Key

Music 11
Production
Skills

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INTRO
These are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.
 1
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

1. A solid understanding of the Software.

We can all get carried away with playing around with new instruments,
plugins, FX, Samples Packs etc but do we really know how the
software works and what it is capable of?

One analogy I heard once was, 'Software is like a car, you don't need
to know everything in order to use it' - True, in that sense. However, a
car isn't going to make you money or give you a career in music.

If you're aim is to become a fully professional music producer then you

must understand that not all of your income is going to come from
purely making tracks for your own artist name, and that this is not
uncommon. Many Producers, such as myself and many others I know,
will often take on work outside of their own projects to make ends
meet or sometimes even reap the huge rewards.

Therefore, with these varying types of projects coming in, you're

naturally going to be working differently within your Digital Audio
Workstation (DAW) so you will need to be proficient and
knowledgable with the software.

Knowing the software in-depth doesn't only come in handy when

working on different projects, it's great for when you are collaborating
with other producers too. Let's say you're in the studio with another
producer and he/she doesn't quite know how to do a particular
 1
process - i.e Grouping several tracks into a buss send to then side-
chain against a kick - well, if you know the software inside/out then you
can perform that process straight away. Saving lots of time and, of
course, money if you have rented out a studio.

This may sound super obvious but you'll be surprised how many
'producers' simply don't take the time to fully understand the software
they are using.

Now, there are a few things you can do in order to up your DAW
knowledge and the first one might sound a little insulting, but again, I
can't begin to tell you how many Producers simply don't do this -
READ THE MANUAL - it is super important. I even find myself referring
back to it even after using my DAW for over 10 years!

You can find the manual here:

https://help.apple.com/logicpro/mac/10.3/index.html#/lgcp2a07a994

Another thing you can do is watch tutorials online. There are hundreds,
if not thousands of resources online to help you navigate through the
software. Last point - just USE IT! - Try experimenting with the software
too. I have also used Facebook groups and Forums as well, which have
turned up trumps for me in the past.

The links to these useful Facebook group are on the last page. Don't
worry, I've chosen groups that cover a range of DAW's.

So to wrap up, learn your DAW inside and out. It will massively help
you out in the long run and it's potentially knowledge that you could
profit from in the future.
 2
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

2. Knowing when to use Plugins.

Getting your head around plugins and the concept of using plugins
can sometimes be very overwhelming. With thousands of different
ones to choose from; EQ to Compressors and Limiters to Stereo
Enhancers, how can we pin-point when and how we should use them?
Well, the solution is pretty simple - don't. Let me explain...

99% of Producers will grab a plugin 100% of the time. Fully aware that
sounds like a quote from Anchorman but humour me for a second.

Quick note: I'm not talking about plugins as in Soft-Synths, FX, Modulators etc. I'm talking about
the Plugins that help make your music sound great... EQ's, Compressor, Limiters etc.

Want to know how to install plugins? Watch Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nU0gBbPfQI

So what I'm saying is, we don't always need to use plugins to obtain a
great sound. Sometimes, the recording, loop, sample etc is actually
already there!

This is what separates the pro's from the noobies.

Professionals know when enough is enough and will very rarely apply
huge amounts of processing at the mixing stages for example. They
will normally use small amounts of compression and EQ. This is more
than enough, providing the original source material is good.

BUT - you need to know what you're listening out for and that's where
using other tracks as a reference comes into play.
 3
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

3. MIDI Programming.

There is a very fine line between deciding what is more important in

music production - recording audio or programming MIDI.

Let's look at it like this, if you're predominately making music from

either your bedroom or some small studio set up in your house,
chances are you're not recording a huge amount of audio such as
drums, guitars, pianos etc. Which is fine - I'm just using this as an
example - therefore you will mostly be programming MIDI into your
DAW.

Over the last decade MIDI has come on leaps and bounds from the
old days. Now, MIDI is seen as an industry standard to most music
production projects. However, not so long ago, the technology was
not quite there with regards to it's practical use. What I mean by this,
is that it sounded too robotic and not 'human'.

So over the years MIDI has been completely transformed allowing

users to program it in such a way that you can get it sounding so
realistic, no one would ever know. More importantly, listeners & clients
are now expecting this. So it's worth diving in and ensuring you know
the difference between velocity and expression.

I've posted some helpful links to some great resources on the last
page that can help you master MIDI.
 4
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

4. Using the right loops & samples.

You might be thinking - 'Hang on, this is easy! Drag 'n' Drop right?'

