30 Music Production Tips in Under 16 Minutes

Summary

In this insightful video, a seasoned music producer shares 30 essential tips for creating professional-sounding music in a home studio. From investing in sound libraries to mastering acoustic treatment, the tips cover recording techniques, mixing strategies, and creative approaches to songwriting and production. The producer also emphasizes the importance of finishing songs, serving clients, and maintaining enjoyment in the creative process for a sustainable music career.

Takeaways

• 🎼 Invest in sound libraries before effects plugins for a more professional sound.
• 🎸 Avoid recording with cheap-sounding instruments; ensure the instrument has a great sound quality.
• 🎤 Use dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B for bedroom studios without professional acoustic treatment.
• 🔊 Invest in good acoustic treatment to achieve clearer vocals and better overall sound quality.
• 📊 The fader is the most important mixing tool; proper volume adjustment is crucial before adding effects.
• 🔄 To find the right volume level, start too loud or too quiet and find the middle ground.
• 🌐 Use two separate reverbs for vocals to create a sense of width and depth.
• 🎵 Add a breath before pronouncing words like 'I' in vocals for a softer effect.
• 🔉 Boost frequencies to add crispiness or character to vocals, rather than only using subtractive EQ.
• 🥁 For drum programming, use existing loops as a starting point and customize them to your needs.
• 📋 Aim to stay under -6 dB when recording to avoid clipping and allow for better dynamic range.
• 🔍 Scrub the timeline to check for arrangement interest; if it sounds the same, it may need reworking.
• 📝 Always have a recording app ready to capture song ideas as they come.
• 🚶 Take breaks and allow your mind to wander to solve production problems creatively.
• 🥋 Understand the balance between top-end and low-end in kick drums for a well-rounded sound.
• ⏰ Set a timer to increase production speed and focus on making significant changes first.
• 🎧 Record multiple vocal takes to create a huge pop vocal sound through layering and doubling.
• 🔊 Be cautious not to overload the low end; let the bass and kick carry the low frequencies.
• 🎹 Use different chord inversions in various tracks to add uniqueness to your production.
• 📚 Learn music theory to understand how music works and improve your creative capabilities.
• 🔑 Use clipping in addition to limiting for increased loudness and a more natural sound.
• 🔄 Save different versions of your productions, especially when working with clients for revisions.
• 🚫 Know when to abandon a production that isn't working out and redirect your creative energy elsewhere.
• 🏆 Finish your songs to avoid having many unfinished tracks and to build a complete portfolio.
• 🤝 Focus on serving clients rather than yourself to build a successful career as a producer.
• 🔍 Mute unnecessary elements to simplify your production and enhance clarity.
• 🔁 Add additional processing to effects like reverbs and delays to make them more interesting.
• 🎉 Remember to have fun in music production, as enjoyment is key to creativity and sustainability.

Q & A

Why is it recommended to invest in sound libraries before effects plugins?

Investing in sound libraries is recommended because professional sounding music requires access to high-quality sounds, which have a greater impact on the overall production quality than effects plugins like EQs and compressors.

What is the main reason for not recording with cheap instruments?

Cheap instruments often produce inferior sound quality, which can negatively affect the overall recording. It's better to use instruments that sound great, even if they are not very expensive.

Why is a dynamic mic suggested for recording vocals in a bedroom studio without professional acoustic treatment?

Dynamic mics, like the Shure SM7B, are less sensitive than large diaphragm condenser mics, making them more suitable for untreated rooms as they are less likely to pick up unwanted room noise and reflections.

What is the most important tool in mixing, according to the script?

The most important tool in mixing is the fader, as many mixing issues stem from volume problems rather than issues with EQ, compression, or reverb.

What is a quick method to set the appropriate volume level for any element in a mix?

The method involves turning the volume up until it's clearly too loud, then turning it down until it's clearly too quiet, and finally splitting the difference. This technique helps in finding the right balance for the volume.

How can using two separate reverbs enhance vocal recordings?

Using a combination of a longer reverb and a shorter room reverb can give vocals a sense of width and space, making them feel bigger and more dynamic.

