Music Producer, Melbourne
A music producer is the bridge between your vision and the release. A good producer works for the song and surrounds you with the right team of experts, rather than trying to do it all alone.
Producer, mixer or engineer for Anthony Callea, Allday, Chris Lilley, Casey Donovan, Josh Piterman, Human Nature, Archie Roach, Chores, Goldroom, Sammy J and more. All credits →
What Is A Music Producer?
Music Producer can mean different things to different people, and even different genres within the music industry. Simon Moro is a music producer in the traditional sense: Someone who oversees the entire music production process, and is responsible for bringing the project together. This may involve covering several aspects of the project including:
Creative: Song selection, refining songs (structure, arrangement, tempo…), additional composition, recording, and editing, mixing, mastering.
Business: Allocating budgets, creating timelines, sourcing crew such as session musicians and arrangers, hiring special equipment and instruments, etc.
How is Simon different from other Music Producers?
Aside from training with some of the industry’s best including Michael Brauer (Rolling Stones, Coldplay, John Mayer, Grizzly Bear) and David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Jeff Buckley, Imogen Heap, Regina Spektor), Simon has developed an artist focused approach to music production.
As a music producer, Simon is most excited about helping an artist to realise their creative vision and reach their musical goals. After countless conversations with artists who’d worked with other music producers, Simon noticed a common thread: Very often a music producer will push an artist in a direction, for whatever reason, and in the end, the artist feels underwhelmed, and disconnected from the final result.
As a music producer, Simon acts as a bridge between the artist’s vision, and what comes out of the speakers.
The Process
I tailor production differently for each artist. My initial conversations will help me to assess the best approach, that will fast-track your career, and provide the most value for money.
Determine Approach
The scope of work for production is so varied. Some people are ready for artist development, others are ready for that big-budget “Let’s make our mark” project, and anywhere in between. I help artists determine the best way to invest in their production, focusing on career and ROI.
Pre Production
After determining the approach, pre-production is where we select songs, work on demos, develop sounds and map out the plan for production. This may also include writing charts, booking studios and musicians.
Production and Mix
When pre-production is solid, actual production can be quite fast! An EP could be turned around in as little as a few weeks, ready for launch! This phase is for recording, programming, editing, mixing and mastering.
Project Stages
Project Brief
Exploring the projectThe first step is getting to understand what your goals are, factoring in the results you want for the songs as well as the sound.
Proposal
Scope and costsAfter learning about the project and discussing your needs, Simon will put together a scope of work, including costs, timeline and approach.
Pre Production
Getting startedThe next step is planning. The pre-production phase will differ from project to project, but typically includes: Picking the best songs to work on, checking/changing song form and tempos, creating playlists of great references for sound, recording demos, scheduling and booking studios and session players.
Arrangements and Charts
Final preparationsOnce the demos are complete, we finalise arrangements and write charts. Having charts makes recording sessions a lot more efficient, with session players often nailing the perfect take within 20-30 minutes, or ‘just a few takes’. If you are playing the instruments, you don’t need the chart, but it helps to have a map of the song to mark up ideas and changes mid-session.
Recording/Tracking
Capturing the performanceNow it’s time to record. This may occur over several days, and at different studios, depending on the requirements. This is the time to focus on feel and emotion.
Editing
Cleaning up the recordingOnce the performances have been captured, it’s time to edit. This involves removing unwanted noise, editing multiple takes together to make the perfect one, tuning vocals, and fixing timing. The recording and editing stage can go back and forth. For example, we might record drums, then edit them, then record piano, bass, guitar and vocals.
Mixing
Finishing the productIn this phase, the songs will start to sound finished. Consider mixing to be finalising the product for release. The mix should sound great, feel great, and be listenable to the audience.
Mastering
The packagingMastering is the final check before release. It’s the last polish and packaging before your song is released to the world.
Asset Delivery
The filesOnce the process is complete, your assets will be delivered. These will typically include the mix, vocal, instrumental and backing vocal stems, and masters.
What artists say
Simon is an absolute legend. He really goes the extra mile to understand you as an artist and where you've come from. It really helps him deliver exactly what you have in mind. I've found in the past with other producers the end product has often strayed away from my interpretation. That was never the case with Simon. I consider him a close friend now. To help me bring to life my EP was a very emotional journey for me and I'm glad I went on it with him.
Thank you Simon Moro for your work making the audio sound like magic! I may have the smallest ears around but as you found out, they hear EVERYTHING and yes, I’m fussy and want everything to be perfect. Ha! Thanks for your patience and professional attitude and I’m so happy you were able to come on board for this recording. I loved working with you on This Is Christmas and knew you were the right man for this as well.
Simon consistently produces great work, he has all bases covered including production, engineering and musical arranging. Plus a sound knowledge of the technical side of things. He’s also a great guy and a pleasure to work with!
Questions people ask
How much does a music producer usually cost?
It depends on the scope. As a guide, my demos run $650 to $2.5k per song, a single produced to a high level $3.5k to $6k, an EP $12k to $18k and an album $30k or more, all-inclusive of studios, session players, engineering and mixing. I scope every project after a conversation, so treat those as ranges, not quotes. The full breakdown is on the rates page.
Where can I find a producer for my music?
Start with the records you love and find out who produced them. Most producers list their credits online, so listen to their showreel, look at who they have worked with, then talk to them about your songs and your budget. My credits and showreel are on this site, and the contact form is the fastest way to start that conversation.
What does a music producer actually do?
A producer oversees the whole record. On the creative side that is choosing and refining songs, arrangements and tempos, recording, editing, mixing and mastering. On the business side it is budgets, timelines, booking studios and crew such as session musicians and arrangers. My job is to be the bridge between your vision and what comes out of the speakers.
