Mastering Your Mindset: The Force Multiplier
One of the biggest challenges I faced when I first started music production was my only mindset. I was plagued by self-doubt, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of confidence in my abilities. These negative thought patterns held me back more than anything else, and I see the same issues in many of the new producers I work with today.
If I could start over, the very first thing I would focus on is upgrading my mindset. I would actively work to cultivate a positive, confident, and humble outlook – one that believes in my capabilities while also remaining open to constructive criticism and a willingness to put in the hard work.
This “Goldilocks mindset,” as I call it, is the sweet spot that I’ve seen in our most successful students. It’s a combination of:
- Believing in your ability to become a successful music producer, just like anyone else, as long as you’re willing to learn and put in the effort.
- Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve, even if you don’t know all the steps to get there yet.
- Being humble enough to seek out and apply constructive feedback.
- Developing a “savage” work ethic – not necessarily working all the time, but building a consistent habit of regular practice and learning.
Cultivating this mindset is a lifelong process, not a one-time fix. It requires constantly consuming positive, inspiring content, and actively working to shut out negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. But I can’t stress enough how much of a “force multiplier” this is for everything else you’ll learn as a music producer.
If you’re struggling with any of the first two mindsets I mentioned – the self-doubt or the unrealistic expectations – I highly recommend checking out my course on music theory for EDM producers. It includes a module specifically focused on developing the right mindset for success.
Choosing and Mastering Your DAW
Another key area I would focus on if I were starting over is choosing the right digital audio workstation (DAW) and then mastering it inside and out.
When I first started, I bounced around between different DAWs like Reason, Logic, and Cubase, never really committing to one. This meant I was constantly relearning new software and workflows, which slowed down my progress significantly.
If I could start again, I would take the time to research which DAW is best suited for the genre of music I want to produce. I might look at which DAW my favourite artists use, or which one has the most comprehensive tutorial content available. Then, I would download a free trial and spend a few weeks or a month getting to know the workflow and features.
Once I found a DAW that I really clicked with, I would invest in the full version and make it my sole focus. By learning it inside and out, I would be able to create the best possible results without constantly switching between different software languages.
Focusing on One Genre (At Least Initially)
Another mistake I made early on was trying to produce too many different genres of music. I had a background in classical piano, rock bands, and a wide variety of electronic dance music styles. While this breadth of experience was valuable in some ways, it also slowed down my progress as a producer.
If I were starting over, I would pick a single genre to focus on for at least the first 12 months. There are a few key reasons why this is so important:
- Faster skill development: By producing 10 or more tracks in a single genre, you’re not just learning production skills – you’re also mastering the nuances and expectations of that specific style of music. This allows you to progress much faster than jumping between genres.
- Building an audience: When you commit to a genre, you can start to build a following of fans who are interested in that style of music. This is crucial for growing your profile as an artist.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to be married to that genre forever. But by focusing on one style for a year or so, you’ll gain a solid foundation of skills that you can then apply to other genres down the line.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Music Theory
One of the biggest mistakes I see new producers make is trying to jump straight into the technical aspects of music production without first mastering the fundamentals of music theory. Things like chord progressions, melody writing, and song structure are the building blocks of great music, and if you don’t understand these basics, you’ll always be guessing.
If I were starting over, I would make sure to spend at least a week or two really diving into the core principles of music theory as they relate to electronic music production. This doesn’t mean you need to become a classical music theorist, but having a solid grasp of things like keys, scales, and chord progressions will put you miles ahead of your peers.
In fact, I’ve created a dedicated course on music theory for EDM producers that covers all the essential concepts without the fluff. It’s the perfect starting point for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in music production.
Organising Your Samples and Presets
Another area where I would do things differently is in how I approach samples and presets. When I first started out, I had to either sample old records or buy physical sample CDs from magazines. It wasn’t until the mid-2000s that online sample packs started becoming more widely available.
If I were starting over today, one of the first things I would do after choosing my DAW and genre is spend a day or two researching and purchasing some high-quality, genre-specific sample and preset packs. I would then take the time to carefully organise them into a logical folder structure that makes sense to me.
This may sound like a tedious task, but it’s a “stitch in time” that pays off massively in the long run. Having your samples and presets well-organised means your music production workflow will be faster, your tracks will sound better, and you’ll be able to use those same resources for years to come.
Embracing Copying and Reverse Engineering
One of the biggest mental blocks I had to overcome in my early days as a producer was the idea that I had to be completely original and unique. I resisted the idea of referencing or copying other artists, thinking that true creativity came from a place of pure originality.
However, the reality is that even the most groundbreaking and innovative artists of our time have all taken inspiration and influence from those who came before them. From Frank Zappa and David Bowie to Skrillex and Garrix, every successful musician has built upon the work of their predecessors.
