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Producing your own songs from start to finish in your bedroom or home studio has never been more possible than it is today. You might wonder, what does it actually take to produce my own songs? And isn't it expensive? Won't it take a lot of time? We're living in a different time my friend, it's never been easier and more approachable to make your own songs. However, it depends on which path you to take to start producing your own music. Having been down these paths myself, I want to cover all the bases of what you need to get started, what to avoid, and how to actually start producing your own songs.
So, what even is "production?"
Song production has many different meanings today. For the purpose of this series, we’re going to define song production as “using tools and processes to take your written song from where it is now to how you hear it in your head." To produce a song implies there is already a song written… but the process of “producing it” means there are elements you want to add to it. If you write songs on guitar in your bedroom, the only instrument in your song is guitar and the only vocal is the lead vocal (it’s just your voice). And right there, there’s already a genre of music called “acoustic” or “stripped down” or “singer/songwriter.” These styles of music can already contain all the instruments and elements needed from the original writing of the song. So now “production” doesn’t mean the addition of instruments, but it means refining the arrangement, dialing in the existing sounds of vocals and guitars, assuring there’s a flow to the song from beginning to end, using dynamics to emphasize parts or create tension and release.
**If you haven't written a song yet, check out my series on writing songs for beginners: • Songwriting Tips For B...
If you want to produce your own songs, ask yourself what that means for YOU? Do you want to add more instruments, maybe instruments you don’t even play? Do you just want things to sound better? Do you want the ability to add background vocals or harmonies to your song? It’s important to figure out how far you want to take your own songs. And that’s production to me. Using tools and processes to take your song from where it is now to how you hear it in your head.
What You'll Need & What You Won't
On this road, there is SO much information. I almost didn’t want to create this series because I’m just aware of all the conflicting advice, perspectives, gear recommendations and best practices. Let alone all the different genres and their varying production methods. BUT, I want to do my part. I’ve raised my hand and said that I can help you make your own songs, from start to finish in your bedroom or home studio. So, I think I have a responsibility to share the truth with you. My points of view and ways of doing things which lead me to find success with my own songs, but more importantly has allowed me to make songs I’m proud of and am happy to share with the world. If I could do it, I know you can too. It’s my hope you can get there much faster than I did, because I’m not holding anything back on this channel. I’m sharing it all, so you are equipped with more wisdom than knowledge. Because there’s a lot of knowledge out there about producing your own songs, but there’s not a lot of wisdom. Not saying I have it all figured out, but I know what you need and what you don’t. And that’s where we’re going to cover next.
What You'll Need
A Digital Audio Workstation (aka "DAW")
-Your digital canvas, a place to put things together
Basic Gear (You might already have)
-Interface, microphone, headphones, cables (I will create an entire video dedicated to this)
Plugins / Virtual Instruments
-Use the free plugins and instruments included with your DAW
Tutorials & Practice
-Actually implement what you learn, and see if it works for you
Taste & Persistence
-Trust your taste, your ability will catch up. It's going to take producing more than one song to close this gap. So enjoy the ride!
What You Won't Need
The Latest Computer
-You don't have to pay a premium to produce music
A Recording Studio
-You can build a bedroom studio for less then the sessions it'd take to make a song
Expensive Software
-3rd party plugins and flashy software will always be there down the road
Tutorials & Knowledge
-Storing how-tos in your head won't produce your song
Technique & Haste
-Avoid "ways you're supposed to" and embrace "ways you could get there." This will force you to rely more on your taste than your technique, which will keep you inspired and filled with more joy as you keep creating!