Continued Exploration: Music Producer

What are a Music Producer’s Duties (Learn.org):

Music producers oversee all aspects of a recording session, from planning the sessions to the finished product. As a music producer, you’ll be responsible for providing instruments, scheduling studio time and handling funding, costs and negotiations. You’ll also work with and coach musicians. The end result of this process is the creation and publication of a quality musical work. A major aspect of your job as a music producer is creating quality sounds that match both the musicians’ and producers’ plans.

Additionally, as part of your daily routine, you’ll assist audio engineers with the mixing and recording process. Engineers primarily deal with the technical aspects of the recording, such as broadcasting and converting sounds. If you’re working with a smaller record label, you may perform the music producer’s and audio engineer’s tasks. Finally, music producers also have an entrepreneurship role, in making sure business is successful and within the budget.

What Kind of Education Does a Music Producer Need (Learn.org):

A love for and interest in music are key requirements for a music producer, although many schools offer programs that may help you focus and improve your artistic and business skills. Bachelor’s programs in fine arts, music production and sound engineering are beneficial to aspiring music producers. These programs typically offer courses in musical history, business, ear training, copyright law, marketing and songwriting. You might also consider earning a master’s degree in music business, music technology or music production.

Example of a Music Producer: Max Martin (billboard.com):

Karl Martin Sandberg, professionally known as “Max Martin”.

Arguably no producer has defined the past 20 years of pop music more than Max Martin. The Swedish producer began in the early ’90s by continuing his country’s legacy of pristine pop, producing Billboard Hot 100 hits like Ace of Base’s “Beautiful Life.” By the end of the decade, he was crafting the beat-heavy, -bubble-gum sound of the “Total Request Live” golden age, writing and producing numerous hits for Backstreet Boys, ’N Sync and Britney Spears, whose “. . . Baby One More Time” scored him his first No. 1 on the Hot 100.

But what’s even more remarkable about Martin is how his golden touch hasn’t waned through the years. If anything, his recent résumé suggests he’s getting stronger and becoming even more in tune with the lay of the pop landscape. Since 2012, he’s handled chart-toppers by acts as diverse as Maroon 5 (“One More Night”) and Taylor Swift (“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”), and promises to have another strong run on the charts with Katy Perry’s PRISM, where his “Roar” (which he co-wrote and -produced alongside Dr. Luke and others) has already gone to No. 1. —Chris Payne.

Katy Perry – “Roar” (Official), Co-written and Co-Produced by Max Martin, September 5, 2015, USA:

Maroon 5 – “One More Night”, Co-Produced by Max Martin, June 26, 2012, USA:

My Opinion:

I would have to say, one needs to be extremely dedicated and committed to becoming a music producer.  There is a lot entailed with this type of work.  One most also love to work with several different types of people and have a great love for music as well.  I chose to reveal the two songs above, because they are both catchy songs and wonderful beats.  Both artists have a harmonious and easy sounding voice.  Both the dynamics are mezzo-forte (moderately loud).

Scholarship:

The Guardian.com website states this regarding Max Martin: “Awarded by the actual King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, the gong cements Martin’s position as pop’s pre-eminent songwriter and producer. Over the last 20 years Martin has helped launch the careers of Britney Spears, Robyn, N’Sync, Katy Perry and the Backstreet Boys, as well as reshaping the fortunes of the likes of Pink, the Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift. Basically, most of the grade-A hit singles you hear on a loop on the radio carry Martin’s usually unfaltering Midas touch.”

Spin.com stated this regarding music producer Martin Max: “Due largely in part to the success of a high profile, big budget music videostarring Kendrick Lamar, Mariska Hargitay, and many more celebrities, Taylor Swift’s 1989 cut “Bad Blood” rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. More notable than the pop star’s success is the man behind the scenes, Swedish superproducer Max Martin, who — with the song’s new peak — has scored 20 chart-topping hits as a songwriter.”

Works Cited:

Max Martin. 2017 Guardian.com. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.

Max Martin. 2017 Spin.com. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.

Music Producer: Job Duties, Career Outlook, and Education Prerequisites. 2013 Learn.org. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.   https://learn.org/articles/Music_Producer_Job_Duties_Career_Outlook_and_Education_Prerequisites.html

“One More Night.” Maroon 5. YouTube. 26 Jun 2012. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.

“Roar.” Katy Perry. YouTube. 5 Sept 2015. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.

Sound Selectors: The Top 10 Producers in Music: Martin Max. 2017 Billboard.com. Web. Accessed 1 Dec 2017. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8039604/bruno-mars-24k-magic-apollo-tv-special-trailer