Audio collaboration is a wide topic, with many interconnected pieces, so we’re going to start breaking those pieces down for you. It’s easier to wrap your mind around things in “chunks,” so let’s begin with the basic question, “With whom do I collaborate, and what exactly do they do?” We’ll also explain the basic music production process along the way. Here are examples of musical collaborations that can make your project stronger.
LYRICIST
A lyricist writes (or refines/edits) the words to a song. They usually work with a composer or songwriter to create a musical collaboration, but can also compose themselves. Lyricists use creativity, imagination and storytelling to come up with lyrics that are both meaningful and memorable. They also need to have a strong understanding of music theory so that they can write lyrics and phrasing that fit the melody and rhythm of the song.
They’re responsible for creating the lyrics that give meaning and depth to songs; they also tell stories, evoke emotions, and inspire listeners. Good lyricists are able to craft lyrics that are both creative AND commercial, and they can help to make a song memorable and successful.
Here are some of the specific things that a lyricist might do:
- Come up with a concept or idea for a song
- Collaborate with a composer or songwriter to create the music
- Revise and edit the lyrics as needed
- Promote the song and its message
If you are interested in becoming a better lyricist, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, you should develop your writing skills. Read everything—and we mean EVERYTHING—you can, and practice writing poems and songs. You might consider an online course in songwriting, there are some great ones out there! You should also learn about music theory and how to write lyrics that fit the song’s music. Finally, get involved in your local music scene—attend concerts, meet other musicians, and start writing for them, or on your own.
SONGWRITER/COMPOSER
A songwriter composes music, writes lyrics, or both. As mentioned above, a songwriter who mainly writes the lyrics for a song is referred to as a lyricist. Songwriters have the opportunity to share their music with the world and to connect with people on an emotional level.
They work in a variety of different ways; some songwriters write songs for themselves, while others write songs for other artists. Songwriters may also write songs for advertising jingles, film scores, or other types of music. This kind of work is referred to as sync work.
If you are interested in becoming a songwriter, first, you should develop your musical skills. Learn to play an instrument (the more, the better!) and learn about music theory. You should also read about music and get as many different kinds of music into your ears as you can. Finally, start writing songs—the more you write, the better you will become at it.
Here are some other tips for songwriting:
- Find your inspiration. What inspires you to write songs? It could be anything from personal experiences to current events to your favorite books or movies.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are no rules, only guidelines when it comes to songwriting.
- Don’t give up! Songwriting takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if your first few songs aren’t perfect. Just keep writing and you’ll eventually get better.
SESSION MUSICIAN
A session musician is a highly skilled, versatile musician who is hired (or contracted) to play on a recording session. They are typically called in to play on a specific song or album, and they may play a variety of instruments. Session musicians are often very experienced and have a deep understanding of music theory. They are also able to quickly learn new material and adapt their playing to the needs of the producer and artist.
Session musicians are responsible for providing the high-quality musicianship that is essential for creating great recordings. They also help to bring the producer’s vision for a song to life. Session musicians can be found working on a wide variety of projects, from pop hits to classical recordings.
Here are some of the specific tasks that a session musician may do:
- Learn the song or album material quickly
- Adapt their playing to the needs of the producer and artist
- Play with a high level of technical proficiency
- Be able to work well under pressure
- Be able to read music
- Be able to improvise
If you are interested in becoming a session musician, or working with one, there are a few things you should do. First, you should develop your musical skills; learn to play one or more instruments and learn about music theory. You should also practice playing with other musicians and learn how to read music, including ‘Nashville charts’. Finally, get involved in your local music scene; attend concerts, meet other musicians, and start networking (starting to see a theme here?).
PRODUCER
A music producer is responsible for the overall creative and technical aspects of a music recording. They work with artists and musicians to develop the sound of a song or album, and they oversee the recording process from start to finish.
Music producers typically have a strong background in music theory and production techniques. They also need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as they will be working closely with a variety of people, including artists, musicians, engineers, and executives.
The specific duties of a music producer can vary depending on the project, but they typically include:
- Developing the creative concept for a song or album
- Collaborating with artists and musicians to create the music
- Overseeing the recording process
- Mixing and mastering the recording
- Promoting the recording
Music producers have an important role in the music industry, and often wear multiple hats. They are responsible for helping to create the sound of our favorite songs and albums, and helping to shape the careers of artists.
If you are interested in becoming a music producer, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, you should develop your musical skills. Learn to play an instrument and learn about music theory. You should also practice working with other musicians and learn how to use recording equipment. Finally, get involved in the music scene in your community. Attend concerts, meet other musicians, and start networking. The only way to collaborate is to have others to work with!
RECORDING/MIXING ENGINEERS
An audio engineer captures and manipulates sound, using a variety of equipment, including microphones, audio interfaces, and mixers. Audio engineers use software, known as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), to record, edit, and mix audio.
Recording engineers are responsible for capturing and shaping the sound of a recording, ensuring that it sounds the way the artists and producers intended. A good recording engineer allows the artist to focus on their performance without getting bogged down in technical details.
The specific duties of a recording engineer can vary depending on the setting, but they typically include:
- Setting up and operating recording equipment
- Positioning microphones
- Adjusting levels and equalization
- Editing audio
A mix engineer is responsible for combining all of the different sonic elements of a recorded piece of music into a final version and balancing the distinct parts to achieve a desired effect. They work with the producer and the artist to create a final mix that is both sonically pleasing and faithful to the artist’s vision. A critical part of the production process, they’re typically the last person to work on a recording before it is released to the public, unless a mastering engineer is involved.
A mix engineer uses a variety of tools and techniques to create the final mix, including:
- Equalization: This is the process of adjusting the levels of different frequencies in a sound.
- Dynamics: This is the process of making the quiet parts of a sound louder and the loud parts of a sound quieter.
- Reverb: This is the process of adding ambience to a sound.
- Delay: This is the process of adding repetition to a sound.
- Panning: This is the process of placing sounds in different locations in the stereo field.
TONIC AUDIO
At Tonic Audio, you’ll find every discipline you need to make your song the best it can be. Our community includes all the ones listed above, among others. Our citizens are happy to collaborate—after all, that’s one common thing that’s brought us all here! Whether you’re looking for help, or looking to help others, Tonic Audio is ideal for finding collaborators and making your voices heard.
So, there you have it—those are the basic roles involved in music collaboration. Now that you know who you need to collaborate with and what they do, it’s time to go get started!
Just remember, collaboration is all about communication. So be sure to talk to your collaborators and make sure you’re all on the same page. And most importantly, have fun! Making music is supposed to be enjoyable, so don’t take it too seriously. Just let your creativity flow and see what happens.