10 Music Production Tips for Beginners | Easy-to-Follow Advice for ALL New Producers | Ditto Music

Summary

In this Ditto Music YouTube tutorial, host Legend shares 10 essential music production tips for aspiring artists. He advises starting with basic, affordable gear, emphasizes the importance of acoustic treatment, and recommends suitable DAWs for beginners. Legend encourages trusting one's ears over visual meters, finding inspiration in all aspects of life, and maintaining originality. He also stresses the value of simplicity in production, using loops and samples effectively, seeking constructive feedback, and taking regular breaks to avoid ear fatigue and maintain creativity.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Utilize Ditto Music to release unlimited tracks globally while retaining 100% of your earnings, with a 30-day free trial available.
• 💻 Start with basic gear; avoid the misconception that expensive gear guarantees better results. Aim for a solid computer with a 6-core processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD.
• 🎧 Acquire essential recording equipment including an audio interface, headphones, microphone, and a 25-key MIDI controller with built-in pads for drum machine capabilities.
• 🏠 Consider the acoustics of your studio space and use acoustic panels or foam pads for sound absorption, but avoid over-treatment to maintain a balanced sound.
• 🔧 Explore various DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) that suit your operating system, music style, and skill level, ensuring they align with your workflow and creativity.
• 👂 Prioritize using your ears to judge audio quality before relying on visual metering; trust your auditory perception first.
• 🌟 Find inspiration in all aspects of life and from various sources, but ensure to balance this with originality to avoid copying other artists.
• 🎼 Be open to using loops and samples in your music production, as they are valuable tools for beginners and can contribute to creative expression.
• 🔄 Seek feedback on your music from various sources to gain insights into how your work is perceived and areas for improvement.
• 🛑 Take frequent breaks to avoid ear fatigue and maintain creativity; stepping away allows for a fresh perspective when you return to your work.
• 📈 Remember to engage with the Ditto Music YouTube channel by liking, commenting, and subscribing to stay updated with future content.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the Ditto Music YouTube Channel video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide 10 easy music production tips to help viewers improve their music and establish themselves as artists in the industry.

What is the advantage of using Ditto Music for musicians?

Ditto Music allows musicians to release unlimited tracks globally through various streaming platforms while retaining 100% of the earnings, and offers a 30-day free trial without financial commitment.

What is the recommended minimum computer specification for music production according to the video?

A computer with at least a 6-core processor, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and 256 gigabytes of solid-state storage is recommended for music production.

What basic equipment does a beginner need for music production?

A beginner needs an audio interface, a set of good headphones, a good microphone, a basic 25-key MIDI controller with built-in pads, and a good pair of studio monitors if possible.

Why is it suggested to use mobile devices for music production even without traditional equipment?

Mobile devices, with the help of apps like GarageBand, BandLab, and iZotope Spire, can serve as effective music production tools, especially for those without the budget for traditional equipment.

What is the importance of room acoustic treatment in music production?

Room acoustic treatment helps to eliminate unwanted frequencies and improve the overall sound quality in a recording environment, contributing to a more professional audio output.

What is the recommended approach when selecting a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)?

When selecting a DAW, one should consider their operating system, music style, skill level, and personal workflow. It's important to research and ensure the DAW fits one's needs before making a purchase.

Why is it advised to use ears first and then eyes when making music?

Trusting one's ears first ensures that the music sounds good audibly before making adjustments based on visual metering. This approach helps to avoid overcorrection and maintains the natural dynamics of the audio.

How can a musician find inspiration for their music?

A musician can find inspiration from personal life events, emotions, other artists' music, movies, and various aspects of life, turning these inspirations into unique works of art.

What does the video suggest about the balance between being inspired by others and maintaining originality in music production?

The video suggests that while being inspired by others is common and useful, it's crucial to experiment and infuse one's own taste and character into the music to maintain originality.

What is the 'less is more' principle in music production according to the video?

The 'less is more' principle encourages producers to seek a good balance in their music, sometimes meaning fewer instruments, vocals, or processing, to achieve a clearer and more effective sound.

Why should music producers not be afraid to use loops and samples in their songs?

Producers should not fear using loops and samples as they are a legitimate and effective way to express creativity, especially for beginners who may not know how to play instruments.

What is the significance of getting feedback on music from others?

Feedback from others provides insight into how different listeners perceive the music, which can help the producer understand its appeal, identify areas for improvement, and ensure it is radio-ready.

Why is it important for music producers to take frequent breaks during production?

