BECOMING A MUSIC PRODUCER
So, are you interested in becoming a music producer? Get ready to wear a lot of hats! Today’s producer can be asked to play many roles, which have traditionally been specialized jobs in the past. Here is a list of many roles for which you can be held accountable:
Mike White
Maintain a recording budget
Artist
Composer
Arranger
Collaborate with an artist/songwriter
Create a vision for the song/artist
Adapt the lyrics and melody of a song
Change the chord structure or arrangement
Hire musicians or programmers
Make a demo
Book rehearsals
Manage the musicians’ performances and ideas
Negotiate recording studio rates
Engineer
Produce performances
Perform
Edit and pitch correct performances
Mixing
Mastering
Still scary? Well, do not be, no one can master all these skills. You can specialize in one or more of these roles and still make good music. But in order to become a music producer, you need to understand the overall picture of the entire production process and where you are coming. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you evaluate what roles you can perform, and where you need help.
Assess Your Skills
What are you good at?
Are you proficient with a musical instrument?
Do you have engineering skills?
Do you have great people skills?
Are you good with computers and technology?
Do you understand music theory?
Are you a songwriter or artist?
Do you already produce your own music?
Do you need additional education and schooling?
You are here because you obviously have a passion for music. If you are not competent in any of these skills, do not be alarmed. Look at these questions. Do any of these skills excite you or interest you? If you are really interested in becoming a music producer, you should study at least one of these skills and know a little about how others work.
If you have some of these skills, can you find a way to bring these skills to the writing situation? If you are studying a tool, can you take these skills to a recording studio? If you are good to people, how can you fit into the situation with music production? If you are good at computers and technology, can you use these skills to produce music?
The Answer Is: Yes! Absolutely Yes!
Regardless of the level of skills you have now, your passion for producing music already exists. If you develop these skills, becoming a music producer will come naturally, because that is what matters most to you.
I started studying music, studying the guitar. I was a terrible guitar player! But the passion I felt for playing the guitar, and understood it as much as possible, could lead me to a career in engineering audio. When I started studying audio and music production, it became natural for me. After many years, I realized that my admiration for the sound of the recordings, and the attention to detail that I paid when I listen, perfectly fit into the role of engineer and producer of music.
Each skill has a place in music production. If you are passionate about your skills, people will want to hire them. Regardless of the skills you have, bring them to the study of the recording studio, no matter how small. The more skills you bring to the table, the more you will participate in the recording and the more you will learn about how the entire production process works. If you become a music producer, your goal, nothing learns better than experience!
Getting The Gig
Every time someone asks me how they can get production or engineering jobs, I always tell them the same thing. Get a job in a recording studio that records the style of the music you want to produce. The reason is simple. Where else are you going to meet people who make a living doing what you want to do? These people are your future customers! If you make an effort and wait long enough, I guarantee that you will have the opportunity to demonstrate what you are capable of. If you already have a full-time job, you can still work in the studio. Many recording studios need people to work at night and on weekends.
Recording Session Breakdown
These Are Some Of The Benefits Of Working In A Recording Studio:
Learn From Professionals
Where else are you going to see professional producers, engineers, composers, arrangers, studio musicians, programmers and artists do their thing? Sound recording studio. Pay attention! Absolutely must absorb so many ideas, problem-solving skills and methods that professionals use to produce music. You will see that these manufacturers and engineers are doing incredible things. Then you will also see catastrophic failures. Both are equally important! In any case, you will receive valuable ideas and ideas about what to do and, most importantly, what not to do.
Make Connections
The best way to connect to a recording studio is to become an important part of the recording session for the client. Showing additional efforts and attention to each client, they quickly get used to their useful ways. Learn to think like the people you work on, so that you deliver what you want before you can ask. The way to become a music producer is to learn how to think like people who make a living doing what you want to do. Attention to the details that you pay for the recording session will lead to work in the future. When the customer calls the recording studio and specifically asks you to help in the recording session, you will know that you are on the right track.
Climb The Ladder Of Success
One of the biggest secrets to becoming a music producer is to be relaxed and confident, even if you “lose” it inside. Your good vibes and confidence in the study will help you get more work than your skills. If the people you work with do not feel comfortable with you, they will not want to work with you. Who wants to work with someone they do not feel comfortable with? You must have confidence in yourself and know everything that happens around you. Studying the difficult ones and watching the process of production develop, day after day, you will always know what to do and when to do it. Remember that the process should be fun and creative, so always consider this attitude. This positive attitude will put you on the path of becoming a music producer.
Gain Access To The Recording Studios
After establishing a relationship of trust with the owner of the study, you can be allowed to use studios, evenings or weekends, if there are no paid clients. This is a great opportunity to experience many of the production methods you have learned by being in professional recording situations day after day. I can not emphasize how important it is to use these opportunities. You should practice the lessons you are studying in the study, until they become second nature. As I always say, write to your friends and make mistakes with them. Therefore, you will not make the same mistakes with your paid customers.
Conclusion:
Step by step, the way to become a music producer includes the dedication and desire to understand the art of producing music. Work in a recording studio so you can meet and work with professionals. Remember that these are your teachers and your future clients. Write yourself and others as often as you can. There is no shortage of people who want to become a star! Each record you make will teach you skills and feed ideas that will improve subsequent actions. They will also inform you about the problems you must learn to solve. The more music you produce, the more you will learn to optimize the production process. The more you train, the closer you will reach your goal of becoming a music producer FULL TIME!