3 answers
pranay
Student
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
1
Question
Asked
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how can I make music production as a carer path and can fulfil my financial freedom ?
I want to make music production my full time business . help me make a 3 month plan to make it possible.
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3 answers
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
118
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
I'm going to be completely honest with you. 3 months is not enough. I wouldn't even bother making a 3 month plan because the MOST you'll get out of that is your music in some media that you did for free. Think long term and think consistency. Create a 10 YEAR plan- and stick to it. If you truly want to make it in the music industry you need to keep in mind that IT TAKES TIME. I've been working on building my career in the music industry for 8 years now and have only just now gotten the resources to send my beats to big league artists and high profile media creators to even be CONSIDERED for a project. You will need to work on your craft and build up a portfolio of high quality work. First you need to work on the quality THEN you can work on a good portfolio. Practice practice practice practice. That's all you can do.
Do everything you can to learn about the industry. What are people who are making 6 figures doing to be successful? What do you have to do to emulate how they succeeded? What do you have that other people don't? What makes your sound special? There are literally MILLIONS of producers. Maybe 10% get big projects. Maybe. Keep at it- work a little every day- and take criticism. If someone says they don't like something you made you NEED to ask why and you NEED to consider how you can fix that. Also keep in mind that there are also haters who will just say that everything you make is trash- learn to weed those people out.
Don't give up and keep your dreams alive! Please!
Do everything you can to learn about the industry. What are people who are making 6 figures doing to be successful? What do you have to do to emulate how they succeeded? What do you have that other people don't? What makes your sound special? There are literally MILLIONS of producers. Maybe 10% get big projects. Maybe. Keep at it- work a little every day- and take criticism. If someone says they don't like something you made you NEED to ask why and you NEED to consider how you can fix that. Also keep in mind that there are also haters who will just say that everything you make is trash- learn to weed those people out.
Don't give up and keep your dreams alive! Please!
Violaine Gonzalez
Senior Associate
176
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Violaine’s Answer
Hello, Making music production a career path that fulfills your financial freedom requires dedication, skill development, networking, and entrepreneurial spirit. Here are some steps you can take:
1. **Master Your Craft**: Invest time in learning music production techniques, software, and instruments. Practice consistently to improve your skills and develop your unique style.
2. **Build a Portfolio**: Create a portfolio showcasing your best work. This could include original compositions, remixes, and collaborations. Make sure to highlight your versatility and creativity.
3. **Networking**: Connect with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals. Attend music events, workshops, and conferences. Networking can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and valuable insights into the industry.
4. **Online Presence**: Establish a strong online presence through social media, music streaming platforms, and your own website. Regularly update your profiles with new content, engage with your audience, and build a fan base.
5. **Monetization**: Explore different ways to monetize your music production skills. This could include selling beats, offering production services, licensing your music for films, TV shows, and advertisements, or teaching music production online.
6. **Diversify Income Streams**: Don't rely solely on one source of income. Consider offering additional services such as mixing and mastering, sound design, or music for video games. You can also sell merchandise or offer online courses.
7. **Collaborate**: Collaborate with artists from different genres and backgrounds. This not only expands your network but also exposes your music to new audiences.
8. **Continuous Learning**: Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in music production. Take online courses, attend workshops, and seek mentorship from experienced professionals.
9. **Financial Management**: As your income grows, it's essential to manage your finances wisely. Create a budget, save for taxes, and consider investing in equipment or further education that can enhance your skills and career prospects.
10. **Persistence and Patience**: Building a successful career in music production takes time and persistence. Stay motivated, be patient, and keep pushing forward even in the face of challenges.
By following these steps and staying committed to your craft, you can turn music production into a fulfilling career that provides financial freedom. Remember to stay true to your artistic vision and never stop pursuing your passion for music.
1. **Master Your Craft**: Invest time in learning music production techniques, software, and instruments. Practice consistently to improve your skills and develop your unique style.
