Producers! Don’t trust your ears. This is why

Producers tackle the complex process of music production with a wide range of tools and techniques to achieve the best possible sound. However, the advice to "trust your ears" can lead to too much focus on the technical details and precision, making them forget what's truly important in music: its emotional power.

It's crucial to remember that our ears are not perfect. They can be misled by sound tricks, become biased towards sounds we're used to, or even get tired from listening too much. Furthermore, every person hears differently—some may have hearing loss, and no one has ears that can hear all frequencies perfectly. This variation in hearing makes it even more important to shift our focus from purely what we hear to how the music makes us feel.

Realizing that emotions are the key to a song's success urges producers to create music that connects on an emotional level, no matter the device it's played on. This approach is incredibly relevant in today's world, where music is consumed through various means, including the small speakers of mobile phones.

A song that can evoke strong emotions despite its simple delivery proves its worth and effectiveness far beyond technical perfection. This focus on the emotional impact, considering the diverse ways people hear, not only expands the creative possibilities for producers but also ensures that their music can be deeply felt by a broader audience.

By valuing emotional connection over flawless sound production, producers can create lasting and inspiring tracks, accommodating the unique ways each person experiences sound.

[Alice-Efe]

Producers tackle the complex process of music production with a wide range of tools and techniques to achieve the best possible sound. However, the advice to "trust your ears" can lead to too much focus on the technical details and precision, making them forget what's truly important in music: its emotional power.

It's crucial to remember that our ears are not perfect. They can be misled by sound tricks, become biased towards sounds we're used to, or even get tired from listening too much. Furthermore, every person hears differently—some may have hearing loss, and no one has ears that can hear all frequencies perfectly. This variation in hearing makes it even more important to shift our focus from purely what we hear to how the music makes us feel.

Realizing that emotions are the key to a song's success urges producers to create music that connects on an emotional level, no matter the device it's played on. This approach is incredibly relevant in today's world, where music is consumed through various means, including the small speakers of mobile phones.

A song that can evoke strong emotions despite its simple delivery proves its worth and effectiveness far beyond technical perfection. This focus on the emotional impact, considering the diverse ways people hear, not only expands the creative possibilities for producers but also ensures that their music can be deeply felt by a broader audience.

By valuing emotional connection over flawless sound production, producers can create lasting and inspiring tracks, accommodating the unique ways each person experiences sound.

[wuzyer]

Agreed. I always tell people composition is 80% of production. You can fix a well composed track thats mixes poorly, but you can never make a track that’s written poorly better than what it is, no matter how much advanced technique you use. That’s my take on the topic 😊 and your videos are awesome love them!

[Magiayresistencia]

I prefer to say: don't trust in your thoughts. For me, both ears and emotions are conected

[Esenfur]

I do alot of my foundation through a HDMI TV streamed speaker- then when arranging will come to my pc with speakers and master use my headphones and then listen back on each device. This is something i always wanted to ensure from the start my sound journey i took into mind.
there were days I would listen to a song on a shitty speaker and other times where I'd hear the track in the club. Need to ensure your message is carried despite the speaker used for playback.

[henryxiao_]

Can you share the chord progression? love the sound

[masteredbybk]

Good sounds = Sounds that moves people's emotions as I intended

[sergb]

You are always on point and your new hair looks great

[aljoscha]

You are so right about this. To think it this way changed how i listen to music. ❤

[aaronpolichar]

I agree to an extent, but I don't think all music has to be about emotional power or emotional connection. I often value music for other reasons.

[ast]

Well one advice that killed this was" "MAKE MUSIC FOR OTHERS!" Whos the others? My neighbour? The people on the dance floor? My girlfriend? Not sure.

I remember Deadmau5 commenting on this with:
"F*** IT, I MAKE MUSIC FOR MYSELF"

[gaithouri]

you are a genius.. following with passion ✌️

[solarj]

Emotions 100%, but also metering instead of ‘use your ears’ 😊

[Renaiz]

It is all about emotions. I have heard some unprofessional mixes move the club house and street listeners ❤

[I.M.G.]

The only thing to trust is your emotions and your ears thats music. Then, you can use whatever meters, but only after your ears and emotions.

[laurentc]

Song : Next to Blue - Audio 002
(I know it's written on Smartphone, but not on all devices !)

[debu]

Clickbaiting for true content…. Come on alice…

[GaryBradleymusic]

Alice, I don't make EDM, but your tutorials really me help to understand a lot about sonic elements, mixing and production. Thank you!

PS. I'm a psychologist and you are so right about emotion and listening. It's probably one of the most underdeveloped aspects in most musicians, yet it is fundamental to everything we are. 😊