Los Angeles Music Production Services

Rob Kleiner Has Shaped Sonic Stories for indie artists & chart toppers Alike.

From the newly-designed Studio Edison in Los Angeles, multi-platinum and GRAMMY-nominated music producer Rob Kleiner turns raw ideas into records that hit hard and sound world-class.

With a sharp ear for detail and a natural feel for what makes a track work, he’s successfully honed everything from band dynamics and vocal production to horn and string sections and collaborates with speed, precision, and creative fire.

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What does a record producer do?

A record producer, often referred to simply as a music producer, is the central creative and technical leader of a music recording project. Their role is similar to that of a film director; they oversee the entire process, from the initial song idea to the final master, ensuring the artist's vision is fully realized and the recording is of the highest quality.

A record producer's responsibilities are multifaceted and can be broken down into several key areas:

1. A Record Producer Can Act as a Creative Collaborator & A&R (Artist & Repertoire)

In the pre-production phase, the producer works closely with the artist to define the song's creative vision.

  • Song Selection & Arrangement: They help the artist choose which songs to record, refine the structure, and develop the musical arrangement.

  • Artistic Guidance: They provide a fresh, objective ear, offering creative feedback on melodies, lyrics, and overall direction.

  • Sound Identity: They help the artist craft a unique sound and style for the project, deciding on instrumentation and sonic aesthetics.

2. A MUsic Producer Specializes in Studio Production

During the recording sessions, the producer is in command, guiding the performances and managing the technical process.

  • Performance Direction: They act as a coach for the artists and musicians, helping them get the best possible performance, whether it’s a powerful vocal take or a punchy drum performance.

  • Technical Supervision: They make critical decisions about microphone placement, sound levels, and the overall signal chain to ensure a high-quality recording.

  • Problem-Solving: They are skilled at quickly troubleshooting technical issues and finding creative solutions to any problems that arise during the session.

3. A Production Service May or May not Offer Post-Production & FinalizationStudio Edison Does

After the recording is complete, the producer ensures the project is polished and ready for release.

  • Mixing: They oversee or directly handle the mixing process, where all the individual recorded tracks are blended into a cohesive stereo file.

  • Mastering: They prepare the final mix for mastering, which is the last step that optimizes the audio for distribution on various platforms. They may perform the mastering themselves or work with a specialized mastering engineer.

  • Sequencing: For an album, they help decide the order of the songs to create a compelling listening experience.

4. A Song Producer Will Handle Project Management & Logistics

Beyond the creative and technical aspects, a producer is also responsible for the business side of the project.

  • Budgeting and Scheduling: They create and manage the project's budget and timeline, ensuring everything stays on track.

  • Hiring: They may hire session musicians, engineers, and other specialists to contribute to the project.

  • Serving as a Liaison: They often act as a go-between for the artist, record label, and studio staff, ensuring clear communication and a smooth workflow.


What Is Music Production?

Music production is the entire process of creating a recorded piece of music, from shaping the initial idea all the way through a completed commercial-quality recording. It is a comprehensive field that combines creative artistry with technical expertise, guiding a song from its raw form to a final product ready for an audience.

The process of music production generally follows these key phases:

1. Pre-Production & Arrangement

This is the foundational phase. It's where a song's creative vision is developed before any recording begins.

  • Songwriting: The creation of the song's core elements, including melody, lyrics, and chords.

  • Arrangement: Deciding on the structure of the song (e.g., verse, chorus, bridge) and what instruments will play which parts. This is where the overall sonic identity is planned out.

2. Recording

This is the technical phase where the audio is captured.

  • Tracking: Recording each instrument and vocal part individually in a studio. This can involve live musicians, electronic instruments, or a combination of both.

Learn About Studio Edison’s Vocal Production Services

  • Overdubbing: Recording additional layers of audio on top of the initial tracks, such as background vocals, harmonies, or instrumental solos.

3. Audio Editing

Once the recording is complete, the raw audio is refined and cleaned up.

  • Timing & Pitch Correction: Adjusting the timing of instruments and the pitch of vocals to ensure they are perfect.

  • Comping: Combining the best parts from multiple takes to create a single, flawless master track.

  • Noise Reduction: Removing any unwanted background noise, clicks, or hums from the recordings.

4. Mixing

This is the creative phase where the producer or mixing engineer blends all the individual tracks together.

  • Balancing: Setting the volume levels of all the instruments and vocals so they are in a perfect balance.