What is a practical tip for capturing song ideas that come at random times?

Using a good recording app on your phone to document song ideas as they come can ensure that you don't forget great ideas. The user mentions using Voice Record Pro for this purpose.

How can setting a timer help in producing music faster?

Setting a timer for one hour and committing to producing as much as possible within that time limit can help focus on making big moves and avoid getting bogged down in mundane details.

Why is it important to be cautious with the low end in music production?

Overloading the low end can create a cluttered mix. It's crucial to ensure that only essential elements like the bass and kick carry the low end, allowing other elements to fill higher frequency ranges without causing issues.

What is the advice given for producers who often don't finish their songs?

Producers are encouraged to finish their songs and not let them sit unfinished on their hard drives. Completing songs, even if they feel they only need a few more tweaks, is crucial for moving forward and potentially having a career in music production.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Tips for Investing in Sound Libraries and Instruments

The speaker shares their extensive experience in music production, emphasizing the importance of investing in high-quality sound libraries before effects plugins. Good sound libraries provide professional-sounding music, while cheap instruments yield subpar recordings. Recommendations include using dynamic mics in untreated rooms and investing in good acoustic treatment for better vocal and monitor sound quality. The fader is highlighted as the most crucial tool in mixing.

05:01

🔊 Effective Volume Adjustments and Reverb Techniques

Tips on adjusting volumes and using reverb effectively are provided. The speaker suggests a method for finding the right volume by alternating between too loud and too quiet and then splitting the difference. For bigger vocal sounds, two separate reverbs are recommended. Additionally, a trick to make vocals softer is shared. Boosting frequencies and using different EQs are also discussed.

10:02

🎧 Drum Programming and Vocal Recording Techniques

Advice on drum programming includes using loops as references to learn and create unique patterns. For vocal recording, turning the head at a 45-degree angle helps manage dynamic volume changes without altering frequency capture. Recording below -6 dB ensures safe levels, and a technique for checking arrangement interest by scrubbing the timeline is explained. The importance of capturing song ideas immediately is emphasized.

15:03

🛠 Practical Production Tips for Improved Workflow

Taking breaks to refresh creativity and ensuring kicks have both top-end pop and low-end thump are recommended. Setting timers to work efficiently and recording multiple vocal layers for fuller pop vocals are advised. Managing low-end elements in arrangements and using transitional sounds effectively are crucial. Different chord inversions can make productions more interesting, and learning music theory is highly valuable.

📈 Advanced Mixing and Production Management Techniques

Using clipping in addition to limiting for louder mixes and saving multiple versions of projects to manage revisions are key tips. Knowing when to abandon a production that's not working and the importance of finishing songs are highlighted. Producers should focus on serving clients' needs to build a career. Removing unnecessary elements from tracks and enhancing effects with additional processing are also advised.

😊 Enjoying the Process and Setting Boundaries in Production

The importance of having fun in music production is stressed. Producers should only take on projects they enjoy and learn to say no to work that doesn't excite them. Drawing boundaries and focusing on enjoyable projects lead to a fulfilling career. The video concludes with a call to comment on the most helpful tips and encourages viewers to watch more videos for faster production learning.

Keywords

💡Sound Libraries

Sound libraries refer to collections of audio samples, loops, and instruments that music producers use to create tracks. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of investing in sound libraries over effects plugins for achieving professional-sounding music, as high-quality sounds are fundamental to the production process.

💡Acoustic Treatment

Acoustic treatment involves the use of materials and design techniques to improve the sound quality in a room by reducing echoes and controlling sound reflections. The script mentions that working in a well-treated room is crucial for capturing clear vocals and for accurate monitoring of mixes.

💡Dynamic Mic

A dynamic microphone is a type of microphone that is less sensitive to sound pressure levels, making it suitable for recording in untreated environments. The video suggests using a dynamic mic like the Shure SM7B for recording vocals in a bedroom studio without professional acoustic treatment.

