Florian Harres
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PRODUCER ZEN: SOME THOUGHTS ON THINGS TO BETTER AVOID
🕑 Added 2022-10-14 06:00:06 +0000 UTCHey fam,
got some thoughts here this month I wanted to share. They imo often proved to work while producing music for me. When one can not really feel the progress of the production process. Next time maybe consider to also think about some of the following points:
1. Do not overthink everything. Ofc producing music is a craftsmanship. The technical things, but also the compositional techniques you can do to your track, or its sonics, never have been as superabundant as now. So many options, so many styles, so much detail. One can easily get lost in those things.
Remember, sometimes the more simple thing might and usually does work better. What most times does work for me is not to overthink both the technical side but also the musical side constantly. I try to remember it is music I write, music which should transfer a as pure possible feeling, emotion or story.
Often a track tends to overwhelm with too much of this and that, all of it or just something. IMO it often makes sense to reduce certain things and focus on the essence of what is in the track. Simply try to make that one the star. I still find myself deciding on what and how much I add to an already good idea, and try to question myself constantly, if what I do is really needed or is it I just because I actually CAN add this as I have so much possibilities.
Sooo, not overthinking everything all the time can be a real good thing to keep in mind when producing, at least to me. If you think to complex, usually the listener won't really catch your thought or maybe even you get lost. Still happens in my music :) I often find myself at this edge, seeing how far I can push things without trying to be too complex in thoughts. It imo is a fine line to walk. So keep in mind - complex usually isn't better as simple.
2. Not finishing tracks! Very simple experience, but there is so much in this. Finishing projects will help boosting your learning curve most. Growing by completing projects I feel is the more beneficial approach, rather than sitting on only unfinished loops or layouts for too long and not really moving or waiting for the right moment to deliver the perfect result. Not saying this can not work, but from what I experienced in my world and the worlds of many other producers, I think I know that finishing things the way they are will speed up developing your overall skills as a producer.
3. Thinking a louder, more top end or more stereo signal is always better. No, it isn't. Loudness, high-end or stereo/width in dance-floor music ofc is a topic, something to be aware of and a pretty big playground. But it usually never should be the only or main goal to only strive for achieving the maximum amount in one of these fields. Surely these fields of music production are essential to be worked out and usually do help keeping the ball in the game. But when you are in a situation loudness, high-end or stereo width is the only key driver or the thing focused on most, maybe remember that simply put "more" of it isn't usually the better way to go, unless your main reason to do music is to go ALL ABOUT THE MAXIMUM LOUDNESS, HIGH-END AND WIDTH, but nothing else :D
4. Also, try to remember that not learning as many fundamentals on certain music production related topics usually will catch up on you. Try to read on music theory, maybe try to learn synthesis, compression or distortion, or try to read more about certain mixing techniques to solve issues etc etc. There is sooo much to look into and to be inspired from. I feel that on the long run remembering to keep up learning fundamentals will help you to take quicker and usually even better decisions. I ofc do not know everything and I usually have to force myself to invest more time learning more fundamentals, so I thought this thought would be cool to share from own experiences.
5. At last, being impatient, not giving yourself time to reflect properly. Again the most simple thought, but trying to push for things constantly is easy to get caught up in. Give yourself some time to reflect when it starts to feel like you do not really know if what you did is good or bad. In many cases distance, receiving feedback or referencing will help to bring back objectivity on it.
Sending good vibes to you and hope these thoughts help <3
Flo
Comments
Jake Leone
Good stuff as always!
Tom Bartok
Very good point, thanks!
