7 Tips And Tricks For Improving Your Music Production
New technologies are having a huge influence on the music industry, especially when it comes to new genres and improved production techniques.
Interestingly, we can use PC as the studio today, with advanced software options like FL Studio, Ableton, Pro Tools, and more. With the development of digital technology and the introduction of advanced hardware and software at the beginning of the 21st century, DAWs became available to anyone interested in music production.
However, you have to know that it is not as easy as some people might think. Music production requires a lot of knowledge and experience. You will need years to improve your skills. Also, the right selection of software is very important. Besides that, if you need tools for mixing, you should check out onthedex.com.
Furthermore, there are numerous plugins and additional options available in all of these programs. In some cases, you might need a combination of different software options to get the desired quality and originality of the sound. In this article, we are going to introduce you to some tips and tricks that can help you to become a better music producer.
Table of Contents
1. Learn More About Basics in Music
The common mistake is that people think that digital music is so different from instruments. You will still need knowledge related to notes, steps, accords, tempo, and more. There is no need for advanced knowledge, but the basics will help you to make something unique. If you don’t have any previous experience in music, the great thing is that there are many online tutorials available that can be a great help.
2. Enjoy In Music More Often
One of the best ways to learn more about music and improve your skills is by simply enjoy more in your favorite tracks and genres. When you learn the techniques related to production, you will notice that you are now listening to music differently. Also, focus on the genres that you are interested in to find out what other producers are using when it comes to instruments, leads, plugins, and various techniques used for intro, scaling, and more.
3. Ask for a Feedback
Don’t be shy when it comes to sharing your work with people around you. It is important to find out what people who do not know music have to say about your projects. Ask them to be honest and provide productive feedback. Also, you can always speak with someone with more experience and ask them for some advice related to your work and is there a way to improve it. Don’t get too emotional if someone tells you a lot of negative things. Positively use that and try to become better over time. There are so many things available when it comes to music production.
4. Experiment More
The great thing about software that you can use to create music is that they offer plenty of possibilities. You will find generators, virtual instruments, and plugins that you can combine to create unique sounds. Also, there are all kinds of filters, harmonizers, and tools for enhancements available. It might seem too complex in the beginning.
Therefore, the best way is to try them one by one is to see how they all work. Moreover, you can find databases of different sets for genres, all along with loops, drums, and projects that you can open in the software. One of the most efficient ways is to watch video tutorials.
5. Buy Proper Equipment
Even though a standard PC is good enough to use for music production, a higher level will require additional equipment as well. First of all, you will need a PC with decent RAM and a processor. Also, a good music card can make a huge difference. The most important is to have good production gear, especially speakers.
In case that you are using standard speakers for PC with only 5 watts of power, or even worse, your basic headphones, you won’t be able to hear it in the right quality. For example, the render might sound well, but you will notice the difference when you play it on high-end speakers, where you might hear crackling noises in the background, and notice various issues with scaling, tempo, compression, and more.
6. Focus on One Genre
Most people who are interested in music production will start with electronic music. However, there are so many subgenres available. You might lose a lot of time if you try to learn how to make more of them. For example, house music, dance, and drum and bass are all quite different, and they require different setups and presets.
In that matter, we suggest you focus only on few compatible genres. In case that you prefer half-step and bass music, you should learn more about plugins and presets that you can use in genres like Drum and Bass, Dubstep, UK Garage, Neurofunk, Grime, and more.
7. Try to Have More Fun
As we already said, there are many things to discover when you start with production. It is not simple at all, especially if you choose some DAW that is more complex, such as Ableton. Therefore, watch more online tutorials and focus on making something unique.
Even if you are not satisfied with the quality and sound, you will gain more experience over time. Also, try with sampling. This technique is used by some of the best producers. Focus on short loops of only 8 or 16 steps and try out all kinds of combinations with different generators and filters.
The Bottom Line
Electronic music represents the most popular genre today. It is quite complex as well, with hundreds of subgenres. The most popular one is house music. If you are interested in becoming a professional producer, be aware of the fact that it will require a lot of effort.
Therefore, focus on building technical skills at first, and then to create your own projects. The great thing is that you will have flexibility to play around with various subgenres and samples. Therefore, the best way to improve your skills is to practice every day.