Where To Find Music Producers To Make Your Instrumentals

Are you looking to get some instrumental tracks done?

Maybe you have a album, a TV show, a movie, or a commercial you're looking to add some music to. Or perhaps you have a new video game that's in need of some atmosphere.

Whether you're just getting started, or your project is nearing completion, it's a good thing to be thinking about music as early as possible. This will give producers or composers a chance to get a feel for your project and develop some ideas while you're still working on other aspects of it.

But finding the right fit isn't always easy. If you don't take the time to find a producer that's capable of creating the right kind of music, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money. For independent media producers, this can really set things back, so it's best to avoid unnecessary complications.

Here are several steps you can take to find music producers to make your instrumentals.

Search Online Databases To Find Music Producers

There are many sites, like LoudUp, where you can easily browse and search through a large list of music producers. On LoudUp, you can actually see the exact genres individual producers specialize in, get a sense of what they're capable of, and learn more about them.

The downside? Unless you have a lot of time to spend searching for the right person, this is not a viable option. If you want to take your time looking at various directories and databases, you should definitely set aside some extra time.

Additionally, different sites are homes to different artists, which means you may have to extend your search to include many sites, instead of just one.

But this is still a very effective way of finding a music producer that has the qualities you're looking for. Just don't get frustrated and give up. The searching process could take a while, but you'll be glad you didn't rush it.

When Looking For Song Producers, Do A Google Search

One of the easiest ways to find local music producers is by doing a Google search. Simply enter music producer + [town or city name] into the search bar, and you should turn up a few different results – classifieds, recording classes, social profiles, local studios, and so on.

Before you do this though, you need to know what kind of backing track you're looking for. Otherwise you won't be able to search effectively.

Working with a local producer can be to your advantage if you need to do face-to-face meetings, or you need your music producer to be a part of the decision making process.

Admittedly, sifting through the results can be time-consuming. But you can always reach out to local studios and ask for referrals. You can reach out to those who have listings in the classifieds. You could even get in touch with the schools to see if they can point you in the right direction.

What it comes down to is that you just never know. You don't know in what ways people are connected and who they might know. You can start with a Google search, but you have to be willing to follow through and chase down any leads you can find.

Build A Relationship With Local Music & Instrument Stores

Music and instrument stores are often great environments for networking, because the owners tend to be well-connected in the music scene.

Additionally, the staff are often part of bands and music projects of their own, and some stores have lesson programs, which means they also employ music teachers. Teachers are likely to be involved in the music industry in other ways, so they might know someone that can help you, or some of them might be producers in their own right.

I'm continually amazed at how some of the best connections come from music stores, so I would definitely recommend identifying locations in your neck of the woods, and building a relationship with them. You can dive right in and ask for a referral if you want to, but it can be helpful to see it as a long-term project and continue to interact with the staff on an ongoing basis.

Ask For A Referral

There are plenty of online directories and databases out there. You can also find many producers by doing a local Google search. But by far one of the best ways to find a capable producer is by asking for a referral.

Odds are you are already working with other creative people. You might have industry connections that have worked on similar projects before. Asking for their advice can really streamline the process of finding a competent producer.

You still have to be somewhat careful. Some people may only know of one composer, and they use them for absolutely everything (which means they may not be right for you). Others may not necessarily know a producer that's capable of writing, recording and mixing the kind of music you're looking for.

You should always give some thought to the scope of your project before handing someone a contract. The more specialized they are in a particular genre or style of music, the more likely they are to be able to help you in the way you need. Plus, if there's an embargo around your project, you'll want to work with someone that's trustworthy and isn't going to leak anything in advance.

But if you have friends and connections in the industry, there's no reason not to leverage them. See if they can refer you to someone that would be right for the project, and then interview them and have a listen to their portfolio of work.

Final Thoughts

There are a great many ways you can go about finding a music producer. But it's always a good idea to know exactly what you're looking for with your project.

What genre(s) of music do you want for your project? How much music will you actually need? What's your budget? Do you want to work with someone local, or are you open to the idea of working with someone remotely? Do you require a long-term commitment, or is it a one-off?

There may be plenty of candidates that have the right skills and experience for the project, but far fewer who are actually the right “fit”. Make sure to get all of your expectations out in the open before committing to any one music producer.