Music producers are called by different names, and they are also called “track producers” or “record producers.” Their main tasks include writing, arranging, producing, and recording songs. As a singer, I personally found that learning the ins and outs of the music production procedures and processes are very crucial for every person involved in the music industry, especially singers, songwriters and song composers.
Table of Contents
What Is Music Production?
Before you can become a music producer, you should know what a music production is. Music production is basically the process and art of creating sounds and manipulating these sounds to create music. Although music productions may sometimes become so complicated, the most fundamental sections of a music production simply include, the selection of sounds, the designing of sounds, the production process itself, and the editing process.
They may also perform different roles, such as:
- Maintaining a recording budget,
- Collaborating with the songwriter and artist,
- Creating a vision for a musical project,
- Adapting the melody and lyrics of a song,
- Hiring musicians or programmers,
- Making a demo,
- Changing chord arrangement and structure,
- Managing the performance of musicians,
- Negotiating recording rates,
- Mastering of recording,
- Mixing the different tracks,
- Editing performances and producing performances,
- Composing and arranging songs.
With all these myriads of tasks and responsibilities on the shoulder of the music producer, I bet you may be discouraged from further pursuing a career as a music producer.
But don’t be discouraged! The abovementioned responsibilities should not deter you from pursuing your dream of becoming a music producer. Always remember that if you have the will, you will surely find a way to become a music producer. At the onset, however, it is imperative that you know the intricacies of music production and the different tasks you would assume if you would become one.
Steps To Become a Music Producer & Make Your Own Music
If you are a person who is desirous of becoming a music producer, you should sport certain essential characteristics that would make you qualify as a music producer.
1) You Should Know Something about Music!
Of course, you should be cognizant of what music is all about. But this does not mean that you only know something about music. It should also mean that you must learn music. It’s not enough that you have a bit of music education. It would be very advantageous if you are deeply cognizant of the intricacies of music so that you can readily distinguish and discern between various sounds and other musical factors. It would be very advantageous too if you can learn the rudiments of classical music, although it is not a prerequisite to becoming a music producer. You can be self-taught or just a music enthusiast as long as you got the mettle to become a music producer.
2) You Should Love Music!
If you love something, you will be enthused to learn more about that something. Similarly, if you love music, you can readily commit yourself to learn much about it. Moreover, if you want to become a music producer, you will definitely gobble up every knowledge pertinent to becoming a music producer. You would also try to grab as much experience on how to decipher good music and understand the essential factors that can produce a good song. It is definitely a valuable skill on the part of a music producer to be able to figure out what constitutes a real hit song readily.
3) Learn about Recording Software!
The availability of recording software has made it possible for those—who do not have recording labels to boast of—to establish their own home studio recording. A home studio can merely be a bedroom studio, a dedicated home studio, semi-pro studio, or a pro studio. The most essential items found in a home studio include a computer, DAW, audio interface, microphones, studio monitors, cables, microphone stands, and pop filter.
With the availability of recording software, you need not buy those bulky and expensive multitrack mixing console, for you can almost do anything now using your computer as long as you know how to manipulate the recording software. Some examples of popular recording software are those of Sony Sound Forge Pro Mac, Magix Samplitude Music Studio 2014, and Propellerhead Reason Essentials 1.5.
4) Try to Learn from Professional Music Producers
“Experience is the best teacher,” and for this reason, you will best learn if you would engage yourself in the actual recording. You’ll also get succinct tips from professional engineers, producers, composers, studio musicians, arrangers, performers, and programmers. If you are a quick learner, you can readily learn by observing and directly asking the abovementioned professionals about how they do what they are doing. You will surely get valuable insight about music production from them, and you can apply these insights and learning once you go on your own in producing music.
5) Develop a Rudimentary Skill for Sound Engineering and Mixing!
If you plan to become a music producer, you will be required to learn the basics of mixing and engineering of sounds. It is your responsibility to improve and shape the recording sounds. You will also be involved in audio engineering. Hence, you should be able to suggest and give inputs on how to best execute sound engineering. You should likewise develop a keen ear for sound to readily distinguish between audio nuances because this is necessary for sound engineering and mixing. Effective communication is also necessary, and if you have mastered the art of mixing and sound engineering, you will be in a better position to suggest and communicate your ideas.
6) You Should Have Developed a High-level of Creativity.
You need to attain a certain level of creativity to come up with novel ideas for the music production. Music lovers want to hear something new, and if you can generate new tracks of music that are unique, you will be very successful. You should create your own brand of music that is distinctively yours. You should also experiment with sounds to come up with a unique brand of music. As a music producer, your creativity will be invaluable to the end-results of your music production.
7) You Should Be Cognizant of Past and Present Music Trends.
It is not enough that you know the present trends in music. You should also have a more in-depth knowledge of other types of music of the past. You should understand the commercial aspect of music and the artistic aspect of music likewise. But before you can figure this out, it is necessary that you know the music of the past and how the present music evolved from past music. The deeper your understanding of the different musical genres, the deeper and more beautiful the type of music that you can produce. If you are knowledgeable of the musical trends of the past, you will readily get a feel of what kind of music is relevant and would be appreciated by the fans at present; moreover, you can configure your kind of music production accordingly.
Conclusion
The path that leads to becoming a music producer is not paved with red roses. Along the way, there are snags and challenges that you must surmount to achieve your dream. But your persistence and dedication will undoubtedly pave the way to the realization of your dreams. As you wiggle your way towards becoming a full-fledged music producer, you should try to expand your circle of friends and acquaintances. You should likewise meet professionals in the related fields.
Bear in mind that their inputs will be invaluable to your becoming a good music producer. Moreover, you should learn from every experience that you add to your credentials. Learn also from your mistakes and shortcomings. But most especially, you should improve your skill sets, so that you will become better and better as time goes by. Lastly, the experience will surely make you a better music producer along the way.
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