  • Panning: Placing each sound in the stereo field (left, right, and center) to create depth and separation.

  • Effects: Using a variety of effects like equalization (EQ), compression, and reverb to give the song clarity, punch, and an overall cohesive sound.

Learn About Studio Edison’s Audio Mixing Services

5. Mastering

This is the final and crucial last step of the entire production process.

  • Polishing: The mastering engineer takes the final mix and applies a final layer of polish to enhance its overall tonal balance and clarity.

  • Loudness & Compliance: They optimize the track to a competitive loudness level and ensure it meets all the technical specifications for distribution on streaming services, CDs, and vinyl.

In short, music production is the complete journey of a song, from a simple idea to a finished, commercial-quality product.

Learn About Studio Edison’s Audio Mastering Services

What working with a music producer is like

Music Producer Rob Kleiner

Working with a music producer is a unique and often transformative experience. It's a collaboration that goes far beyond simply recording a song; it's about finding a partner who can help you discover, refine, and ultimately amplify your artistic vision.

Think of a music producer as the director of your song—they see the big picture and have the expertise to guide every element of your vision to its full potential.

A Music Producer Is Both a Partner & Guide

The first thing you'll notice is that a great producer acts as your trusted co-pilot. They are there to challenge you, push you past your creative boundaries, and make objective decisions that are hard to make when you're so close to the music. They'll listen to your raw ideas and help you find the most impactful melody, the most compelling rhythm, or the perfect sonic texture to make your song stand out. The job of a music producer is to be your song's biggest advocate and ensure its core message is delivered powerfully and clearly.

A Record Producer Enhances the Journey of Creative Discovery

The studio becomes a sandbox of sound where ideas are tested, built upon, and transformed. It's a blend of technical expertise and creative intuition. A record producer knows which microphone will capture the most emotion in your unique voice, how to place a drum kit to get the perfect punch, and when to suggest an entirely new arrangement that makes a song feel alive.

This can be a very exciting process, as a song you wrote on an acoustic guitar might blossom into a full-band arrangement you never imagined. It can also be challenging, as it requires trust and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, but the reward is a song that is far more than the sum of its parts.

A Professional Music Producer Takes Your Idea From a Figment to a Professional Sound

Ultimately, a record producer is the bridge that takes your raw recording and delivers a professional, polished, and cohesive final product. They guide the song through every stage of production, from initial brainstorming to the final mix and master. Their work ensures that your music is not only technically flawless but also sonically competitive, giving it the best possible chance to connect with a wider audience. The feeling of hearing your song finished, elevated by their expertise, is what makes the entire process so rewarding.


How do you know if you’re ready to reach out to a music producer?

Knowing when you're ready to reach out to a music producer is a significant step. It’s less about having a perfect recording to work from and more about having a clear vision and being prepared for the creative partnership ahead.

Here are some key signs that you’re ready to take that next step:

Your Song is Complete

You don’t need to have a fully polished recording, but your song should be creatively finished—or close to it.

This means you have a solid demo recording with a clear structure. The melodies and lyrics should be in a place where you feel confident in them. While a song producer can help with arrangement and adding parts, you should have the core foundation of the song ready to go.

You Have a Clear Creative Vision

You've thought about what you want the final song to sound like.

This doesn't mean you need to know every single sound, but you should have a good idea of the mood, genre, and overall direction. A great way to communicate this is by creating a list of reference tracks—commercially released songs that embody the sound or feeling you are aiming for. This helps a producer understand your goals and decide if they're the right fit for your project.

You Have a Realistic Budget

Professional music producers and music production services are skilled artists and technicians who invest a lot of time and expertise into a project.

Before reaching out, you should have a realistic budget in mind for your project. Be prepared to discuss costs for production, recording, and mixing. Having a clear idea of what you can afford shows that you are serious and ready to invest in your music.

Ultimately, you are ready when you are not just looking for a technician, but a true collaborator who can help bring your artistic vision to life.

What’s the Process of Working with a Music Production Service like Studio Edison?

Music Production Services - Guitar Amp and Mic

Working with a professional music producer in an independent studio is a collaborative process that takes your music from a simple idea to a finished, commercial-quality product.

While every project is unique and depends greatly on scope and budget among other things, the process generally follows a clear, four-phase roadmap.

Phase 1: Pre-Production & The Contract

This is the most crucial stage. It's where you and the producer align on the creative vision and the business.

  • THE INITIAL MEETING: You'll meet with the producer to discuss your project. This is a chance for both of you to determine if you have good chemistry. You should bring your song demos and a list of reference tracks (songs that have the sound and vibe you're aiming for).

