Becoming a producer is one of the best ways to be creative if you love music.
You don’t need much to get started and it’s easier than ever to get your music on Spotify and get heard.
But what does it really take to become a music producer? What skills do you need to develop? And what equipment is required to get started?
In this article I’ll break down the basics of getting started with music production and show how you can take your first steps.Array
So you want to become a music producer? Producing music is an exciting career that allows you to help create hit songs and albums. However, it takes dedication and hard work to make it in this competitive industry. Follow this complete guide to learn the steps to becoming a professional music producer.
Develop Strong Musical Skills
Becoming a skilled musician yourself is one of the best ways to gain the knowledge needed to produce music. Learn to play instruments like the piano, guitar and drums. The more instruments you can play, the better you’ll be able to communicate with artists and session musicians. Spend time practicing sight reading, chord progressions, and music theory. These musical skills will give you the foundation to create interesting arrangements and instrumentation.
Consider taking formal lessons to accelerate your learning. You could also join a band to gain experience collaborating and performing with other musicians. Any musical skills you develop will help train your ear and translate to the production process.
Master Music Production Tools
Today’s music is created with digital audio workstations like ProTools, Logic Pro, Ableton and FL Studio. Spend time learning the ins and outs of your preferred software. Watch tutorial videos to learn how to record, edit audio, use virtual instruments, and sequence MIDI. Master the mixing and effects tools so you can take raw recordings and sculpt professional sounding songs.
You’ll also need some basic equipment like an audio interface, studio monitors, MIDI keyboard and high quality headphones. Create demos and practice mixes using sample tracks. The more fluent you become in production software and tools, the more efficient you’ll be working in the studio
Immerse Yourself in All Types of Music
To become a versatile producer actively listen across all genres from pop rock and hip hop to jazz, folk and classical. Pay close attention to the songwriting, arrangements, sounds and production styles. Listen to both old and new music to get inspired. Analyze what makes certain songs resonate emotionally.
Expand your tastes so you can work successfully with any type of artist. Listen closely to pick out details like how many instruments are used, how the lead vocal sits in the mix, and how tracks are layered together. Let great music influence and inform your own production work.
Study Successful Music Producers
Research producers who have longevity and a string of hit credits in the music genres you want to work in. Study their discographies to learn their production techniques. For example, a pop producer may analyze Max Martin’s work while a hip hop producer looks to Dr. Dre. Listen to interviews with experienced producers to gain insights into their processes. Learning from the techniques of prolific producers will help polish your own skills.
Learn the Technical Side of Production
Producing music also requires technical know-how. Learn principles of acoustics, microphone techniques, audio effects, EQ, compression and mixing. Read books like The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook or take courses on music production and engineering. There are nuances to recording vocals, guitars, drums and other instruments that you need to understand. Having technical expertise will equip you to choose mics and gear for any recording session and fix problems.
Consider Investing in Home Recording Equipment
Though you’ll work in professional studios, it helps to have your own small home setup. Start with basics like a computer, DAW, audio interface, monitors and a MIDI keyboard. Read reviews and find affordable but high quality gear. As you gain more experience, slowly build up your studio tools like microphones and outboard effects. Producing tracks on your own will let you experiment and expand your skills. A home studio provides the means to create demos and build up your production portfolio.
Collaborate Frequently and Build Your Network
Work every opportunity you can to collaborate with artists and other producers. Reach out to singer-songwriters and offer to produce their demos for free. Finding artists to work with gives you the necessary creative practice. Build relationships around mutual growth – they get free production assistance and you get to polish your skills. Take on freelance gigs to add more professional credits.
To get your name out there, leverage sites like SoundBetter. Attend local shows and industry events to meet musicians and industry insiders. Over time, nurture a network of artists, managers and publisher contacts. More connections increase your chances of landing that breakthrough production job.
Start Producing Your Own Original Music
Even if you don’t sing yourself, you can begin composing and producing your own songs or instrumentals. Tap into your musical skills to write chord progressions and melodies. Alternatively, collaborate with up-and-coming songwriters.
Creating original tracks allows you to implement everything you’ve learned as both the songwriter and producer. Release the material on streaming platforms like Spotify to build an audience. Your own artistic catalog shows prospective clients your production abilities. With enough high quality productions under your belt, you’ll get noticed as an upstart music producer.
Becoming a professional music producer requires phenomenal skills, persistence and patience. But producers who pour their passion into the craft and constantly hone their talents can go on to thriving careers. Use this roadmap of developing technical expertise, gaining hands-on experience and growing your industry connections. Stay proactive and persistent and you’ll be on the path to becoming a successful full-time music producer.
Train your ear
One of the best ways to become a music producer is to understand music. But you don’t have to be born a musical genius. You can train your ear and your brain to think musically.
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Learn an instrument (or learn a new instrument, if you already play), which will help you understand musical concepts and principles.
Play around with equalizers, plugins and effects in your DAW to hear what happens in the music.
Most of all, listen to music. All genres. All styles. Listen to the tempo, pitch, melody and harmony. Listen for interesting time signatures.
The more you listen, the more you learn.
What skills does a music producer need?
While the requirements to become a music producer aren’t set in stone, there are a few skills that most successful producers have in common.
The first is a solid understanding of music theory. You need to know how the different parts of music fit together, and how to make them sound good.
The second is technical knowledge. To learn how to become a music producer, you need to master the technology involved, including sound engineering and digital audio workstations (DAW).
Music producers also need creativity and patience. You’ll need a passion for creativity and an ability to find inspiration to fuel your journey.
Become a Music Producer in 14 Steps!
How do I become a music producer?
In order to be truly happy in what you do, you’ll need to have a passion or a deep interest in your job. Music producers will obviously need to have a passion for music and have an encyclopedic knowledge of the music industry. You must combine this with being able, and happy, to utilize the skills needed to be truly successful in this role.
How do I get into music production?
One of the best ways to learn how to get into music production is by connecting with other producers, both online and offline. Music production is a continuously evolving field, and there’s always something new to learn. It is also often a collaborative effort.
Why should you become a music producer?
The work of a music producer is a rewarding journey filled with creativity and innovation. By developing your musical skills, broadening your musical horizons, and embracing both the art and science of production, you can embark on a path that allows you to shape the soundscape of the future.
How to become a record producer?
Analyze the production techniques, arrangements, and instrumentation used in each genre. This will expand your musical knowledge and inspire your creativity as a producer. One of the best ways to learn how to become a record producer is to study the work of successful producers who have made a mark in the industry.
