Music production is not an easy career to get into, but there are ways that you can improve your skills and knowledge in the field. In this blog post, we will go over 8 steps that will show you how to get into music production from home!
1) Download A DAW
A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is software that you will need in order to start producing music. There are many different DAWs to choose from, but the most popular ones are Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, and FL Studio. You can download a free trial of any of these programs and then decide which one you want to purchase.
If you’re just getting into music production, I would recommend that you start off with either Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, or FL Studio. They are much easier to use than older programs like Logic or ProTools and therefore offer less of a learning curve when it comes to producing your first track!
Here is a short overview of the DAWs in case you want to decide now.
Logic Pro X (Best for Mac)
Logic Pro X is a beast of a DAW, and the one I personally use. The DAW is a bit pricey but it’s well worth the money spent in my opinion. The software comes with a variety of instruments and effects that you can use to produce your own songs including synths, drums, pianos, guitars, violins/violas/cellos, basses and more!
PS: Each header is a link to the free trial of that DAW so choose one or download ’em all. Your gonna need one if you want to learnhow to get into music production.
FL Studio (Best for Making Beats)
FL Studio is used by many famous beat makers, such as Internet Money, or Murda Beatz. FL Studio is best for making beats because it has a wide variety of sounds and effects that you can use to make your own unique tracks. It also has a built-in sequencer that makes it really easy to make beats!
Ableton Live (Best for Electronic Music)
Ableton Live is the DAW I started off with and it’s great for making electronic music. The software comes with a variety of sounds and effects that you can use to make your own tracks, and it also has a built-in sequencer that makes it really easy to make electronic music.
Pro Tools (Very Popular)
Pro Tools is the most widely used DAW in the music industry, but it’s not my favorite. The reason why is because I find Pro Tools to be a bit more difficult than some of the other DAWs on this list when it comes to making your first track. However, once you get past that hurdle and learn how to use all of the features and functions of Pro Tools, it’s a very powerful DAW.
If you want to try out ProTools but don’t want to pay for an expensive subscription, I would recommend checking out Tracks Live – this is pretty much like getting free versions of all of the plugins that come with Pro Tools! It’s also really easy to use.
If you’re not sure which DAW to choose, I would recommend downloading a free trial of each one and then deciding which one you like best!
2) Learn About Music Theory
The first thing you’re going to want to do is learn about music theory. This is the foundation of all music production and without it, you will find it difficult to create melodies or chord progressions that sound good.
There are many different ways to learn about music theory. You can take classes at a local college, watch online tutorials, or purchase books on the subject. However, I would recommend that you start by learning the basics of music theory. This includes learning about notes, scales, chords, and time signatures.
Once you have a basic understanding of music theory, you can move on to more advanced concepts like chord progressions and modulation, voice leadings, harmonies, etc. When you are well-versed in music theory, you will find making music is a little more intuitive, and communicating your musical ideas will be much much easier. When learninghow to get into music production you may feel the task is daunting so just break it up into smaller tasks until you are comfortable!
You can be an extremely talented user of Logic Pro or FL Studio, but if you don’t know music theory, or have no musical ideas to share, you can’t be a music producer… or at least not a good one!
3) Write A Song
Get out there and produce your first song!
I recommend starting with a chord progression, then moving onto the melody, and then finally incorporating some rhythm/drums. While you are learninghow to get into music production it can be hard to take it in all at once, so learn at your own pace.
It’s important to start with something simple, like a chord progression. Once you have the chords down, try adding in some melodies and rhythms/drums until you get your first song finished! There are many different ways to go about this process so don’t be afraid to experiment. It’ll take time before it starts sounding good but that’s the fun part of being a producer – creating something from nothing! 🙂
Some Tips I’d Recommend:
- Finish your projects! If you don’t finish your projects it will be difficult to learn and improve.
- Don’t use the same chord progression every time you make a song – try using different types of chords like Minor/Major, Diminished, Augmented… etc. This helps add variety.
- Play with new instruments and sounds
- Be consistent with your practice
Once you have finished producing your first song, the next step is to share it with as many people as possible. You can do this by posting on music forums or websites like Reddit and SoundCloud.
The more feedback you receive about your songs, the better
When you are done with the track upload it to Soundcloud or YouTube so that others can hear your work.
4) Learn Sound Design
Learning sound design, even just the basics will greatly improve your production skills.
Sound design is the process of creating new, original sounds that are used for music production. Whether you’re using synth presets or samples from a pack or sound library, learning how to create these types of sounds will help you produce better-sounding tracks in the future!