💡Fader

A fader is a sliding control on a mixing console used to adjust the volume of an audio channel. The video emphasizes that the fader is the most important tool in mixing, as many mix problems are related to volume levels rather than the use of EQ, compression, or effects.

💡Reverb

Reverb, short for reverberation, is an audio effect that simulates the natural reflections of sound in a physical space, giving a sense of space and depth. The script describes a technique of using two separate reverbs to create a sense of width and size for vocals.

💡Additive EQ

Additive EQ involves boosting certain frequencies to enhance or bring out certain elements in a mix. The video counters the notion that only subtractive EQ (cutting frequencies) is beneficial, stating that boosting frequencies, such as in the 6k range for vocals, can add clarity and presence.

💡Drum Loops

Drum loops are pre-recorded sequences of drum beats that producers can use as a foundation for their tracks. The script advises using drum loops as a starting point and then customizing them to learn drum programming and create original patterns.

💡Transitional Elements

Transitional elements in music production refer to sounds or effects that are used to connect different parts of a song, creating a smooth flow. The video gives an example of how symbols and riser sounds can significantly impact the feel of a track when used as transitions.

💡Music Theory

Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music, including the rules and conventions that govern the combination of pitch, rhythm, and harmony. The script argues that understanding music theory is essential for creativity and improving one's ability to produce music effectively.

💡Clipping

Clipping in audio production is the process of limiting the amplitude of an audio signal to prevent distortion. The video suggests using clipping before limiting to achieve more loudness and a natural sound in the mix, especially for drums.

💡Project Alternatives

Project alternatives refer to different versions of a music production saved separately for reference or revision purposes. The script advises saving each revision as its own project to allow for easy access to older versions, which is particularly useful when working with clients who may request changes or revisit previous versions.

💡Vocal Doubling

Vocal doubling is a technique where the same vocal part is recorded multiple times and layered to create a fuller, richer sound. The video explains that recording two additional vocals identical to the lead and panning them hard left and right can create a huge pop vocal sound, as commonly used in pop, EDM, and rock music.

💡Creative Energy

Creative energy refers to the mental and emotional resources that drive artistic expression and innovation. The script encourages producers to direct their creative energy towards projects that they are passionate about and to abandon those that are not yielding good results, in order to maximize productivity and satisfaction.

💡Mixing

Mixing in music production is the process of balancing and adjusting the individual elements of a track to create a cohesive whole. The video touches on the importance of not overloading the low end with too many elements and keeping the arrangement clear and impactful.

💡Effects Bus

An effects bus is a routing path in a mixing console that allows multiple audio channels to be processed by a single effect, such as reverb or delay. The script suggests using an effects bus for reverbs and delays and then adding additional processing to these effects to create a more unique sound.

💡Service Provider

A service provider is someone who offers a service to clients, often with the goal of solving a specific problem or need. In the context of the video, the speaker advises producers to see themselves as service providers, focusing on solving clients' needs rather than solely on their own creative desires, which can be key to building a successful career in music production.

Highlights

Invest in sound libraries before effects plugins for a more professional sound.

Avoid recording with cheap-sounding instruments for better quality.

Use dynamic mics like SM7B for untreated rooms to avoid sensitivity issues.

Acoustic treatment is crucial for clear vocals and accurate listening.

The fader is the most important mixing tool, focusing on volume before effects.

Determine appropriate volume levels by adjusting until clearly too loud or too quiet, then finding the midpoint.

Use two separate reverbs for a wider vocal sound, one long and one short.

Add a breath before pronouncing 'I' in vocals for a softer sound.

Boost frequencies, especially in the 6k range, for added crispiness in vocals.

Study drum loops and program to them to learn and create drum patterns.

Turn your head at a 45-degree angle for dynamic vocal recording instead of pulling away from the mic.

Aim to stay under -6 dB when recording to avoid clipping.

Scrub the timeline to check for arrangement interest and differentiate if needed.

Always have a recording app ready to capture random song ideas.

Take walks to refresh creativity and solve production problems.

Ensure kick drums have both top-end pop and low-end thump for a balanced sound.

Set a one-hour timer to focus on making significant production progress.

