Pop Music Production Checklist

Pop music is one of the most difficult genres to master for a music producer. Still, with proper monitoring equipment, and a proper DAW, anyone in a home studio can create a solid pop hit song. If you’re a reasonably skillful producer to begin with, knowing the  music   production  styles that sell well means mastering a specific sets of skills. Here’s a rough checklist of the things you need to know before you can become a skilled pop music producer.

If your aspiration is to become proficient at creating popular  music , one of the best ways to learn  production  lessons is by examining the experience and story of other pop  music  pioneers like Timbaland, Toomp, or newer up’n’comers like Wayne Wilkins and Poly Rob. Here is a checklist of the knowledge you should look for.

1. Comprehensive mixing knowledge: This includes stereo imaging techniques such as Haas filtering, and also distance-creating techniques like delay and reverb. Pop requires a spacious, well-planned mix.

2. Comprehensive song arranging knowledge: This is easier to learn by example, but still quite challenging. Good song format is essential to creating compelling, alluring music.

3. Comprehensive sound design knowledge: Learn how to craft good synth timbres. Don’t settle for cheap-sounding presets. This includes learning how to equalize things like guitars and drums

4. Good understanding of melodic composition: To most producers, this is a very intuitive matter. Composing a good melody is just something that they can do because they’ve heard so much music, and they’ve practiced making music for so long. If you’re not inclined toward classical training, then practice and experimentation are the best way to learn how to compose a catchy melody. And a melody should always evolve.

5. Find a way to evaluate your  music  by either comparing it to existing pop  music   productions  or by having it evaluated by an expert.