Women in music production: Why so few, what it’s like, and how to drive change

Illustration: Jordan Moss

For decades, women have had to pave their own path when it comes to technical roles in any industry, and music technology is no different.

In the music industry, what is the reality of being a female music producer?

In 2024, female music producers were still one of the most underrepresented communities in music; women held approximately 5.9% of producing credits on the Hot 100 year-end chart (according to the Inclusion in the Recording Studio? Report by USC Annenberg).

Although this number does not define the overflowing talent that women bring to the table as producers, it’s important to understand why there are so few female producers and how to create more space for women in music technology.

Why are there so few female music producers?

Many social and cultural factors have contributed to music production being considered a traditionally male-dominated field. Another way to look at this question is whether there are few female producers, or whether there are only few female producers out of many who are recognized and accredited.

Historically, there has been a strong cultural bias that views men as the primary users and creators of technical tools and equipment in music. These sorts of biasses extend even to childhood, where gender norms influence which instruments children learn. According to a study by Kelly Gathen, gender biases in instrument selection make young boys more likely to take guitar and bass lessons, while young girls are steered toward violin and cello.

These small disparities can have long-term effects, reinforcing the perception that women are less suited for roles like music production. Such stereotypes also impact hiring decisions, pay rates, collaborations, and the overall perception of women in studio environments.

A major way in which this gender bias manifests is there being higher standards of approval for women. Navista’s research found that around 94% of women in tech believe they are held to a “higher standard” than their male colleagues. In fact, “cisgender women working in the studio reported experiencing more micro-aggressions and discrimination than cisgender women working in STEM academia.”

Another factor to consider in answering this question is the network and connections-based aspect of the music industry. The industry is hard to break into for any producer, especially when it comes to being invited to studio sessions. According to a new report called Misogyny in Music, the music industry remains a “boys’ club” with female artists facing a litany of challenges. The need to overcome gender bias to form certain connections with other music producers presents a sizable barrier for women to enter more sessions.

After overcoming these barriers to entry, once a woman does start working as a producer, getting officially credited recognized for your contributions to a record can be another battle. As per the USC Annenberg Report, “across nine years and a total of 1,972 producing credits, men comprised 96.8% of all producers, while women comprised 3.2%. This is a gender ratio of 29.8 men to every 1 woman producer.” Moreover, only 19 out of the 1,972 production credits went to women of color.

Yet, in the face of disrespect, inequality, and a lack of recognition, women have consistently played a powerful role in the music production landscape. Whether it’s electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani, GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar (who also founded We Are Moving The Needle, a non-profit that aims to close the vast gender gap within the recording industry), hip hop legend and Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson, or multi-faceted powerhouse Missy Elliott—women have always been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of music production.

How can you support women in music production?

Now more than ever, we need to support women in music. Here are a few ways you can do so as fellow music creators and listeners.

If you’re a music creator:

1. Hire more women: The best way you can directly support women in music production is to hire them.
2. Provide consistent support: Beyond hiring, it’s crucial to create an inclusive and supportive environment once they’re on board.
3. Go beyond the bias: As mentioned above, women in tech have been stereotyped as being less knowledgeable than their male counterparts. Creating music should not be defined by gender—”female producers” are producers.
4. Give credit: Lack of recognition is a constant battle for female producers. Do your part and give credit where credit is due.

In the studio:

1. Invite more women: Create more diverse teams in your studio by inviting more women to your studio sessions and into your network.
2. Create a safe space: Make the creators in your studio feel safe by providing basic amenities and applying a no-tolerance policy for disrespect and misconduct.
3. Create a supportive environment: An inclusive and open environment is crucial for a productive studio session. Creating a space free of ego and judgement will go a long way in getting the most unique ideas.
4. Foster further connections: Connect the producers at your sessions with more opportunities with people in your network.

As a music listener:

1. Like, share, and comment: Positively engage with music and content created by women artists, add their songs to your playlists, and share their music on your social media.
2. Stream more music: Discover and stream more music created by women.
3. Show up: Buy tickets and go to more shows by female artists.
4. Get more involved: Join more fan communities and support artists by buying their merch, subscribing to their mailing lists, and following and sharing their music releases.

Read more insights from women in music production on this post from our Instagram.

March 31, 2025

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Arundhati Swaminathan Arun leads social media at Splice. As a writer, she focuses on empowering underrepresented communities in music. Originally from India, she brings her unique perspective to exploring music history and promoting diverse voices within the industry.