Q&A for How to Become a Music Producer

I started collecting vinyl records when I was 14 or 15, and I started making beats out of them. Then, I learned to use production software by watching online tutorials and mostly just messing around. Mastering the technology and producing your own music takes time, effort, and practice, but if you're really interested and willing to learn, you'll be able to do it!

It depends on how much time you put into it. It may take days to understand a single music term and how to apply it. Alan Walker says its took him over a year to understand music production.

If you want to make sure your track is good or not, the best way is to call a few friends of yours and have them listen to your song. You could upload your track to any number of online servers or media sites.

Practicing a lot is key. Tinker with your programs until you know them inside and out. Don't ever take shortcuts, and know that producing can be very difficult. You will need to be patient and willing to persevere, even when you're having trouble translating what's in your mind to being on your laptop.

Your best bet is the piano. Once you know how to play the piano, you can use a MIDI keyboard. They will allow you to produce different kinds of sounds, which is a big part of producing music.

It can be purchased on a disc at your local guitar center, or you can buy it straight from Image Line on their website. They created FL Studio, and update it on a yearly basis.

Average Annual Earnings: $49,000. General Earnings Range: $25,000 to $1,000,000.

Start by making EDM tracks. The first few will probably not be too great, but just keep making tracks and you'll get better and better. If you want to be 'current' with your music, you should get your influences from your favourite EDM artists and go with the flow of your favourite sounds. Keep going back and forth between listening to your tracks and professional tracks to see where you can improve on your sounds, panning, volume, etc. Remember the fundamentals of EDM. It's got to be banging, with a heavy bass kick and a solid hook.

Rather than degrees, try to focus on connections instead. The more connections you have, the easier it will be for you to get more work. A degree in production can help however.

You can try looking on YouTube. Check Busy works beats channel or FL School. They really help!

Hit the studio together or send each other work.

First, learn music production online without telling your family members. Practice until you are good enough make your songs sound like a pro's.Then, try to make a really good song and show this to your family. If you show you're capable, they will be proud and support you.

Yes, as long as you are able to balance school and producing. There are many bedroom producers out there who are studying at school, but use their spare time to produce music.

If you're new, not much, but the longer you're at it and the more success you have, the more you can make.

I recommend Auxy and Music Maker Jam. Those are the most helpful music production apps. For mixing, you can use edjing 5 and edjing Scratch.

The sooner the better for everything. The earlier you start, the more time you'll have to hone your craft.

As a beginner, I would recommend GarageBand. It is easy to learn, and fun to experiment with.

Check out the app Drum Pad Machine.

There is no age requirement. You just have to be good at it.

It varies greatly as there are some that become quite rich while others make little to no money and have to work other jobs.

Start with getting a Digital Audio Workstation. If you are using Windows, then 'Ableton' or 'FL Studio' work fine when creating more electronic tracks. If you are looking to record instruments, Pro Tools is pretty good if you have a lot of money, and Cubase is a good option too. If you have a Mac computer, I would recommend Logic Pro X.

Yes, but you should use the computer version, not the app, and make sure it's the most up to date version as well.

A degree isn't necessary, but having a sound engineering degree or a production degree usually helps if used to its full advantage.

Try Amuse or websites of similar kind. They upload music on Spotify, SoundCloud and many other music streaming apps for free. Someone will definitely come across your music one day. If it's good, it will spread like a forest fire.

Piano and guitar are usually the best to start with. I would start with piano.

Well, it would be nice to go to a music teacher and learn music theory. Practice a lot and experiment with your own music.

Download music maker apps such as Groovemixer (which I recommend) for free from the Play Store. Then get free sample packs online and start making beats.

You don't need every instrument to make music. Work with what you have and add on to your arsenal when you can.

Yes, practice is always good and the same goes for taking lessons or finding a family member or friend of the family to mentor the child.

If you want to produce and record your music to a medium where people can hear it (as a digital product), then the answer is yes.