If only it was that simple!

Any track you've ever heard that contains sounds, loops and samples
have been carefully picked in order to suit that track. Whilst this may
sound simple, it's not.

When choosing sounds for your track there are a few key things you
need to ensure...
- are they in the right key?
- do they match the tracks' BPM?
- is this sound the right timbre/instrument for my track?

The first 2 points are easy to solve but the third is where things get a
bit tricky. It's very tempting to scan through audio sample stores such
as Splice, Loopmasters, Producer Loops etc - search via key, genre,
BPM, instrument and then assume you've found the right sound for
your track just because a website has shown you. This isn't the way to
go.

That being said, websites like the ones I mentioned are a great
starting point but don't rely on them is what I'm trying to say.
 4
Unfortunately, there is no quick tutorial, guide or fix to understanding
how to choose the right sounds, loops or samples for your track. It's
purely down to experimentation, trail 'n' error and experience.

However - don't be dis-heartened by this. You will learn many valuable

lessons along the way by doing this.

One tip I will give you though, as this helped me massively, was to train
my ears to recognise what sounds suit certain genres. The way I did
this was making completely different styles of music than I had been
before.

For example, if you make House - try making Drum & Bass. If you make
Trap - try making a film score. Why not?

Do this combined with listening to copious amounts of different

records, you will soon have a trained ear to what sounds work together
and what sounds don't. This isn't restricted to only listening to
commercially released tracks either, try finding some unsigned artists
too, as typically, you're more likely to hear sounds that don't suit a
track.

So overall what I'm saying is - do you think an 808 Booming Kick is

going to sound good in a Jazz Quartet? Probably not.

It's about understanding context and what sound you're trying to

achieve.
 5
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

5. Mastering the EQ

Using an EQ is like doing a puzzle. It's there to solve problems.

Out of any processing tool/plugin you wish to use, the humble EQ is

the one you must learn to master. It the most valuable asset to any
music producers arsenal.

Do you know it is completely possible to only use EQ on a track and

nothing else, yet still come out with a great sounding track?

EQ can do many things. It can help tidy up a muddy-sounding mix by

filtering out the low end...

...It can also be used to boost frequencies to make them become

more present in the mix...
 5
...You can also use it fix frequencies that are causing problems in your
mix and eliminate any issues...

So as you can see, it is absolutely imperative that you master the EQ

and ensure that you completely understand it.

To elaborate on this further, I highly recommend you check out this

great article from the guys over at Dubspot :
http://blog.dubspot.com/audio-equalizer-guide/

This article talks you through all the various EQ types as well as when
and where they are best applied.

We also have a downloadable EQ cheat sheet available, which gives

you a guide on what certain frequency areas mean.

Download Here: https://hypr.pro/Cheat-Sheet-EQ

 6
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

6. Sequencing/Programming Drums.

I know what you're thinking - 'Not all music contains drums?' - and
you're right. However, most music does. FACT. So you can't cancel out
having this as a key skill. It is something you must learn how to master.

So let me explain what it is. Drum programming, also known as

sequencing, is basically composing with drums. It's where you piece
together all your percussive elements to create rhythmical
loops/sequences to accompany your music.

The one thing that is most important when programming drums is

groove. If your drums aren't making you want to nod your head or
dance your ass off then you're not doing it right, assuming this is your
main goal of course. (Why wouldn't it be!?)

In order to achieve a solid groove you need to be taking note of two

elements: Drums & Bass. When these two are rhythmic flowing
alongside each other nicely.... there is your groove. One of the most
simple grooves is having the Kick on 1,2,3,4 (snare being on 2 & 4),
then having the bass (+) on the off-beat something like 1 + 2 + 3 + 4.

That being said, that is the most simple groove out there. This is
where really knowing your sh*t when programming drums comes into
play as you'll need to start adding in other elements such as
 6
Hi-Hats, Toms, Shakers, Percussion etc. So as you can start to
understand, it's all about building and layering different rhythms on
top of one another.

Creating great drum sequences doesn't just come from building up

great patterns, you also have to think about the samples you're using
just like I mentioned in Key Skill #4.