  • THE VISION: You and the music producer will discuss the song's arrangement, instrumentation, and overall sonic direction. You'll decide on the scope of work—for example, whether the producer will help with songwriting or arranging, and what instruments need to be recorded.

  • THE AGREEMENT: Once the scope is clear, the producer will provide a quote that outlines all the fees and deliverables. Professional independent studios, like Studio Edison, use a production agreement or contract. This formalizes the relationship and protects both parties by detailing payment schedules, project timelines, and ownership of the masters and compositions.

Phase 2: In-Studio Production & Recording

This is where you bring your song to life. The producer is your director, guiding the performances and making key creative and technical decisions.

  • Scheduling: The producer will create a detailed studio schedule based on the project's needs. This schedule allocates time for recording vocals, drums, guitars, and other instruments.

  • Tracking: In the studio, the producer oversees the recording process. They are responsible for the technical side—choosing microphones, setting levels, and ensuring a clean recording.

  • Creative Guidance: A great producer will guide your performance, helping you achieve the right emotion and tone. They may also suggest new parts, harmonies, or arrangements that elevate the song, turning it into something more than you originally envisioned.

Phase 3: Post-Production Services

After all the parts are recorded, the producer begins the final refinement process, often working on their own in the studio.

  • Mixing: The producer takes all the individual tracks and meticulously blends them into a single, cohesive mix. This is where they balance volume levels, use EQ to create clarity, and apply effects like compression and reverb to give the song depth and impact.

  • Mastering: Once the mix is complete, the producer may handle the mastering themselves or send the final mix to a specialized mastering engineer. This final step polishes the track and optimizes it for distribution, ensuring it has a competitive loudness and sounds great on all platforms.

Phase 4: Finalization & Delivery

The project is complete, and it's time to deliver the final product.

  • Final Approval: The producer will send the final master to you for review. This is your chance to provide any last-minute feedback.

  • Payment & Delivery: Once you have approved the final master, you will complete the final payment as per the contract. The producer will then deliver all the final files, typically including a high-resolution WAV file for streaming and other formats as agreed upon in the contract.

  • Relationship: A successful collaboration often leads to a long-term professional relationship for future projects.


What you should Expect From working with a professional music producer in a Modern studio

When you work with a professional music producer in a professional studio, you should hope for a collaboration that elevates every aspect of your project. It’s an investment that goes far beyond simply capturing a performance; it’s about a total transformation of your music from an idea into a final, powerful product.

Here is what you should hope to get out of the experience:

1. First & Foremost You Should Expect a Professionally Polished Product

This is the most direct outcome. You should expect a final track that is sonically competitive, high-quality, and ready for commercial release once mixed and mastered.

This means the audio will have:

  • Clarity & Depth: Every instrument and vocal will have its own space in the mix, with no muddiness or clutter.

  • Impact: The song will have a punch and presence that captivates the listener, thanks to expert mixing and mastering.

  • A "Finished" Sound: Once mastered your music will be optimized for all platforms, ensuring it sounds great on everything from a high-end stereo to a phone speaker.

2. You Should See a Clarity of Vision & Creative Direction

A great producer is a creative partner who helps you discover and refine your sound. You should hope to get:

  • An Objective Perspective: A producer brings a fresh, unbiased ear to your project, helping you see its potential and avoid creative ruts.

  • Refined Arrangements: They can help you streamline the song, add new instrumental layers, or remove unnecessary parts to make the track more powerful and concise.

  • Performance Guidance: A producer knows how to get the best possible performance out of you, guiding your delivery and encouraging you to try things that will make the song more emotionally compelling.

3. A Professional Producer Should Excel at Efficiency & Problem-Solving

A professional's experience can save you time, money, and frustration. You should expect to benefit from:

  • Technical Expertise: A producer has the knowledge to solve technical problems on the spot—from choosing the right microphone to fixing issues in the mix—allowing you to focus on your performance.

  • A Network of Talent: A producer often brings a network of professional session musicians, engineers, and other collaborators to the project, giving you access to the best people in the industry.

  • A Clear Workflow: They have a proven process that ensures the project stays on schedule and on budget, moving smoothly from pre-production to final delivery.

Ultimately, you should hope to walk away not just with a great song, but with an elevated artistic experience that leaves you feeling inspired and ready for your next project.

Studio Edison is Ready to Take Your Music to New Heights?

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