If I were starting over, I would wholeheartedly embrace the process of copying and reverse engineering the music I love. By trying to recreate the nuances and production techniques of my favourite tracks, I would not only improve my skills much faster, but I would also naturally develop my unique sound in the process.
This is a lesson I wish I had learned earlier on. Trying to be completely original from the start is a recipe for frustration and stagnation. Instead, focus on mastering the fundamentals by studying the work of the artists you admire most.
Mastering Your Stock Plugins Before Upgrading
Another trap I fell into early on was constantly chasing the latest and greatest music production plugins, thinking they would be the key to unlocking a better sound. I would get caught up in the hype of Black Friday sales and end up with a collection of plugins that I never really learned how to use properly.
If I could start over, I would make it a priority to first master the stock plugins that come with my DAW before even considering any third-party upgrades. The truth is, you can make world-class music using just the built-in tools – it’s all about understanding how to use them effectively.
By taking the time to learn your stock compressor, EQ, reverb, and other essential plugins inside and out, you’ll develop a much stronger foundation. Then, when you do decide to invest in premium plugins, you’ll know exactly how to harness their advanced features to take your sound to the next level.
Avoiding the Noise and Seeking Structured Learning
These days, there’s no shortage of music production content available online – from YouTube tutorials to Instagram reels. While this wealth of information is incredibly valuable, it can also be overwhelming and lead to a lack of focus.
If I were starting over, I would be very selective about the content I consume. Instead of getting pulled in a million different directions by random videos, I would invest in a comprehensive, structured music production course that takes me through the fundamentals in a logical order.
Yes, it might cost a bit more than watching free YouTube videos, but the time and frustration it saves is well worth it. By following a proven curriculum, I would be able to progress much faster than trying to piece together knowledge from various online sources.
And when it comes to choosing the right course, I would look for one with great reviews, a clear scope and sequence, and ideally some form of mentorship or feedback opportunities. My own music theory and production course is a great example of the kind of structured learning I would seek out.
Seeking Mentorship (At the Right Time)
One of the biggest game-changers for me was when I started seeking out mentorship and feedback from more experienced producers. As soon as I started getting direct, specific input on my music from people who had already achieved the level of success I was aiming for, my production skills skyrocketed.
However, I would caution against seeking out mentorship too early in your journey. It’s kind of like having a famous author like Stephen King give you feedback on your writing before you even know how to spell or construct a basic sentence – it’s just not going to be as valuable.
If I was starting over, I would spend the first 6 months or so focused on building a solid foundation through courses, tutorials, and self-directed learning. Once I had a good grasp of the fundamentals, I would then start seeking out mentorship opportunities, whether through online communities, in-person workshops, or one-on-one sessions with producers I admire.
The key is to make sure you have enough baseline knowledge and skills to actually benefit from the feedback and guidance you receive. Rushing into mentorship too soon can be a waste of both your time and the mentor’s.
Understanding the Music Industry
The final area I would focus on if I were starting over is developing a deeper understanding of the music industry itself. As artists, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative side of things and neglect the business side. But the reality is, if you want to turn your music production passion into a sustainable career, you need to have a grasp of how the industry works.
This includes things like:
- Streaming and royalty structures
- Licensing and publishing
- Record label deals and contracts
- Copyright and intellectual property
I know, it’s not the most exciting topic for a creative mind. But by taking the time to educate yourself on the financial and legal aspects of the music industry, you’ll be far less likely to get taken advantage of. You’ll also have a much more nuanced and practical view of what you can realistically expect from your career as a music producer.
And the good news is, there are plenty of great resources out there to help you get up to speed on the business side of things. From industry-focused podcasts to online courses, you can build that foundational knowledge without too much effort.
Putting It All Together: The 12 Steps to Music Production Success
If I had to distil everything I’ve learned over the past 25+ years into a clear, actionable plan for aspiring music producers, it would look something like this:
- Cultivate a positive, confident, and humble mindset.
- Choose a DAW and commit to mastering it.
- Focus on one genre (at least initially).
- Learn the fundamentals of music theory.
- Organise your samples and presets.
- Embrace copying and reverse engineering.
- Master your stock plugins before upgrading.
- Avoid the noise and seek structured learning.
- Seek mentorship at the right time.
- Understand the business side of the music industry.
- Build a consistent, sustainable work ethic.
- Be patient and persistent – success takes time.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into these 12 steps, I’ve put together a comprehensive video that covers each one in detail. You can check it out here: 12 Steps to Music Production Success.
Remember, the journey of becoming a successful music producer is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on the fundamentals, cultivating the right mindset, and building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term, sustainable success. It may take time, but I can assure you, it will be well worth the effort.
Happy producing!
