11 Best Music Production Tips and Tricks for Beginners

So, you want to start music production?

Remember: there’s no right or wrong way to make music.

And, that’s the first tip! 

In real life, making music can be difficult but a rewarding task. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned master, there are always new skills to pick up and ways to hone your craft.

In this article, we’ll cover the top 11 best music production tips and tricks for beginners.

Music Production Explained

But first, let’s describe music production.

The process of writing, recording, and editing audio to produce a musical composition is known as music production. It includes writing, arranging, recording, editing, and mixing.

Digital audio workstations (DAWs) and other software technologies are used in modern music production. Let’s discuss that later. 

11 Tips and Tricks for Music Beginners

1. Make a Vision/Plan

A man without a vision will perish. The same goes when starting a music career. Many beginners don’t understand the importance of planning. 

You have to know where you’re heading, where you want to stop, and what you want to achieve in the long run. Just like music, a music beginner has to have an intro, melody, harmony, etc. 

A sound without its basic elements will make listeners feel lost and uninterested. 

2. Find a Noise-Free Area

We’ve all been there. You want to do music but have no place. 

Unfortunately, finding a place to record, sing, and play with instruments is the first step. It doesn’t need to be an expensive studio. If you feel okay at home, clean up your room, soundproof it, and make the best music you can create. 

Overall, comfortability is the key. 

3. Basic Music Equipment for Music Production

Get beginner music gear. Many people might say you should invest in something expensive when it comes to music. 

We believe otherwise. Although having solid, branded music equipment is a great thing, the next best thing is to do it with your OWN resources. 

This day, there’s a lot of affordable yet quality music gear out there. If you have a functional computer, purchase an extra hard drive to store your work. 

Get a MIDI keyboard and a good pair of headphones— and YOU’RE GOOD TO START! 

4. Record Everything

Most singers and music producers stored their first-ever recorded work. That’s a fact. 

Recording everything in the beginning stages of music production helps ensure that nothing is lost. It also provides a useful reference for future decisions during the production process.

Even listening to the wrong tunes or false starts is good practice. It allows you to correct the mistake or create something unique from that error. 

5. Trust Yourself

Before listening to other people’s comments about your work, trust yourself first. Ask questions like: 

• What does your music sound like? 
• Does it convey the emotions or message you wanted it to?
• Is it pleasant in the ear? 

By trusting yourself and your own musical instincts, you can avoid getting bogged down by external opinions and distractions. 

However, take note that it’s also important to seek constructive criticism and feedback from others to grow and improve your craft. The key is to strike a balance between trusting yourself and seeking input from others. 

6. Be Original

Producing original music can also mean a personal and meaningful sound. 

Originality can come from a variety of sources. You can experiment with new sounds and techniques, blend different genres, or incorporate personal experiences and emotions into your music.

Don’t just stand out. Find your own voice and style. 

7. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Music beginners have to understand that they’re only starting out. Producing music and comparing it to other more famous, successful professionals isn’t helpful. 

Celebrate the small successes and accomplishments along the way, and don’t get too caught up in the final result. It’s important to keep in mind that the journey of producing music is just as important as the final product.

8. Finished is Better Than Perfect

It’s easy to be distracted in music production. Many musicians will understand that creating a finished track is better than having a perfect track. 

What does this mean? 

Finishing a track is a significant accomplishment and provides a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that can be used to drive future projects.

It can also help improve your productivity and time management skills. Set a goal to complete a track within a certain time frame and work more efficiently. 

9.  Keep Subtle Mistakes

As a beginner, you have the right to commit mistakes. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. 

Don’t pressure yourself into thinking you have to be perfect in producing music. Keep some subtle mistakes and the human feel. 

10. Less is More in Music Production

The phrase ‘less is more’ is highly applicable in music production. By embracing this principle, you’ll create music that has more impact on listeners. 

In technicalities, this means a straightforward arrangement, simple sound design, and a clean mixing of tracks. Don’t over fancy your first try. 

11. Don’t Overthink S***

This last piece of advice came from music producer, Kenny Beats. It’s self-explanatory. 

Conclusion

And there you have it!

By following these free music production tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to producing high-quality tracks. Remember, music production is a continuous learning process, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.

If you enjoy this blog content, don’t forget to check out our other content below and learn more about the music production process.