A Day In The Life of a Ghost Producer vs Touring Artist

There is a lot of confusion with regards to the daily work of a Ghost Producer versus a Touring EDM Artist DJ. The image that cynics like to portray is that ghost producers live a lonely, poor existence but this is completely inaccurate. This article will help clear up some important differences between the two roles, by focusing on the main pros and cons of each.

Ghost producers tend to work from their own home studio or bedroom, although prolific producers may have the finances to rent out a studio exclusively. A huge perk of ghost production is the ability to live a peaceful and tranquil life without being bothered on the street every five minutes. An oft-cited negative of being famous is how it prevents you from doing normal everyday things without publicity, such as buying groceries; ghost producers rarely experience such issues. 

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On the contrary, touring artists don’t tend to work exclusively in one location. When a DJ makes it big, he might be touring in Europe one week and Asia the next week. Touring artists might record one track in Berlin, and the next one in New York, in between gigs. This is quite an exhilarating lifestyle, full of travel and new experiences, but it is not for everybody. Compared to ghost producers, touring EDM artists get very little time to spend with their families. 

In terms of remuneration, ghost production is actually quite lucrative; ghost producers receive royalties for their tracks. Ghost production enables people to be well-compensated for doing what they love, which is no small feat. However, DJs who make it to the top earn an insane amount of money that can set them up for life if they stay at the top level for long enough. Furthermore, not only do touring artists earn a ton of money, they also get to be the life and soul of any party, which is a real positive for more extroverted types. 

A huge benefit of working as a big-name DJ is that you get to work for yourself. Ghost producers aren’t tied to a particular employer either, but they have less freedom in terms of the ability to choose the gigs they want to take and negotiate their pay. A DJ who becomes well-known can command a very competitive hourly rate or payment per gig.

In terms of networking, DJs typically build up a huge network of contacts within the music industry, which ensures they rarely run out of work. Ghost producers, on the other hand, are more anonymous, “behind-the-scenes” people. That’s not to say ghost production presents no networking opportunities though. In fact, ghost production is often the gateway to becoming a touring artist. 

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Lastly, it’s imperative to consider the real health effects that both of these career choices. Ghost producers spend a lot of their time in front of a computer with bad posture and bloodshot eyes. DJs also suffer from these negative health impacts while creating tracks, but the party lifestyle also exposes them to a slew of other detrimental health effects. Traveling takes its toll on the body, particularly frequent long-distance travel. Furthermore, some DJs can easily do damage to their bodies by indulging in the party lifestyle too much: drinking six days a week and staying up all night is bound to catch up with the body eventually. 

In summary, there are benefits and disadvantages when comparing the lives of ghost producers to touring artists. Some personalities are better suited to one of these roles, but they aren’t mutually exclusive; many big-name touring DJs began as ghost producers.