Music Production vs. Audio Engineering: Find Your Strength in the Studio

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Hello Friends,

There comes a moment when sound stops being just something you love and starts to feel like something you want to build a life around. Maybe you've already spent time in a DAW, recording friends, making beats, writing songs, or editing podcasts. But now you're starting to think seriously about what’s next.

One of the biggest questions that comes up is this:
Do I want to be a music producer or an audio engineer?

They sound similar and share some of the same gear, but they’re very different roles. And understanding the difference can help you figure out where you actually want to go.

Let’s break it down.

Figure Out What Actually Drives You

Before you worry about job titles or gear setups, take a step back. What kind of work do you want to wake up and do every day? What feels natural? Not what sounds impressive to others. What actually fits you?

If you love making music, coming up with melodies, building beats, and shaping a full track from an idea, music production might be your lane.

If you're more interested in capturing clean sound, dialing in clarity, and working behind the scenes to make everything sound just right, audio engineering could be a better fit.

What a Music Producer Really Does

Music producers are the creative visionaries behind a track, like the CEO of the song. They shape everything from songwriting and arrangement to overseeing recording and mixing, whether they handle it themselves or collaborate with an engineer. Whether producing your own music or working with others, you're steering the entire sound and direction of the project.

Here’s what the workflow might look like (whether they're handling each task themselves or collaborating with others):

• Start with a rough idea or demo

• Build out the arrangement

• Record vocals and instruments

• Edit and clean up the takes

• Mix the track so everything fits

• Master the final version so it’s ready to release

Music producers often work solo or with artists, and many are also beatmakers, songwriters, or even run their own label. If you're someone who wants to create something from scratch and shape every layer of it, this might be the right path.

What an Audio Engineer Focuses On

Audio engineers are focused more on the technical side of sound. Instead of writing or producing music, they’re making sure whatever sound is being used, whether it’s in a film, a podcast, a live show, or a commercial sounds clean and works well in its environment.

Their workflow might include:

• Planning recording sessions

• Capturing clean audio in studio or on location

• Editing out noise or fixing issues

• Mixing the elements

• Mastering for broadcast or distribution

Engineers often work as part of larger teams, especially in post-production, live sound, or media projects. If you like the idea of solving problems, paying attention to detail, and being a key part of a bigger production, this path might make more sense.

The Crossover and the Differences

Both roles deal with sound. Both use similar tools. Both require a trained ear. But producers are usually more creative and independent, while engineers are more technical and team-oriented.

So ask yourself:

• Do I want to create music or support how sound is used?

• Am I more drawn to songwriting or sound quality?

• Do I see myself working solo or as part of a bigger production team?

You don’t need to have a perfect answer. These questions are just here to help you figure out where your energy naturally goes.

You Don’t Have to Pick Just One Forever

Plenty of people move between both. You might start producing music and end up doing sound design for film. Or you might begin as an engineer and later start releasing your own tracks. That’s normal.

The most important thing is to start. Explore. Learn the tools. Stay curious. Whether you end up producing records, mixing live sound, or editing podcasts, it all begins with that first step.

So Which One Sounds Like You?

If you're wired for music, driven by melody, and excited to create original work, music production might be the move.

If you're into the mechanics of sound, enjoy problem-solving, and want to support creative projects behind the scenes, audio engineering could be your thing.

Whatever path you choose, the goal is the same: make sound that matters.

Start there.

-Nathan

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