How to Become a Music Producer?

What do you Need to Become a Music Producer?

The role of a music producer can be one of the most exciting and creative jobs within the music industry, but it can also be one of the most hectic. If you’re serious about being a producer you need to be fully invested. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door. You need to be willing to go the extra mile.

You can learn to be a music producer through practice, building connections, and learning. But you need to be the type of person who’s constantly hustling for the next gig. Because if you’re not that type of person, there won’t be another gig.

As a producer, you’ll need to be willing to work long hours, wear a variety of “hats,” and know a thing or two about how to work with different types of people. These music production skills need to be developed both on the business and the artistic sides of the aisle. A successful music producer understands music on two different levels: the creative/artistic and the commercial.

Regarding artistry, you need to understand some things about the nature of music, and you need to know what makes music “good.”  You need to have taste and vision. You need to be someone who has the ability to see past what’s right in front of you into what COULD BE.

Playing an instrument is not a requirement, but a thorough understanding of music definitely is. Some producers are multi-instrumentalists, and some can’t play a single one. It just depends on the genre you’re in. But the attribute they all share is vision.  Regarding the commercial aspect, depending on the goals of your artist and the label that might have hired you, you’ll need a good understanding of musical trends, styles of the day, and how they mesh with the artist’s brand.

You’ll also be handling the budget for a record, and you’ll need to know how to put those dollars to good use. In many ways, a music producer becomes a jack-of-all-trades in the music industry, working with both creative and business aspects of the recording process.

How to Become a Music Producer in 4 Steps

Here are four steps that you can take that will help become a music producer.

1. Discover what type of music producer you are
2. Learn music production and Music Theory to set Yourself Apart
3. Diversify your music genres
4. Build music industry connections

When you’re starting out as a music industry rookie, it can be wise to keep in mind some of the following. These aren’t hard and fast rules, more like wisdom that has worked for producers and professionals in the past.

1. Find your Music Production Style and Type

In the beginning, it’s unavoidable to follow in the footsteps of the producers you admire, creating similar beats to understand how they are created. Just be sure not to spend too much time mimicking your favorites. You may find you’re losing your own vibe – and isn’t that reason you want to do this in the first place? So be yourself. It’s fine to be inspired by those you hold in high esteem. However, to get to their level, you’ll need to set yourself apart. Your career won’t get very far if there isn’t more of you and less of them. Learn how to find your music production style and discover what type of music producer you are.

2. Learn Music Production and Music Theory to set Yourself Apart

We know you’re here to make music, not do a bunch of reading. But understanding music theory is a key component of being a successful producer. This will allow you to compose the music, relate to engineers, and communicate with the artists. What is composition? Why are keys important? How do rhythm and harmony work together? If you already have a background in music, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to learning music theory. And once you know music theory, you’ll set yourself apart from many producers as well.

3. Diversify your Music Genres

Being an individual is important, but you can’t concentrate on an individual genre. One of the most heralded producers of our lifetime is Rick Rubin. He won Grammy awards with country, rock, pop, and blues artists and was a key player in the rise of hip-hop. Would the Beastie Boys be as big if he stayed in the punk scene? To be successful, you need to be available. You may have grown up on hip-hop, but having the ability to work with rock, pop, and even country artists will only grow your name in the industry. Think of the crossover hits that achieved massive airplay, starting with the Aerosmith-Run DMC hit “Walk This Way.” Not only did that song make Aerosmith mainstream again, but it was also one of the first hip hop songs to be heard on urban as well as suburban stereos. And you know who was behind that decision, right? Rubin’s openness and inability to make rash judgments have a lot to do with his success. Definitely, do the same if you want to be ahead of the game.

When building your music production catalog or portfolio diversifying your portfolio is an important step in helping you achieve your long-term goals.

4. Build Music Industry Connections

Along with being open-minded to all varieties of music, you must be open to many different relationships. Networking is a key part of any industry, and music is no different. Meeting as many different industry folks as you can, as early as you can, can pay dividends down the road.  Just make sure you don’t burn any bridges along the way.

It’s true, there will be times you just can’t work with someone – or they can’t work with you. But that can’t be a weekly occurrence. Being able to work in different genres means being able to work with different personalities. You’re here to make them sound as good as possible. Do that enough and you’ll be able to pick and choose who you work with in the future. At the start, you’ll need to check your ego at the studio door.

The Other Side: Requirements to be a Music Producer

Beyond the creative side of being a producer, there are times you’ll have to grab the business suit out of the closet. Not literally of course, but there is more to the industry than just making music. You’ll be working with label executives. If you’re hired by a label to work with an artist, you won’t just answer to the artist—you’ll also answer to the label executives. They expect you to develop the artist and release a record that will turn a profit. This is where the business and commercial know-how comes into play.

You’ll sometimes have to conduct a balancing act between the conflicting visions of the artists and the label. Learning how to stay organized as a music producer can help you be extremely successful in the business side of the music industry.

You can see from this list that becoming a music producer requires a wide range of skills. It requires not only an ear for music but also a mind for business. This is why one of the best ways to become a music producer is to learn one-on-one from a working producer who can mentor you.

With The Recording Connection Music Producing Program, you’ll be placed with a professional music producer in a working studio. During this one-on-one time, you’ll improve your technical skills as well as learn how to act in the recording studio while working with artists, engineers, and other collaborators. The best part is you won’t have to move to New York, Los Angeles, or Miami to get this education. We have more than 120 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, which means you don’t have to uproot your life to pursue a career in music production. Apply today and get ready to work.