overproduction" include Phil Spector, Mutt Lange, Mitch Miller, and Chet Atkins.
• Doing any of the above to hide a performer's lack of talent or to take a common theme or idea and make it "different"

All five 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.