Taking breaks helps to prevent ear fatigue and maintain creativity. It allows producers to return to their work with fresh ears and a clear mind, leading to better decision-making in the production process.

Outlines

00:00

🎼 Music Production Basics and Gear Essentials

In this introductory paragraph, Legend from the Ditto Music YouTube Channel sets the stage for 10 music production tips aimed at helping artists improve their music and establish themselves in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of starting with the right gear, cautioning against the misconception that expensive gear guarantees better results. Instead, he suggests investing in a solid computer with at least a 6-core processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage, along with an audio interface, headphones, a microphone, and a MIDI controller with built-in pads. He also touches on the optional use of studio monitors, depending on one's budget and space. Legend acknowledges the accessibility of mobile apps like GarageBand and BandLab, and devices like the iZotope Spire, which allow for professional-quality music production even from smartphones.

05:00

🔊 Acoustic Treatment and Trusting Your Ears in Music Production

This paragraph delves into the importance of acoustic treatment for recording spaces and the potential pitfalls of over-treatment, which can lead to a loss of high frequencies and a muted sound quality. Legend suggests using dense acoustic panels for better sound absorption and mentions alternatives like the Kaotica Eyeball for those on a budget. He also stresses the importance of trusting one's ears during the production process, advising new producers to prioritize auditory feedback over visual metering on their equipment. Legend shares his personal technique of closing his eyes to focus on sound, advocating for a sensory deprivation-like approach to hone in on audio details.

10:02

🎹 Choosing the Right DAW and Embracing Originality in Music

The third paragraph focuses on selecting a digital audio workstation (DAW) that aligns with an artist's workflow and creativity. Legend discusses popular options like FL Studio for PC and Garage Band for Mac, while also mentioning more advanced software for those looking to scale up their production capabilities. He encourages thorough research before investing in a DAW to avoid disappointment. Additionally, he addresses the balance between drawing inspiration from others and maintaining originality in one's music, warning against the risk of copying rather than being inspired by other artists. Legend emphasizes the need for experimentation and self-expression to carve out a unique identity in music production.

🎵 The Art of Minimalism and Seeking Feedback in Music Production

In this segment, Legend discusses the principle of 'less is more' in music production, advising against the overuse of instruments, vocals, and processing in the pursuit of a better song. He illustrates the effectiveness of a balanced approach, using examples of his own work that ranges from complex vocal layering to more stripped-back, minimalist arrangements. The paragraph also highlights the value of using loops and samples, encouraging beginners not to be discouraged by critics and to leverage these tools to express their creativity. Legend concludes with the importance of seeking feedback from various sources, including friends, family, and music professionals, to gain insights into how others perceive one's music.

♨️ The Importance of Taking Breaks and Avoiding Creative Fatigue

The final paragraph emphasizes the necessity of taking breaks during music production to prevent ear fatigue and creative burnout. Legend explains how continuous exposure to a song can lead to over-criticism and a loss of objectivity, while extended periods of writing or producing can deplete one's creative energy. He suggests stepping away to engage in other activities to allow the mind to reset, ensuring a fresh perspective when returning to the music. Legend wraps up by inviting viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to the Ditto Music YouTube channel for updates on future content.

Keywords

💡Music Production

Music production refers to the process of creating, recording, and mixing music in a studio or a digital environment. It is the central theme of the video, as the host, Legend, provides tips for improving one's music production skills. For instance, he discusses the basic gear needed to get started, such as a computer with specific requirements, an audio interface, and studio monitors.

💡Ditto Music

Ditto Music is a music distribution service mentioned in the script. It allows musicians to release unlimited tracks globally through various streaming platforms while retaining 100% of their earnings. The service is used as an example to illustrate how artists can establish themselves in the industry by leveraging such platforms.

💡Acoustic Treatment

Acoustic treatment involves the use of materials and objects to improve the sound quality within a room by controlling sound reflections and reducing unwanted noise. In the script, Legend discusses the importance of treating one's studio to achieve better sound quality, suggesting the use of dense acoustic panels to absorb sound and avoid over-treatment that could lead to a muted sound.

💡Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A DAW is a software application used for recording, editing, and producing audio files. The script emphasizes the importance of choosing the right DAW that fits an individual's workflow and creativity. Examples given include FL Studio for PC users and Garage Band for Mac users, with a mention of more advanced options like Logic Pro and Ableton.

