- Varti Deuchoghlian
- Jul 22, 2024
- 3 min read
As someone who's been deeply involved in electronic music production for years, I've observed a myriad of mistakes that producers make, often unknowingly, which hinder their progress and confidence in finishing professional-sounding tracks. After extensive thought and analysis, I've boiled these down to the five most critical issues.
1. Focusing on the Mix
One of the most common mistakes producers make is obsessing over the mix too early in the process. While a good mix is essential, it can't transform a poorly composed track into a hit. There's an old saying: "You can’t polish a turd." This happens because fixing a mix feels more manageable than addressing deeper issues in the track. Adding processing and tweaking levels might provide a temporary sense of improvement, but it often masks the underlying problems rather than solving them.
Instead of immediately reaching for EQs and compressors, producers should focus on the core elements of their tracks. Are the melodies compelling? Does the arrangement flow well? Is the rhythm section tight and driving? Once these foundational aspects are solid, the mix will naturally start to fall into place, making the final polish much more effective.
2. Focusing on the Wrong Things
Another significant mistake is focusing on the wrong elements to solve a problem. For example, trying to fix a groove issue by adding more percussion when the real problem lies in the interaction between the bass and drums. Similarly, compensating for weak composition by layering more melodies can lead to cluttered and confusing tracks.
Producers often spend hours or even days chasing the wrong solutions, leading to frustration and eventually abandoning the track altogether. The key is to identify the root cause of the issue. This requires a critical ear and sometimes stepping back to analyze what the track truly needs. By addressing the core problems, producers can save time and create more cohesive and impactful music.
3. Over Listening
Over listening is perhaps the deadliest mistake of all. It’s a trap that even professional producers fall into. Listening to the same track repeatedly can numb your sense of what makes it special. Over listening doesn't just fatigue your ears; it dulls your emotional response to the music, making it difficult to judge its impact.
Producers over listen because they’re uncertain about what needs fixing. They hope that repeated listens will reveal the answer. However, this often leads to overworking the track, making unnecessary changes, and losing the initial spark of creativity. To combat this, it’s crucial to take breaks and return with fresh ears. Trust your initial instincts and focus on capturing the essence of the track rather than getting bogged down in minutiae.
4. Learning Tactics vs. Fundamentals
Many producers focus on learning specific tactics—quick fixes and tips that promise immediate results. While tactics can be useful, they are situational and don’t provide a comprehensive understanding of music production. Fundamentals, on the other hand, form the backbone of all great tracks. They take longer to learn and master, but they apply universally and consistently lead to better results.
Tactics might teach you a new way to process your kick drum or add reverb to a vocal, but fundamentals will help you understand why you’re doing it and how it fits into the overall mix. Investing time in learning the core principles of sound design, arrangement, and mixing will pay off far more than memorizing a collection of tricks.
5. No Proper Process for Mixing & Mastering
Finally, many producers lack a structured process for mixing and mastering. These stages are as much art as they are science, and approaching them with a random, trial-and-error mindset leads to inconsistent and often subpar results.
A solid process involves understanding the purpose and order of each step in mixing and mastering. It starts with a good gain structure, followed by EQing for clarity, compressing for dynamics, adding effects for space and texture, and finally, mastering to ensure the track translates well across different listening environments. Without a defined process, producers are left guessing, resulting in endless revisions and frustration.
By being aware of these issues and taking steps to address them, producers can significantly enhance their ability to create professional-sounding tracks confidently. Remember, the journey to mastery involves both hard work and smart work, and the right guidance can make all the difference.