During the early stages of production, when a producer is writing and demoing new material, they may work relatively few hours, spending most of their time in creative mode and experimenting with different sounds and ideas. Once they have a solid idea for a track, they may begin working more regular hours, typically in the range of 6-8 hours per day, to flesh out the arrangement and add more instrumentation and production elements.
As a track nears completion, a music producer may work even longer hours, putting in 10-12 hours or more per day to make sure all the details are perfect and the track is mixed and mastered to their satisfaction. In some cases, a producer may even work overnight to meet a deadline or to capture a particular creative vibe.
Mixing and mastering can be particularly time-consuming, as it requires careful attention to detail and multiple rounds of revisions to get the right sound. A producer may spend several days or even weeks on the mixing and mastering process for a single track.
In addition to the time spent working on the music itself, music producers also need to spend time on other tasks, such as meeting with clients, managing their business and marketing their music. This can add several more hours to their workday, especially if they are running their own independent record label or studio.
Overall, it is not uncommon for music producers to work long hours, especially in the midst of a project or when they are on a deadline. However, many music producers also enjoy the flexibility of their work, and they may have some days or weeks where they work less or even take a break to focus on other creative endeavors or personal interests.