Music Production : A Manual for Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students

Music production is a craft that combines art, technology, and business to fashion a new and cohesive whole.

The music producer must have knowledge of the business as well as the creativity and ability to instill his own voice to the project.

This introduction to the art provides the skills necessary to be a successful music producer.

Music Production: A Manual for Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students walks the reader through the music production process, giving a comprehensive explanation of what is involved and how to do it.

Divided into three parts, the book covers essential information on producing and recording, changes and advances in technology, and invaluable advice on the ins and outs of the music business.

Covering the creative as well as technical sides of music production, the book describes methods and variations for classical, vocal, and pop recordings, and offers discussions on film, television, commercials, music videos, and corporate music. Author Michael Zager explains the many tasks music producers face, from musical techniques-exploring compositions, songwriting, arranging and orchestrating, and coaching singers and musicians-to technological skills-understanding and using studio technology, mixing and mastering, editing, and audio engineering.

Guidance on advertising, promotion and marketing, and contracts and business agreements is also given.

A brief history of popular music, a timeline of technological advances, and an audio CD of exercises round out the information herein.

This primer for music production is a useful textbook for students, and an introduction for both amateurs and professionals interested in learning the workings of music producing and recording.