The Professional Approach to Working with Music Producers
Let’s keep it straightforward: working with a producer is not as simple as making a call and expecting them to magically produce your song. Professional producers love collaborating with artists, especially seasoned ones who come prepared, do their thing in the studio, and allow the producer to focus on their craft. That’s the ideal scenario.
However, when a producer has to constantly guide, babysit, or advise an artist on every little thing ( business side ), it’s a different story. That’s not part of the producer’s job that’s what a manager is for. While producers often help guide artists and answer their questions, there’s a limit. At the end of the day, producers have their own responsibilities and a job to deliver.
Professional Artists vs. Amateur Artists
Professional artists approach the studio well-prepared, knowing exactly what they’re aiming for. They’ve already spent time developing their sound and vision, which allows them to focus on creating something unique. On the other hand, amateur artists often come into the studio wanting to sound like a particular record or emulate someone else because they haven’t yet found their own sound.
For these artists, it’s often better to record vocals in their home or friend’s studio and experiment with their sound first. Discovering your unique vocal style is a separate job in itself, and it’s something that requires time and practice. Rushing into a professional studio without a clear understanding of your sound only leads to wasted time and frustration, for both the artist and the producer.
Understanding Production, Mixing, and Mastering
As an artist, it’s crucial to understand the difference between production, mixing, and mastering. Amateur artists often expect a finished product as soon as they record their vocals, but the reality is that creating a polished track involves multiple stages. Each phase requires time, expertise, and attention to detail. Without this understanding, it’s easy for an artist to get frustrated or misinterpret the producer’s role in the process.
The Reality of Working with Producers
Many amateur artists assume that producers have unlimited free time or that producing is as simple as pressing a few buttons. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Producing music takes hard work, technical expertise, and hours of focused effort to achieve professional results. Additionally, most established producers operate on tight schedules, with multiple artists booked ahead of time.
While new or upcoming producers might be more flexible and willing to accommodate beginners, experienced producers typically work with serious artists who respect their craft and understand how the business operates. Having to constantly explain the basics or educate artists on the process can be frustrating, and for many producers, it’s simply a turnoff.
See, when an amateur artist who is good at their craft but lacks the business knowledge is presented with a producer - artist agreement, they often get overly excited. For professional producers, however, this is standard procedure. While up-and-coming producers might not operate this way, seasoned pros always have agreements in place because they understand the game.
When an amateur artist receives a producer agreement, it can feel like a big deal to them. But for professionals, it’s just part of their daily workflow. A professional artist understands this, they know that producer agreements are straightforward, legal documents necessary for registering the work. It’s just how the business works; there’s no big deal. Unfortunately, some amateur artists think they’ve “made it” just because they’ve signed an agreement. In reality, that’s not even step one.
Respecting a Producer’s Time
Producers want to focus on their passion: creating music. But let’s be clear, it’s also a business. Whether it’s producing beats, recording, mixing, mastering, or even providing advice, it all comes down to time. Time that could be spent working with another artist. While producers are often happy to help out where they can, when artists take advantage of this, it’s discouraging and ultimately unproductive.
Another common issue is amateur artists bringing their entire group of friends into the studio. They want to replicate the vibe they’ve seen on TV or social media, treating the studio like a party. Meanwhile, the producer is serious, focused on results, and expects only the artist and their manager to attend the session.
Personally, I’ve been there, and recording an artist surrounded by their friends feels more like hosting a studio party than a professional session. And trust me, those artists don’t get a second chance with me because I know it’s a waste of time. We’re not here to act cool, we’re here to create.
On top of that, some amateur artists come in and talk nonsense business, trying to bargain like they’re running a corner shop. They attempt to negotiate already fair deals, thinking they’re being taken advantage of simply because they don’t understand the business. Many are influenced by what they see on TV and try to act like the artists they idolise, without comprehending the amount of work, dedication, and resources it takes to get there.
They often believe that one song they’re emotionally attached to will be their big break. And while it could happen, emotions have no place in business discussions. You need to separate yourself from your product when it’s time to talk business. Otherwise, you risk being disappointed if things don’t work out the way you expect.
It’s a Partnership, Not a Power Play
Some artists believe that producers need them more than the other way around. But being able to sing or rap well isn’t enough to command respect. Producers are there to do a job, and their priority is delivering high-quality work and getting paid for their time. It’s as simple as that.
Professionalism is key. To work in the pro world, you have to follow the system. Book your slot, pay your deposit, and understand the business. If you don’t, it’s a clear sign you’re not ready for this level of collaboration.
The Artist’s Responsibility
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with countless artists. Those who succeed are the ones who put in the effort to understand the business, learn the process, and do their own research. Unfortunately, some artists expect everything to be handed to them, and that’s just not how this works.
Creating a song is just the beginning. To truly make it, you need to understand the music industry, the business behind it, and how to navigate it professionally. Producers are here to create and deliver, not to spoon-feed the process.
If you’re serious about your music career, start by respecting the people you work with, especially your producer. Follow the system, respect their time, and put in the work. That’s how you’ll grow as an artist and build lasting, successful relationships in the industry.
Love Yeah 🤍
Stay Blessed 🙏