In the world of music production, there’s an age-old debate that even the most seasoned professionals can’t agree on — do you start with the vocals or the beat? There’s no single correct answer, and as trends shift across genres like EDM, hip-hop, pop, and even film music production, producers adapt their methods.

Whether you are diving into your first project or looking to improve your process using audio production services, understanding how professionals work can spark new ideas. Let’s decode how a professional songwriter creates songs and how you can develop your signature workflow — even without access to a vocalist.

Starting with vocals means the lyrics, melody, and emotional tone drive the rest of the production. This is especially effective when working with powerful lyrics or a strong singer-songwriter foundation.

Famous examples:  

– Martin Garrix’s “Used To Love” featuring Dean Lewis started as a vocal-focused ballad before being transformed into an EDM anthem.

– Finneas, known for producing Billie Eilish’s hits, often crafts soundscapes to serve her lyrics and haunting vocal delivery.

Benefits:

– Emotional clarity and strong narrative

– Structure and chord progression are clearer

– Helps inspire instrumentation and rhythm

Challenges:

– Needs access to quality vocals or strong songwriting

– May require musical adjustments post-production for beat energy

A favorite in hip-hop, EDM, and commercial pop, starting with the beat helps producers quickly establish rhythm and vibe. This allows them to audition various vocals over a ready-made instrumental.

Famous examples:

– Metro Boomin and Timbaland often craft beat-first productions that artists write to.

– David Guetta builds energy-packed drops before vocalists add top-lines.

Benefits:

– Rapid creative momentum

– Easier to market instrumentals for sync/licensing or to topliners

– Ideal for leasing beats or online collaborations

Challenges:

– Finding matching vocals later can be tricky- May require re-editing beat to suit song dynamics

Pop icon Sia famously writes toplines over instrumentals. She’s received pre-produced beats from producers like Diplo or Greg Kurstin and crafts the lyrics and melody around them — resulting in hits like “Cheap Thrills”.

In film music production, producers often reverse the process. Directors provide scenes or scripts first, and composers like Hans Zimmer build the score and sonic mood before vocal cues are even considered.

Kygo is known for fusing pre-recorded vocals from acoustic sessions with tropical beats. His process often starts with a stripped-down song (piano + voice), later layered with melodic production elements.

1. Select a BPM and key

2. Create a rhythm or chord progression

3. Build drums and bass

4. Add melodic elements

5. Insert vocal placeholders or hooks

6. Send to topliners or use royalty-free vocals

7. Structure and refine song

8. Mix and apply mastering services

1. Write lyrics or obtain vocal track

2. Determine tempo and key

3. Build chords and melody to support vocals

4. Add rhythmic foundation

5. Layer harmonic textures (pads, synths, etc.)

6. Arrange drops, bridges, and outros

7. Mix and finalize with music mastering services

You can always ask for professional music production services and vocals studio recording at the Custom Song Studio. Our experienced producers, sound engineers and experience are here to help you.

If you are a DIY creator:

Royalty-Free Sample Libraries

– Splice, Loopcloud, and Producer Loops offer high-quality vocal packs.

– Always check licensing details for commercial use.

🎤 Virtual Singers & AI Vocals

– Emvoice One and Synthesizer V allow typing lyrics and generating realistic singing.

– Can be great for demo production or full indie releases with proper licensing.

 Voice and Identity

– Humans Win: Voice casting, lyrical meaning, vocal delivery.

– AI: Limited to synthetic vocals or no vocals at all.

Instrumentals as a Statement

– Focus on sound design and storytelling through melody and rhythm alone.

– Consider sync opportunities in music production for movies, video games, or ads.

– Match key signatures: Use pitch detection tools (e.g., Mixed In Key) to ensure harmony.

– Avoid over-layering: Leave sonic space for vocals to breathe.

– Use reference tracks: Compare structure and dynamics to professionally produced songs.

– Automate effects: Automate reverb, delay, and filters to match vocal phrasing.

Even the best-produced song can sound amateurish without proper mastering.

Why Use Professional Music Mastering Services?

– Balances frequencies for playback across all devices

– Brings tracks to commercial loudness standards

– Adds polish, clarity, and competitive edge

Full-Service Production

– Combine songwriting, arrangement, mixing, and mastering

– Available via sites like Fiverr, AirGigs, or local music studios

Audio Production Services for Film

– Tailored soundtracks, scoring, and SFX for indie and commercial cinema

– Ideal for filmmakers looking to elevate their visual narrative

Mixing & Mastering Packages

– Offered by music producer services as bundled or à la carte

– Ensure consistent sound across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube

Some top-tier producers use AI tools to sketch early ideas or experiment with rhythm patterns—but the final magic still comes from a human brain and heart.

This approach can:

– Speed up early drafts

– Lower production costs slightly

– Keep quality high with human final touches

Tools you may want to use:

– DAWs: Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, FL Studio

– Vocal Tuning: Melodyne, Auto-Tune, Waves Tune

– Instruments: Serum, Omnisphere, Kontakt, Arturia Collection

– Mixing Tools: FabFilter, iZotope Ozone, Slate Digital

– Mastering Suites: iZotope Ozone, LANDR, analog mastering chains

Scoring a film differs greatly from a pop song:

– Scene Analysis: Understand emotional tone and timing

– Thematic Development: Use motifs for characters or story arcs

– Spotting Sessions: Meet with director to decide where music will go

– Sync to Visuals: Align audio precisely using frame markers

– Final Mix & Master: Deliver in surround formats for theatrical release

We are passionate about storytelling through music, film music production is a fulfilling niche, often requiring high-level audio production services and collaboration with visual editors. Give us your ideas or scenario and we will make it speak for itself with music, soundesign and soundtracks.

Conclusion

Whether you’re team vocals-first or beat-first, your process is uniquely yours — and both approaches have built Grammy-winning hits. The key is finding what sparks creativity for you and utilizing tools like music production services, audio production services, and even music mastering services to refine and release high-quality work.

By experimenting and staying open-minded, you can build radio-ready tracks, cinematic scores, or innovative instrumentals that stand out — and maybe even land your first credit in music production movies.

FAQs

Q: Can I release music with Splice vocals on streaming platforms?  

A: Some samples are royalty-free for commercial use as long as you follow their licensing agreement.

Q: What’s the fastest way to get vocals for my track?  

A: Ask our producers and musicians to record them for you

Q: What genres work best with vocals-first workflows?  

A: Singer-songwriter, pop ballads, and indie genres often benefit most from starting with vocals.

Q: How can I learn more about film music production?  

A: Check out masterclasses by Hans Zimmer, or dive into YouTube tutorials on syncing audio to film or ask our Film Music Producers at Custom Song Music studio, the music professionals you can trust.

Q: Is mastering really necessary?  

A: Yes. Without mastering, your song might lack volume, clarity, and competitive sound across devices.