2. **Build a Portfolio**: Create a portfolio showcasing your best work. This could include original compositions, remixes, and collaborations. Make sure to highlight your versatility and creativity.
3. **Networking**: Connect with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals. Attend music events, workshops, and conferences. Networking can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and valuable insights into the industry.
4. **Online Presence**: Establish a strong online presence through social media, music streaming platforms, and your own website. Regularly update your profiles with new content, engage with your audience, and build a fan base.
5. **Monetization**: Explore different ways to monetize your music production skills. This could include selling beats, offering production services, licensing your music for films, TV shows, and advertisements, or teaching music production online.
6. **Diversify Income Streams**: Don't rely solely on one source of income. Consider offering additional services such as mixing and mastering, sound design, or music for video games. You can also sell merchandise or offer online courses.
7. **Collaborate**: Collaborate with artists from different genres and backgrounds. This not only expands your network but also exposes your music to new audiences.
8. **Continuous Learning**: Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in music production. Take online courses, attend workshops, and seek mentorship from experienced professionals.
9. **Financial Management**: As your income grows, it's essential to manage your finances wisely. Create a budget, save for taxes, and consider investing in equipment or further education that can enhance your skills and career prospects.
10. **Persistence and Patience**: Building a successful career in music production takes time and persistence. Stay motivated, be patient, and keep pushing forward even in the face of challenges.
By following these steps and staying committed to your craft, you can turn music production into a fulfilling career that provides financial freedom. Remember to stay true to your artistic vision and never stop pursuing your passion for music.
John Graham
Music Producer
55
Answers
Bremerton, Washington
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Pranay! I agree with Thomas and Violaine's comments. Becoming a music producer will take time and experience that you need to build. The most important thing is to get started and begin learning and producing one step at a time.
I'd like to suggest a few sites where you can find free and paid courses to get you familiarized with the field of music production and maybe have some fun trying things out. (I have to say - I am not associated with any of these providers and do not make any money from them. These are just sources of training and info that have helped me over the years.) Both of these talented and successful producers have had difficult life events that they had to overcome to get where they are today - and it's that perseverance and grit that really impressed me about them.
One producer I've followed and taken courses from over the years is Los Angeles producer Kris Bradley. She started out as a singer / songwriter and then found herself struggling and discovered she could make better and more regular money as a producer. Her website online is https://www.producelikeaboss.com/ , and she has a series of videos you can subscribe to (for free on YouTube) at https://www.youtube.com/@ProduceLikeaBoss . Her full online course for pretty every aspect of music production is about $500, if you can afford it - and many of her students have been quite successful over the years. Kris is very clear in her communication and makes the process fun - which is a big difference from a lot of folks online.
Another one I learned a lot from and obtained certifications for Mixing and Mastering from her courses is Aubrey Whitfield. She's from the United Kingdom and her presentations aren't quite as succinct as Kris Bradley's in my opinion, but she really gives you the facts and methods right down the line with no fooling around. In fact I was glad that her courses are in video format so I could easily go back and replay areas where I didn't catch everything the first time through. Her site is https://www.aubreywhitfield.com/product-page/how-to-become-a-successful-music-producer and her courses are much more affordable, starting at under US $20, and she has quite a few free classes at https://www.youtube.com/@AubreyWhitfielduk/featured especially about how to use various plugins and features on your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
There are many more I could suggest, but these two can quickly help you get started in the right direction. It's important to realize there are many ways of doing each step of the production process - and we all have to find our own way. With Songwriting, Arranging, Recording, Review, Editing, Mixing, Mastering, and Distribution - there are five to ten sub-processes with many steps in each one. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and fortunately if there's something you don't do well, there other people who can help you get it done. As Aubrey Whitfield likes to say, "We learn so much from failure and we come back stronger and better for it... If you have a dream that seems unreachable, don’t give up. Work hard everyday. Small wins lead to success."