Record lead vocals and two exact duplicates for a huge pop vocal sound.

Avoid overloading the low end, focusing on bass and kick for low-frequency elements.

Transitional elements like symbols and risers can significantly impact music.

Avoid copying MIDI regions; use different chord inversions for uniqueness.

Learn music theory to understand how music works and improve creativity.

Use clipping for more loudness in tracks, especially on drums.

Save project revisions or use alternatives to access older versions.

Give permission to abandon a production if it's not going well.

Finish songs even if they require that last 5% of effort.

Focus on serving clients as a producer rather than personal interests.

Mute unnecessary elements to simplify and improve arrangements.

Add effects to effects, like distortion after a delay, for unique sounds.

Enjoy the process of making music, regardless of career aspirations.

Transcripts

all right so i've been producing music

for over 13 years in a home studio i've

done everything from producing artists

to music for film to making custom music

for commercials i know a thing or two

because i've seen a thing or two here

are 30 production tips that will help

you almost guaranteed it's going to be

extremely fast we're going to get right

to the point and this is in no

particular order number one invest in

sound libraries before investing in

effects plugins if you want professional

sounding music then get access to

professional sounding sounds like more

eqs and compressors will not impact your

music as much as having very good sounds

number two if you are recording live

instruments please do not record cheap

sounding instruments like it's like

sound libraries cheap instruments simply

sound cheap i'm not saying go buy a 2000

guitar but just make sure that the

instrument actually sounds great for

example i never record my upright piano

because it just doesn't sound good

enough to actually record with as much

as i would love to number three if you

are in a bedroom studio without

professional acoustic treatment then

record your vocals with either a dynamic

mic like a shore sm7b or the loudoun

ls208 which is a condenser mic that

actually behaves more similarly to a

dynamic mic typical large diaphragm

condensers are simply too sensitive for

rooms that are not at least somewhat

treated and will likely cause more

problems number four invest in good

acoustic treatment it solves literally

so many problems like this previous tip

is a good one to use a different mic but

if you want those crystal clear vocals

then working in a great sounding room

helps immensely and not only that but

listening to your tracks through

monitors will actually sound how it

should if you use monitors in an

untreated room you are not hearing a

good representation of how it'll

actually sound number five the most

important tool in mixing is not eq it's

not compression and it's not reverbs and

delays it's the fader plain and simple

like so many problems in bedroom

producers mixes are simply volume

problems more than anything get your

volumes adjusted and set up before

adding in other effects you'll get so

much further if you actually spend a

good amount of time dialing in your

volumes number six the fastest way to

decide how loud or how soft something

should actually be no matter what it is

is to turn the volume till it's clearly

too loud turn it back down until it is

clearly too quiet and then split the

difference and you will be in the right

ballpark this works on effects too so if

you're trying to decide how much reverb

on a vocal for example do this if you're

trying to figure out how loud the drum

should be in relationship to everything

else do this trust me it works 93 of the

time

if you know you know comment if you know

number seven if you want your vocals to

feel bigger then a reverb trick is to

use two separate reverbs each on an

individual bus one reverb is a longer

reverb like say two to three seconds

depending on what you're going for this

other reverb is going to be a smaller

room that is under one second the

smaller reverb is going to give the

vocal the feeling of more width now just

be careful not to overdo it because if

it's too loud it will sound weird number

eight this might sound weird but if you

are recording vocals on the word i like

i love you and you need it to be softer

try putting a bit of a breath before the

eye almost pronouncing it more like high

now obviously i want to be careful you

don't want to accent this too much

here's actually an example of this being

used in one of my tracks

[Music]

