A common debate talked about and pretty much left decided by subjective perspective.
I'll keep this short. In the music field, there's a lot of "designations" playing key roles at different stages of a production. However, often time have I seen the term "Beat Maker" and "Producer/Music Producer" clashing with each other. The difference may have been drastic back in the days but with technology and opportunities, the line is getting blurred. However it goes, it's good to know the actual differences as knowledge at least.
Producer
Back then, the role of a Producer was more into the overall production. This individual is traditionally a person who works under a record label. He/she would take control and manage the scheduling of clients and talents meetings, making sure a project is completed from start to finish according to particular specifics, oversee and even direct a project according to requirements etc. You get the point. A Producer is like the driving force that makes sure everything is in order and gets done in order. This is the conventional definition of a Producer.
However, as we stepped into the modern era, the definition evolved as well. The Producer eventually, became a person who brings out the best out of an artist/band and their music. He/she would be the creative force that bends and hammers through the pre-production, production, recording and post production process to get the best out of every project they're hired for. They're' the ones that are expected to bring the artists/bands on the same page. Bringing the image that the artists/bands have in their minds to reality. From the concept, music arrangement, song structure, musical and vocal performances all the way to the mixing and mastering process, a Producer will be there ensuring the right outcome is met. One person I can think of as an example to this role's definition is Rick Rubin.
Further down the road of evolution, a producer also became a person who can make music as well. Before technology made in-the-box famous, Producers would hire musicians for singers or singers for musicians to complete a project or even hire both singers and musicians for their own project (DJ Khaled?). When digital audio workstation became dominant, Producers were able to do everything by themselves. Eventually, in popular terms, a Producer is known as also a person who makes music.
Beat Maker
A Beat Maker is simply a person who makes/creates "Beats". Before digital evolution, Beat Makers would use keyboards and sampling machines like an MPC to create beats (usually related most with genres like Hip Hop/RnB). Now days, with high end software, beat making became a lot more simpler and boosted the endless possibilities which was once limited. In short, a beat maker is a person who does it all him/herself. He/she creates a full piece of music from scratch from playing/programming the drums, percussions, various instruments, etc.. including manipulating music that are already released by other artists and sculpting them into their own production. We call it Sampling. All of this process is usually done within a computer with virtual instruments and software. But not limited to those who knows how to play live instruments as well.
What does this mean? As simple as it may seem, Beat Making is not as easy. It takes skills and a lot of creativity. Beat Makers also have the freedom to express what they want since they are not bind to a project for someone else as far as the creative process goes. Classical composers use musical sheets and notes to compose music. Beat Makers use computers and software to create beats. That also means that Beat Makers are required to be tech savvy as well in order to know how to use the equipment needed to make these beats. Skills and wits and techs and wires and yeah...
Traditionally, a Beat Maker is a person who just makes the beats and passes it over to the artists or a producer and their work in the project is pretty much done. The rest will be taken over by the artists or producers. They would then take the multitracks of the beat and arrange, structure or even manipulate the way they want it. In this case, the Beat Makers do not directly involve in the creative process of the entire song. They just make the beats and when the beats are purchased, it goes to the artists or producers if the artists have one. That's it. These days, often times, the Beat Makers are involved in the whole process as well. They are more conscious of what they want, who they would prefer the beat going to, how it would sound etc. This in a way, makes them Producers too.
Conclusion
It's 2018, and it doesn't really matter anymore who does what. If it's not a super high end record company who actually is keen into the roles that goes in a production process, both Producers and Beat Makers can take up each others roles with ease. With independent talents setting the pace, Beat Makers/Singers/Rappers are surely considered the Producers as well since they're doing everything themselves all the way to releasing their songs. They are their own Producers.
In fact, with modern/urban music being the popular sound, Producer would need Beat Makers anyway if they were to Produce for themselves or for an artist if they can't make the beats themselves. The relationship and difference the two realms are clearly more merged these days. As for the debate, I'd say we can lay it to rest.
What I would request from the younger generation is at least learn the different roles in the music scene as knowledge. Be more knowledgeable in the industry. Knowing these things would help you understand your own role better as you work towards becoming the next big hit. Lack of proper knowledge is the problem we face in almost every industry. Let's not make that a tradition and be better. Until next time, have fun Beat Produce Making!
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