Zamfir the flute guy?

Hate him.

I'm asking for musically bad songs, but since there are like a lot of people on YouTube, for instance, uploading bad music, I asked for songs that actually are professionally produced. So I'm mostly asking for the music but a lot of things you mentioned about production also seem to contribute to the music itself, like reverb.. I honestly was just thinking about a song you find generally bad and don't like to listen to, but which was produced expensively and professionally, if you know what I mean.

In a lot of cases, a new band/performer is going to be strapped for cash (if they are managing their own production) or their management is not inclined to spend a lot of time/money on what happens in the booth. With that said, most engineers, arrangers and producers understand that if they're pressed for time and money is short, that "less is more" when it comes to music has almost never failed. New bands and artists are generally expected to sound a little raw and unpolished. However, some folks ignore that tradition and think that "adding cool stuff" at the board will make the product more "lavish". And in the cases where the performers and performances aren't really that good? Then steps like auto-tuning to death, layering harmonies to excess, and even strings (an old trick) can make terrible acts "sound better". Boy bands, factory-made diva of the month, 1 hit generic hair bands in the 80's, and teeny bopper bands like The Monkeys and Herman's Hermits would be examples of that. Examples of an album that I think where production and mix actually hid and undermined the performers? I'm So Glad - Cream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3GIQ86eu6c The whole album (Fresh Cream) did nothing to show just how musically amazing the trio was. Terrible mix, everything bunched up dead center, very dull and muted and despite the fact that each track has great playing/singing/arrangement, the recording itself sounds terrible. Compare it to; Sunshine of Your Love - Cream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt51rITH3EA Same performers. But the sound/engineering/mix is light years better (still in the age of 4-8 track analog studios). You can feel the music fill the space around your head instead of just being all mashed tightly into a mush. Another example that comes to mind that is more current is RHCP. Though it was decently received, I find Californication to have terrible production. Title track is a good example. Californication - RHCP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk&list=PLsK0gCOg4x1fZaDg_m77aZoxjKeXQNMWC Everything sounds overly compressed. What the performers are doing (just like Cream in the other example) is what they do best. They're a great band. But this recording/mix bogs them down and makes them sound.... tame? There's a lack of definition and clarity in the final mix. A term folks will use is that it's "compressed". Compression is also a technique/effect/modification of audio and it may be in play here (pardon the pun) but this song (though a great song being played by a great band, simply sounds..... hollow). Compare it to another of their version of an "anthem-like" song... Under The Bridge - RHCP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE Do you hear a difference? I sure do. Even on the poorly compressed (another use of the term and different from the other two) versions on YouTube, it's possible to hear how much better this song is recorded, produced and mixed. Everything is more clear, has sharper edges of separation, each part is like a cleanly machined cog in a watch where the previous example, all of the parts are like ingredients in a stew. I hope that this makes sense. For a lot of people, music is music and they are unaware (and don't want/need to know) what goes into the product and the various stages/people/skills that can make or break a song.

This makes sense. Thanks for the detailed response :) Do you have a job in the music industry or something?

I used to. Did a variety of things. Played bass with a touring band, we went into the studio and recorded, the studio manager and I hit it off, so when the band broke up, he brought me in as an engineer. I then got to use some of my music theory training to do arrangements, play sessions, mix and produce. Then, another tour swung through, needed an engineer and I learned live sound reinforcement on the road.

Sounds like you had an awesome life so far :)

It's been an amazing ride so far. The pace has slowed recently, but I've learned to savor, enjoy and learn from all of my experiences. So even if things now in middle-age are somewhat sedate in comparison? I still value them and keep my eyes open for potential adventures.