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Creative+Strategies+for+Finishing+More+Music Ebook
Creative+Strategies+for+Finishing+More+Music Ebook
Creative+Strategies+for+Finishing+More+Music Ebook
CREATIVE
STRATEGIES
FOR FINISHING
MORE MUSIC
By Keith Mills
About the Author 2
However, the area I’ve always been most fascinated with is the
difficult task of taking our enthusiasm and ideas and turning them
into a finished product.
Have you ever started making a track only to have the creative
process killed by technical perfection? Learning the tools and
techniques is essential but let me ask you, do you think it’s more
important to know how to use a compressor or how to structure an
arrangement? Would you rather know how to layer snares or write
captivating music?
It’s so often the quest for technical perfection that stands in the
way of making great music!
Hi… I’m Keith Mil s Since founding Quantize Courses in 2009, I have worked closely
with over 3,000 producers and musicians who are passionate
about taking their music to the next level.
In my experience of teaching over 3000 producers in the last 10 So what is it that makes pro producers prolific? How do they
years, I have not come across anybody who isn’t able to write consistently improve and evolve their sound?
really, really good music.
It’s simple. They have a way of operating that not only enhances
However I do find a lot of people give up or stagnate with their their creativity, but also ensures they finish quality tracks on a
music because of self-doubt. It’s a real shame to hear producers regular basis.
saying things like: “I’m not sure I’m cut out for this” or “I’m not
As John Cleese once said “Creativity is not a talent it’s a way of
sure I’m creative enough”or “I’m not sure I can feel the music.”
operating“...
These kind of statements are rarely true and usually stifle creativity
and stop you from writing and finishing your best music. And a way of operating can be learned, practiced and refined.
It’s my personal belief that anyone can write great music with the right In this E-book I have compiled top tips and tricks from the pro’s
approach. Over the last few years I have had the privilege of talking that they believe help them to finish more and better music each
to many professional producers who make a full time living with time they sit down to write.
their music. Inside of my Finish More Music Community we regularly
I hope you enjoy it and helps you to take some positive steps
deliver live masterclasses and interviews with top music producers
forward with your music.
to dig into their own musical journey, workflow techniques, and their
best tips for becoming a professional music producer.
Coldharbour Recordings
Regenerate Records
Blackhole Recordings
Creative Strategies for Finishing More Music 5
The more you practice writing theme ideas, the stronger they will
become over time. A high quality theme will carry the track and first, and practice,
make the process of arrangement much easier to complete.
BJORN AKESSON
“Generate a bunch
up with a range of more innovative, exciting and interesting ideas.
This also takes the pressure off of having to come up with a killer
idea straight away.
Once these ideas have been generated, you can then move of ideas, then pick
forward with your strongest idea and develop that into a full
arrangement the best one”
I discussed workflow tips with Manni Dee and he takes a similar
approach when he is in the studio…
MANNIE DEE
Focussing on the right things and taking the biggest steps first in
your production process will enable you to finish more tracks at a
faster pace.
“Break out of
Focussing on the small details first such as mixdown tweaks and
technical details can lead to procrastination, self doubt and boredom.
These interruptions to creative flow are the death of many great ideas.
Creativity loves speed. The arrangement can be daunting but the the loop”
more times you push through it, the more fun and exciting it becomes.
Shlomi Aber knows this better than anyone and is a prolific pro
producer who has tonnes of releases on labels such as Bpitch and
Be At One.
SHLOMI ABER
“Set limitations to
into the market. This can lead to a huge amount of complexity and
overwhelm that distracts you from getting the job done, finishing
your music and becoming a better music producer as a result.
Bwana, is one of the fastest and most prolific producers I have enhance your workflow
ever met. He has had a string of releases on labels such as 17
steps and Cin Cin. and become a prolific
And if you’ve ever seen his ‘against the clock’ 10 minute challenge,
you will see how super fast he is when he is creating. His secret? producer”
Limitations…
BWANA
”I only own 1 VST and use Ableton stock plugins for all my
productions… For me it is all about finishing the track.
I am, learning from it, and becoming a better, more prolific
producer as a result.“
It’s very easy to look towards the artists and music that inspire you
and say to yourself “that’s what I want my sound to be like”
I see this all the time with my students when they aspire to be like a
Ultimately they are trying to emulate another artists work, and being true to yourself”
when their creative muse arrives, they resist this inspiration and
stop themselves from moving forward with their ideas.
JOOF
Every artist seeks to refine and identify their ‘own original sound’ in
their music.
This simply isn’t true. Use the tools at your disposal to finish your
tracks and bring your ideas to life. The more tracks you finish, the isn’t cheating”
more your skill level increases and then you’ll be able to create
your own sounds quickly and build your own identity.
CHRIS PAGE
When I was talking with Techno veteran Claude Young Jr, he put it
very simply…”get your shit together!”
CLAUDE YOUNG JR
“Finish everything
Simplify your creative process, focus on the big wins first, and see
each track through to the end.
ROBERTO
“Stay true to
all build up over time and all of this can mount up and leave you
sitting in your studio worrying and not making progress with your
music.
I believe it’s important to establish the reasons you love to write your vision”
music very early on in your journey. This will keep you grounded
and give you a single point of focus when you step into the studio
Ø [PHASE]
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do it all, and do
it all at once. Build your own fanbase, conquer Facebook, design
all your sounds and master all of your tracks.
DEX
Mark Jenkyns is a full time DJ and Producer and has this keen
advice for networking with people inside the industry…
Bonus tip
MARK JENKYNS
“Get out into the clubs and and meet the DJ’s / Promoters.
Put yourself out there and make contact with other
producers and mentors who can help you. Surrounding
yourself with the right people is essential in this industry”
THANK YOU
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this eBook and it serves as Please get in touch if you have any tips you would like to share or
a constant source of ideas to help simplify and streamline your have any suggestions for subjects you would like to see more tips on.
creative process
If you are driven to refine your workflow, focus on the right areas
If this book has been helpful, please give me a shout on twitter (@ to move you forward with your music, and network with a super
finishmoremusic) or just click here for an automatic tweet… positive group of like minded producers, I think you will love my
Finish More Music Community.
l CLICK HERE TO TWEET Also please join me on Instagram where you’ll find a constant
source of tips, tricks and video tutorials about everything music
and thanks for sharing :-) production. If you would like to drop me an email please feel free:
keith@finishmoremusic.com.
Tune in to the Finish More Music Podcast