If you close your eyes and try to think of what a music producer looks like, you’ll likely picture someone with expensive headphones on, sitting in front of a complex control pad in a soundproof recording studio of some sort. That’s the typical image that we’ve seen plastered across magazines, newspapers, and other popular media. It’s the quintessential stereotype of how music gets made.
However, in today’s world – that picture is changing rapidly.
The reason that the recording studio was so central to music production was that the barriers to entry were so high and if someone could centralize all that equipment, expertise, and more importantly – networks, it would make for a very powerful value proposition.
But as astute producers have realized, these reasons don’t hold the same weight they used to anymore. Marilou Audrey Burnel, otherwise known as Machi, is a producer who sees this future rather clearly. She’s been talking about this shift since 2013 and only now are her predictions starting to get the credence they deserve. She talks about how the proliferation of the internet has created the space for at-home producers to compete with those who have access to studio time.
Firstly, the actual knowledge itself on how to get started has been democratized by the internet. No longer are the keys to the kingdom held behind high walls, you can now take your education into your own hands. This has encouraged many more people to explore music production and this increased interest has in turn spurned a vibrant home producing ecosystem.
Secondly, this ecosystem has to live somewhere. And that’s where social media and other online communities have stepped up to normalize this trend and provide support to those who are producing music at home. This ability to network and learn from each other has more than compensated for the spontaneous connections you might make hanging around a studio space.
Lastly, we started to see labels take your online audience as a key indicator that you had something special. They started to offer producers like OMFG, Alan Walker, and others contracts on the back of their engaged online communities. This showed aspiring producers that they could create their own music, find an audience online, and then transition into traditional success without ever stepping into a studio. You didn’t have to be associated with a music association or use an expensive PR firm or anything like that. Your music spoke for itself.
It's for these reasons that Machi believes that home production is the future of the industry. And it’s hard to disagree with her. She’s a living example of what this new creator looks like and there are undoubtedly thousands of others who are following in those footsteps.
It’s a very exciting time for the industry as these doors are flung open to all those who want to be a part of it. As a listener, we’re going to be treated to a new era of music in our video games, films, and all other areas of entertainment.
The old status quo is disappearing before our very eyes.
