Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This book contains some useful suggestions and reference materials for recorded music producers. Hepworth-Sawyer and Golding both teach courses in music production and freelance as music producers. In this book, they describe some of the roles that producers play and discuss some issues that producers routinely deal with. Topics taken up in the book include analytical listening, business practices, deals and contracts with record labels, stages in a recording project, roles in the recording studio, and mastering formats and codes. A list of recommended readings on music production is included in the appendix.
While the authors are clearly highly informed on their topic, I found the presentation of material in this book a bit frustrating. There is a lot of description of issues that successful, big-time producers must deal with, but very little practical information for interested people who are just starting out. Of the entire text, the short section on analytical listening was the most practical bit of information, but it was never made explicitly clear exactly how this skill would then be put to use for a music producer. In contrast, there is an extended section on general business practices, time management and accounting that isn't specifically relevant for music production. After reading this book, I felt more informed about the variety and level of complexity of skills required for established music producers, but I am still quite confused about what music production entails or how a person might get started in the field.
This book was written by British authors for British readers; while many specifically British references and vocabulary have been adjusted for North American readers, a few oddities remain, such as the term "collection agencies" referring to music licensing companies. In addition, copy editing is sloppy in a few places, such as on p. 110, where there is a bizarre out of context, impossible to understand paragraph "Time management sounds almost cult-like. To many people, they follow their system religiously. In fairness, this is how positive gains manifest themselves. Many producers might read this section and laugh out loud and consider it barmy!" Two pages later, the paragraph is repeated with slight editing and put a little more in the context it was intended, "This all might sound far-fetched. To many people, they follow their system [specific time management software packages just introduced in prior paragraphs] religiously. In fairness, this is how the results manifest themselves: by relying on their system. Given the many people who have adopted these systems, it clearly must work. Many producers might read this section and laugh out loud and consider it barmy." All in all, I found the book slightly informative, but not adequate as an introduction to the field.
Click Here to see more reviews about: What is Music Production: a producers guide, the role, the people, the process
To complete an album, a producer needs to know what goes into capturing great music and teasing out inspirational performances from artists. As a producer, you are guiding not only the music, but also the business and the technical aspects of an album.What Is Music Production?is a 'guide to this guidance'.Formed from a blend of solid information extracted from detailed interviews, the book focuses on the process of music production, providing insight into the producer's work and activity.Whether you are a student or just starting your professional career,What is Music Production?explains what you need to know - from working with artists, songs, pre-production, mixing, and mastering to the finance and budgeting, to glean a professional result. Combining the "how to be" with online assets and interviews, this book arms you with a vital insight into the business of being a music producer.
* Unravels some of the mystery behind producing records from the producer's perspective * Learn about the changing role of the producer in the music industry, looking towards the future * Based on the practice of key producers and music production professionals