💡Originality

Originality in music production means creating unique content that reflects the artist's individuality rather than copying others. The script encourages artists to find inspiration from various sources but to ensure that their work remains original. It is highlighted as a key aspect of establishing one's identity as an artist.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration in the context of the script refers to the creative influence or ideas that artists draw from to produce their music. Legend suggests finding inspiration in everyday life events, other artists' music, or even movies, as a way to create meaningful and expressive works.

💡Gear

In the script, gear refers to the equipment used in music production, such as computers, audio interfaces, microphones, and MIDI controllers. The host advises against the misconception that the most expensive gear guarantees better results, emphasizing the need for expertise to use the gear effectively.

💡Less is More

The concept of 'less is more' in music production suggests that simplicity can often lead to a more effective and balanced sound. The script warns against overcomplicating songs with too many layers or excessive processing, advocating for a more restrained approach to achieve clarity and focus in the music.

💡Loops and Samples

Loops and samples are pre-recorded audio snippets used in music production to create rhythms, melodies, or other elements of a track. The script encourages the use of loops and samples, especially for beginners, as a legitimate way to create music, dismissing the notion that it makes one any less of a producer.

💡Feedback

Feedback in this context refers to the opinions and critiques received from others about one's music. The script emphasizes the value of getting feedback from various sources, from friends and family to music professionals, to gain insight into how the music is perceived and areas for improvement.

💡Breaks

Taking breaks is highlighted in the script as an essential practice in music production to prevent ear fatigue and maintain creativity. Legend explains that overworking without breaks can lead to over-criticism and drained creative energy, advocating for stepping away to reset and return to the music with fresh ears.

Highlights

Introduction to Ditto Music YouTube Channel and its purpose.

Advantage of using Ditto Music for global music distribution while retaining full earnings.

The availability of a 30-day free trial for Ditto Music.

The common mistake of beginners investing in overly expensive gear without understanding its use.

Recommendation for a minimum computer specification for music production.

Importance of having an audio interface, headphones, microphone, and MIDI controller for music production.

Suggestion to consider studio monitors as a good investment for home studios.

Alternative music production options using smartphones and apps like GarageBand and BandLab.

The significance of room acoustic treatment for improving sound quality.

Recommendation of using dense acoustic panels for better sound absorption.

The use of Kaotica Eyeball as a mobile dampening device for vocal isolation.

Importance of choosing the right Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) based on personal needs and workflow.

Emphasis on trusting one's ears over visual metering when making music.

Encouragement to find inspiration in all aspects of life for music creation.

The balance between being inspired by others and maintaining originality in music production.

The principle of 'less is more' in music production to achieve a balanced sound.

Permission to use loops and samples in music without fear of judgment.

The value of getting feedback from others to improve music production.

The necessity of taking breaks to avoid ear fatigue and maintain creativity.

Call to action for viewers to like, comment, and subscribe for more content.

Transcripts

- Yo what is up everybody, I am Legend here,

and welcome to the Ditto Music YouTube Channel.

Today, I wanna tell you guys 10 easy music production tips

that's going to help you make better music

and also grow and establish yourself as an artist

in today's industry.

Let's jump right into it.

(inspiring chillhop music)

If you're watching this video,

chances are you're a musician

and you want to have your music heard.

Well, you happen to be in the right place

because with Ditto Music,

you're able to release unlimited tracks globally

through every streaming platform like Spotify, Apple Music,

YouTube and all the rest

while keeping 100% of the money that you make.

And we've got a 30 day free trial if you wanna give it a try

without any kind of financial commitment.

So if you wanna distribute your music today

be sure to check the link in the description

to see how you can sign up to Ditto Music for yourself.

Tip number one is going to be

the basic gear that you need to get started.

I think a lot of people when they first start out

they make the mistake

of buying just the most expensive gear.

Because they assume that the more something costs

the better results they'll get when they make their music.

But what they don't realize

is that a lot of this gear requires expertise to use

and really dial in.

So I have seen people, personally,

with multi thousand dollars studios

but their music still sounds

like they recorded it in a garage.

I would say that one of the most important things

that a beginner wants to look for is a good solid computer.

Now, whether that's a PC or a Mac

is an entirely different story

because it depends on your workflow and what you want.

But these days I would personally recommend a computer

with no less than a 6-core processor,

16 gigabytes of RAM,

and 256 gigabytes of solid state storage.

And of course, for the recording and producing equipment,

you're gonna need an audio interface,

a set of good headphones, a good microphone,

and any basic 25 key midi controller,

I would personally recommend ones that have built in pads

so you can use those as your drum machine,

and finally a good pair of studio monitors.

