If you’re a musician looking for a producer and/or engineer with a proven track record to make your recording, Rob (aka Robert Eric) Federici may be the man you want to meet.
The 64-year-old is the owner of The Polygon studios in Blackwood and is well-known in music circles for his standout productions and engineering prowess.
“I’m very big on the fact, as a producer and engineer, that I want to make records that sound like the great records on the radio,” Federici explained. “To me, producing is like a painter painting a scene.”
The Camden native and Pennsauken resident is also an accomplished guitarist, keyboardist and singer known in the area for his Billy Joel tribute performances. Federici opened The Polygon studios in Cherry Hill in 1984, then relocated to Blackwood last February.
He estimates he’s produced and or engineered 44,500 recordings.
“I’m very much a team player when it comes to working with the artists,” Federici shared. “In the end, they have the final say.”
In addition to recording many rap groups, he is known for his work with such popular freestyle dance music artists as Pretty Poison, Collage, Adam Marano (as a single producer/performer) and Lil Suzy. Rockell – best known for her 1997 hit single, “In A Dream” – has worked with Federici so many times she can’t put a number on it.
“Rob has done so much for me,” she noted. “I call him all the time to work on my showcases and get everything in order for my live performances. One thing I have to say about Rob is that no one knows my vocals quite like he does.”
In addition to producing and engineering original songs, Federici has done remixes for Gloria Estefan and Sheryl Crow. But his production work isn’t limited to musical acts. Joe Conklin, the comedian and impressionist who’s an in-demand performer throughout the Delaware Valley, values Federici’s ability to understand an artist’s perspective.
“Rob’s an entertainer’s producer,” Conklin observed. “He’s a performer himself, so that’s a big advantage. He knows what you want, he gets on your wavelength and he contributes to the art – the comedy bit, in my case.
“I wouldn’t use anybody else.”
For more information about Federici and his work, visit www.roberteric.com/polygon.
