Music Production: Learn the Basics and Top Software

Music is produced nearly every second, and about 100,000 new tracks are uploaded to music streaming platforms like Spotify daily. Every song you’ve ever heard on the radio or through a streaming service is made possible through the music production process.

Music production is the process of writing, recording, and manipulating music for distribution. This multi-stage process covers the entire life cycle of a piece of music, including the conception of musical ideas, composition, songwriting, recording music, mastering, and mixing. While the process may seem intense, knowing what happens at each stage can help kickstart your music production journey.

In this article, we discuss the music production process and highlight key steps to follow to create new and exciting tracks. We also outline music production software to use as you embark on this creative journey.

Table of contents:

• What is music production?
• Core components of music production
• What music producers need to know
• Common equipment in music production
• Popular digital audio workstations (DAWs)
• How to choose a DAW
• Other software to know
• How to learn music production

What is music production?

Music production is the process of creating songs for distribution. Popular songs like Ken Rogers’ “Coward of the County,” Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” and many more are all byproducts of the music production process.

But music production isn’t only about creative expression—production also includes many technical aspects. Music producers have a role in every stage of a song’s lifecycle, from writing melodies and writing lyrics to the final composition. At the same time, producers need the technical skills to use the right music production software and apps, like Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12, to record, edit, and distribute music.

So, music production can be a lengthy, multifaceted process, and it calls for project management and leadership skills. The main goal is to bring together multiple collaborators and processes to create a final product.

The role of a music producer in the creative process

A producer brings together the various components of the music production process. They combine the necessary creative talent, resources, external stakeholders, and software to efficiently streamline the music production process. Producers oversee the project in real time and manage logistics and budgets.

The role of the producer includes but isn’t limited to:

• Running recording sessions. The first role of a producer is to book, and provide other logistical help with, recording sessions. Depending on the schedule and production budget, a producer books the session and keeps everyone on track with the overall production workflow.
• Rearranging compositions. Arrangement determines the flow of the song from start to finish. It includes the intro, verse, buildup, chorus, breakdown, drops, and the outro. Getting the arrangement of the song right is one of the most essential skills to finesse as a producer. You should decide which tracks are the most important and build a framework around them.

• Providing a clear vision for the project. Producers must have a coherent and holistic idea of the final product. Then, they communicate this idea to all the stakeholders involved and eventually execute the project. Producers must have excellent communication and leadership skills to bring out the best in everyone involved in the production process.

• Mixing and mastering the audio. Mixing and mastering are complementary processes that occur toward the end of production. They require considerable technical knowledge, including a firm grasp of audio engineering. Even minute changes or modifications can dramatically impact the final tone, sound, and message.

Looking for work as a music producer? Sign up for Upwork today and connect with clients looking for your skills and expertise.  

Core components of music production

Music production is a vast field with many different processes and tools to explore. Below are some of the most important to know.

1. Songwriting and arrangement

Songwriting is where you really get to let your creativity shine in the music production process. To create a track that resonates with people, you've got to nail a memorable melody and pair it with lyrics that grab their attention.

2. Recording

Once you have the music lyrics, move on to the recording phase. Here, you use microphones and other equipment to capture your vocals and instrumentals. You may have to record multiple times to capture unique variations.

You can then identify the best takesto keep during the editing phase.

3. Editing

In this step, you manipulate various aspects of your music composition or recording to achieve the desired effect. You can make changes to things like timing, pitch, and beat.

You can also rearrange choruses and verses to improve a song’s flow. Editing also lets you eliminate various inconsistencies and noise from your audio.

4. Mixing

As the name suggests, mixing involves combining the individual components of a music piece, such as the artist’s voice track and the instruments.

As a record producer, you’ve got to know your way around the mixing process to make sure all the different parts of your track work together just right.

5. Mastering

Mastering is the last stage of the production process. It helps put the final song into a format that’s ready for distribution. Simply put, mastering is the process of fine-tuning and polishing the music.

If the producer lacks the technical prowess to help with mixing and mastering, they should have a strong sound design team and network of professionals who can help.

6. Publishing

This phase involves promoting and monetizing your work, which can be particularly tough if you’re new to the industry. Being active by self-publishing, building your network by attending conferences and events, and approaching publishers who work with your style and type of music can help.

What music producers need to know

Music production is an exciting field, but it also involves many steps you’ve got to nail to create top-notch tracks. Let’s break down some key areas you should know inside out.

1. Music theory and composition

As a music producer, having a solid grasp of music theory and composition basics is a must if you want to make tracks that really hook people. Don’t just guess—know what elements work together to create a killer song.

