Do you love music? Are you looking for a creative career working with the most talented artists in the music industry? You may be ready for a career as a music producer. Music producers are in charge of all aspects of a recording session from the instruments to the financial matters and everything in between. Read on for a job summary and the educational requirements for a career in music production.
Career Overview
Music producers have the second most important job in the recording industry, after only the artists themselves! Music producers oversee all aspects of the recording process to insure a successful recording session and finished product.
According to Answers.Com, www answers com, the first music producer was Fred Gaisberg in 1890 who helped opera singers find the optimal distance to stand from the gramophone. The music industry has changed substantially since then, and the role of the music producer has grown with it. Today’s music producer performs the following tasks:
- Keep a project within its recording budget
- Secure a studio time
- Help artists choose which songs to record and guide them towards a quality performance
- Hire and oversee background performers
- Aid audio engineers in the recording, mixing, and mastering process
These tasks and many others make up the day to day routine of the music producer.
Necessary Education and Professional Skills
Many colleges and universities offer degrees or certificate programs in music production. Some schools offer a degree program in music or fine arts with a concentration in music production or sound engineering. Students in these courses can expect to study courses including:
- Musical History and Theory
- Composition
- Song-writing
- Ear Training
- Copyright Law
- Finance and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
Students should look forward to spending many hours honing their skills at piano both in and out of class. Mastery of the piano is essential because it is the primary tool used by songwriters and producers during the composition process.
Modern music production is highly dependent upon digital technology and computer software. Students will take courses that cover use of the latest and most powerful software packages and computer workstations. Today’s music producer has to embrace the role of technology in the recording process and be prepared for the advancements that tomorrow will bring.
In addition to a classroom education on the recording process and musical theory, students should have a lifelong love of music. Music production is a competitive field, with long hours and highly variable pay. Producers who love creating music and working with performing artists will enjoy their work more than someone who simply sees music production as a ‘job.’
Salary and Professional Opportunities
Music producers can work for record labels producing records for all or some of the bands and recording artists under contract with the label. Some producers are experts at a specific genre like rock or reggae and work only with artists in that genre.
Other music producers are self employed and produce albums for recording artists as they are needed. These freelance producers need to be skilled marketers and networkers as well as producers. Most production gigs will come from word of mouth and from recording artists that are familiar with the producer’s previous work.
According to Salary.Com, www salary com, the median range for salaries of entertainment producers is from $37,000 a year to $52,000. This includes salaries of film and video producers as well as music producers. It is difficult to predict salaries for creative positions, especially in the entertainment industry, but that range gives prospective music producers a general idea of their earning potential. Of course, there are producers who work for major music labels and the hottest pop music acts who command huge salaries, but such positions require years of hard work, networking, and a bit of luck.
