Taking Your Sound to the Next Level

If you’re an artist and you can’t stand scrolling through YouTube beats anymore, but you’re not ready to produce everything by yourself, it might be time to work with a music producer.

This kind of collaboration can bring value on many levels.

First, you’ll learn more about the actual process of music production and improve your skills in areas you might not be strong in yet, like mixing or arrangement.

Second, you’ll be able to create songs that feel more personal and tailored to you. 🎯

In my career I’ve worked with different types of artists and created everything from trap to hip-hop to EDM.

From my perspective, working one-on-one with an artist is the most effective way to achieve something unique and original.

When I collaborate with someone, I always try to understand their needs, find out what they want to achieve, and do my best to bring their vision to life.

So if you’re thinking about working with a producer, in this article I’ll share my perspective as a producer, what I value most in artists I work with, what makes the process smoother, and how you can get the most out of this kind of collaboration. 🚀

Learn the Basics of Effects and Mixing 

Before you jump into working with a producer, it’s always a good idea to come in with at least some basic knowledge. 🎛️

If you’re completely green and just starting out with music, don’t stress, a good producer will guide you step by step.

But if you already dabble in recording and want someone to bring your vision to life, having even a little bit of knowledge will make the whole process smoother.

Learn the basics of terms like EQ, compression, delay, reverb, arrangement, mixing and mastering.

This doesn’t mean you have to become an engineer overnight, but it’s about knowing enough to communicate clearly.

For example, instead of saying

“something sounds weird, can you fix it?”

you could say 

“can you add a little more reverb to my main vocal?” 🎤

That one sentence already puts you on the same page with your producer.

From my own experience, I’ve worked with both types of artists, those with zero production knowledge and those who know their way around a DAW.

I enjoy working with both, since teaching and helping is part of the job.

But I can tell you this: when an artist knows at least a little bit about production, the collaboration becomes way more efficient.

We can push the track further, achieve better results, and lock into the vision faster when we both speak the same language.

Even a basic understanding can go a long way.

Choosing the Right Producer for You 

So, you’ve decided you want to work with a music producer. 🎹

You’ve got at least some kind of budget, or maybe your friend just started producing and you want to try something together. 

Before you jump in, here’s the most important thing to understand: every producer has their own style, their own sound, and their own habits.

If you’re going to collaborate with someone, make sure you actually like what they do.

If a producer is posting beats on YouTube, Instagram, or Beatstars, listen to their work. If they’ve already released tracks, check them out. Ask for some beats they’ve made.

This is a creative relationship, so you should be genuinely excited about their sound and their approach.

Chemistry matters.

When you and a producer click, the sessions are easier, your vision is clearer, and the final tracks come out stronger. 

If the chemistry is missing, it’s going to show in the music.

Also, pay attention to how they handle communication because it is really important part of the whole process.

If a producer ignores your DMs, takes your money, and then disappears for two weeks… that’s a red flag. 🚩

You deserve someone who’s reliable, professional, and as invested in the project as you are.

At the end of the day, this is about creating serious music.

If you’re aiming for quality, treat the collaboration with the same professionalism you expect from your producer.

That’s how you get great results.

Custom Beats vs. Pre-Made Beats

One of the biggest advantages of working directly with a producer is getting custom beats. 🥁

These are instrumentals created only for you, based on your references and your preferences.

That’s the difference compared to pre-made beats you find on YouTube or Beatstars, with a custom beat, you have full creative control. You decide how long it is, what instruments are used, whether the drums hit trap-style, boom bap or pop.

But here’s the key: if you don’t vibe with a producer’s style in general, chances are you won’t like their custom beats either.

On the other hand, if you already love the sound of their work, there’s a very good chance you’ll be hyped about what they make for you.

So, how do you approach ordering a custom beat?

Start by choosing a producer whose style you actually like.

Then, tell them exactly what you’re looking for. Be as detailed as possible, share two or three reference tracks that capture the vibe you want. If you already know the key, BPM, or specific instruments you’d like to hear, let them know.

Even if you want to mix different elements together, like analog synths with orchestral sounds and heavy boom bap drums, explain it clearly.

The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the producer to deliver your vision.

From my side as a producer, I always ask artists to send me three beats or songs they like, share the music they listen to, and even point out favorite tracks from specific albums.

These details make it easier to lock in the vibe.

And if you don’t know exactly what you want?

That’s fine too.

Sometimes the best move is to trust the producer’s creativity and let them take the lead in shaping a sound just for you.

Building Original Songs from Scratch

One of the biggest benefits of working with a producer is that you can create songs completely from scratch.

It doesn’t matter if it’s your homie who’s just getting into production or a professional producer you connect with online.

If you can link up in the studio, or even just hop on Discord and vibe together, you’ve got the chance to build a full track from zero.

A good producer won’t just make you a beat, they’ll guide you through the process. 