You need to understand how melodies, song structures, harmonies, reverb, and pitch all fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Once you’ve got that down, you can guide artists, play with different styles, and churn out high-quality recordings.

2. Sound design and synthesis

Beyond the vocals, great music is also about crafting beats and rhythms that grab people’s attention. That’s where being a pro at sound design and synthesis comes in. Using various digital tools, you can create fresh sounds that elevate an artist’s work and make a track stand out.

Your sound design should also capture the vibe the artist is going for and make the listening experience immersive for the audience.

3. Audio engineering

Audio engineering means recording, mixing, and mastering. As a music producer, you’ve got to know your stuff in all these areas to help artists create polished tracks.

For example, you should know how to record vocals that sound their best and how to fine-tune the overall sound to make the music engaging. Getting rid of any unwanted noise in recordings is also key for a clean final product.

4. Digital audio workstations (DAWs)

Being a music producer means having both creative chops and technical skills. A big part of that is knowing your way around Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for recording, editing, mixing, and producing songs.

Some popular DAWs are Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, FL Studio, GarageBand, and Reaper.

5. Production techniques

You’ll also want to have a range of production techniques in your toolkit, like sampling, layering, synthesis, and arrangement. These can help you get rid of unwanted noise, perfect the sound, and incorporate different instruments and effects to create a cohesive track.

6. Other considerations

It also doesn’t hurt to stay up to date on what’s happening in the industry, like new artists, genres, and trends. And since music production is a team effort, being a great collaborator and communicator is key for working with everyone involved to bring a vision to life.

Having some project management skills is also important for hitting deadlines and milestones to keep the production process on track.

Common equipment in music production

There’s a ton of equipment out there for recording, mixing, and mastering. Below are some key pieces of gear you’ll want to have in your setup:

• Computers. These help you run various software like digital audio workstations for recording and polishing music.
• Audio interface. An audio interface converts digital and analog signals into a format that a computer can process.
• Microphones. Mics capture sound in the music production scene.
• Studio monitors. These are speakers that output high-quality sound, helping producers analyze audio.
• Headphones. Headphones facilitate critical listening, allowing artists and music producers to pay more attention to detail in their music composition.
• MIDI controllers. These help control digital instruments and software like DAWs.

Popular digital audio workstations (DAWs)

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a music producer’s best friend. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one? It's all about finding the best fit for your setup and needs.

Consider things like whether the DAW is compatible with your computer's operating system, how easy or complex it is to use based on your technical skills, and whether it fits within your budget. There are tons of great DAWs to choose from, each with its own unique features and strengths.

• Ableton Live is a versatile DAW favored for live performances and electronic music production, offering a unique session view for improvisation and composition.
• Logic Pro is a comprehensive DAW known for its professional-grade features, vast library of sounds, and user-friendly interface.
• Pro Tools is widely used for audio recording and editing, particularly in professional music and post-production environments.
• FL Studio is popular among electronic music producers for its pattern-based sequencing, robust plugin suite, and intuitive piano roll for MIDI editing.
• GarageBand offers a simplified recording and music production environment, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.
• Reaper is a highly customizable DAW known for its affordable pricing and efficient resource usage, suitable for both beginners and professionals.
• Bitwig Studio stands out for its modular design, allowing extensive creativity and flexibility in sound design, composition, and live performance.
• Studio One combines a streamlined workflow with powerful editing features, making it a favorite for songwriters and producers seeking a balance of ease and depth.
• Cubase is a pioneer in the DAW landscape, offering advanced MIDI and audio editing features, making it a top choice for composers and audio engineers.

If you want more options, you can find some of the best music production software in this in-depth guide.

DAW pricing table

We provide the cost breakdowns of each DAW in the following table.

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How to choose a DAW

With so many DAWs available, you should make sure you select the right one that fits your workflow. Here are factors to consider to find the right tool:

• Budget. DAWs have different pricing plans. So, consider your budget when selecting a DAW and avoid paying for features you don’t need.
• Complexity. DAWs also have unique layouts and user interfaces, some more complex than others. Consider your skill set to make sure you can effectively use DAWs in your workflow.
• Compatibility. Some DAWs are specifically for Apple’s macOS, while others are only for Microsoft Windows. But some DAWs are cross-platform (capable of working on multiple platforms), so consider if the desired DAW is compatible with your operating system before signing up.
• Performance. Research the DAW’s performance and reliability and only settle on those that are highly stable and efficient.  
• Features. Consider the features that specific DAWs offer. DAWs with many built-in features can be good, cost-effective options.

Pro Tools is a good DAW to start with because of its user-friendly interface. It’s also cross-platform (works on macOS and Windows) and supports mixing, editing, and mastering out of the box.

