There's a WRONG Way to Produce Music (FIGHT ME!)

Is there a right and wrong way to produce albums? Justin Colletti says yes. Here's why.
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[SonicScoop]

EARLY BIRD SALE ON COURSES *NOW*. BEST DEAL OF THE YEAR!!

[eitanariel]

I've always said that the YouTube algorithm favors mixing videos over arrangement videos because mixing is what sells, both figuratively and literally. Learning to become a good arranger is less sexy than finding a sleek plug-in that you can just throw on something and turn it into magic. The funny thing is that you can 'set your levels' during the arrangement process as well. Instead of turning the fader down later, play it softer earlier. The same is done when specifying dynamics when writing sheet music for classical music

[stiptreezy]

Doing covers isn’t just a way of getting attention but you will also learn a lot by learning how to play already existing songs, things like possible chord progressions, song progression/arrangement, new techniques, or in terms of electronic production if you find a song or a beat you really like do your best to recreate that. Like Justin said, do this as more of a “pre production” method as the goal shouldn’t be to show the world per se but more so to teach yourself or prepare yourself for when the real moments come. When you do this pay attention to volume levels, panning, transitions, what elements are in the forefront etc. if you do this a couple times you will start to notice yourself implementing these newly discovered concepts in your own music. 👍

[brianchrisrogers]

Listened to the end, truly great episode, thank you Justin!

[hannibalhector]

Incredibly helpful information!!!

I did notice something was off with what you said.

9 years is a tenth of 90 years. Not 9 months.

[jorisboulet]

Sometimes great songs miss the train, i can enjoy the search.

[JochSejoMusic]

I've been bedroom producing for 10 years and I feel like I've been doing it "wrong" for a long time. Starting fresh with every new project choosing new sounds every time taking away from the forwards momentum of writing the actual song (no templates etc). For the most part I've been writing the arrangement for a song more times than actually writing any lyrics that need a arrangement around it, making a lot of "instrumentals" more than a song.

But when I started actually writing more with guitar in the beginning and using that as a pre-production stage actually having the arrangement with vocals and knowing the song that made it so much better. Writing with only guitar makes me be able to record and print songs in a day or two if I have the song down already.

And as a bedroom producer knowing all the samples and libraries and having a set tonal palette already figured out after years of "pre-production" makes it even faster for me to finish the "instrumentals" when I don't have lyrics. But then the songwriting hinders the forward momentum because I can make an instrumental. But then again that probably makes a great beatmaker.

[vikingsofvintageaudio]

Very, very good! Have you read anything by Henry Ford? He basically lays out the exact same process:

- Make a prototype before making the whole

- Test your prototypes until you 100% know they work

- Make assemblies out of prototypes you know work individually

- Make assemblies of assemblies that you know work

... and so on

Basically, pre-production before pre-production before pre-production. Such that every new step becomes more than easy.

Thank you for this great "jazz improvisation". I made hand written notes of everything and they are now in my rehearsal and studio space.

[precisionsoundworksstudio]

Absolutely brilliant. Alternate title: Songwriting Habits of Highly Successful Musicians.

[aaroncampmusic]

Great to see this video, Justin. I always appreciate you insight. Mixing breakthroughs has changed my mixing for the better!

[rafaelszponarski]

A punch in the gut but definitely coming from a good place and lots of actionable info. Thank you!

[agentcalm]

Super vid. Right now I'm so screwed with a visa bill I'm not doing any spending. But in the future I will get to check out some of your courses.

[Eueqorogu]

So cool. Thanks. Yeah ive been delaying even getting familiarizes with my daw just because of pluggins, acoustics, gear, processing and mixing, learning all that, theory and more theory... and meanwhile havent been composing, even just playing guitar...

[PRCRSTNTR]

super insightful and enlightening, thank you Justin ! 🙌🏽

[EmperorKamikaze]

I once wrote and produced a graphic novel. A comic book. I spent as much time in preproduction as i did drawing and inking the final pages.

[smokeynewport]

Great insights. Thank you Justin for all the knowledge you share with us.

[frankgoodman-buzzholland]

That was awesome. So informative, and also entertaining! I left a message in the chat about wanting to add the mastering course to the mixing one, but the numbers weren't working out. So please advise. Thanks, Justin!

[maple_texas]

Thank you for smashing the 10 minute tip myth. Real knowledge takes patience.

[ThePearlDrummer]

Wish I could hit the like button more than once...such excellent advice! Thanks Justin

[SNTINAL]

Love everything about this. Thank you Justin! 💪