this makes it sound a lot less like

accented and actually works like magic

number nine don't be afraid to boost

frequencies so many youtube videos talk

about subtractive eq which is cutting

frequencies but a lot of them make it

out like additive eq is this bad thing

and this is not true at all i boost

frequencies all the time my favorite is

to boost in the 6k range on vocals that

need more crispiness and i personally

love using more vintage style eqs to do

this but you could also use plugins like

fresh air or oxygen number 10 if you

struggle with programming drums then you

should pull drum loops into your daw

that are really close to what you want

and then program to that loop this not

only helps you make that loop your own

and customize it but it will also help

you to start to learn each time you do

this what works what doesn't work which

will then help you come up with your own

drum patterns without using loops you're

welcome number eleven if you have a

vocal part that is extremely dynamic and

goes from normal volume to very loud in

the same phrase rather than like pulling

away from the mic like this is like what

a lot of singers do instead try just

turning your head at a 45 degree angle

instead this actually allows the mic to

still capture the same frequency range

because you're the same distance from

the mic but it's not going to pick up as

much of that volume change quite as much

if you pull away from the mic like most

people do it's going to lose some of

that mid-range it's going to sound

different this is the workaround now

another option is to actually place the

mic higher so it kind of comes down at a

45 degree angle above your mouth you can

do that as well that's a secondary

option number 12. let's just clear the

air here when you record literally

anything you should be aiming to stay

under minus 6 db when you record now

this is not like a black and white rule

but it is a really good guideline until

you can understand when and why you may

want to go above that like for example

if you're pushing compression or

saturation with analog gear you might do

that but just aim to stay under minus

60b because this is basically going to

guarantee that you are not recording too

hot it's always better to be safe than

sorry number 13 a quick trick i use to

know if my arrangement is sounding

interesting or boring is to scrub the

timeline by skipping about 15 to 20

seconds ahead and playing it back every

single time i skip ahead if it sounds

too much the same throughout the track

that's a very good indicator that i need

to try to find other ways to

differentiate the entire arrangement i

do this in our weekly feedback sessions

in my program producer accelerator and

many of my students are pretty blown

away at how simple of a trick this is

and if you realize like wow this does

not sound interesting throughout the

entire song you need to rework that

arrangement oh and if you want to check

out the course i have a completely free

workshop that you can check out i have a

link in the description down below

number 14. this is a songwriting tip but

for real some of my best song ideas hit

me at the most random times so make sure

you have a good recording app on your

phone to document ideas and literally i

just sing them into my phone i'll pull

them into my daw to flesh out later i

just i hate having ideas and then

forgetting them right because i don't

have a way of capturing them and this

does happen all the time so i have my

voice record pro app ready for new ideas

as they hit you can really use any app

this is just what i use as long as i can

get the gist of the song it's good

enough for me so don't let your great

ideas be forgotten number 15 if you feel

stuck while producing honestly get

outside and take a walk and spend time

simply allowing your imagination to run

play the song in your head away from the

computer and let your mind problem solve

without the computer in front of you

like the number of times i've done this

and come back feeling immensely

refreshed and ready to go and in many

cases actually knowing exactly what

moves to make it's actually a lot so

just never underestimate taking a break

and giving your mind freedom to wander

number 16 the biggest mistake i hear

with kick drums when giving feedback to

my students is kick drums that have a

lot of top end pop like they pop through

the mix but not enough low end thump

you're struggling with getting great

sounding kicks just be aware that a

great kick sound is gonna have both a

nice top end to cut through the mix but

also that low end thumb obviously this

one's gonna depend on genre if you can't

get all that from one kick sound then

try layering two kicks together and make

sure they complement each other in other

words one has the top end part and the

other has the thump basically don't

reach for eq to fix that problem just

get better sounds working for you number

17 if you want to produce music faster

then try setting a timer for one hour

and commit to producing as much as

possible within that time limit this

actually forces you to stop worrying

about mundane details that really only

make a one percent difference and

instead lets you focus on making big

moves and doing those first because the

truth is that especially if you want a

career in music doing this producing

music fast is essential like the faster

you can produce the better you're gonna

be at it making a career as a producer

honestly requires you to be able to work

very fast like heck i had a day and a

half to score a commercial last week and

if you can't write and produce very fast

then those types of gigs are not

possible number 18 if you want those

huge pop vocals then the way you do this

is by recording your lead vocal and then

recording two other vocals exactly the

same and paying them hard right and hard

left the goal with this is to perform

the doubles as close to the original as

possible this adds that huge element you

can do this as many times as is

necessary for the track like sometimes

i'll do this four times like four

doubles sometimes i'll do two doubles

and then two others that are either an

octave up or an octave down to actually

accent that melody like basically most

pop edm and even rock nowadays has huge

vocal productions so if you want that

sound it's all about vocal layers and

doubling just never copy and paste a

vocal and call it a double that doesn't

actually work number 19 be very careful

not to overload your low end when you're

producing like the only elements that

should really carry the low end is your

base and your kick and not really

anything else this doesn't mean that you

need to cut the base out of everything

but it means that when you are arranging

you should be very aware that you should

not be overloading the lower elements

the lower the range the fewer elements

that there need to be and as you start

going up in the range you can add more

without having a clutter issue now this

has actually everything to do with the

harmonics series which i'm not going to

really get into because it's complicated

but basically it's science number 20

when you are producing music never

underestimate how much transitional

elements can add into the track like

listen to this example without

transitional elements

[Music]

and now listen with transitional

elements like symbols and some almost

riser-esque sounds

[Music]