You can use the Pro Tools Intro edition to test key features for free before committing to a paid subscription. Additionally, you can take advantage of the comprehensive documentation and tutorials on the website to learn how to use the tool.

Other software to know

Apart from digital audio workstations, music producers should also know how the following tools and software components work.

1. Virtual instruments. These digital instruments emulate how physical equipment like a guitar or keyboard sounds.
2. VST plugins. These plugins help you add various virtual instruments to your music production workflow.
3. Sampling software. This helps producers record and manipulate sounds and vocals.
4. Audio editing software. You can use this to enhance sound quality by removing unwanted noise and adding various effects, among other functions.
5. Mixing and mastering software. This assists you with making the final touches on your music composition, resulting in a refined and polished product.

How to learn music production

Music production is exciting—you get to work with artists and other stakeholders to create captivating tracks. In this section, we provide a step-by-step guide on how you can learn music production.

The steps:

1. Practice producing
2. Study music theory
3. Explore online tutorials and courses
4. Recreate existing music
5. Experiment with sound design
6. Practice mixing and mastering
7. Collaborate with others
8. Join music production communities
9. Set regular goals and projects
10. Stay updated and curious
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1. Practice producing

The best way to learn music production is by practicing.

Start by familiarizing yourself with a desired digital audio workstation. Learn how the program works by experimenting with simple tracks and beat-making to explore how various features and tools work.

2. Study music theory

Next, master basic music theory concepts like rhythm, chord progressions, and scales. Understanding what these elements are and how they could fit into your workflow can enhance your production skills.

Once you’ve learned music theory, start applying the concepts in your composition. With time, you’ll get better and be able to create more structured and cohesive music.

3. Explore online tutorials and courses

To master music production, you have to be ready to learn and try new things. Use online resources like tutorials, courses, and webinars specific to your DAW and music production goals.

Platforms like Udemy and YouTube offer music production tutorials and online courses to learn and improve your production skills. You can also follow step-by-step guides to improve your skills in specific areas like mixing, mastering, and sound design.

4. Recreate existing music

Once you know how to use DAWs and have mastered music concepts, try recreating songs or beats you admire in your home studio. This helps you understand and learn different production techniques.

Analyze the structure, sound design, and mixing elements in these songs to discover how different components blend into one cohesive piece of music.

5. Experiment with sound design

You should also experiment with creating your own music and sound. Take advantage of synthesizers, samplers, and other instruments in your DAW to enhance your audio quality.

Consider exploring sound manipulation techniques like layering, filtering, and modulation to create something unique but pleasing to hear. A technique like layering allows you to combine multiple sounds and effects to create an immersive listening experience.

6. Practice mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering improve the overall sound quality of your tracks. So, focus on mastering mixing techniques like track leveling, EQ, compression, and adding effects.

You should also learn mastering basics to enhance your music production process.

7. Collaborate with others

As you learn, consider collaborating with other musicians, mastering engineers, or producers to gain new perspectives. This can help you learn different approaches to music production, streamlining your work in the long run.

You can share music projects with these professionals and receive valuable feedback to improve your hands-on skills.

8. Join music production communities

Attend live performances and participate in online forums such as those on Reddit, social media groups on Facebook, and local communities focused on music production.

These groups offer opportunities to engage in discussions, challenges, and collaborations to keep you motivated and inspired. You can also learn new insights about music production and sharpen your music-making skills.

9. Set regular goals and projects

To become an expert, you have to practice regularly. This requires setting specific and achievable goals for your music production.

For example, you can focus on completing a track every month. You could also take on different projects to challenge yourself and apply what you’ve learned.

10. Stay updated and curious

Since the music industry is ever-evolving, you’ll want to keep up with new trends, plugins, and updates. Be open to new music styles, genres, and production techniques to broaden your skills.

How producers can find work on Upwork

Every song, album, or music piece you’ve heard has gone through the arduous music production process. It’s a multistage and multifaceted process that requires expertise and collaboration.

A music producer is responsible for bringing together the resources and talent required to create music successfully. An experienced producer starts with a vision and keeps everyone involved on track and working toward a common goal.

As an artist, you might have the creative talent required to record a fantastic song, but your music might never make it to the public without technical guidance and genre-specific expertise.

Find music producers

Upwork is home to a wide variety of independent music producers. You can browse multiple listings to find the best music producer for your needs. (Please add a few more hire links, like musicians  vocalists, sound engineers, etc.)

Find music gigs

And if you’re a producer looking for work, Upwork can connect you with different gigs in music production, music composition, sound engineering, and audio production to help grow your portfolio. Sign up today.

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.