5+1 Gear Pitfalls to Avoid as a New Music Producer, Part II
Welcome back to the second part of our series on common pitfalls to avoid as a new music producer. If you missed the first part, you can check it out here. In this installment, we'll dive into more practical tips and essential advice to help you improve your recording and mixing processes, avoid common mistakes, and stay motivated in your music production journey.
Quality monitors are essential for making informed mixing decisions and improving your overall sound.
1. Don't mix with crappy speakers
The most important element of the recording chain is not your audio interface or microphone, but your ears. Using laptop speakers or consumer-grade headphones for mixing can be compared to driving with a dirty windshield or foggy mirrors. Decent monitors will not only allow you to make much better decisions regarding all aspects of the production, but using your studio monitors for regular casual listening will also sculpt your perception of what is considered good sound, exposing you to more nuanced audio. This practice will help you learn your monitors quicker and enhance your overall mixing skills.
When I first got into recording, more than twenty years ago, I bought a pair of 8" Behringer studio monitors which died rather quickly and then I moved to a pair of 6" Tannoys that I used for quite some time, an M-Audio interface and a Shure SM58 (because everyone was using those) and soon after an Oktava MK 012 as I realised that the dynamic mic would not cut it for classical guitar. In retrospect, all those were terrible choices for various reasons. The Behringer monitors, with all their faults, played a vital role in my infant days of recording. The alternatives I had at that time were 4.1 Creative computer speakers and a Pioneer Hi-Fi, both subpar of course.
Professional results come from careful recording, not just fixing things in the mix.
2. Abolish the "fix it in the mix" mindset
Use your resources and time to make all the right decisions to capture the best possible recording before you are ready to record your first take. Don't skimp on the details and hope that everything will work out in the end, or that you will be able to "fix it in the mix." Everything you didn't pay much attention to will show in your recording, and the chances are that you won't be able to fix it. Strive to get the best sound from the start to save time and achieve higher quality results.
3. Don't waste your time on editing; plan on being competent
Editing a mistake out of an otherwise beautiful take, or enhancing your recording by editing in one stunning note from another take, can add to your recording and is perfectly fine. However, creating what I call a Frankenstein-take by combining a bunch of takes might allow you to have a result without mistakes, but it will lack cohesiveness and overall direction. Recording phrase by phrase, similar to pop or rock production, will take all the life out of your recordings, even if you compile the most perfectly played song. This is classical guitar; be deliberate with your choices and execution. Document it to the best of your ability, and if you're still not happy, practice some more and redo the recording. Don't waste your time on excessive editing.
4. Don't neglect your room acoustics
Until you make meaningful changes to your room, your recordings won't get much better regardless of how much money you spend on gear. You don't need a professionally designed studio, but addressing basic issues with reflections using absorbers, diffusers, and bass traps in key places can drastically improve your recordings. Also, declutter the space; if you have too much stuff around, the sound in your room will never be great. A visually aesthetic room will also be more inviting, perhaps aiding in your inspiration.
5 - Take critique with a grain of salt
Listen to those with more experience than you, seek advice, and learn from the mistakes of others. However, if you have a strong feeling towards a particular idea, don't hesitate to see it through. The worst thing that could happen is you make a subpar recording. On the other hand, if your idea pans out, you'll feel like a genius, even if just for a couple of seconds.
Stay grounded in your passion and don't let the lack of immediate recognition deter you.
Bonus - Don't be discouraged if your music doesn't get the attention it deserves.
Even if your recordings are Grammy-worthy, the world won't necessarily notice them. Expecting your music to be received with grace can kill your appetite to get back in the studio the next time if it doesn't happen. Focus on the journey, the love of playing the guitar, and recording your music to save yourself from getting depressed. If you do get a Grammy (don't forget to thank me in your speech for all the invaluable things I share on the blog), that's a bonus, but it's not the primary purpose.
This is still hard for me, and I suspect it always will be to some extent. I try to remind myself that the joy of creating and sharing my music is what truly matters. I try to do my best, and when everything is done, it is out of my hands.
Conclusion
Remember, the journey of music production is about constant learning and growth. Embrace the process, stay motivated, and keep creating. Every recording session is an opportunity to learn and improve. Good luck, and enjoy the ride!
What do you think about the points I'm making? Do you have any experiences or tips you'd like to share? Leave a comment below and let's discuss! And don't forget to check out Part I for more insights into avoiding common gear-related pitfalls.