it makes a really big difference and you

don't need to copy this specific thing

but basically don't underestimate how

much transitions can impact your music i

almost always try to work hard on my

transitions because it can add so much

life to the music number 21 so many

producers copy midi regions from track

to track so if you have chords you may

just copy those chords from one track to

another and this in my opinion is rather

lazy and it's not going to make for very

interesting sounds instead try using

different inversions of chords from

track to track so if you have piano

chords then try using the same chords

obviously within the progression but use

different inversions or voicings in like

the synth part or the string part or

whatever part it is to make it more

unique because this means you're

actually adding new notes into the

production instead of just copying them

trust me this is going to make your

music sound much more interesting number

22 okay trigger warning okay maybe not

but for real learn music theory so many

people have this idea that theory will

somehow restrict their creativity and to

be totally frank that is really dumb and

the only people saying this are people

who don't know theory so that's that's

kind of odd like i've never met anyone

who knows theory saying dang like i

really wish i didn't know this like i

mean just think about it for two seconds

that's like an architect saying dang i

wish i didn't know math it's so

creatively limiting but for real

learning basic music theory is arguably

one of the most valuable things you

could possibly learn i'm not talking

about learning scientific theory or

super mathematical theory like

universities are teaching but basically

learn how chords work learn how chords

interact with each other learn chords

voicings and harmony and melody how to

wield music because music theory to me

is just understanding how music works if

you don't understand how music works

then how can you expect to make great

music number 23. i don't talk about

mixing a lot on this channel but this

one is a really great tip if you want

more loudness from your track try using

clipping and not just limiting

essentially clippers are going to shave

off the loudest parts of the transients

and this works best on drums especially

because you know snares and for example

are going to have a very loud burst of

the transient it's going to make it so

that your limiter is not having to work

quite as hard which means it's going to

give you a more natural sound and also

allow you to push your volume much

louder i've been using the black salt

audio clipper and my goodness it's

really easy to use i absolutely love it

it's been a long time since i found like

a really super simple plugin that i

actually really love i love this thing

i've been using on every single

production i work on lately i'm getting

louder mixes with way less effort if you

want specific tutorials on using

clippers and hardcore music studio

channel talks about it he's also the

creator of that plugin and also streaky

has a great channel talking about that

stuff as well number 24. this is more

practical than anything but make sure

that if you are working on revisions of

a production that you either save a copy

for every revision or if you're using

logic use project alternatives if you're

working for clients or even your own

music and you have multiple revisions

but you want to be able to access those

older versions and make sure you are

saving every version as its own

production in a commercial that i just

got done scoring we've already had like

six different project alternatives

because there have been several rounds

of revisions and we ended up actually

using two different ones so the ad

agency had options and as i'm making

this video we're in the process of the

next round of revisions for the final

three so if you're just changing the one

production you cannot go back to older

versions trust me nothing is worse than

a client saying hey can we go back and

use a version two and then version two

is now totally gone because we're on

version 10. number 25 don't be afraid to

bail on a production now obviously if

you're working on paid projects you

can't do this but i know so many

producers who are going to hang on

really tightly to a production even

though they know it's not good work i'm

obviously a very big advocate for

finishing songs but sometimes you need

to give yourself permission to say you

know what this is not going well i would

rather direct my creative energy into

something that i know will go well our

creative energy is really limited so why

would you waste it on something that you

literally know is not good work again

i'm not saying bail on stuff because you

don't feel like it but i had a track i

started a couple weeks ago that i was

