Many music producers were musicians before they became producers. While you don't have to be a musician to be a music producer, you must have a high level of musical skills. Producers oversee the musical direction of a project, so a strong knowledge of each instrument and how they work together is essential. Having years of musical training will increase the likelihood of success as a music producer.
Before most people consider becoming music producers, they spend a lot of time in a recording studio. It's important to get a good feel for what recording is like before considering a career as a music producer. Music producing is highly detailed work. It can mean long hours, late nights and stressful working conditions. Music producers often must help solve conflicts and disagreements, as well as keeping a project on track. Watching how a recording session goes can help you decide if a career as a music producer is the right fit.
Many colleges and universities offer classes and degrees in music producing or other related areas, such as sound technology and audio engineering. While no formal education is required to work as a music producer, it can be hard to find success without it. Music producing is more than knowing how to play an instrument or being able to operate some computer software. It involves knowing audio properties, miking techniques (placement, as well as mike selection), mixing, a variety of recording equipment and more. Classes can help you not only learn these things but get your recordings critiqued by skilled professionals.
In addition to classes, aspiring music producers often work internships or assist in recording projects produced by other people. While these internships might often involve taking lunch orders, they do provide real-world experience, as well as things to put on your resume. Interns often help set up mikes and other equipment, and they do a lot of the physical work that can be good practice for a career as a music producer. It might not be the glory of being behind the mixing board and calling the shots, but it can provide practice and let you witness how other music producers work.
Music producers don't usually get a wealth of clients right away. Typically, they have to work their way up. Starting out, many music producers record their friends' bands or offer to record local bands for free. Music producers have to start somewhere, and they have to build up their name. If a band is satisfied with your work, it might be willing to pay you for additional work down the road. After awhile, you'll build up a strong portfolio, as well as getting your name out amongst bands and musicians, which will make it more likely people will call for your work and be willing to pay your rates.