The world of music production is both exciting and challenging. Hence this opens up a lot of space for experimentations. Here are some general dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
Dos:
Plan and Organize: Before diving in, have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Organize your workflow, files, materials and ideas to streamline the production process.
Learn your tools: Music production deals with a lot of Hardware’s and software’s. Thus it is essential to Understand your software and hardware inside out. Knowing the capabilities of your tool will help you attain desired result.
Trust your ears: The identity of your music is the way it actually sounds. While technical knowledge is essential, sometimes, what matters most is how the music sounds. Trust your instincts and what sounds good to you.
Practise regularly: Just like any other skill, music production requires practise. Consistent is key to improvement. Spend enough time every week on polishing your production skill.
Use references: Try to listen to professional sound tracks before starting your project. Make sure you are listening to the same genre as your work. It helps you understand the standard, sound, materials, and provides inspirations.
Collaborate: Working with other fellow musicians, will organically enhance your music and soon your skillset as well. Working with others can bring fresh perspective and ideas to your music.
Don’ts:
Rush the process: Take your time with each step of the production. Rushing through your work will lead to oversights and compromises in quality.
Overload the mix: As a music producer you always wanted to add lot of sounds to your music, and sometimes this results in cluttering your mix. Avoid cluttering your mix with too many elements. Music feels ear candy ,whenever they are in a clean mix. Make sure your sounds have a purpose and contribute it in such way that it enhances the melody.
Over-Processing: While effects and processing can enhance your music, too much can make it sound artificial or muddy. Use effects purposefully and sparingly.
Forgetting the importance of mix and mastering: Mixing and mastering plays an important role in perfecting your track. And a great mix and master can make or break the track. Do not underestimate the significance of this stage in production.
Forget to take breaks: Music production can be immersive and sometimes you will work on a track for hours. But it is crucial to take breaks to rest your ears and prevent fatigue. This will also let you to judge your sound properly as you are starting again with a fresh ear and mindset.
Keeping health secondary: Just like any other job, your music have a deep connection with your health. Make sure you have an ergonomic sitting posture. The chairs you are sitting is almost as important as the plugins and sounds you are using. Keep a healthy diet and make sure to eat properly on time. Keep yourself hydrated. And keep a positive Frame of mind.
Working overnight vigorously : Many music creators find the late hours conducive to creativity. Overnight work in music production often happens when artists, producers, or engineers are deep into the creative process or working against tight deadlines. During these hours, there might be fewer interruptions from phone calls, emails, or other daily responsibilities. Plus, the stillness of the night can inspire a different kind of creative energy. But is it healthy ? Working overnight can also be physically taxing and can potentially disrupt a person’s natural sleep patterns. There is going to be a serious hit on physical and mental health due to irregular hours. It is crucial to find a balance and take care of your health while working late hours. Sometimes the late hour works demands late hour craving , which eventually end up in unhealthy diets as well. No matter what the deadlines are keep your priorities straight and give yourself a good sleep. Ultimately, it often comes down to personal preference and the demands of the project at hand.
Be Afraid of Mistakes: Mistakes are part of the creative process. Embrace them and use them as learning opportunities
Remember these are just guidelines not rules. By following these do’s and don’ts, you can navigate the music production process more effectively while improving your skills. Experimentations and personal experiences often leads to the most innovative and interesting music.
