Focal Press Learning to Be a Popular Music Producer: An Educational, Entrepreneurial, and Personal Guide for Aspiring Music Producers

Learning to Be a Popular Music Producer takes the skills and processes traditionally cultivated by students in Popular Music Production higher education courses and makes them accessible to anyone seeking to become a popular music producer. Informed by the author’s 30+ years of industry experience as a music producer, combined with his 26 years’ experience as an educator, the book begins by providing readers with the essential knowledge required to pursue a career as a popular music producer. Part I simplifies the more complex technical skills of audio sculpting, vocal production, and mixing and mastering, and demystifies the theory-based territories of semiotic meaning, musical aesthetics, and producer psychology. Part II builds on this foundational knowledge by unpacking the essential soft skills which a successful popular music producer must develop, and guides readers on how to leverage that knowledge into their practice. The final part of the book offers an experience-informed guide to realities of pursuing and maintaining a successful career in the music production industry. Each chapter features practical learning exercises which can be applied directly to the reader’s professional practice. This book will be a helpful resource for students of popular music production, but will also serve as an invaluable guide for those outside of education settings aiming to pursue a career in popular music production The book is also supported by e-resources, including downloadable audio examples, music sessions, and listening activities to consolidate readers’ understanding of technical production applications and mixing processes covered in Part I.