Getting Started
First, get a solid understanding of music theory and how the different parts of music fit together. Learn to operate the gear, including sound engineering and digital audio workstations. Build a basic home studio with the necessary tools to make your own tracks. Find inspiration by listening to many styles and genres before focusing on what’s “yours”.
Gaining Experience
Take on internships or entry-level studio positions to learn from working producers one-on-one. Consider taking music production classes to help with mixing, mastering, and meeting industry contacts. Create your own music to establish your brand on social media.
Skills and Compensation
Key skills include:
- Proficiency in digital audio workstations (DAWs)
- Recording/mixing knowledge
- Creativity
- Communication
- Collaboration with artists
Having passion, drive, responsibility, and musical abilities are essential. Producers can get paid by the hour, per master recording, a flat fee, and may also receive a royalty from sales.
Choosing Your Path
Decide your music genre to help find inspiration and focus on sounds, styles, and techniques used by well-known producers. Research institutions and faculty to find the best fit for complementary tech classes in music programs. Being a producer means working behind the scenes, creating the beats, notes, and chords behind the songs.
The tools and platforms make publishing easier than ever. It’s an exciting career for those who love music.