Some Tips I’d Recommend: Try making some unique sounds using synthesizers and plugins like Massive, Sylenth, and Omnisphere.
Experiment with different types of sounds – pads, leads, basses, drums, etc. Have fun!
If you can afford it, buy an analog synth: it will blow your mind!
5) Learn Basic Mixing and Mastering
Although mixing and mastering are not more important than the actual music production, they are beneficial to learn.
Mixing is the process of adjusting levels, panning, equalization (EQ), compression & limiting.
Mastering refers to the final audio processing applied to a song before it’s released. It includes adding effects like reverb and delay.
The best way to learn how to Mix or Master is to watch online tutorials or take a class at your local college.
Some Tips I’d Recommend:
- Mix and master as you go along – don’t leave it all for the end! It’s much easier to make adjustments while producing than after everything is mixed down.
- Master your track before you release it! This will give your song a more professional sound and make it stand out from the rest.
- There are many different mastering plugins available, such as iZotope Ozone, Waves L316, and Sonnox.
- When mixing or mastering always take into account the purpose of the song – is it for a DJ set, or to listen at home? How much limiting should be applied vs. how much compression should I use on the drums verses how long will my reverb trail need to be etc.
- The best way to learn mixing and mastering skills is by practicing!
7) Explore Your Sound Environment
When you are well into making music and have a little more experience. It might be time to look into a new set of speakers or soundproofing.
Look into some studio monitors and headphones.
Studio monitors are speakers that provide an accurate representation of the sound in your mix so you know how it will sound to others when they listen on their phone or computer. Headphones can be used for recording vocals and samples, which is why it’s important to use good-quality ones like Neuman NDH-20s!
Acoustic treatment can be an expensive investment but is worth it in the end.
Acoustic treatment reduces standing waves and flutter echoes, which can cause some frequencies to be overrepresented or underrepresented in your mix. Acoustic treatment should probably be saved for when you are really invested in your music and have the money to spend.
8) Practice Practice Practice
Practice is the best way to tighten up your workflow and keep your skills sharp.
There are many different ways to practice including listening, dancing, and playing music training games!
The best way to learn is by teaching others – so look for opportunities at home or work where you can help friends with their music production techniques.
Creating lessons on YouTube is also another great option if you want to showcase what you know and help others learn as well.
Some Tips I’d Recommend:
When learning a new technique, take your time and practice it until you feel comfortable using it in your tracks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Trying new things is how you’ll grow as an artist and producer.
Make music for yourself – not for anyone else. This will help you find your own sound and style.
Take advantage of online resources like SoundCloud, YouTube, and forums to connect with other producers and learn from their experiences.
Music production can be a fun and rewarding experience but it takes time and practice to get good at it! These are just some tips that I would recommend to everyone!
How Much Does it Cost to Get Into Music Production?
Music production doesn’t have to be expensive, and especially as a beginner, you don’t want to over-commit. Here is a breakdown of the approximate costs you can expect when getting into music production.
-Computer: You don’t need an expensive computer to get into music production, but you will need one that meets the minimum requirements for your DAW of choice. A laptop is fine for most people, and you can find some good deals on refurbished laptops if you want to save some money.
-DAW: As mentioned before, most DAWs have a free trial that you can download. After you decide which one you want to use full-time, the cost of the software is around $200.
-Audio Interface: This is an essential piece of equipment for music production, and it will cost you around $100.
-Studio Monitors: You don’t need studio monitors to produce music, but they will give you a much better idea of how your mixes are sounding. They typically cost around $200 for a pair.
-Headphones: Good headphones are essential for any producer. You can find some decent ones for $40.
-Music Production Books: There are many books out there that will teach you the basics of production and mixing techniques, so if you don’t want to invest in online courses or classes, reading is always an option! Prices vary depending on which book you choose to buy.
With that information, you should be set to start investing in your future career as a music producer!
Conclusion on How to Get into Music Production
In the end, music production can be a lot of fun but it does require some time, effort, and patience. If you are patient with yourself as well as the music you make, your tracks will improve drastically over time!
Music production is also an incredibly rewarding career path – there are so many possibilities in the realm of music including DJing at parties or clubs, working as a music producer for other artists, writing songs and beats for musicians to record over, or even starting your own label!
I hope this blog post has helped explain how to get into music production – much luck on all of your future projects!
Mark D.
Hi, I'm Mark. I've been playing instruments since I was just a little kid. I've played cello and piano for a few years, and recently picked up guitar. I've produced bad music. I also run this blog where I share interesting things I've learned. I hope you Enjoy my posts!
