Starting a Music Production Company: Tips & Advice
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Music production and engineering (MP&E) is an essential part of the process of creating music. The MP&E experience at Berklee prepares students to enter the current music production field as professional, experienced audio engineers and producers. In this article, we’ll explore what music production and engineering really is and how it differs from the work of other music professionals.
What is Music Production and Engineering?
Music production and engineering (MP&E) is the process of creating music by combining both the technical and the creative aspects of music making. It involves aspects such as recording and mixing, but also working with artists to create a vision for the finished product. Engineers are the practical counterpoint to the producer, working with the mechanical and technical elements of music production. Producers shape the creative vision of the record, while engineers focus on the technical aspects.
In a very abstract sense, audio engineering is instrument building; the music producer’s instruments are simply broad in technological scope, including software, hardware and traditional instruments. A music producer, while they should still know the technology, is responsible for bringing all of the pieces of a session together. This includes working with the artist to bring out the best performance, finding the right mix of instruments, and handling the technical aspects of the recording.
At Berklee, MP&E students develop an expert ear for quality and learn how to help musicians achieve their full potential. They also gain a comprehensive understanding of the music production process, from pre-production to post-production.
What are the Differences between a Music Producer and an Audio Engineer?
The main difference between a music producer and an audio engineer is the scope of their responsibilities. The producer is responsible for the overall sound of the project, while the engineer is responsible for the technical aspects.
The producer is the creative leader of the project, and they will be involved in all aspects of the production. They will work with the artist to create a vision for the project, decide on the best instruments, arrange the music, and work with the engineer to create the best possible sound.
The engineer is the technical counterpart to the producer. They are responsible for setting up the equipment, recording the audio, and mixing it down to create the best possible sound. They will also be involved in the mastering process.
Conclusion
Music production and engineering is an essential part of creating music, and the MP&E experience at Berklee prepares students to enter the current music production field as professional, experienced audio engineers and producers. The main difference between a music producer and an audio engineer is the scope of their responsibilities, with the producer being the creative leader of the project and the engineer being the technical counterpart. To learn more about music production, check out Making Music 101 at https://makingmusic101.com.
What do music producers and engineers do?
An audio producer can be seen as a supervisor because they oversee the recording process and the people working on it. Audio engineers, on the other hand, are more specialized in the technical aspects and are responsible for manipulating the studio equipment to create the desired sound for the artist.
What tasks do engineers typically handle in the music production process?
The engineer captures every instrument and element of the song individually and often several times, creating multiple tracks and takes to work on. After most of the components have been recorded, the engineer will take the artist and producer’s instructions into account and edit and combine the recordings.
How does music engineering differ from music production?
The tasks undertaken by sound engineers involve the technical side of recording sound, while music producers are responsible for the creative elements of making music and recording audio. There can sometimes be overlap between the two professions, but the overall duties of each are distinct.
What kind of engineering does a music producer specialize in?
Sound engineers are proficient in the technical side of music production, and have the knowledge to create and modify sounds to achieve the desired outcome for both the producer and the artist.
