Is music production college even worth it? (Real Talk From Producers)
If you’ve ever thought about going to school for music production, you’ve probably heard a million different opinions.
Some people say “go for it!”
Others say “total waste of money.”
So instead of sugarcoating it, here’s the real advice from people who’ve actually been through it — in plain, honest language.
🎓 First Thing: You’re Not Really Paying to “Learn Music”
This might surprise you…
You don’t go to music school to learn music — you go for connections.
Yeah, seriously.
You will learn technical stuff like:
How to use DAWs
Recording techniques
Studio equipment
But the biggest value?
👉 Networking
Meeting:
Other producers
Artists
Professors
Industry people
Because in music…
who you know matters more than what you know.
⏳ You’ll Never Have This Much Free Time Again
One thing almost everyone agrees on:
If you go to school — use that time properly.
Book studio time every day
Work with as many people as possible
Experiment like crazy
Because once you leave?
Real life hits.
Jobs, bills, responsibilities…
You won’t have that same freedom again.
💸 The Harsh Truth About Money
Here’s where things get real.
A lot of producers said:
👉 Music production is not a stable career
👉 It’s a super saturated industry
And honestly… they’re not wrong.
Some people even said:
You can learn everything online for free
People charge very little for services now
Jobs are hard to get
That’s why one piece of advice stood out:
Have a backup plan.
You can:
Get a stable job
Do music on the side
Slowly build your career
And if music takes off?
Then go all in.
🎚️ Where the Money Actually Is
If you’re thinking about making money from production, here’s what people said:
Mixing = quick cash
$50–$100 per song
Can be done pretty fast once you’re good
Tracking (recording) = reputation
Especially drums
If you’re amazing at recording drums, you’ll stand out
Basically:
👉 Skill + specialization = opportunity
🤝 Networking Is Literally Everything
This came up again and again:
The music industry is like 80% networking.
So what should you actually do?
Be active in your local scene
Go to shows
Meet artists
Collaborate
One smart move:
👉 Work with a popular local band for free, then promote it like it’s your own release
That’s how you build buzz.
😬 Also… Don’t Be That Guy
Simple rule:
👉 Don’t be an asshole
Seriously.
Even if you’re talented, people won’t work with you if you’re difficult.
In this industry, personality matters a lot.
🧠 School vs YouTube — The Big Debate
This is where opinions split hard:
Team “You Don’t Need School”
Everything is on YouTube
Cheaper and flexible
Learn at your own pace
Team “School Helps”
Structured learning
Faster progress
Access to gear + mentors
Better networking
The truth?
👉 Both are valid.
It depends on:
Your discipline
Your budget
Your learning style
🧘♂️ The Mental Side Nobody Talks About
This one hits deep.
A lot of people said:
You’ll feel like you suck sometimes
Progress is slow
It’s a grind
But remember:
👉 It’s a marathon, not a sprint
And honestly…
The goal isn’t the final song — it’s enjoying the process.
Because real talk:
Some songs you work on might never even get released 😅
Bands break up. Projects die. It happens.
🎯 So… Should You Go to Music School?
Here’s the honest answer:
👉 It depends on your situation.
Go for it if:
It’s affordable (or free)
You want structure + connections
You’ll actually use the time properly
Skip it if:
You’ll go into heavy debt
You’re self-disciplined enough to learn alone
You just want to make your own music
🔥 Final Advice (The Most Important Part)
No matter what you choose:
Keep making music
Stay consistent
Be patient
Enjoy the journey
Because at the end of the day…
👉 The people who make it are the ones who don’t quit