Lastly, I'd like to recommend that whatever DAW you use for production, that you join the affiliated user forum for it and check out the "how to" videos on their sites. I've been producing since 2005, and I never stop learning. Here are are some sources for some of the most popular DAWs right now (not a complete list):
ProTools ($299/yr): https://www.avid.com/courses
Logic Pro ($200): https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/resources [Mac OS only]
Cubase Pro ($579): https://www.steinberg.net/tutorials/
Reaper (free trial, then $60): https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php
Ableton Live ($439): https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/
PreSonus Studio One ($399): https://www.youtube.com/@presonus/videos
FL Studio ($199): https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/
[Some of these DAWs have starter/beginner versions for less, but they're less capable/have fewer features. The courses or training videos on their websites that I've cited here are pretty much all free.]
All the best and Good Luck with your journey! I look forward to listening to your work in the future!
I'd like to suggest a few sites where you can find free and paid courses to get you familiarized with the field of music production and maybe have some fun trying things out. (I have to say - I am not associated with any of these providers and do not make any money from them. These are just sources of training and info that have helped me over the years.) Both of these talented and successful producers have had difficult life events that they had to overcome to get where they are today - and it's that perseverance and grit that really impressed me about them.
One producer I've followed and taken courses from over the years is Los Angeles producer Kris Bradley. She started out as a singer / songwriter and then found herself struggling and discovered she could make better and more regular money as a producer. Her website online is https://www.producelikeaboss.com/ , and she has a series of videos you can subscribe to (for free on YouTube) at https://www.youtube.com/@ProduceLikeaBoss . Her full online course for pretty every aspect of music production is about $500, if you can afford it - and many of her students have been quite successful over the years. Kris is very clear in her communication and makes the process fun - which is a big difference from a lot of folks online.
Another one I learned a lot from and obtained certifications for Mixing and Mastering from her courses is Aubrey Whitfield. She's from the United Kingdom and her presentations aren't quite as succinct as Kris Bradley's in my opinion, but she really gives you the facts and methods right down the line with no fooling around. In fact I was glad that her courses are in video format so I could easily go back and replay areas where I didn't catch everything the first time through. Her site is https://www.aubreywhitfield.com/product-page/how-to-become-a-successful-music-producer and her courses are much more affordable, starting at under US $20, and she has quite a few free classes at https://www.youtube.com/@AubreyWhitfielduk/featured especially about how to use various plugins and features on your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).
There are many more I could suggest, but these two can quickly help you get started in the right direction. It's important to realize there are many ways of doing each step of the production process - and we all have to find our own way. With Songwriting, Arranging, Recording, Review, Editing, Mixing, Mastering, and Distribution - there are five to ten sub-processes with many steps in each one. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and fortunately if there's something you don't do well, there other people who can help you get it done. As Aubrey Whitfield likes to say, "We learn so much from failure and we come back stronger and better for it... If you have a dream that seems unreachable, don’t give up. Work hard everyday. Small wins lead to success."
Lastly, I'd like to recommend that whatever DAW you use for production, that you join the affiliated user forum for it and check out the "how to" videos on their sites. I've been producing since 2005, and I never stop learning. Here are are some sources for some of the most popular DAWs right now (not a complete list):
ProTools ($299/yr): https://www.avid.com/courses
Logic Pro ($200): https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/resources [Mac OS only]
Cubase Pro ($579): https://www.steinberg.net/tutorials/
Reaper (free trial, then $60): https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php
Ableton Live ($439): https://www.ableton.com/en/live/learn-live/
PreSonus Studio One ($399): https://www.youtube.com/@presonus/videos
FL Studio ($199): https://www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/
[Some of these DAWs have starter/beginner versions for less, but they're less capable/have fewer features. The courses or training videos on their websites that I've cited here are pretty much all free.]
All the best and Good Luck with your journey! I look forward to listening to your work in the future!