1. Understanding Your DAW
I can’t stress enough how important it is to really understand your DAW—whether you’re using Ableton, FL Studio, or Logic. These are industry-standard tools, and mastering their ins and outs will take your productivity to the next level. Speaking from experience, I’ve been producing music for over six years. In those first three, I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out everything on my own because I was too stubborn to read the manual. Don’t make the same mistake—learn your DAW inside out, and you’ll be making better music, faster.
2. Sound Selection
It seems obvious, but a lot of producers don’t give enough thought to the sounds they’re using. Imagine if all the 808s on 808s & Heartbreak were replaced with the Zay 808—you’d get a completely different vibe, and it probably wouldn’t hit as hard. The sounds you choose can make or break your track. Take the time to understand which ones complement each other, and then build your beat around that. There’s a reason top hip-hop producers stick to a select few 808s, hi-hats, and snares—they know what works together.
3. Understanding Genre Patterns
At its core, music is a series of repeating patterns with variations to keep things interesting. Take trap, for example—the 2-step hi-hat pattern is everywhere, but producers keep it fresh with rolls and variations. It’s simple, but it works. On the flip side, in ‘90s hip-hop, you’ll often hear drums that are slightly off time. That little quirk makes the beat feel more human and less computerized. Every genre has these subtle traits that define its sound. By learning them, you’ll elevate your production game.
4. Staying Unique
While it’s important to understand the patterns and conventions of your chosen genre, your uniqueness is what will set you apart. No one else could’ve been Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, or Kanye—each brought their own experiences and style to the table. But here’s the thing: they all mastered the fundamentals before pushing boundaries. You’ve got to know how the wheel works before you can reinvent it. So next time you’re making a trap beat, try adding something different and see how it lands. Keep experimenting until you find something that becomes part of your signature sound.
5. Basic Mixing
When I browse YouTube looking for beats or new producers to connect with, one of the biggest things that stands out is the mixing. I’m not talking about making everything studio-perfect, but basic mixing is essential for giving each instrument in your beat the space it needs to shine. Start with volume—if all your sounds are the same level, that’s a problem. Then, try panning; a little to the left, a little to the right can make a world of difference. Pro tip: duplicate your hi-hat track and pan one 25% left and the other 25% right for a richer sound. Finally, get comfortable with EQ. It’s a bit trickier, but it’s key. For instance, you don’t want your low-end instruments overpowering the high-end ones, so use EQ to filter out clashing frequencies and give each sound its own space. Here is a short video on mixing.
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