How Much Does it Cost for a Music Producer to Make a Song?

When an artist is ready to bring their vision to life, one of the first questions is: how much does it actually cost for a music producer to make a song? The answer isn’t straightforward, because every project, every song, and every artist’s needs are different. Some producers focus only on a single part of the process, while others—like an experienced music producer in Melbourne—can wear many hats and guide a track from start to finish. Costs will vary based on what stage of production you’re at, how much you’ve prepared already, and whether you’re hiring extra musicians. For more background, you can read about the role of a music producer on Wikipedia.

 

Why Costs Vary Between Music Producers

Not every recording studio or producer works the same way. Some only focus on one stage (e.g., mixing engineers who don’t handle recording), while others — like experienced producers in Melbourne — can wear multiple hats.

 

• Specialist Approach: Hiring separate professionals for each stage often results in higher costs, but you’re also getting niche expertise at every step.
• All-in-One Approach: Working with one music producer who also engineers, mixes, and masters can save you hundreds of dollars because they consider their time across the entire production cycle, not just per stage.

 

According to SoundBetter, international production rates vary anywhere from $300 to $10,000 per track depending on the reputation of the producer and the scope of the project. Compared to this, Melbourne’s scene offers a much more accessible entry point without compromising quality.

 

 

The Stages of Music Production

The journey from lyrics on a page to a polished song spans several phases:

• Songwriting / Song Creation: If you have the idea for a song, but need help building the music around it, this is where either a music producer or hired songwriter will come in. Depending on the style of the song, you may receive a fully created track from a producer or some simple recordings with a songwriter during the session to build a foundation off of. A fully produced track by a solo music producer could cost you around $500–$1000, where a songwriting session will depend on the length. A 5-hour block in our studio will average around $500, though you may be able to negotiate different times or locations to save costs at the expense of demo recording quality and location.

  IMPORTANT: It’s important to consider that people that only have lyrics vs people that have instrumental input will require significantly different needs, the more you as an artist can bring to the table, the more you will save financially, as writing = time. Lyrics are the bare minimam requirement we will consider working with someone on a project.

 

• Recording: Once the demo or track feels right, it’s time to track vocals and instruments in a recording studio. This stage could also include hiring session musicians, while working with a sound engineer, and capturing clean takes in a professional environment. To learn more about our recording studio, simply Click Here.

 

• Post-Production: Mixing and mastering bring all the pieces together into a cohesive final song. These can be handled by specialists, or bundled in if your producer is also a trained mixing/mastering engineer. You can explore a full overview of audio mixing and audio mastering on Wikipedia.

 

Typical Music Producer Costs to Expect

Below is a breakdown based on average rates at Moreish Studios, which will vary compared to other providers:

 

 

Budget Considerations

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is assuming production costs are strictly per song. In reality, sessions can be spread across multiple ideas:

• Songwriting: A single 5-hour session may produce more than one idea, depending on the artist’s preparation. Or having premade simple demos to bring to a producer can siginificantly cut production costs by shortening or eliminating the songwriting time required by the producer.
• Band recording days: If you hire a band for a full day, they may provide backing tracks for more than one song, making it more cost-effective.
• Producer-led workflow: Working with a single music producer often saves money compared to hiring different people for each stage, because they bundle services and understand the bigger picture.

 

Final Thoughts

So, how much does it cost to have a music producer make your song? The short answer: it depends entirely on your vision. A solo vocalist or songwriter could run around $1,000–$1500, while a full-band track might reach $2,450 or more. But if you plan well, that same budget can often stretch to cover multiple songs at once. For reference, comparatively these services bundled in the one studio can save you $500-1000 per song rather than taking these to individual providers.

Working with an all-in-one Music Producer in Melbourne like Moreish Studios often means smoother workflow and more affordable bundled costs.

The key takeaway: think strategically. Budget your sessions in terms of time, not just “per song” costs. With smart planning and the right producer, you’ll not only save money but also walk away with more music ready to release.

If you’re ready to discuss your project or want to learn more about tailored production packages, reach out to us at Moreish Studios. We’d love to help bring your music to life.

For people interested here is a deeper dive into our Music Production Process and Terms.