Music production can be a rewarding career and a fun hobby. However, it can be intimidating to start a new creative endeavor. That’s why you need to do your homework before you leap in. There are a few key things to know before you hit the recording booth.
First, you need to know what’s going on under the hood. This includes a computer, a microphone, and music production software. The trick is putting them together in a way that lets you create songs that sound like they were meant to be.
To get you started, you should check out YouTube for tutorials. Some of the best ones are from a company called Metapop, which hosts a series of remix competitions and offers prizes for the winning tracks.
Another useful thing to do is to create a mood board, which will help you plan your production efforts. A mood board can include a few key pieces of information: the intended audience for the song, the genre, and the type of music you want to produce. These elements will not only help you to understand your vision, but they will also guide you through the creative process.
If you want to get into producing your own music, you may also want to get a hold of some good books or online tutorials. They will tell you about the history of music, how the technology behind producing your own tracks has evolved, and what the pitfalls to avoid are.
You should also read about a few of the most successful music producers in history. These include Brian Overton, Mark Ronson, and Tom Waits. Their accomplishments include some of the biggest hits of the last several decades.
In today’s world, there are a myriad ways to get into music production, from using your smartphone to make your own music, to submitting your songs to major labels and performing at major festivals. Getting into the game can be done at home with the help of some high-tech equipment, or on the cheap with a garage conversion. But remember, making music is about expression, not perfection. So be sure to play to your strengths.
One of the simplest ways to get started is to simply listen to some of the best music you can find. Doing so will not only teach you about the industry, it will also improve your aural perception, which will be vital to getting started.
While the name of the song is the first thing you think of when you hear the name of a great artist, the true magic of making your own music starts with a solid technical setup. For starters, you need a computer and a MIDI keyboard. Also, consider purchasing a quality set of headphones, which are essential for a quality listening experience.
It’s also worth noting that while the aforementioned is the ol’ fashioned way to produce a song, a more advanced approach would be to use a digital audio workstation. A DAW is a software application that helps you to record, edit, and mix audio tracks. Luckily, most major brands offer free trials for entry-level music producers.