Acknowledge errors, rectify mistakes, and progress swiftly as a producer in 2025: 8 hassle-free strategies to upscale your production game.
Yearning for the Best: A Future Musician's Perspective
Ever since I decided to step out of my comfort zone and into the world of professional music production, I've been eager to grasp every opportunity that comes my way. Right in my backyard, I found a prestigious music production school – Spirit Studios in Manchester, UK. This iconic studio has a rich history, once home to bands like the Smiths, the Stone Roses, and more. Today, it serves as an educational facility, equipped with multiple studios, editing suites, and its own live sound venue.
One of the many perks of attending Spirit Studios is their regular masterclasses, where aspiring musicians like me can learn from industry veterans. Last year, I attended a mixing masterclass led by rock and metal producer Romesh Dodangoda, known for his work with iconic bands like Motorhead, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, and Nova Twins.
Although the specifics of Romesh's mixing techniques may not apply to every production, there were a few pearls of wisdom he shared that have proved invaluable to me. Here are some insights beyond the typical YouTube tutorials:
Laughing off the Pressure
We create music to have fun, right? Whether we're producing our own tracks or collaborating with others, it's essential to prioritize the enjoyment factor. As the producer or engineer, it's your responsibility to ensure that the experience is enjoyable, not just sonically satisfying. Remember, a pleasurable recording experience can help attract artists back to you, maintaining motivation for your own projects too.
Dive in Headfirst
Several years ago, a friend's band asked me to record a song with them. At the time, I was terrified of recording live drums. But I did it, and their most popular song on Spotify today is that very recording. Embrace challenges to learn valuable lessons that you won't find in a tutorial.
Cultivating Relationships
Networking is crucial in our industry. Forge relationships with as many musicians as possible to expand your skills and boost your exposure. If you make the process enjoyable, bands and artists will likely keep you in their circle, ready to help them create their best tracks. Similarly, collaborating with other artists can open up new opportunities, making your name top-of-mind when they discuss collaborations with fellow musicians.
Owning Up to Mistakes
Be honest with yourself, your clients, and your collaborators. Admitting mistakes, facing them, and moving on is crucial for your growth as a producer and for building strong, lasting relationships with those you work with.
Mastering Your DAW
Being efficient is key in the fast-paced music industry. Develop a deep understanding of your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – learn shortcuts, deepen your knowledge of built-in tools, and take time to practice multitasking. The ability to work quickly and effectively will set you apart from others in your field.
Mixing Genres
Don't limit yourself to one genre. Experiment with various styles of music to expand your skills and develop a versatile ear for music. Different genres require unique techniques, which will help you become a more skillful engineer.
Understanding Your Monitoring
Quality monitoring is vital for accurate mixing decisions. Take time to learn your monitors intimately, and listen to well-mixed tracks on them. The better you understand your setup, the better your mixes will translate to various media.
Pursuing Constant Improvement
Remember to focus on incremental improvements in your mixes. The aim is to make each mix better than the last, even if the progress seems minor at times. Your mixes are your calling card, and continuous improvement will help you secure more clients or elevate the sound of your personal projects.
For more practical tips from Romesh Dodangoda, join the Control Room Audio Community to deepen your knowledge of music production. Happy producing!
In the pursuit of enhancing skills as a future musician, technology, such as Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), serves as an essential tool for mastering one's craft more efficiently. Moreover, education-and-self-development opportunities, like attending masterclasses by industry veterans, offer valuable insights that go beyond typical YouTube tutorials, helping to refine one's approach to both music production and the entertainment industry.