Over the years I have wasted a lot of money on sample packs, so I feel
confident enough to say - I know a good sample pack when I hear one.
So to help you get started here are some links to some great sample
packs I have personally used:

Toolroom Trademark Series - Mark Knight

http://sounds.beatport.com/pack/toolroom-trademark-series-mark-knight/15121

Summer House Anthems Vol 3 - Producer Loops

https://www.producerloops.com/Download-Producer-Loops-Summer-House-Anthems-Vol-3.html

House Culture - Zenhiser

https://www.loopmasters.com/genres/25-House/products/6054-House-Culture

If you're looking for some great free sample packs then try these
suppliers:

Cymatics - https://cymatics.fm/free-download-vault/
Function Loops - https://www.functionloops.com/free-samples.html
Computer Music - https://www.musicradar.com/computermusic
Music Radar - https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-
samples-download-loops-hits-and-multis-627820
 7
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

7. Be Entrepreneurial.

You might be just as surprised as myself when I was told you can't pay
your rent, mortgage or utilities with the infamous 'Exposure Currency'.

I know, mental right?

This is why it's super important to have your thinking cap on when it
comes to generating cash whilst doing something you love. Along the
way you will get plenty of people that will try and squeeze every
favour and freebie out of you, but irrespective of how philanthropic
you are... bills need to be paid in order for you to live.

Can't be a music producer without electricity, right?

So the most important thing you must remember is that your income
will, very rarely, come from a single revenue stream. It will come from
all over the place... MCPS, PRS, ASCAP, Spotify, YouTube, Clients, Film
Studios and maybe even your parents buying the 1st EP!?

Therefore it is important to get your ducks in a row and be organised

when it comes to handling your finances and generating income.

Let's take a look at a few ways in which you can generate some
income...
 7
All of these ideas are typically carried out alongside your efforts of
becoming a music producer, however, they are definitely a viable
option to pursue full-time as well.

1. Sample Pack Creator

There are many Audio Sample Stores and Company's out there that
want work from you. Websites such as Splice.com, Loopmasters.com,
ProducerLoops.com, Noiiz.com are always looking to work with new
and exciting talent and they are happy to pay for it. How do I know?
Because I've done it! For one Sample Pack that covers a complete
genre you could be looking upwards of $1000. Not bad eh?

If you're not sure how to create Sample Packs, here is a great link to
get you started:
Splice.com - https://splice.com/blog/tips-for-creating-your-own-sample-pack/

2. Create Courses & Tutorials

Currently the eLearning market is now valued at a whopping $200bn+
so it's safe to say that there is money to be made. There are lots of
companies out there that are looking for music producers to make
content for them such as ADSR Sounds, Sonic Academy, Academy.fm
+ many more. Again, how do I know? Because I've done them! I've
created well over 500+ hours of content over the years.
3. Become a YouTuber

7
This might not sound overly inviting but from the evidence I've seen on
YouTube of Music Producers doing vlogs, it appears to be a very good
career path to go down in more ways than one.

Many of Music Producers on Youtube have achieved extraordinary

things and they work with some fantastic artists and brands.

Why? Because they are being seen as pro-active, transparent and

likeable. If you vlog about things such as your processes to making
music, what equipment you have, who you're working with etc. It
shows that you're able to organise yourself and demonstrate initiative
which is what potential collaborators want to see.

They don't care about how your track got 10k listens on Soundcloud
over a year, they want to see you doing stuff and get an insight to who
you are.

4. Provide Online Production Services

Utilise your skills in the way they were intended and advertise your
services on websites such as Freelancer, UpWork, SoundBetter and
Fiverr to gain clients and start doing the actual work you want to be
doing. From my experience SoundBetter and UpWork have been the
most successful as you can do some background research on the
clients that are asking for work from you.
 8
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

8. Networking Socialite.

Remember that guy from that house party that chugged a keg of beer
and pissed on your bed? Yeah, don't be that guy.

Networking actually takes a great deal of tact and social skill. You must
be professional yet not a robotic corporate weirdo. You want to be
likeable and relatable so others feel comfortable and want to work
with you.

On most jobs within the Music Industry you'll typically be spending

quite a bit of time and have frequent dealings with the same people
over and over again so it's really important that they feel at ease with
you and vice versa.

The Music Industry has enough diva's in it without you adding to the
list so be humble, complimentary and useful - useful being the
keyword here... building successful professional relationships is all
about how two parties can mutually benefit one another. So ask
yourself, what can you do for them and what can they offer in return?

Let me give you a good example of networking. Back in the day when
I was starting out on the DJ cicruit, I would go to nightclubs on my
own and find out who the promoter was then buy him/her a beer. I
made sure I didn't mention about getting a gig, it was more about
building a relationship with that person and ensuring they knew WHO
I was not what I was after.
 9
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

9. Marketing Guru.

When you're trying to go at it alone in the Music Industry it's now

super important to wear many hats (not literally).

