No two roles as a record producer are the same in most cases. The role covers a wide range of different responsibilities from receiving demo tapes, helping artists to choose which song to record as well as choosing the appropriate musicians to be on the recording. Producers may also confirm logistical matters like available funds for an album and organise a recording schedule.

Since we discussed the difference between a record producer, music producer and a beatmaker, let’s talk about how you can become a music producer. You’ll soon notice that we’re going to use the terms “music producer” and “record producer” interchangeably, even though we’ve discussed that the two are in fact different.

The most important point to remember is that there is more than one way to become a record producer.

What Does a Music Producer Do?

Let’s break down the different roles of a music producer, shall we? To help this information go in well we’ll pretend that you’re an aspiring artist and I’m a record producer…

You’ve been working hard on your latest track and now that you’ve finished it you think you’re ready for the big leagues. As I sip my coffee & open the studios’ post, your demo CD falls onto my lap. It was smart for you to send a CD as well as an email (that I haven’t yet read) because you’re ensuring I’ll see your demo. Anyway…

Listening to your demo tape gives me a burst of inspiration & imagination and I think I’m the producer you need, so I give you a call…

[A small period of time later]

Now that we’re in the studio together, we can chat about your goals and your sound. With these in mind, and compared to what I’ve heard from your tape, I can help you choose which of your pre-written songs to record for your first record!

Now that we know what direction we’re going in, we’ll work on your arrangement together. Things that we may change include possibly bringing the chorus in sooner or extending the bridge. We’re giving your music a slight makeover so that it’s ready for a big commercial release.

The tracks we’re looking at have a strong structure, but what else is missing? Should we add some strings in one of the verses? Could any of the songs feature an 80s synth somewhere? Is the bass doing enough? Is this a punchy track or a mellow one?

Awesome! We’ve come together and decided what the track needs. Now we need to assemble a team to do it as you didn’t bring a band with you.

In my bag, I have a big book of contact details for musicians that we could work with to bring your songs to life. I’m sure producers don’t have a big book of musicians in their bag – they probably have their phone numbers saved on their phone, but I like to do things differently. It’s my niche.

Anyhow, we decided we need George on the drums, Sandra on the bass, Michael on the synth and keys and not forgetting Simon on the lead guitar!

We’re almost at the stage where we can bring your music to life. Now I need to create a document with a list and records of what your ep is going to cost. How much the musicians will cost is very much in the interest of the label or individual that I work for.

[A small period of time later]

Success! The funds are there and we’ve been given the go-ahead!

Based on all contributing artists and the equipment available, I need to decide where is best for us to record your track. Our studio in The Big Apple has all the right gear and is close to everyone’s location. Now it’s time for me to determine the schedule for each of the artists and you to make your way into the studio.

And now it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. It is time to record the track/track the record! This can take anywhere from five or six days to five or six months, depending on how much we’re recording. 

[4 months later]

And now it’s my time to be alone with your music. Well, of course, you’re more than welcome to sit in with me. In fact, I’d encourage you to do that. Your music requires your input, but mixing and mastering is the domain of the producer. Up first, I’ll mix each of the five tracks we recorded for your debut ep!

Now that the tracks have been mixed down, it’s time for the two of us to decide on the playback sequence for the album. Should we have the title track as the first track? The last? What about the third?

Once the two of us have decided on the order of your five tracks, it’s time for me to master your ep for release and then hand it over to the distribution & marketing team!

This timeline is an interpretation of Trina Shoemaker’s description of her general day as a music producer.

The role of the producer can vary between genres and even vary between the artists they’re working with. The role isn’t anything that’s pre-determined, and it’s quite flexible as it changes through the years.

Some artists want the producer to make all the decisions, and then some artists are very heavy-handed and make a lot of decisions, and the producer helps them achieve that.

Matt Ross-Spang

How to Become A Music Producer

When I began my career back in the 1980s, there were no recording schools or universities with music production programs. You had to start in a studio as a Runner — in my case as the cleaning lady — and learn the trade the old-fashioned way.

Trina Shoemaker

Trina Shoemaker began her career as a cleaning lady in a music studio. Note that this was in the 1980s and before the internet, as well as pre-digital music. Things are different now…

As with the many roles that vary of being a music producer, so too are there a variety of ways to become one.

