How To Work With A Music Producer
1. Tailor-Made Warm-Up Exercises: Your Voice, Your Warm-Up
Discover the power of personalized vocal warm-ups designed specifically for you. Generic exercises or YouTube routines might not only be ineffective—they could even harm your voice. Your warm-up should be customized to match your unique vocal needs. Singing songs right away isn’t a warm-up; it can tire your voice out before you even start. That’s why it’s essential to get into your best vocal shape so you’re fully focused on the story and emotions of your performance.
Pro tip: If you enjoy cardio or steam rooms, schedule these before your vocal warm-up, especially for those early morning gigs. And always remember: Sing from feel. Feel the emotion first, then let it shape your sound.
2. Constant Training: Be Ready for Every Opportunity
Start your vocal preparation now and never stop. You have to be ready for your big moment at any time! Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker once said, “If you’re not completely ready for me, I won’t produce you.”
Top producers want fully-prepared artists—not projects. Develop a solid Belted-Head-Voice™ technique so you can maintain power without overloading the preamp. Keep training, and you’ll be ready when opportunity knocks.
3. Partner Up During Vocal Tracking: Focus on the Feel
When recording vocals, train your ears and voice for the mic, headphones, floor monitors, and in-ears. Self-producing while vocal tracking divides your attention between engineering and emotion. You’re there to communicate, not just sing.
Make sure your producer or engineer listens like an audience member—someone who’s emotionally invested—and gives feedback to draw out your best performance.
4. Befriend Your Sound Engineer: Your Secret Weapon
Your sound engineer can make or break your performance. Build a great relationship and show you care about your sound quality. Neglecting your electronics sends the wrong message.
A poor sound mix—whether in a studio or live—will reflect on you. Know your gear, and always work with your engineer, not against them. A solid partnership ensures you can always hear yourself and deliver your best.
5. Master Your Gear to Control Your Sound
Invest in tools like Farplay.io, a small mixer, microphone, headphones, and floor monitors. Practice with them—even during warm-ups. This builds confidence and makes communication with your producer seamless.
Test your mic and monitor feedback regularly. Avoid the dreaded on-stage “Can you hear me?” moment. The more familiar you are with your setup, the better you'll perform under pressure.
6. Immerse Yourself in the Song's Story: Embrace the Emotion
Let 90% of your focus be on the emotion and story of your song. If you make a mistake, keep going and stay emotionally connected.
Producers care about the emotional truth in your voice—it’s what moves people. Every note should serve the story.
7. Practice Until Technique and Emotion Become Second Nature
Repetition builds mastery. Keep singing your songs until the emotion and technique feel automatic. That’s when you stop thinking and start living in the song.
When you reach this level, nothing will distract you. Your audience will feel your focus and authenticity from the first word to the last.
8. Enjoy the Journey: Have Fun Performing!
With the right preparation, the stage and studio become places of joy. When you’re having fun, your audience will too. That positive energy elevates everything—your performance, your music, and your connection with others.
Key Takeaway
Working with a music producer is about more than just singing well—it’s about being emotionally prepared, technically reliable, and vocally consistent. The artists who succeed are the ones who come in ready, equipped, and focused on feel over perfection.
Need Help Getting Studio-Ready?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with Brad Chapman, Las Vegas vocal coach to Grammy-winning artists. Whether you're prepping for a studio session or building confidence in your sound, Brad will help you unlock your best voice—fast.