So being able to market yourself properly is no exception.

Below I've highlighted some examples of how you can market yourself
online as well as offline.

ONLINE

1. Website
Ensure that you have a website that can display all of your work as well
as contact details so people can reach out to you. The internet is a
wonderful place to market yourself and reach people you might not
offline. If you're not savvy on how to create websites there are a tonne
of resources out there to help you such as Wordpress, Wix and
Squarespace which make it really easy to setup your own website. You
can even use service like UpWork.com to hire people to build it for you
for very cheap.

2. Soundcloud
If you're really not keen on the idea of building yourself a website then
Soundcloud is the next best option. You can tap into an already-
established database of users who are keen to hear new music. This
isn't necessarily so great if you wish to find clients though as typically
the users on there are listeners. That being said, it's easy to set up and
to share your links with potential clients.

3. SoundBetter
If you're on the lookout for proper jobs within the music industry
SoundBetter is a great option. It's a bit like Soundcloud with regards to
being able to display your work, but it is a database full of clients and
other professionals whom you can collaborate and work on projects
with.
 9
OFFLINE

1. Business Cards
Some may say this is a bit old school but they are so easy and cheap to
obtain it's certainly worth doing. Websites such as Vistaprint.com can
print you 100 business cards for $16. It makes you look really
professional and stand out as not many people do this within the music
industry anymore, unless you're top dog.

2. Mix CDs
Again, another traditional way to promote yourself offline but is really
effective purely down to the fact that not many producers bother to do
this anymore. Combine this with our networking technique of going to
meet people off your own back and you may have secured yourself
some work.

3. Interships
Whilst this may sound quite counter-productive against our
'Entrepreneurial' segment in this guide, it's a great way to start mixing
in with the right crowd and surround yourself with like-minded people.
I spent a solid 3 years of my career at the beginning working in
Recording Studios for very little money (if not, free!). However, the
contacts I still have today I will cherish for a lifetime.

What are you waiting for? Get yourself out there!

 10
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

10. Brand Awareness.

If you're really serious about pursuing this as a career and become

professional then you must start to view yourself as a brand and/or a
business. You need to make your music and your brand unforgettable
so that people will remember you without having to dig through the
archives to figure out who you are.

I've pointed out some key areas you need to ensure you are following:

1. Define Your Brand

Did you know your personal brand plays a vital role in the success of
your music production business? If you're managing your personal
brand correctly, more opportunities will open up for you to get
placements and sell records. Before you can begin to work on your
personal brand, you must first get a good understanding on how your
audience currently perceives you.

2. Know what you're aiming for

Where are you planning on going with music... Do you want to be an
engineer? Songwriter? Film Scorer? DJ/Producer? You must have a
clear goal in mind of what you want to achieve which then needs to be
reflected by your brand.

3. Just be you-nique
To build a brand that everyone will remember, you have to create
something unforgettable. There is no brand like the Kardashians out
there and that is why they garner so much attention. Build your brand
around something unique. Even though the Kardashians have a lot of
haters, they have enough people that love them to fuel their growth.
Sell your brand as something that cannot be found elsewhere and you
will find a larger following for it.
 10
4. Be consistent & reliable
If you’re looking for long-term success, consistency is the secret
ingredient. Developing and maintaining a level of trust with those who
matter most to you and your business can be effectively reached
through showcasing yourself consistently. Whether it’s online, in print,
or face-to-face, prevailing consistency will allow you to gain trusted
footing with your personal brand.

5. Have an online presence (marketing)

Create a website with a personal domain name ( yourname.com ) so
people can easily find you. Use a blog to talk about yourself, and
brand your image even further. Personal websites are great because it
really lets other people get to know the real you. You also need to be
on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. And it all needs to lead
to your website where you are posting relevant content designed to
bolster your brand. You can build your brand visually all you want, but
it isn’t a brand if it is not out there in front of people.

6. Use professional photos and images

You are going to use a photo of yourself in various places on your
blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc. You want that photo to be professional
and attractive. You also want it to convey the mood expressed by your
brand. If your brand is about fun, then look happy and fun in your
photo. You can pay somebody to take very professional photos of you.
It isn’t necessary, but you’ll get better results.

7. Patience is a virtue
Building a brand and fan base takes time. Even though you’re working
your butt off, don’t forget to enjoy watching the process unfold!

Instantly recognisable aren't they?

Branding is key.
 11
Here are the top 11 key skills that
every music producer
needs to know.