They can help you pick the right instrumental, give feedback on your lyrics, and suggest how to deliver certain parts of your performance.

Maybe they’ll tell you to rap a section quieter or even whisper a line to create contrast.

These little details can change everything.

Once the vocals are recorded, you can work together on arranging the track.

Add instruments, change sections, or even build a crazy bridge before last chorus make the song stand out.

This kind of creative back-and-forth often leads to results you couldn’t achieve alone.

If you end up working with the same producer long-term, you’ll likely develop a signature sound together.

From my experience, that’s usually what happens, the collaboration naturally shapes a unique vibe that represents both of you.

For example, I recently worked with a client from California who had never written lyrics, never rapped, and had zero experience with music. We went through the whole process step by step: I produced the beat, helped him write his text, gave him guidance on how to record it, and he sent me the takes from his home setup.

By the second round of recordings, he nailed it. I mixed the track, made a few final tweaks, and we ended up with a strong, professional-sounding record.

The point is: it’s absolutely possible to take an idea from nothing to a finished track when you’ve got the right partnership. 💯

Vision

Here’s something important to keep in mind: your producer doesn’t always have to believe in your vision right away.

Even if they don’t fully “see it” at the beginning, a skilled producer can still deliver your idea and make it real.

That’s already a win. 🏆

Sometimes, during the process, the producer starts to catch on, gets inspired by your concept, and begins adding their own touches.

That’s when the collaboration becomes even more powerful.

Of course, the best-case scenario is finding a producer who instantly gets your vision and vibes with it from day one. 

But you also have to understand that what you picture in your head won’t always match reality 1:1.

I’ve experienced this myself.

There were times I had an idea for a beat, imagined it sounding a certain way, and when I actually made it, it didn’t come out like I thought it would.

That’s just part of the creative process.

Reality has its limits. Your skills, your tools, or even the simple fact that ideas change once they hit the real world, all of that can shape the final result.

So if you imagined delivering a verse a certain way and thought it would sound incredible, but your current skill level holds you back a bit, that’s okay.

You adjust. You work with what you have.

The real magic happens when you and your producer find that middle ground.

Building chemistry takes time, and it doesn't need to click perfectly on the first session.

But once it does, the music always benefits. 💯

Communication Is Everything 

Just like in a good relationship, communication is everything. 💬

If you want your producer to mix differently, say it. 

If you don’t like the sound selection, the choice of instruments, or you feel the hook should be half as long, speak up.

If your verses feel too boring, tell them.

That’s what creative collaboration is all about. The clearer you communicate your needs, the easier it is for your producer to understand your vision.

And the better they understand it, the faster they can bring it to life.

If at some point you feel like stepping away from a project or changing direction, talk it out, but remember that the best time to set these expectations is right at the start of the collaboration.

Personally, I always establish my conditions up front.

And if you’re starting to work with any producer, you should do the same.

Agree on things like:

• What happens if you don’t like the beat?
• Do they offer revisions if the mix doesn’t sound right?
• Will they help with songwriting if needed?
• Can they build the beat in a specific style you ask for?
  

The clearer everything is from day one, the smoother the process will be. If you feel the producer is honest and not just trying to grab your money, that’s a good sign you can trust them.

And let’s not forget the budget. 💰

If a producer charges you $1000 for an exclusive custom beat but that’s out of reach for you, try negotiating.

Maybe you can split it into installments.

Maybe they’ll offer a discount if they really believe in your project.

From my side, I often do this.

If I like the artist’s vision and I believe in the music, I’m sometimes willing to lower my rate just to make the project happen. Of course, not every producer will do this, and they don’t have to. But it never hurts to ask.

I’ve had plenty of situations where I gave a price, and the artist simply said, “That’s too much for me right now. Could we split it into two payments?” And my answer was: “No problem, bro. Let’s make it happen.”

Remember: communication is the key to success. 🔑

Wrapping It Up 

Working with a music producer can be one of the best moves you make as an independent artist. 🎤

Yeah, you can find beats online. Yeah, you can record on your own.

But when you team up with a producer, you open the door to a whole new level of creativity, professionalism, and growth.

A good producer isn’t just there to make a beat.

They can help you shape your sound, guide you through the recording process, and make sure your music actually represents you, not just another generic track floating around on YouTube.

Here’s the truth:

The chemistry you build with a producer, the way you communicate your vision, and the trust you develop along the way… all of that shows up in the music.

So when you’re ready, choose someone whose work inspires you.

Learn the basics so you can talk the same language in the studio.

Stay open, stay flexible.

And remember, no vision comes out perfect on the first try. It’s a process.

Most importantly, don’t forget that your voice, your energy, and your story are what make the track unique.

The producer is there to help you bring it to life, but the fingerprint will always be yours.

Maybe one day we’ll get to work together, I hope so.

If you want to reach out, ask me about my process, or just talk music, you can always contact me here.

Take care,

Baxon 👊