Knowledge Assets in the Music Industry

If you would have asked me a few years ago what my dream job would be, I more than likely would have told you that I would like to be a producer in the music industry. A producer is someone who goes to the studio with artists and musicians, sets up all of the recording equipment to get the desired sound, and tweaks all of the hardware and software in order to create hit songs. Let me tell you, there is a plethora of techniques for setup, hardware, software, and controls that impact each little nuance in a song.

This type of know-how asset is very tacit in nature, and will not flow easily from one individual to another. Even if someone is mentored by a highly skilled producer, this type of knowledge asset will not easily transfer. You may understand what they are doing, but understanding when and why they do each minor adjustment requires a certain "gift"--you must have an ear trained to understand every little piece of a song. Every fabric sewn into a song then becomes evident as you hear it.


The complex process and assembly of music makes this type of knowledge asset low in supply and high in demand. Organizations with the top producers will have the hit songs, many times regardless of the artists' abilities.