Production knowledge

MINDMAP FOR PRODUCTION

DAW + Ressources:

• create a Template, improve it and use it (Busses, Groups, Send FX)

• create your own Drumsamples or export them from past projects

• design Serum Patches (seperate Sounddesign Sessions, not during writing)

• create a “Phat Rack” and use it

Songwriting:

• no surfing the web during production. focus on the music.

• tune your drums to track key.

• don’t overcomplicate the drop.

• create memorable Flow Bassline/Melody.

• not to much variations (they confuse the listener), more repetitions of the same parts.

• try to finish your tracks (no matter what quality).

• revisit and reuse old sketches for new Tracks.

• maybe copy your first drop to get the song structure, then put in variations and change it up.

• for quick variations bounce your midi parts to audio to chop and rearange.

• use Acapellas as start points. remove them and change things up (for example change Chords or Melodies).

• create Remixes (easier to start).

• let your ears rest for a few ours. bounce your work and listen back the next day (in the car, Headphones, not in the daw).

• maybe do the mixing as a seperate process (all faders down) (maybe bounce stems to separate the process even more).

• don't lowcut everything out of habit, this could result in a thin mix when overdone.

Learning:

• do not learn new stuff during writing, it could distract your focus.

• create bookmarks and Playlists with educational content.

• Youtube + Google is your friend.

• Read Message Boards and Tutorials.

• form your own opinion whether a technique is useful or not.

• look into other genres as well (Pop, Metal, Jazz, Techno, Dubstep, you name it)

• look and listen to Live Streams/Podcasts from any Producer. independent of gerne you learn something new everywere.

• learn compression and when to use it

• EQ differences:

EQ in Sounddesign: all is possible e.g. extreme boosting and cutting.

EQ in the mixing stage: cutting is prefered to boosting