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The PM manages everything from the project team and their work schedules, to budget and project delivery, as well as guaranteeing that work is completed on time and within the budget.
There to support the lead engineer, the assistant helps with setting up equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, and organizing session files. They play a key role in ensuring smooth studio operations.
Sometimes, artists need fresh eyes and inspiration, so they hire a ghost writer who writes for various artists without actually receiving public credit.
Adding layers of atmosphere and texture to a track is where the programmer shines. Synthesizers and samplers are looped in to create electronic sounds and beats that complement the music.
There to capture album artwork and promotional photos, the photographer helps shape the artist's visual identity and brand as their main responsibility.
This is the person who oversees the artist's finances and investments, ensuring financial stability and growth. They handle budgeting and financial planning to optimize the artist's income and assets.
A vocal coach helps singers refine their technique and performance, providing guidance on breathing, tone, pitch, and expression.
Creating music videos to visually represent the music, the videographer conveys the artist's vision. All aspects of the video production are handled, from concept development to filming and editing.
The world cares what an artist looks like, which brands they’re wearing, and everything grooming related. Assisting with the artist's wardrobe and visual image, the stylist helps create a compelling, cohesive, and elevated look.
The publicist’s role is to generate media attention and manage the artist's public image. They also pitch stories to journalists, coordinate press interviews, and ensure positive news coverage and perception.
Balancing the individual beats and other parts of a song to create a polished sound and cohesive vibe, the mixing engineer is responsible for blending vocals, instruments, and effects to achieve optimal clarity.
When the track is almost ready, this engineer optimizes the audio quality for distribution across various formats and platforms, and ensures consistency in everything from volume to tone.
The lighting director enhances the visual experience and atmosphere of the performance by designing and executing dynamic lighting effects, cues, and color schemes to complement the music and engage the audience.
Social media managers create engaging content, monitor countless analytics, and interact with followers to cultivate a strong and active online community.
The backline technician ensures that everything is in working order and ready for the show, including instrument changes, repairs, and technical issues that keep a performance running smoothly.
On tour, the musician is focused on providing world-class performances for screaming fans. To help make this a reality, stage managers oversee the onstage setup and ensure a smooth performance flow.
Physical security is always important to musicians. Security is there to ensure the safety of the artist and crew during travel and performances, to handle crowd control, and to respond to any emergencies.
The motion control operator is a technician whose job it is is to manage the motion control rig (a robot camera). This ensures that quality footage is captured and that the musician is looking their best from a film perspective.
Sources: (Musicians Institute: College of Contemporary Music) (Natricia Bernard) (Careers in Music) (Exploration Group) (MusicDigi)
By mixing the sound for the live performances, the sound engineer ensures clarity and balance for the audience. They adjust levels, effects, EQ, and much more in real time to enhance the live sound experience.
From rock 'n' roll to reggaeton, music shapes the world we live in. Most of us are familiar with the artist or composer, but what about the rest of the team that make your favorite songs a reality? Behind the scenes, there are dozens of individuals who come together to utilize their specific skill sets and contribute to the bigger picture of creating good music that people love and buy.
This gallery looks at countless positions in the music industry that you might not have heard of before, but which are crucial to the process. Click through to explore the roles and responsibilities of the unsung heroes of music.
Behind the beats: Unveiling the unsung crew of the music industry
Unveiling music's behind-the-scenes architects
MUSIC Curiosities
From rock 'n' roll to reggaeton, music shapes the world we live in. Most of us are familiar with the artist or composer, but what about the rest of the team that make your favorite songs a reality? Behind the scenes, there are dozens of individuals who come together to utilize their specific skill sets and contribute to the bigger picture of creating good music that people love and buy.
This gallery looks at countless positions in the music industry that you might not have heard of before, but which are crucial to the process. Click through to explore the roles and responsibilities of the unsung heroes of music.