If producers are working with artists that do not write their own material, then finding songs may take up much of the producers' time. For artists who do write, producers may sort through material to best present to artists. In the contemporary music business, producers are often co-writers with artists. In all cases, producers make sure artists are well-rehearsed and well-prepared for the studio.
Whether producers write charts, hire arrangers or just tell the keyboard players to lay off in the second verse, the overall performance that gets recorded falls under their oversight. Producers provide a perspective that, hopefully, is more objective than those laying down the basic tracks. As producers are often musicians themselves, it's not unusual for them to contribute overdub performances, although it is usually advisable to have an impartial ear listening for errors and clashes.
Producers often serve as liaisons between artists and recording engineers. Musicians may approach sound more metaphorically and producers will translate to the more literal world of the engineer. In the contemporary world of sophisticated home studios, often the engineering and production roles are combined, and it is up to producers to then transfer the artist's vision into the nuts and bolts of the recording process.
Producers usually arrange for -- but not perform -- mixing and mastering, the final technical stages prior to manufacture and release. This phase is the last stage for objectivity; wise producers will step back and leave this for engineers who are specialists in this area.
Particularly on independent projects, it is common for producers to be involved in the design process for CD packaging, video shoots and marketing plans leading to the release and promotion of the artist's latest work. This is usually another situation where outside specialists are consulted, but in the computer age, design-savvy producers may be more hands-on with small projects.
Producers of a major artist's project will likely not be involved directly with the manufacture of CDs or DVDs. In the indie world however, locating and dealing with duplicators may be a crucial duty. At the most basic level, producers may perform the functions of duplication and printing on home computer equipment for very small CD runs.