How to Get into a Career as a Music Producer

Being a music producer is a dream job for lots of people. A music producer is responsible for creating new songs, which may be played on the radio, in movies and TV shows, streaming services and in clubs around the world. There are various paths to becoming a music producer that will all require you to dedicate your time and effort. Keep reading to find out more about what a music producer does and how to become one.

What Does a Music Producer Do?

A music producer is a professional who is responsible for shaping the sound of different music tracks and guiding the overall vision for a music album. All music genres have different roles for producers who might work with artists, work on their own or alongside studio musicians. The career also has a business component, with many music producers owning and maintaining their own studios, selling and promoting their music and offers various services such as mixing and mastering. Music producers might write beats, entire songs, mix and master existing tracks, or arrange and sample music.

How to Become a Music Producer

There is no one way to become a music producer. Some music producers start as musicians, while others are music school graduates, sound engineers or even record label executives at the beginning of their careers. It has become easier than ever for self-taught music producers to enter the career with the rise of the internet, social media, and more affordable equipment such as Desktops for Music Production. Some tips that you might find useful if you want to get into music production as a career include:

Train Your Ears

It’s a good idea to study music and listen to different types of music from various eras. Get a good idea of what makes different musical trends popular, and what makes different musical genres unique. Listen to how artists use their instruments and other sounds, and get good at recognising tempo, harmony and pitch.

Get a DAW

A DAW or digital audio workstation will be an essential for any aspiring music producer. Today, technology has made it easier for anybody with a computer to get into music production. You can download a DAW to get familiar with the software that is used to record and produce music. Some come with free trial options to make it easier for you to choose the one that you prefer the most.

Consider Learning an Instrument

Even if you do not play a musical instrument professionally, it’s a good idea for music producers to be able to read sheet music and know the basics of playing instruments such as the piano, guitar, and the drums. It’s a good idea to spend some time learning how to play a few of your favourite songs, focusing on musical concepts such as chord progression.

Today, anybody with an interest can get into music production. There’s no one journey into this career, so consider the various steps that you can take to get you there.