Becoming a Music Producer: Understanding Your Equipment

In order to produce to the best of your ability you have to know and understand all the equipment you're working with. If you're unfamiliar, about a certain piece of equipment, get real acquainted with it by experimenting with every feature. Who knows, you might do something unexpected and set the next trend for music. One thing I learned about producing is not to limit yourself to a certain genre of music. If Hip Hop and R&B is your thing, don't just stick to it, try to expand. Know that if you're producing for others to get money, this advice can come in handy. You would be able to have a wide selection for any artist that came your way looking for beats or production.

Learn all the ends and out and even shortcuts when it comes to equipment. If you're producing for others and you don't know how to work you're equipment, chances are you could loss valuable clients and eventually money. No one wants to come to a studio or work with a producer that doesn't know what they are doing. So just as a basic rule, know what you're working with and know how to troubleshoot it in case anything goes wrong. You don't have to really remember the instruction manuals of your equipment but know what each and every piece of hardware and software does in your studio. When I was younger I got tons of studio equipment without one instruction manual. Needless to say I learned everything just by experimenting over time. Not saying this is the best method to take, but it defiantly teaches you a lot.

Also know the dangers of your equipment meaning the limitations. Keeping some equipment on 24 hour a day is not really recommended as studio gear can overheat really quick. If you have mixing board and other cables make sure they are secured away from water and out of the way so you don't trip on them. There is nothing worst then walking thru a floor full of cables, it's a disaster just waiting to happen. Try to keep all of your studio supplies and equipment neat for your own benefit even if not necessarily for others. Last but not least try to have your studio sectioned off according to instruments, mixing boards, drums, guitars ect. Keep all the keyboards together, all the drums together and so on, it would be wise to invest in studio racks or "gig" racks. It will make your studio much more organized and much easier to manage.

Peep Next Installment: Working With The Artist