Here’s a short explanation of some steps you can take to work your way up to the big studios without having to clean them!

Step 1: Learn an Instrument

You may not deem this as essential, and when it comes down to it – it isn’t. However, how are you going to suggest what composition changes to make if you’re unsure of the different possibilities there are? It may not be essential, but it will definitely make you both better at the job and respected amongst your peers!

You don’t need to be an expert in an instrument by any means, but it’ll be a blessing when you can strike at inspiration when it’s hot.

The three most common instruments that producers typically play are the guitar, bass and piano. You could create an entire track by yourself if you can play all three… let that sink in!

Many people claim that if you can play and understand the piano then pretty much every instrument after that will make sense. The piano will give you a great visual of chords, as well as really being able to hear each note clearly.

AIMM Blog

Step 2: Learn The Soft and Hardware

Next up, learn to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Which one you use is up to you. However, as a music producer, knowing how to use multiple DAWS will benefit you massively.

If you find yourself using a Mac, why not give Garage Band a try? It’s virtually made for beginners! When you master Garageband, learn Logic.

If you use a Windows PC and your friends make music, mask what DAW they use. Look into what DAW your favourite artists use and look into learning them! This opens the doors for future collaborations…

On Windows, the two most common DAWs are Ableton and FL Studio.

Alternatively, BandLab has a free online DAW that opens the doors for you to learn without paying a penny.

In a professional environment, you’ll probably find Ableton or Logic X (for Mac). Look into these and learn them over time. Take your time too. Learning a DAW is no easy feat.

Ableton has different tiers available for you. You can grab their “Intro” package with 16 tracks or grab a 90 day free trial for the whole Ableton package!

If you don’t find yourself enjoying Ableton, why not give BitWig a try? It has the same tier system as Ableton so you don’t have to jump in all at once.

When you master one, learn the next one! And when you have these two down, maybe look into Cubase and Pro Tools.

Knowing these four DAWs will make you feel right at home in a recording studio.

Step 3: Train Your Ears

Training your ears means learning to hear the intricate details of the music that regular fans and listeners don’t necessarily hear. The most common and possibly best way to train your ears is to listen to different styles of music every day. Become a student of music, not just a listener.

By doing this you’ll be able to examine what makes different genres unique and what their characteristics are. Think of yourself as a music critic.

If you find yourself enjoying a tune, stay focused. Push yourself to think of what decisions the producer has made to make the track what it is. There can be low-level background noise, multiple stab notes that may sound like one whole note, an endless amount of automation, and so much more.

By learning an instrument you may find yourself becoming familiar with how different keys sound, and this will allow you to see a whole new layer of creativity in the music you’re assessing. It may also be very beneficial to learn at least the first two grades of music theory…

Step 4: Create

Now that you have the knowledge, it’s time to turn it into skill!

I’m sure you have already dabbled in music production… but if you haven’t, now is your time. You now have the tools.

If you find yourself in a time of writer’s block, read our guide on how to get your creative juices flowing again!

Do I Need a Degree to be a Music Producer?

The short answer is no.

But it helps. Not simply because you get a piece of paper, but because you meet lifelong connections of musicians and producers like you, as well as connections with lecturers that work in the industry.

Music is all about what you can do and not what paperwork you have. That’s great on a lot of levels, but we’d be wrong if we said that university provides no benefits to you.

What is important is that you work on gaining practical experience. Start off in your bedroom making your own music and learning an instrument. From there, you will inevitably meet people online and in person that are in the same spaces as you. This opens the door to many more opportunities to gain more practical experience!

Conclusion

A music producer covers a wide variety of roles. From organising a studio, managing funds, leading a team and mixing and mastering… music producers do a lot.

And that could be you. We’ve tried to give you the most practical advice in the simplest way possible. Music production isn’t the easiest thing to learn by far, but it’s worth the struggle. If you can be patient with yourself, there is nothing to say that you won’t be producing the big hits in a few years!

Music producers need top-quality samples to create top quality music.

We at Mixxed use this as the foundation of our mission. We strive to deliver only the best one-shots, loops and sound effects to you from industry-shaping sample labels.

For less than $3 a month you’ll have access to thousands of inspiring samples that our users are already using to create epic music. Our catalogue is growing daily, but we already have countless samples for a wide variety of genres.

Sign up today to find your sound!