{"id":87236,"date":"2021-08-13T11:06:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T10:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=87236"},"modified":"2021-11-04T16:54:08","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T16:54:08","slug":"what-is-music-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/what-is-music-production\/","title":{"rendered":"What is music production?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are no stupid questions when you start making music. So let\u2019s address one of the simplest of all \u2013 what does music production mean?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music production seems like a complicated, intimidating subject for a beginner to get your head around, with hundreds of technical terms<\/a> to learn and techniques to master. Time to ease you in slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is “production” in music?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Music production is making music using digital tools. It\u2019s the journey of a song, from initial idea through the writing<\/a>, recording, arranging, mixing<\/a>, and mastering of the music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beatmaking and the recording of instruments is typically done in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation.) The song is assembled piece by piece in parts called tracks<\/a>, one instrument or sound at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music software like Pro Tools or GarageBand <\/a>are both DAWs \u2013 basically, a recording studio on your computer. Each DAW contains plugins<\/a> of virtual instruments of every type you can image from drum kits to synthesisers to gongs, and effects like reverb to manipulate the sound design of your tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Logic
Logic Pro, a DAW for Apple users, has different coloured tracks running horizontally down the screen.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Getting started producing music<\/a> has never been more accessible or cheaper. Really all you need is a computer, a microphone and your ears. Free DAWs are available to download; the popularity of loops<\/a> and samples means that you can make beats and click notes into a piano roll<\/a> to make melodies and chords with zero prior musical knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online platforms like BandLab <\/a>make the process even easier and more social, too, and YouTube <\/a>is full of music production tutorials<\/a> for beginners, whatever software you’re using. You can even produce music using just a smartphone app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What exactly does a music producer do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a classic studio, music producers<\/a> oversee the recording process. They organise what the musicians and singers are up to in the studio and make sound design choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays \u201cproducer<\/a>\u201d means different things in different contexts and genres. When it comes to electronic music<\/a>, the producer does everything in the creative process; in hip-hop,<\/a> the producer is the one who made the beat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So \u2013 if you\u2019re making music in your bedroom, recording every instrument and vocals yourself, or making beats in a DAW<\/a> to rap over later, congratulations; you\u2019re a producer. If you\u2019re helping to record your buddy\u2019s song whilst they play guitar, you\u2019re a producer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Music production is a vast subject, covering techniques like autotune to hardware like audio interfaces<\/a>. But you\u2019re just getting started, so pick a DAW<\/a>, take it one step at a time, and enjoy the feeling of getting creative and making music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you get going, find more music production tips here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to improve your music production skills<\/a><\/blockquote>