Music Producers, or Record Producers, bring the vision of a recording to life. Producers are responsible for determining and leading the creative and technical aspects of recordings, whether for a single song, an album, or a soundtrack. Music production involves making decisions about the artistic, technical, logistical, and often financial aspects of recordings.

Music can be produced on a computer or in a recording studio. Music Producers create music for commercial release or for use in visual media or advertising.

Music Producers shepherd the process of creating recordings from preproduction to postproduction. There are many steps in the process, and the Producer can be involved in all or most of them. Music Producers work most often with musical artists, or sometimes artists themselves might also be Music Producers. Successful musicians will sometimes produce records for other artists. Producers are team leaders for everyone involved in making a recording.

There are different kinds of Producers who do different things. For example, an Executive Producer might be focused mainly on the financial and promotional aspects of a recording, while a Line Producer might work in the studio on more technical aspects of recording. Generally, Music Producers have a say over many of the creative decisions.

It’s possible to make music using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) which consists of the hardware and software needed to make recordings from scratch. Many Producers use headphones throughout the production process, so it is possible to produce music in a bedroom, which is also how many Producers start out.

Having a dedicated room with some acoustical treatments can be very helpful, as it might be important to hear the music on separate sets of studio monitor speakers. This is especially important when mastering the final mix of a recording. Acoustical treatments usually consist of some foam insulation on the walls to absorb sound and minimize sound reflection, and it’s also advisable to have carpeting and maybe a couch or other plush furniture to absorb sound. If it’s a rectangular room, it should be set up with the monitors on the short side, facing the longer side of the room. The room should be comfortable and well-ventilated with adjustable lighting to enhance the production process and experience.

Most Producers work on Apple computers because they are more reliable and avoid the need for constant updates or security fixes. Garage Band is a software that comes with Macs and is a good entry point for most people who are learning to produce music. Logic Pro X is like an upgraded version of Garage Band and has everything a Music Producer needs to get started.

There are additional plugins for sampling or recreating analogue and acoustic instruments, adding effects, smoothing out vocals, and mixing and mastering recordings. The software you use might depend on the style of music you are producing, your preferences, or what you can afford to spend.

The first thing you need is a computer, preferably an Apple Mac as mentioned in the previous section. This could be a laptop, but most Producers prefer to use a larger monitor with a desktop computer. In addition to the computer and DAW software, you will need a large-diaphragm condenser-microphone with the important accessories (cable, stand, pop-filter), a good set of studio reference headphones (do not use the popular consumer brands, they are not designed for music producing), studio monitor speakers, an audio-interface, MIDI controller (usually a keyboard or some pads), and a proper desk and chair.

Note that you do not need a separate mixer, as mixing is done using the software. Having an outboard mixer is not helpful as it will also degrade the signal, and most Producers don’t use them. The exception is when music is recorded analogue, usually in a full-fledged recording studio, and then converted afterwards to a digital file.

Packages for home studio recording setups start at about $800.00 and the sky is the limit in terms of what is available for purchase.

At some risk of oversimplification, we can say that there are three stages to creating a recording: preproduction, production, and postproduction.

Preproduction includes everything from choosing the material to be recorded, arranging the music, choosing the studio or means of recording, engaging musicians, and developing a budget, if there is one. Preproduction is everything that needs to happen before any music can be recorded.

Production is the recording phase of the project. Laying down basic tracks, using a “scratch vocal” for reference, recording overdubs, and doing multiple takes is all part of the actual production of a recording.

Postproduction is the final phase, where songs are tailored into a final mix, and them mastered as the last stage of the recording process. Artwork and promotion, plus a release party or social media campaign would all be considered part of postproduction.

For musicians, producing music might be viewed as an extension of the music-making process. Recording tracks might be part of the composing process or be integrated into live performances such as when using backing tracks or making a DJ live mix.

For music production, one must have access to recording technology. Computer hardware and software has advanced to the point where what used to require a fully equipped recording studio can now be accomplished with a laptop and some additional hardware and software peripherals. Studios haven’t disappeared either, as there are still groups that want to make recordings playing live together. Some studios still record to analogue tape and then convert to digital audio files later.

You can start on your own at home making recordings with a DAW, or if you are fortunate to live in an area with an active recording industry you might seek an internship at a local studio or record label. Hanging around where musicians congregate might be a good way to find collaborators and to network for future recording projects.

It’s smart to learn as much as you can about music and music production, and also to listen critically to a lot of recordings. While you are listening, make note of what you like the most and try to figure out how the recording was made. There are also some excellent books and magazines on audio recording and music production.

Earning a degree in music production is not a requirement for entering the music industry as a Producer, but many people choose to attend a school since it allows them to compress the time needed to learn skills and focus all their attention on career preparation for a few years. Also, the people one meets in a college or university program will become an important part of the professional network needed to succeed, as will the faculty and fellow alumni. In the music business, like most businesses, who you know is as important as what you know.

Fortunately, there are many excellent programs to choose from. You could earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or an associate’s degree (A.A.) focused on Music Production, Audio Engineering, and music. Most, but not all Producers are also musicians and have formal training in music. Getting some music training can be very important because it gives you the tools you need to compose and arrange music and communicate effectively with others about the music.

It’s also possible to take individual courses in music production or earn a certificate after completing a series of several courses.