How to Produce a Song from SCRATCH

My Studio Gear List:
--------------------
I personally purchase my gear from Sweetwater and have for over 12 years -- these are affiliate links, meaning you can support my channel by using Sweetwater. The reason I trust Sweetwater is because they have the BEST customer support I have ever seen, two year warranty, free shipping, and they have they best reputation in the industry. You will never see me recommend buying pro audio gear from Amazon

--------------------
Logic Pro X: (use the app store)

Sample Libraries / Plugins I HIGHLY Recommend:
_____________

[samuelmendieta]

it's funny how this guy gives out a thousand dollars worth advices and tips for free... and I have been putting into practice some of his productions advices.. and man.. I owe my life to this guy.. it's unbelievable how mixing is not as important as a great music production... Thank you Nathan! greetings from Colombiaa!

[wing_wav]

you are a lifesaver! had logic for about 5 days and its overwhelming haha

[Jordan_Q_]

I love the way the dog in the background is walking around on the floor at 8:25, and then at 8:28 he or she randomly teleports to the couch 😂😂

[josephhayes]

This is hands down the best music production channel out there. I've looked and can't find anyone who can match this guys down to earth personality without sounding rude/harsh (perfect balance).

The way he gives honest, professional lessons (not just tutorials) is amazinling educational. Like he says "there is no quick fix to solve your problems". You got to have the framework for what you're learning and then go put the hours into making it real. When a youtuber says "stop watching my videos and go get to work" then you know that channels a keeper.

Thanks for the time you put into this educational content. And keep doing what you're doing.

[cyanopsia]

I love how humble you are in these videos. Most channels on production, songwriting, mixing, etc, often sound so sure of themselves.
They make it sound like they have it all figured out, and that's the only way to succeed.
It's always a breath of fresh air when someone can admit that their way isn't "the way".
Keep making great content man!

[MrAflac_]

Since im a bassist and drummer, I always start with drums, then bass. Starting simple with bass though, only whole note of the chord progression until i make the melody on either the piano or guitar, then i start going crazy on the bass line that would fit the melody, and a little edit on drums if needed.

[junaidsiddiquemusic]

Starting my music production journey soon! Glad that I found this video. 👍🏻

[barrytheartist.]

Non-linears probably my go to, helps the song flourish in the moment. Keep up the great videos! :)

[writewithangel]

Nathan I was planning on finally starting to produce my first song today now I understand how to make a melody better. Then here you are posting a video about it. Thank you so much I can wait to watch this video later and finally begin to work on producing my first song.

[pastry]

you're so real for this, i love you

[markonmac]

Love seeing your dog in the background 🐶

[josephdlucero]

You answered all my immediate concerns, Thank You, You saved me a whole lot of time searching

[namegame]

i knew something like this was coming after all the live streams u have been doing on YT

[heartshinemusic]

Hey Nathan, solid advice again. I would add that it's good to have a scratch / sketch vocal (even if there are no lyrics yet) as early as possible, especially for beginning producers, because it's important to arrange the other instruments with the vocal space / melody in mind. So parts don't get in each other's way later.
I have a hybrid workflow of writing and producing, but mostly stick to a linear approach. In these modern times, it's helpful to abandon the idea of a "demo track" and work with the mindset of a final production from the very start. (This means, like you also do, getting things right the moment you record or program then.) I think the most important skill for a producer to develop is to be very nitpicky on the details, while also maintaining the big picture of the production as a whole. To be able to balance the micro and macro level when creating a song. Cheers!

[Officialmcangel]

I love your videos they inspire me so much to make more content 🔥🔥🔥🔥💜💜💜💜keep going 💜and keep inspiring 💜💜

[Nabajyoti_Falls]

8:24 stay away demon in the background

[deanandthebeans]

I'd just like to add that it's important to try all these methods, as they can all work for you at different times and produce different results - or even a combination of them on one song.

[Lunaar]

Your channel is gold, thank you Nathan

[Eric-ddbk]

I'm producing a song, in the pre chorus section of which I'm stuck in due to lack of ideas.
This video assured me that it is okay to move on to parts of the song I'm confident in rather than going in a fixed sequence. Though it seems obvious to me now, I felt like a guilt moving on to the chorus when I don't have the prechorus down. lol Now, I'm cured.
I'm just a hobby musician, a guitarist, but I know a pretty good amount of theory, and had been gigging with actual professional musician friends for few years, and only recently I got interested in producing my own pieces entirely by myself and so far, I'm having fun doing it.

[andyandy]

all your vids have lots of insight, thanks so much!!