rolling with and after a little bit i

realized like this just isn't very good

work it's not worth my time to finish so

i stopped and i worked on something else

and i have no plans to return to it so

don't make this a habit where you're

just trashing work when you should be

finishing it because this is a balancing

act and be truly honest with yourself

about it number 26 on the opposite of

this previous one finish your songs like

for real if you know you have a great

sounding production just freaking finish

it like so many producers have like 100

songs that all sound awesome but have

five percent more to finish so there you

go finish the songs just finish them

don't let all those songs sit on your

hard drive because you can't muster up

the energy to do the last five percent

or heck just call them done forget the

last five percent release it publish it

whatever you got to do just finish your

song the number of producers out there

that could legit have a career but don't

because they never finish anything it's

staggering number 27 if you want to make

a living as a producer then stop making

it about you this might be hard to hear

but we are service providers in most

cases yes our services are creative but

ultimately if you want a career then you

need to make it about serving clients

and not serving yourself like if you

just want to serve yourself then make it

a hobby and nothing else if you want to

put food on the table then start seeing

yourself as a solution to someone else's

problem artists need great production

you can solve that problem tv shows need

great music you might be able to solve

that problem production houses need

talented composers and producers to

score commercials really fast you can

solve that problem you get the theme

here stop making it about you and start

making it about solving someone else's

problem and you will get much further in

life and i'm not saying that solving

someone else's problem can't also serve

you you can have them both

it can work together but your focus

needs to be on serving your clients man

that kind of just became like life

advice right there pretty good number 28

if you don't know if your arrangement is

too dense or not try this try muting

elements you feel may not be necessary

and really feel how it impacts the track

if you can hardly tell the difference on

the track at all just mute it and keep

it muted delete it just remove it the

truth is that you do not need as much

stuff in your production as you think

you do like when you see productions

with a hundred tracks that's not a

hundred tracks happening all at once

it's usually like 50 drums and vocals

and then the other 50 is things that are

coming in and out it's rarely ever

happening all simultaneously so if you

have parts that feel unnecessary try

just muting them seeing how much of a

difference it makes you'll find that

often you can remove a lot of stuff you

just do not need because it doesn't even

make a difference your audience won't be

able to tell that you have an insanely

quiet like little plucked arp thing

happening in the distance just delete it

number 29 if you want your reverbs and

delays to sound more interesting then

make sure you put them on an effects

channel or bus then after the reverb of

delay you can now add additional

processing that only impacts the effect

so a lot of times i like delays that are

really crunchy and distorted so i'm

going to actually add distortion after

the delay to really make that effect

sound much more unique and interesting

you don't need to just add like a single

effect and then call it a day you can

actually add effects to effects to make

it sound more awesome number 30.

remember to have fun like even if you

want a career and are aspiring to more

than a hobby it doesn't matter if you're

not having fun making music then why are

you doing it this should be enjoyable

like i understand it can be frustrating

and it 100 can be like i've had times

i'm frustrated but in the end i

absolutely love doing this and it is

still sinking fun i honestly sometimes

don't even believe that i get to do this

for a living but i get to work from home

making music and making these videos so

whether you want a career or not it

doesn't matter just make sure you're

having fun early on in my career i was

saying yes to work that i just did not

enjoy and i had to learn how to say no

to things because they were simply not

enjoyable for me to do so now i'm only

working on projects that generate true

excitement learn to draw your boundaries

and have some fun comment below which

one of these tips you found the most

helpful if you think this video was good

i think you're gonna like the rest of my

videos and especially this one right

here if you want to learn how to produce

much faster i'll see you in that video