11. Motivation & Productivity.

When you first embark on your path to becoming a Music Producer

you will be spending a lot of time on your own. So it's important to
get into the habit of being organised and productive. This mindset is
reflective on every aspect of becoming self-sufficient with a career and
music is certainly no exception.

There are many strategies we can adopt in order to remain motivated,

focused and productive, so we are a few that I think are the best...

1. Having a clear goal

This is by far one of the most important aspects to stay motivated and
continuing your music journey to success. Most music producers and
artists fail, and ultimately quit. Why? Most get distracted from their
original vision. You’ve got to know exactly what you want… and WHY
you want it. The stronger, the clearer and more specific your vision is,
the more likely you will be to stay on track to taking the necessary daily
action to achieve your desired results.

2. Create a plan of action

Your plan of action is the guide you’ll use to outline and organise all of
your daily tasks and necessary action-steps. Keep in mind that a “to-
do” list is not an action plan. You can start with a larger to-do list, and
from that develop your specific and concentrated action plan.

3. Stop comparing yourself to successful artists

I often struggle because when you’re in the process of crafting an
album or a remix, you wonder, “Will people actually like the route I'm
taking?”. Instead of worrying what people might think, make music for
yourself, because you want to, and because you like it.
 11
4. Take a break from time to time
Doing everything yourself and constantly working to reach your goal is
extremely admirable but it's not always healthy. Many times
throughout my career I have burnt out and become exhausted. It is
very important that you take regular breaks to get away from the
monotony of what you're doing. You may be thinking that this piece of
advice is obvious or not providing much value but honestly, being
burnt out is no fun - for both mental wellbeing and your bank account.

5. Embrace failure
Fail. Do it... 'but why?' - I hear you ask.
You won't learn a god damn thing unless you fail. That's why. You need
things to go wrong every now and then so you learn from the mistakes
and this is totally normal. Jheez if I could tell you how many times I've
screwed up and failed... but I won't bore you. The short story is, don't
be scared to fail. Life works on a law of averages. For every 100 ideas
you have at least 1 will be great. Whether that's deciding what kick
drum to use or what gig to play. Just make a decision and move on.
Making no decision is worse than making the wrong decision and as
my father once told me 'Son, you can turn absolutely anything to your
advantage' - and I truly believe that. So go out there and dare to throw
caution to the wind.

Go make it happen.
END
Facebook Group Links MIDI Learning Resources
Logic Pro X Musictech
https://www.musictech.net/2015/07/the-bluffers-guide-to-midi/
Logic Pro X Community
Audiomentor
www.facebook.com/groups/1242879082391161
https://www.audiomentor.com/beginner/quickstart-guide-to-midi-composing
Apple Logic Pro X Users Group
Making Music
https://www.facebook.com/groups/543628065696081/
https://making-music.com/quick-guides/midi/
Logic Pro
https://www.facebook.com/groups/apple.logic.pro/

Ableton

Ableton Live Users

www.facebook.com/groups/abletonliveusers

Ableton Addicts
www.facebook.com/groups/ABLETONADDICTS

Ableton Live Producer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AbletonLiveResourceGroup/

FL Studio

FL Studio 20 Producers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/flstudioproducersgroup/

FL Studio 12
https://www.facebook.com/groups/206130819848983/

Fl Studio Producers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/flstudiomusicproductiongroup/

Cubase

Cubase Producers
www.facebook.com/groups/cubaseproducers

Cubase Pro
https://www.facebook.com/groups/906298442723247/

Cubase Users
https://www.facebook.com/groups/238809986890692/
 written by

Rory Joseph Webb

Hello,

I'm the Founder and Lead Tutor at Hyper Production.

I have been a Professional within the Music Industry for the

past 10 years and have been involved in many different areas
such as Audio Engineering, Consulting, DJ'ing, Mixing,
Producing, Songwriting and Teaching.

Some of the most prominent events of my career include

working in Recording Studios with the likes of David Guetta,
Clean Bandit, The Marozets, Emile Sande and Skepta...(all
but to name a few) as an Assistant Engineer. I have also been
very lucky to DJ around the world including the iconic dance
music mecca.... Ibiza. Much of my consultancy work has
included helping UK-based DJ duo 'Just Kiddin' reach the
Top 40 Charts with various Single releases.

Over the years throughout my career I haven't just gained

skills from projects I have been involved in and people I've
worked with but from discovering great content online. Now,
I wish to give something back using my skills and experience
I have built up over that time.

Thank you reading.

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