But I would personally say these aren't necessarily required

because there may be some situations in your home studios

where you can't really blast music that loud anyway.

But if you have the money and the freedom to do so,

I would say they are definitely a good investment

to have in your studios.

And I know there's gonna be some people out there

who say, "I don't even have money to buy that equipment."

Well these days, even the very phones in your pockets

are very good music production devices

with multiple apps that you can use to produce music

like GarageBand and BandLab,

and mobile recording apps like iZotope Spire,

which has a whole host of features built into it

so that you can get some professional audio

even from your phone.

Next step, is your rooms acoustic treatment.

Now this is something that I even need to work on myself

as I have no acoustic treatment here in my studio

but there are ways around this.

One of the most common ways is to buy those foam pads

that people stick on the walls off of Amazon.

While this can slightly help the acoustics of a room

I would more so recommend a more dense acoustic panel.

The more dense the material is

the more sound that gets soaked up by that panel.

Essentially eliminating those unwanted frequencies

in your studio but be sure that you don't overdo it

because the room is part of the sound of your recording.

When you over treat your room and you put panels everywhere

you just cover the higher wall.

It sounds more like (Legend whispering).

It's like a very muted, warm tone,

and it kills your higher frequencies

but that's not what you wanna do.

Any good recording has a broad and balanced dynamic range

from those higher frequencies to the lows.

So make sure you don't over treat.

You can also use things like the Kaotica Eyeball,

which is sort of a mobile dampening device

that you just hook onto your microphone.

And it acts as if you're in a soundproofed room.

This is a really great alternative option

for somebody who doesn't have the money

to totally soundproof their entire studio

but they still want to have some level of isolation

with their vocal.

Not perfect but it's also not bad to have.

Tip number three, is your digital audio workstation

AKA your DAW, where you're making the music.

Now, there are so many types out there

for different operating systems

or different styles of music and even down to skill level.

So choosing a DAW is really refined

to what you personally need.

A lot of beginners on PC will find

that FL Studio is a really good

and very friendly DAW to use.

It's got tons of great features for recording and producing

and is a very widely used music production software.

As for the Mac side of things,

I can personally attest for Garage Band

as a really great beginner music production software.

It's got all of the tools that you need to make your beats

and record your vocals built in tools

from plugins loops and samples to produce music.

So beginners are really covered

but if you want something more advanced,

we can talk about Logic Pro,

we can talk about Machine, we can talk about Ableton.

There's so many different options I could go on for days.

Just make sure that before you buy that DAW,

that you do tons of research

to make sure it fits your workflow,

your creativity, your vibe.

There's million ends of videos on YouTube

that you can look up

just be sure that you do your due diligence

so that you're not disappointed

when you spend this 300 to 500 bucks.

So we've talked about

how to physically produce the music,

all the equipment that you need and things like that.

But moving on, tip number four is to use your ears first

and then your eyes to make your music.

And this is one of my personal favorites

because it's how I literally taught myself

how to make music.

I never took lessons on how to play keys

and things like that.

I just learned from using my ears.

The reason I bring this up

is because when most new producers get a new plugin

or a new DAW that they're using and it's got meters in it,

they want everything to be in the green zone

100% of the time.

What you have to do first is trust your ears

and listen to the audio.

If it sounds okay,

then you can go and reference your meters

to see if there are things that you can change

but you don't want to over correct something

that doesn't need to be corrected in the first place.

First, listen to how it sounds.

And then if you have some distortion or things like that

you can start to adjust and look at your visual metering

to see what's really going on in your audio.

And this is also why when I produce music,

I tend to close my eyes at certain parts of the process

so that I can really dial in and focus on what I'm hearing

instead of the visual aspects

of my DAW or even what's going on around me.

You know what I mean?

Sort of like a self-sensory deprivation of sorts.

That was a lot of S's for no reason.

Tip number five is to find inspiration

in literally everything and anything.

It's no secret that a lot of artists in the industry

get inspired by the things that happen

in their very own lives, whether positive or negative.

Look at Kanye West and the art that he's creating now

because he's going through a divorce with his wife.

On the other hand, you can look at someone like Silk Sonic

and tell they have been immediately inspired

by just wanting to have a good time.

That feel good music,

you're dancing on skates in the roller rink.

Whatever the case may be,

use those events or those times in your life

to inspire a great work of art, turn it into something good.

You can also find inspiration in things like movies even,

or other artist music.

This is the main way that musicians get inspired.

