Music Career Finder

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Female DJ using mixer during live DJ set

DJ

Asian female singer in studio with mic

Singer

Music Director with headphones around her neck in the on-air studio at the radio station

Music Director

Closeup on an Orchestrator's hand writing notes on sheet music

Orchestrator

Young Black male Drummer playing the drums

Drummer

Young female Audio Engineer with soundboard in recording studio

Audio Engineer

Young female Pianist at piano

Pianist

Young black male Music Producer in recording studio

Music Producer

Mastering engineer using mixing console in recording studio

Mastering Engineer

Record Producers working in a music studio

Record Producer

Female Guitarist in recording studio

Guitarist

Songwriter with acoustic guitar writing lyrics in notebook

Songwriter

Lyricist listening to music and writing ideas in her notebook

Lyricist

Ceiling of opera theatre with crowd taking their seats

Opera Singer

Personal Manager in the recording studio with the band he manages

Personal Manager

Young female Bassist with her band

Bassist

Music Teacher showing bass to young male music student

Music Teacher

Concertmaster playing his violin

Concertmaster

Close up on a Composer's hands playing the piano

Composer

Director of A&R wearing headphones

Director of A&R

Music and arts are competitive careers because many people have talent and want to be in creative careers.

The supply outstrips the demand. Producers often have other jobs, in or out of music. Some are performers, arrangers, teachers, or business owners. There’s a decent living to be made in music for those who prepare themselves.

What Is Music Production?

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 production is the creation of recorded music, either on a computer or in a studio. Music Producers play an important role in the music and entertainment industries.

What Does a Music Producer Do?

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.

Music Producers oversee the recording process and make decisions about all aspects of Production, from preproduction to postproduction.

Is music production a good career?

Tom Stein

Gaining the needed skills and building the professional network and reputation needed for success will likely take many years. Most Music Producers attend college to study music, music production, and audio engineering. Some earn master’s degrees. Part of what’s taught in schools is how to market your skills and find work. Schools are also great for building professional networks in the music industry.

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What Kind of Space Do You Need for Producing Music?

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.

Music Production can happen in any space if using only a computer and headphones, but most serious Producers have a dedicated room or studio space with reference monitors and some acoustical treatments to dampen the sound and avoid reflection.

Can you produce your own music?

Tom Stein

Anyone can learn produce their own music, whether on a laptop computer or in a studio. Besides the musical knowledge and skills needed, one must understand the technology that is used, both hardware and software. There are many different kinds of Music Producers. Some artists are self-produced, some produce other artists and bands, while others create and record music for film, TV, or video games.

What Software Do You Need for Producing Music?

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.

Basic software for Music Production can be free or very inexpensive or come as part of a bundle when you purchase a Mac computer. There are upgraded versions and plugins available for music producers; what you get should depend on your specific needs and budget.

What Equipment Do You Need for Producing Music?

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.

The hardware packages for producing music are very affordable, aside from the computer, which will be the most expensive component of a home recording set-up. Besides a microphone, audio-interface, MIDI controller, and monitor headphones/speakers, having a well-designed and comfortable room will enhance the production process and experience.

What Are the Steps to Producing Music?

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.

Producing a recording can be broken down into three distinct phases: preproduction, production, and postproduction. Many decisions must be made at each stage which will affect the final recording.

How Can You Get Started in Producing Music?

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.

To become a Music Producer, it helps to learn music first, and then study the recording process. Become familiar with the gear and techniques you will need to succeed.

Is producing music hard?

Tom Stein

Doing anything at a high level is going to be hard. The most important thing is to begin learning, and then to stick with it for a long time. You can only start where you are. Fortunately, there are many terrific books, instructional videos, blogs, articles, magazines, and other music resources for learning that are readily available. It might also help to take classes or study privately with a teacher to learn how to produce music.

Do You Need to Go to School for 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.

Getting some training in music, audio engineering, and music production is a smart idea for most aspiring Music Producers. Besides the skills and techniques learned, being in school offers the opportunity to build a professional network for the future, learn all about music, and better understand what it really takes to succeed in the competitive music business.

In Conclusion

Being a Music Producer can be a great career for the right person, whether full time or part time. Many good musicians make excellent Music Producers. Besides mastering the technical aspects, having a strong professional network and good self-promotion skills will go a long way towards getting established in the field. It also helps to have some good luck!

It might also be a good idea to attend a college or university program, or at least take some courses in music production. Be a sponge for knowledge: Read books and learn as much as you can from others to expand your base of knowledge and skills. Meet as many people as you can who are involved in the industry. It might help to find a mentor who could help to guide you and actively take an interest in advancing your career.

There’s an old saying: “If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you’ll likely get a haircut.” This means that if you can be around where recordings are made, and the places musicians come together to make records, you’ll probably end up producing one.

Music production and audio engineering are fascinating fields, as are the music and entertainment industries. It will take perseverance, hard work, and creativity applied over a long time to break in, but in the end it’s going to be worth it when you see how much progress you’ve made. Most successful Music Producers couldn’t imagine themselves doing anything else.

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