I’ve worn a lot of hats over the last roughly two decades when it comes to audio production. I’ve been an artist working with a producer for the first time, I’ve produced for artists who were working with their first producer, recorded, mixing, mastered, performed, etc. You pick up a lot of lessons in that time, so I thought I’d share 4 tips on how to be a better producer in music which you can hopefully apply to your craft.
Be on the Same Page From the Start
I begin with a more practical tip, but one which I cannot overstate. I’ve been on both sides of the artist-producer relationship at different points in my career, both as the producer AND as the artist.
The worst experiences I’ve ever had in either role have been when both parties have had different expectations without acknowledging it until it’s too late.
This can be the artist being overly ambitious about what they can accomplish for the time and money involved (I’ve also been the artist in this scenario), it can be the artist expecting a certain sound when all is said and done, whatever form that might take.
It’s absolutely essential that before any money changes hands, both the producer and artist have the exact same expectations for every level of the project. No detail is too minute, because when one or both parties makes an assumption which doesn’t ultimately bear out, this can lead to uncomfortable situations, let alone a situation which never needed to exist in the first place.
If you’re the producer, it’s especially important that you set and clearly outline the expectations the client should have from the start. This will ensure the entire process goes much more smoothly, ultimately leading to a better finished product, not to mention level of satisfaction across the board for everyone involved.
Use Reference Tracks
Speaking of being on the same page, use reference tracks.
Yes, one of the golden rules of mixing itself also applies on a more macro level in how to be a better producer.
They help you within all facets of producing. They help you and the client get on the same page when it comes to expectations and a target. A client can say they want to sound like “X artist”, and knowing that from the start does a lot of the early groundwork.
That’s assuming you can get there together and that’s a reasonable goal; sometimes the artist (or producer) doesn’t have the capacity one way or another to reasonably get there, which goes back to the first tip.
Of course reference tracks also help on a more practical level when you are trying to find the right snare sound, guitar sound, etc. before you’ve even recorded a thing.
And yes, I just alluded to it, but reference tracks are essential in mixing for chasing a specific sound, as well. They help keep you dialed into and focused on the ultimate goal when you’re shaping the sound of the snare in the mix or the entire mix as a whole. Just as importantly, it ensures that you’re never mixing in a vacuum and getting away from that shared target.
Work in All Styles
There is something to be said in working outside of your comfort zone when it comes to how to be a better producer.
Challenging yourself to work with artists and within genres you’re not familiar with is essential.
Sure, there’s value in being the “X genre” person, but a more rounded experience affords you the ability to approach problems from multiple directions which is extremely useful when option A (or B, C, etc.) doesn’t work.
Not only that, but it obviously helps you in a more general sense so that you can be seen as a viable option for more clients by way of your larger and more varied background.
Learn From Others But Make Your Own Mistakes
I offer a lot of straightforward and objective advice and tutorials on how to get better at audio mixing on this website.
For instance, you can grab my free EQ cheat sheet or my free compression cheat sheet for a snapshot of settings you can instantly dial into your mix on a track by track level which should significantly improve the sound alone.
Tips like that can save you a lot of trial and error, so there’s room for that in growing as a producer, but just as importantly it’s essential that you experiment on your own and are willing to make your own mistakes. You’ve likely heard this many times before, but so many amazing things which we equate with some of the most famous records of all time came from happy mistakes.
More than that, experimentation is how you find your own voice which is ultimately a big part of what will help you stand out from your peers and make people want to work with you.
In the end (and it’s cliche to say) but there’s no substitute for experience. Record, mix, produce as much as you can, because like virtually anything else in this world, the more you do of it and the more frequently you do it, the more prepared you’ll be in any situation and the better you’ll ultimately become as the producer you want to be.