How to Make Your Music Production Career Take Off
Music production is the number one choice for people who don’t want to be in the spotlight. Choosing music production may not be the most obvious, but a valid choice nonetheless. It is a significant occupation that makes records a reality.
Starting to work while at college to achieve the recognition you deserve is always a good idea. Redistribute your homework workload and order custom writing at EssayPro to clear up your schedule, make a plan, and work towards figuring out the steadiest routes to success. You won’t wake up a celebrity per se, but it is not the goal of production anyway. A music production career may be a tough challenge. It requires a handful of experience, and good luck to jumpstart when you are a student. Yet, don’t feel discouraged to pursue the role of your dreams even if you have zero ideas about what exactly you want to do. Everyone began with small steps before sealing their first deal.
What are the most popular jobs in music production?
Music production is perfect for people who love tech and artistry behind the scenes. To some degree, you may thank producers for your beloved study playlists, as they made it a reality. Editors, Kendrick Lamar, or Smashing Pumpkins may be the genius we see, but they all work with an extended team of technicians, engineers, and editors that glue the sound and visuals we love so much.
Most popular careers in music production include:
- Music Producer: Music producers work in recording studios and orchestrate the whole process of production. They make recording and coordination happen between different professionals with artists to create a final product.
- Live Sound Engineer: Live sound engineers create the magic of live performances with all kinds of equipment available for them. It requires an excellent technical and musical skill set with enough practical experience that you can gain during an internship or apprenticeship.
- Mixing Engineer: The role of the mixing engineer is a key one to assemble different parts of a multitrack recording. Mixing engineer makes a final polished product and can enhance the original ideas to the max.
- Sound Editor: If you love the attention to detail and want to work with musicians on their clips and shorts, this is a position for you. The sound editor is responsible for clean-cut final sounds in TV, movies, and other productions. Arguably, nothing is possible without a sound editor.
It is helpful to figure out what you want to achieve in your career path to know what you need to focus on currently.
Train your music taste
It significantly helps if you are a music student or know a thing or two about different styles and genres. Enroll in an online school, apply for free and paid platforms, or add some more music history classes to your curriculum. Use any resource that helps to uncover music as it comes in different forms and shapes.
Don’t stick to one genre, and make it your personality. It is rather backward for a music production professional, as you would work with different artists throughout your career. Understanding music and what makes each genre unique in terms of quality, technique, tempo, and other aspects relevant for anyone working in music production.
Learn an instrument or two
Even if you are not a performer, it would help if you added playing an instrument or two to your skill list. Even though you may think you don’t need it, it can simplify your time helping artists put their tracks together. How, you may ask? You simply work out some creative aspects while developing your ideas yourself, without any additional help from others.
Reading music is another essential skill for working in music production. It allows you to communicate better with musicians and explain how to improve the sound. The same goes for music composition and other aspects of music theory. The same way you develop your music taste, music theory makes you a better professional.
Learn everything about the equipment and software
Nowadays, it is easier to get access to software used for music production. Download a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to get familiar with recording and music production software. It may seem like rocket science at first, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes to work with. Consider free trials or free alternatives to begin your journey with it.
For instance, try out these free apps:
- Audacity.
- Garageband.
- Traction Waveform Free.
- Ohm Studio.
At the same time, it is helpful to get some equipment to maximize your experience learning DAW. It includes:
- MIDI controller: music instrument digital interface is a must when you work with a digital audio workspace. It is a keyboard controller that mimics the look and feel of a traditional piano.
- A pair of high-quality headphones: professional headphones are different from the usual ones you can buy anywhere. They allow you to hear the least colored sounds and mix your record effectively.
- Audio mixer: an audio mixer or soundboard helps you control multiple audio channels. It’s a bit different from the MIDI controller, and it is beneficial to learn them both.
You can get unlimited access to all the necessary equipment if you are a college student with a major in music. On the other hand, you can find plenty of alternatives online, for instance, buying used equipment can help you out.
Publish your work on free platforms
Do you have some samples already in your library? Maybe edits and remixes? Many people leave them hidden because they are afraid of critics. Yet, critique is also an essential part of your progress.
Don’t be afraid to upload your work on platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and BeatPort, which can give you some recognition from people. Get feedback, promote your work, and act like you don’t care. In the age of social media, any recognition can be proof of your experience.
Networking with different artists
You know how it goes. A guy knows a guy, who knows a guy you need to find your first job in music production. Take any opportunity to meet as many people as you can and get as many gigs as possible. Network at concerts and recording studios, or hit someone up on social media.
New artists are more than willing to cooperate with you on the basis of mutual benefit. They get their song produced, and you get precious experience and make connections. Music production is all about communication and cooperation, so you need to know people.
Consider an internship
It may be a hard mission to find an internship at a record company, but it’s not impossible. Research your options and prepare a letter and resume for them. It is the most effective way to get into the industry and meet people, acquire the necessary experience, and work toward your goals.
The bottom line
Even though you may stay behind the scenes, professionals in music production play a significant role in everything that is music. You should not take it lightly and wait till it takes off by itself. It’s hard work, but it is rewarding. At the end of the day, you have results that you can always improve or change, creating a new hit song along with artists.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
We are continuously putting out relevant content. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Ready to dominate the music industry?
Get started now.