Recording Industry Producer

Recording industry producers organise all aspects of a recording session. Most operate in the traditional way of working with performers in a recording studio with the assistance of a sound engineer. Others use their own equipment to try out ideas but use a commercial recording studio for the final recording.

The duties of a record producer may include:

• selecting songs and contacting songwriters
• looking out for a song with 'hit' potential
• calculating the budget and recording schedule
• negotiating and signing contracts with performers and with the artists and repertoire (A&R) departments of music publishers or record companies
• engineering the recording
• directing the performers
• creating the arrangements (if there is no separate musical arranger)
• creating instrumental tracks or 'beats' for artists to record over
• delivering the product to the A&R department of the company, within budget and on schedule
• using music production software packages
• in some cases, writing and performing songs.

The collaborative nature of music production means that producers work with a wide variety of people, including performers, writers, arrangers, lawyers, accountants and distributors.

Starting incomes vary enormously, with many producers working on a freelance basis. Those employed by a record label or music production company may start on about £13,000 a year.

Hours and environment

Producers, like many in the music industry, work long, irregular hours, often including evenings and weekends. Self-employed producers may rent time in a commercial studio or carry out recordings at home.

Recording studios can be spacious and airy but some are claustrophobic, with little natural daylight. Some performances are recorded in venues such as concert halls.

Some travel within the UK and abroad may be required, so a driving licence may be useful.

There is a danger that prolonged exposure to loud music can damage hearing.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• Recording industry producers employed by a record label or music production company may start on about £13,000 a year.
• A more experienced producer could earn up to £35,000 a year.
• Highly successful producers could earn £130,000 or more.

Many producers work on a freelance basis and are paid a flat fee for recording sessions, possibly with an agreed percentage (often between three and four per cent) of the income from future sales. As such, income from an individual recording can vary from next to nothing to tens of thousands of pounds.

Some producers rent out their studios (including a sound engineer) to performers for a flat fee, perhaps £12 an hour.

Skills and personal qualities

A recording industry producer needs:

• an excellent ear for music
• an awareness of current trends in music
• to be able to recognise a hit
• technical knowledge of recording equipment
• networking skills
• the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• stamina and patience for long sessions in the studio
• assertiveness and powers of persuasion
• knowledge of copyright law
• to be able to manage a budget.

Interests

It helps to have an interest in:

• the contemporary music scene or, alternatively, the classical music scene
• sound and music technology.

Getting in

Around 125,000 people work in the UK music industry, many, but not all, in London. Approximately one thousand of these are record producers. Employers include record companies (or labels) and music production companies. Competition is severe.

In recent years, new technology and electronic distribution via the internet has made it increasingly possible to make independent, home-based recordings to compete for sales with professional studio projects. This has enabled some new artists and freelance producers to mix and produce their own music outside of the traditional studio setting. However, the major record labels and production companies still produce the vast majority of commercially successful new music.

Most producers work their way up from other posts within the industry. Many start off working voluntarily in studios or for record companies.

Some experienced sound engineers become recording industry producers. This route is becoming increasingly common as producers need to know about the engineering side of music production. Musicians themselves, who have developed an 'ear' for track arrangements, and disc jockeys, who are experienced in mixing tracks, have contacts in the music industry and also know popular tastes, may also move into record production.

Vacancies are listed in trade magazines and on industry websites.

Entry for young people

There are no specific educational requirements for recording industry producers, although qualifications in music and/or sound engineering can be helpful.

A number of relevant (but not essential) qualifications related to the music industry are available, including:

• BTEC National Diploma in Music Production or Music Technology
• HNC/HND in Music Production or Sound Production
• Degree in Performance Management.

For entry to a degree course applicants need at least two A levels/three H grades plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications. The entry requirements for an HNC/HND are usually one A level/two H grades, or a BTEC/SQA national diploma/certificate.

Regardless of qualifications, most people enter music production at the bottom. Voluntary work with studios and record companies is a common way of gaining experience and making contacts within the industry.

Entry for adults

Some people become music producers after gaining experience in other areas of the music industry. It is easier to enter this area with previous experience in the field.

Training

Training is mainly on the job.

Courses related to music production include BTEC Professional Diplomas in Business and Management for the Arts: Music Production; Music Management; and Creative Music Technology.

Gaining experience and building up contacts are important factors in succeeding in the music industry.

Getting on

In a major record company it is possible to move from assistant producer to producer, production co-ordinator and production manager.

Many producers become self-employed and set up their own recording studios.

Further information

Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS), PO Box 22, Totnes, Devon TQ9 7YZ. 01803 868600. Website: www.aprs.co.uk

British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JA. 020 7803 1300. Website: www.bpi.co.uk

Creative & Cultural Skills, 4^th Floor, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London, SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1847. Website: www.ccskills.org.uk

JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services). Website: www.jamesonline.org.uk

Music Industries Association (MIA), Ivy Cottage Offices, Finch's Yard, Eastwick Road, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 4BA. 01372 750600. Website: www.mia.org.uk

The Music Producers Guild UK (MPG), 71 Avenue Gardens, London, W3 8HB. 020 3110 0060 Website: www.mpg.org.uk

Skillset, Prospect House, 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1HB. 020 7520 5757.Website: www.skillset.org

Crown Copyright www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u

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