Hiring a music producer can be expensive. There is no doubt about that fact, and we will not even try to convince you otherwise. We will, however, in this article, give you straight information about being your own producer, the pros and the cons, and then turn you loose to make your own decision.
Information for this article is provided by Kip Allen, songwriter, session musician, and music producer in Nashville. When the best is what you need in Nashville, Kip Allen is the name the pros have on their short list. Call Kip for your next important gig.
The role of a music producer
A music producer understands every aspect of music production, and is well-rounded when it comes to how sound is produced by voices and instruments. The job may be as passive as merely listening and nodding approval, or as involved as placing microphones properly and even running a soundboard. A music producer is much the same as a director in a movie, overseeing each and every detail with the hope of producing a potential hit.
As such, a music producer must be skilled in every aspect of music production, but even that does not accurately describe that extra something the truly skilled producers have. The truly great ones are almost savant in their ability to know what is missing from a recording, and in pinpointing a specific problem.
Can you do it yourself?
Without a doubt, most, if not all, artists can producer music themselves. The technology now available makes it possible for anyone with a minimum of technical skills to mix music and produce tracks which are passable. The question, then, is what are you, the artist, willing to accept as passable?
Budgets will most likely make the decision
As mentioned earlier, hiring a professional music producer is expensive, and without a doubt more expensive than can be afforded by struggling musicians and those not established in the music industry. When that is the case, DIY music production is really the only option available to someone. Learn to use the apps available online, pay a monthly fee for their use, and do the best you can. You might also hang out in the local music scene, and possibly trade your talents for the talents of a trained music producer. It has been known to happen in the past, and it costs nothing to take that approach and then hope the stars align properly.
The bottom line about a music producer is this . . .
If you can afford a professional music producer, and the music you are working on is greatly important to you, then we strongly suggest you hire a good one and make that music of yours the best it can be. If you cannot afford the best, your only realistic option is DIY, and then mount a fantastic social media campaign and hope for the best one day in the future.
A final word about Kip Allen
Nashville pros know the name Kip Allen, and they trust in that name for mixing and mastering, for songwriting, and for touring or sessions, Kip Allen is a pros pro, the consummate professional since 2008. Call Kip and arrange for a sit-down with him.
