What are careers in music production?

Music producers, instrument technicians, and sound designers are careers in music production. Here is some information on each of these careers and others in music production:

• Music Producer

Music producers oversee and sometimes make creative decisions during the production and recording process of individual songs or albums. They are typically involved in the brainstorming process with music artists and may help them generate ideas for albums or other musical projects.

A music producer also helps an artist decide which songs are right for an album and collaborates with a team of sound engineers in the studio to make sure recordings are captured in the highest possible sound quality.

• Instrument technician

An instrument technician, sometimes referred to as an instrument specialist, helps musicians with their instruments in the recording studio. They assist in tuning instruments and handling them in between takes of songs.

They also make sure a studio's instruments are properly set up and ready for a recording prior to music producers and musicians' arrival. Some instrument technicians work broadly on many different kinds of instruments, while others specialize in a particular instrument, like the guitar, piano, keyboard, bass, or drums.

• Sound Designer

Sound designers utilize audio equipment and software to enhance music recordings. Working alongside music producers and musicians, they may collaborate creatively on any extra additions to recordings, like adding ambient sounds or including live recordings of a speech on a musical track.

These professionals also collaborate with other sound editors to make sure each part of a recorded musical project fits in with the overall tone of the entire project.

• Sound Mixer

A sound mixer ensures the balance of sound in a music recording. This includes elements like the volume of a track and its overall sound quality. These aspects can vary from take to take or song to song and may also change when multiple microphones are being used.

In addition to music recorded in studios, sound mixers also work on recordings at live events, such as concerts.

• Songwriter

Songwriters also referred to as lyricists, write the words used in songs. Certain songwriters will also compose the music that goes into a particular song. Songwriters then sell their songs to well-known or somewhat established musicians.

Some songwriters have other careers in writing as well, mostly in entertainment, like the television or film industry.