Learning to Be a Popular Music Producer

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.

Brendan Anthony is an internationally recognised music producer of 30 years' experience; he has worked with INXS, Hans Zimmer, Jimmy Barnes, and Wheatus, to name a few. He holds a Doctor of Education, is the author of Music Production Cultures: Perspectives on Popular Music Pedagogy at Higher Education (Routledge, 2021) and is the head of the Production and Entrepreneurship Major, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Australia.

Introduction: learning to "be" a popular music producer with or without university PART I: How to produce killer music (knowledge) Chapter 1: Music production mindsets: what you need to know Chapter 2: Does it just happen? Understanding creativity Chapter 3 Targeting commercial or self-expressive goals Chapter 4: Songwriting and production Chapter 5: Working with different types of music Chapter 6: Audio production: learning the art and craft of audio sculpting Chapter 7: Critical listening Chapter 8: Vocal production: shit just got real! Chapter 9: Mixing like a pro Chapter 10: Producing music online: remote collaboration Chapter 11: Project management PART II: Become the best version of you Chapter 12: Producer psychology Chapter 13: WTF is critical inquiry and how can I use it? Chapter 14: The road to success: learning Chapter 15: Mindset PART III: Making it happen: living, breathing, and surviving as a music producer Chapter 16: Producing awesome music as opposed to facilitating recordings Chapter 17: Industry integration and realities Chapter 18: Professional practice Chapter 19: Your music studio Chapter 20: I can make it! Music futures References Index