music production

5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting To Produce Music

Starting to get into music production? Check these 5 simple - yet key aspects - for both beginners and experienced producers to be aware of.

Alistair Gillespie

Alistair Gillespie

— 4 min read
5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting To Produce Music

If you're just starting out with making music, this article is for you. Even if you've been doing it for a while, there's always more to learn since music keeps changing.

Here, we'll share five important tips that can help.

1.Know Your Music Software (DAW)

Your music software, or DAW, is where you'll make all your songs. It's exciting to start, but take your time to really learn it.

You can use the manual, watch YouTube videos, or even take some courses. We all know the popular ones like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools, but pick the one that works best for you. Understanding the native plugins of your DAW can be a game-changer. This knowledge will translate when you explore third-party plugins.

Knowing the built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts can make a big difference and significantly streamline your creative process.

2.Use Free Samples, Loops, and Sounds

When I began, I felt that using samples and presets was taking a shortcut. But I was wrong. If you come across free samples that match your tune, use them. Websites like Sample Focus offer a wide range of awesome samples that can improve your tracks.

“Glock 9” Phonk Vocals
Listen to “Glock 9” Phonk Vocals. Royalty-Free sound that is tagged as acapella, acappelas, phonk, and dry. Download for FREE + discover 1000’s of sounds.
https://plus.google.com/+Samplefocus/154
Dark Drill Piano Melody
Listen to Dark Drill Piano Melody. Royalty-Free sound that is tagged as keys, piano, loop, and melody. Download for FREE + discover 1000’s of sounds.
https://plus.google.com/+Samplefocus/72
Chopped Vocal Sample - Slowed Drake type
Listen to Chopped Vocal Sample - Slowed Drake type. Royalty-Free sound that is tagged as chop, hiphop, vocal, and vocal fx. Download for FREE + discover 1000’s of sounds.
https://plus.google.com/+Samplefocus/DaNthe
Phonk Cowbell Melody - Bouncy
Listen to Phonk Cowbell Melody - Bouncy. Royalty-Free sound that is tagged as cowbell, drums, phonk, and harmony. Download for FREE + discover 1000’s of sounds.
https://plus.google.com/+Samplefocus/190

3.Use Reference Tracks: Learn from Other Songs

A good way to learn is by listening to songs you like. Listening to songs by great artists can teach you a lot. Put a song you like into your DAW and see how it's built. It's like making an outline before writing a paper. Look at tracks on places like Beatport or Traxsource to see how they're arranged. Following the setup of tracks you find there can really help when you're just starting out.

4.Know How to Organize and Reuse Sounds

It's okay to use the same sounds in different songs. It can help you make music faster and give you a unique style. Organizing your sound library efficiently and having a set of go-to drum samples can significantly expedite your production process.

5.Start with One Genre at a Time

It might be fun to try making all kinds of music, but starting with one style can help you get really good at it. It helps you know what you want to make and understand the style better. After you're good at one style, you can try others.

Final Words

Making music can be tough, and there's lot's to constantly learn. But it's also really rewarding.

Tips to help producers find their way.

  • Start by understanding your music software (DAW) and its built-in tools.
  • Don't shy away from using free samples and presets; they can enhance your tracks.
  • Learn from existing songs, analyzing their structure and arrangement.
  • Organize and reuse sounds for efficiency and to develop a unique style.
  • Focus on mastering one music genre before exploring others.

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