There are those who are top music producers in the nation, and there are those who are top music producers in your particular area. They may, or may not, be the same people. In this article, we will help you to identify the top music producers in any area, how to find them, and what you can expect to pay for their services.
This article is presented by Kip Allen, renowned Nashville songwriter, music producer, session drummer, and Drum Workshop Artist. Call Kip Allen when the project you are working on demands the best in the industry.
Who are the top music producers available?
This is an interesting question, one which we have been asked a number of times.
Most industry publications will eventually present articles listing the top music producers, the top session musicians, and the top artists. It is a rite of passage for these articles to appear, and they all present compelling reasons for their choices. The problem with these articles is that they are subjective in nature. They are based primarily on the opinions of a panel of judges. They are based on the current sales of “records,” and they are based on the vagaries of the market at any particular time. That is not to say that they producers, artists, or musicians on those lists are not talented; we are simply saying that there are quite a few very talented people, each year, who do not make it on those lists, simply because they are not the favorite flavor at that particular time.
Our recommendation: Do not give too much weight to popularity lists. Pay more attention to your musical ear and knowledge. Find out what you like. Find out which producers you really relate to. Who would do the best job for your particular project? That is the person you want producing your music, and not someone who is unknown to you but who is currently the hot name on national lists.
How do you locate these music producers?
Finding local music producers is as simple as asking around, and visiting local recording studios. Visit local venues. Names will start to appear during your search. Listen to the work of these local producers, and trust in your ear.
The process is much the same in a nationwide search. Listen to music in your genre. Trust your ear. And then reach out, to the music industry, and ask for contact information for the music producers you really like. It is not that difficult to obtain contact information. Even famous musicians and producers and famous songwriters are looking for the next gig.
What can you expect to pay for music production?
There is no definitive answer for this. Locally, you may only pay a few hundred dollars for good, local music producer. Nationally, for someone highly-respected in the industry, you can pay thousands, even tens-of-thousands, for an outstanding music producer. Of course, the better-known they are, the more money they will require for their services.
A final word about Kip Allen
Kip Allen arrived in Nashville in 2008, full of dreams, loaded with talent, not unlike hundreds of others arrive each year. He worked his way through the honkey-tonks, met people, worked gigs in smoky bars, and now today he is a highly-respected songwriter, music producer, percussionist, and top-tier drummer. Call Kip Allen the next time you need the very best for your project.
