Here is a collection of checklists that I want to be sure to do in each phase of the music production lifecycle. These checklists represent a set of practices I’ve been developing over many years, consolidated during the making of my album Identity. They cover the full arc of a music project across six phases:
- Writing – abstractions, songwriting, lyrics, lead sheets
- Pre‑Production – instrumentation, rehearsal, scoring, project setup
- Production – recording, editing, tuning, sound design
- Post‑Production – mixing and mastering
- Delivery & Release – final QC, distribution, metadata
- Retrospective – reviewing what worked and what to improve next time
They’re not rigid rules – they’re a flexible framework that helps me stay clear, calm, and on track.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE: PARALLEL PROCESSING
Throughout the writing, pre‑production, production, and post‑production phases, work on all active songs in rotation, not one at a time. Use timed intervals (e.g., 15‑30 minutes per song) to maintain steady progress and album cohesion.