We listen to somebody else's creation

and then we create something of our own with that same vibe.

Now with this of course, you have to be careful

because you can run the risk

of maybe copying an artist more than being inspired by,

which leads me to tip number six, be original.

(lo-fi jazz music)

The thing about being inspired by another artist

or trying to replicate a sound that someone else has made

and turn it into your own as we say,

is we run the risk of literally copying that person

instead of being our own.

And so with the way that you gather your inspiration

just be sure that you're experimenting,

you're trying new things,

things that are true to who you are as an artist,

as a musician.

Implement a bit of your taste and your character

into your music production

or into how you process your vocals.

I feel like the artists that really succeed

are the ones who are able to balance their inspiration

with their own originality.

So you have to find the perfect sweet spot between the two

but the only way to do that is to literally try new things,

experiment and sometimes make of fool yourself.

You'll make some bad music, trust me I have,

but it will all pay off in the end, I promise.

Onto tip number seven, which is less is more.

(synthwave music)

This is also a thing that I think gets overlooked

by a lot of beginner music producers

because they think that when they're making a song

in order to make it better, we just add more instruments,

add more vocals, add more processing.

That's not the answer.

You want a good balance.

And sometimes that balance means

you literally have less going on.

You don't always need a million layers

of instrumentation going on in your songs.

You don't always need 46 stacked vocals for your harmonies.

That's something I'm very guilty of,

I love a good stack of harmonies.

Sometimes dialing things back a little bit

can help you achieve that perfect sound

that you're actually trying to go for.

As an example, I have some songs that have tons and tons

of vocal layers going on because it's meant for that song.

There's supposed to be a lot going on in the chorus.

(inspiring chillhop music)

But there have been other times where I chose to go

with a more chilled out and laid back approach

to my music and vocal production.

I had one or two vocals in my song.

I had maybe four instruments total,

but the overall sound was still very effective

and the song was still catchy

because everything else like the melody

or the processing of the vocal

is what really made the song shine.

♪ I think I'll take a chance at the Lotto ♪

♪ My resolution to get that Merce in lago ♪

Now learning the overall balance of creating a song.

How many plugins should I add?

How many vocals should I add?

How much vocal processing should I do?

This is something that really does take time.

There times in the song

where you need to have less instruments,

less vocals, less processing.

So definitely don't expect to perfect this overnight

or anytime soon.

It does take time but you have to practice

and you have to be trying.

(uplifting lo-fi hip-hop music)

Tip number eight is a music production specific tip

and that is,

don't be afraid to use loops and samples in your songs.

I see a lot of people, a lot of producers out there

giving hate to new music makers who use loops

and samples to get started making music.

Don't ever let somebody make you think

that if you produce your music using loops and samples

whether it's a drum or a melody that you're any less

of a music producer or a music maker than they are.

We are here to express ourselves

so don't be afraid to use those loops and samples

from those websites because really that's the perfect way

for a beginner to start in the first place.

Especially if you don't know how to play an instrument,

you don't know how to play the keys

or use the drum pad too much,

loops is the best way to do it.

So don't be afraid to use the those.

(synthwave music)

Onto tip number nine,

which is get feedback on your music from other people.

Now this could range from your friends and family

and if they think it sounds catchy or not,

all the way to a music professional,

who can give you some insight

on whether your mix needs some work

or your song sounds radio ready.

Whatever feedback you get just use it as insight

to get a feel of how others are reacting to your music.

And finally tip number 10, last but not least,

I can't stress this enough, take frequent breaks.

(ocean waves crashing)

A few things that tend to happen when you don't take breaks

in the studio is number one, you get ear fatigue.

Sometimes when you're listening to a song

for a long period of time

you can start to get really nitpicky about it

because you're being overly critical.

You get to a point to where you start trying to find

all the problems in your music.

On the creative end sometimes when you're writing

or producing the music itself,

if you sit there for too long

your creative juices are going to get drained.

So when you try to just pile on more hours, more work,

let's really try and finish this song today.

You're doing yourself and the music a disservice

because you're not allowing it time to breathe.

We always need to be able to take a step back

and do something else outside of our music

so that we can kind of reset our brains.

That way whether it's a day later or a week later

that you come back to that song

you have a fresh set of ears, so you can listen to it again.

And usually you realize just how good or how bad it sounds,

and you can adjust accordingly.

And if you guys find any value in this video

be sure to leave a Like down below.

Leave a comment if you have any questions or comments,

and Subscribe if you're not already subscribed

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that we release here.

(static glitching)