Understanding the Basics
When it comes to music production, everyone has their unique style and approach to the process. However, certain fundamentals remain consistent across all methods of creating music.
The issue often lies in the simple mistakes made during these basic stages, leading to frustration and subpar musical results. You might not even be aware that you’re making these errors. This article aims to shed light on common pitfalls in music production.
Music Production – Mistakes to Avoid
- Overproduction – It may sound counterintuitive, but overproduction is a common error in music creation. The problem often arises when a song is developed without a clear, guiding idea. It’s crucial to analyze what’s currently popular among listeners and identify the fundamental elements of such songs. Without this direction, the final product can end up cluttered with unnecessary layers that add little value.
Most successful songs across genres tend to have a manageable number of elements, utilized effectively to keep the listener engaged. Focus on the key components that make popular arrangements work and stick to proven formulas. This doesn’t mean stifling your creativity—polish the arrangement first, then add your unique touches. Testing your work with friends and close ones can provide valuable feedback on your progress. - Incomplete Tracks – This was me 20 years ago. I remember having countless unfinished loops on my hard drive, unable to complete any tracks. Various reasons contributed, including a lack of compelling ideas to finish the song. This is a mistake I would avoid today.
The rule here is simple: strive to complete every project. Even if you’re not entirely satisfied with the result, remember that it’s a learning process. Completing tracks builds your experience as a music producer and develops patience, an essential trait for this career. Moreover, your ears will continuously improve. While I can teach the basics of music production and mixing, ear training comes only through practice. - Lack of Music Theory Basics – You don’t need to be a virtuoso on any instrument, but basic playing skills and a fundamental understanding of music theory give you a significant advantage. This knowledge not only aids in music production but also in mixing and mastering tracks. Understanding how instruments sound in context helps achieve better results more quickly. Music theory awareness also helps in constructing arrangements.
A common mistake is choosing the wrong key for vocalists or instrumental sections, leading to poor overall sound quality. Without basic theory knowledge, you’ll waste time correcting issues that could have been avoided. If you’re producing music on a computer, learning to play the piano is highly beneficial. - Overworking the Mix – A classic problem I faced and now see in others I work with is spending too much time on mixing and mastering. Setting deadlines for your projects can help. Overextending these stages can lead to losing enthusiasm and, particularly in pop music, your song losing its freshness.
It’s better to create ten songs in six months than to perfect one in the same period. This approach keeps your work relevant and helps you maintain momentum. - Invest in Quality Monitors – While there are areas where you can save money in music production, always invest in the best monitors you can afford. If funds are tight, save up for a few months to buy quality monitors that will serve you well for years. Good monitors provide a clear listening field, essential for precise production work.
- Poorly Recorded Tracks – No effect or plugin can fix poorly recorded tracks. Aim to capture the highest quality recordings from the start. Proper tuning of instruments, including drums, and selecting the right sounds for your project can significantly enhance the final product.
Trust me, the effort put into quality recordings and sound selection at the production stage pays off with less work needed during mixing and a more professional result. - Don’t Do Everything Alone – While some may argue otherwise, achieving desired results alone can be challenging. You might be a skilled producer but struggle with mixing and mastering, or vice versa.
If you encounter difficulties in any stage of music creation, consider seeking help from experienced professionals. There are many articles and free tutorials online, but structured learning often yields better results in enhancing your skills as a music producer.
