Modern Producer Secrets

With the holiday season fast approaching and new year right around the corner, you may be assessing the current state of your music business. Perhaps you are trying to figure out how to get more production clients, considering a pivot, or even facing a bit of burnout. Regardless of your current situation, this episode out of our podcast archives is just the inspiration you need to close out the year on a high note while setting yourself up for success in 2025.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, host Adam Reifsteck sits down with composer and producer Marcus "DaFingaz" Manderson to discuss his inspiring journey from playing piano and organ in church to working in music production for media. Marcus shares how the pandemic shifted his focus towards sync licensing, leading him to success in creating music for TV, film, and even movie trailers. He also offers insights into his educational background at James Madison University and Full Sail, how his day job at National Geographic influences his approach to music production, and how he balances the demands of a full-time career with his music projects. Listeners will learn about Marcus’s creative process, the importance of building a music catalog, and his advice on entering the sync space, including the significance of community and support. Marcus highlights his recent projects, including creating music for a Disneyland theme park attraction, and discusses trends in the industry, like the growing demand for vocal music in sync licensing.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, host Adam Reifsteck sits down with Grammy-nominated mix engineer, radio producer, and educator Mary Mazurek to explore her fascinating journey in the audio industry. Mary shares how she went from humble beginnings as a studio assistant to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, offering candid insights into the challenges of gender bias and the importance of perseverance. She reveals how chance opportunities and a passion for both music and science shaped her career, from assisting on major recording sessions to teaching the next generation of audio professionals. The episode dives into practical advice on navigating the audio freelance world, setting fair rates, and adapting to technological advancements like immersive sound formats. Listeners will learn how Mary’s commitment to lifelong learning and her openness to unexpected paths helped her craft a successful and sustainable career in music production.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, Adam Reifsteck and Chris Budd discuss balancing personal artistic projects with client work and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.

Adam Reifsteck sits down with Peter Bladh, a seasoned music producer from Sweden, to delve into the dynamic and rapidly evolving music industry. They share strategies for building an online personal brand that attracts and retaining clients.

In this episode of Modern Producer Secrets, Adam Reifsteck sits down with composer Caleb Swift to delve into the intricacies of building a successful career in composing for TV and film.

If you’re struggling to make the money you want in your music production business, have you ever considered that the reason you’re not getting the sales you want is…you’re selling the wrong thing? Maybe it sounds crazy, but this is one of the biggest mistakes we see struggling music producers make! In this episode, Cameron and Adam uncover creative ways to leverage your zone of genius so that you can get consistent and high-paying projects with better artists.

Are you tired of seeing ads for business coaching programs promising you your dreams are right around the corner if you just follow their secret success formula? It can seem like snake oil is everywhere, from Amazon drop shipping to building your own empire as a sample-pack-fueled startup. Cameron dives into the brutal reality behind these programs, exposing the cold, hard truth.

Does it seem like there’s never been a more challenging time to “get into” the music industry? New technologies are taking our jobs, and our audiences are constantly dropping the last shiny object for whatever new shiny object comes out. If you’re ready to pierce the veil and cut through the noise, Cameron gets deep in this episode. He shares life lessons from his personal experiences and gets to the core of why it is essential to define and hold onto your core purpose.

Do you have big dreams for your music? Do you see music production as a gateway to something greater but have no idea how to monetize it? Dani Felt was driven by her passion for music into a much greater purpose and has freed herself from the 9-5 shackles by constantly working on herself and her vision and taking significant risks on her ideas. Tune in to this insightful interview if you want to learn the secrets to self-mastery that have empowered her to sell high-ticket offers to clients confidently and competently.

There are so many threats to the music industry that it seems like the wrong time to jump into building a career or launching your own business. If you’re in the death throes of giving up and you’ve barely started building a business or have been endlessly pushing through a slow churn that feels like it hasn’t gone anywhere, this episode is a must-listen. Cameron and Adam discuss the six invisible factors that you can leverage right now.

Are you tired of feeling like your mixes are what’s keeping you from success? Do you constantly seek advice and feedback and expect your problems to be in your mix or master? The secret that the major producers are leveraging isn’t in their perfect mixes or masters. Join Cameron as he interviews professional mix engineer and producer Varti Deuchoghlian, who’s distilled the secret of growing as an artist or producer. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Have you ever heard someone give you vague advice? Do you run into walls when asking for help, only to find that the advice is just regurgitated variations of the same cliché? Join Adam and Cameron as we explore some of the most common misconceptions. From breaking down industry clichés to exploring the impact of personal habits on professional growth, this podcast is your backstage pass to real, sustainable success in the music industry. Tune in to unlock the secrets of thriving as a modern music producer.

Are you tired of switching between communication apps to interact with your clients or leads because they prefer to message you in a particular app? Are you finding it difficult to keep track of various opportunities, projects, and client conversations? If yes, you must tune in to this episode. Cameron discusses managing your communication more effectively. This episode is packed with valuable insights, so don't miss out on why you shouldn't be available on every communication platform.

Turning a passion for music production into a successful business can seem daunting and even impossible. If you're feeling burnt out and frustrated with your lack of progress, then you won't want to miss this episode. Adam and Cameron return to discuss the most common obstacles music producers face in their business and share tips on how to overcome them.

Join Cameron as he chats with a music industry veteran who has secured numerous sync placements. Together, they dive into the world of licensing and placements, exploring the key components contributing to Ed Hartman's legendary career. If you want to learn how to leverage this aspect of the music industry, tune in now.

Join Adam and Cameron as they discuss the five secrets to growing a music production business in 2024.

Does it seem like way less talented producers are reaping major successes and blowing up while you’re struggling to prove you’re the producer artists should be hiring?  Tune in to this episode as Cameron and Adam show you how to craft a message that will finally reach your ideal clients.

We’re all feeling a little drained after the wild ride that 2023 has been. In this episode, Cameron shares personal stories and insights into the challenges music producers face in a world still grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19. Learn how navigating the Producer’s Dilemma can shape the future of your music career and gear up for a powerful start to 2024 with seven simple yet strong habits you can start developing right now.

As we near the end of the year, it feels like life gets even more compressed. There’s less daylight and more things to do than we have time for. If you’ve ever felt like happiness is a veil, and the wool has been pulled from your eyes, this episode can provide a quick dose of inspiration.