7 Powerful Ways DJs Can Skyrocket Their Career with Ghost Production Services
In the modern electronic music scene, DJs are no longer just performers; they are expected to release their own tracks, collaborate with top artists, and maintain a strong online presence. However, the demands of constant touring, promoting their brand, and producing high-quality music can easily become overwhelming. This is where ghost production services come in. By collaborating with ghost producers, DJs can maintain their creative output without sacrificing other aspects of their career. Let’s explore in detail how DJs can benefit from ghost production services and why more professionals in the industry are embracing this approach. 1. More Time for Touring and Performances For most DJs, touring is a critical aspect of their career. Live performances are where they connect with fans, test out new tracks, and gain widespread recognition. However, the physical and mental demands of constant travel, performing late-night sets, and engaging with fans can make it difficult to spend time in the studio. With ghost production, DJs can outsource the production process, allowing them to focus on touring and delivering memorable live performances. Imagine being booked for multiple gigs in a month, flying across different cities or even countries. With limited time between performances, sitting down in a studio to produce a polished track becomes nearly impossible. Ghost producers can step in and take the reins, ensuring that the DJ has new tracks to release while they focus on energizing crowds and expanding their fan base. This division of labor helps DJs stay productive in both areas, avoiding the need to choose between touring and producing. 2. Consistent Releases for Increased Engagement In today’s music industry, consistent releases are essential for maintaining fan engagement. With the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, listeners have an insatiable appetite for new content. DJs who release music consistently are more likely to build a loyal fanbase, secure playlist placements, and attract the attention of industry professionals. Ghost production allows DJs to maintain a steady stream of releases without having to spend countless hours in the studio. Whether it’s a single, an EP, or a remix, working with ghost producers ensures that there is always something new for fans to enjoy. Additionally, consistency in releasing music can lead to greater opportunities for press coverage, social media buzz, and playlist placements, all of which are crucial for growing a DJ’s profile. 3. Access to Top-Level Production Quality While many DJs are talented performers and mixers, not all have mastered the art of music production. Ghost producers are often highly skilled professionals who specialize in creating tracks that meet the highest industry standards. By using ghost production services, DJs can ensure that their music is of top-level quality, ready to be played on major platforms or live at festivals. Professional ghost producers often have years of experience in the field, working with various genres and styles. They are familiar with the intricacies of sound design, mixing, and mastering, all of which contribute to creating tracks that stand out in the competitive market. By collaborating with ghost producers, DJs can leverage this expertise and present themselves as artists who consistently deliver polished, radio-ready tracks. This can significantly boost a DJ’s reputation in the industry, helping them secure more gigs, collaborations, and recognition. 4. Creative Collaboration and Fresh Ideas Even the most talented DJs experience creative blocks or periods of stagnation. Ghost production services provide an opportunity for creative collaboration, allowing DJs to work with producers who bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. This can result in tracks that push the boundaries of the DJ’s usual style, keeping their sound fresh and evolving. In the world of electronic music, experimentation is key to staying relevant. Ghost producers can introduce new production techniques, sounds, or even sub-genres that a DJ may not have explored. This creative exchange helps DJs remain versatile and adaptable, which is especially important as musical trends evolve. By working with ghost producers, DJs can avoid being pigeonholed into a specific style or sound, ensuring they remain exciting and unpredictable to their audience. Moreover, ghost producers can help DJs tailor their sound to different markets or events. Whether a DJ is performing at a high-energy festival or a more intimate club setting, ghost producers can create tracks that perfectly fit the vibe of the event, enhancing the DJ’s performance and overall audience experience. 5. Focus on Branding and Marketing In addition to being artists, DJs are also brands. Building a strong personal brand requires consistent marketing efforts, social media engagement, and interaction with fans. Ghost production services free up time for DJs to focus on these critical aspects of their career. Instead of being bogged down in the studio, DJs can dedicate their time to developing their image, creating content for social media, and networking within the industry. Marketing plays a massive role in the success of any DJ. Having new music to promote is just one part of the equation; DJs must also be active on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, interacting with fans and building a community. Ghost production ensures that DJs always have fresh music to promote, which can then be tied into larger marketing campaigns, whether it’s a new release, a tour, or a collaboration. In the age of social media, personal branding is as important as the music itself. DJs who use ghost production services can focus on creating engaging content, building a loyal fanbase, and expanding their reach through strategic partnerships and collaborations, all while maintaining a consistent release schedule. 6. Tailored Tracks for Specific Gigs or Festivals Every gig or festival is unique, and DJs often need specific tracks to fit the vibe of the event. Whether it’s a massive EDM festival, a club night, or a private party, ghost producers can create custom tracks tailored to the event’s energy and atmosphere. This is especially useful for DJs who play diverse venues and need to adapt their sets to different audiences. Having tracks that perfectly match the mood of
What is Ghost Production? 10 Powerful Facts You Need to Know
What is ghost production? This is a question that many people in the music industry, from enthusiasts to professionals, often ask. Ghost production has emerged as a vital yet often misunderstood practice within the realm of music creation, particularly in genres such as electronic dance music (EDM), pop, and hip-hop. This comprehensive guide explores what ghost production is, how it works, and why it has become an indispensable part of modern music production. We’ll also dive into the ethical implications, financial aspects, and how aspiring producers can get involved in this booming business. Table of Contents 1. What is Ghost Production? What is ghost production? Ghost production refers to the process where a professional music producer creates a track or a piece of music for an artist, who then releases the track under their own name, often without crediting the original producer. The producer, known as the ghost producer, remains anonymous and typically does not receive public recognition for the work. This process is not a new phenomenon in the world of music. Similar to ghostwriting in literature, ghost production allows the artist to maintain a steady release schedule, even if they lack the time, skills, or desire to produce tracks themselves. In return, the ghost producer is compensated, often through a one-time payment, and relinquishes any rights to the track. Ghost production is particularly prevalent in the EDM scene but is used across various genres. 2. How Ghost Production Works The ghost production process can be quite straightforward, but it varies depending on the agreements between the artist and the ghost producer. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how it typically works: 3. Why Artists Use Ghost Production What is ghost production without understanding why artists choose to use it? There are several reasons artists turn to ghost production: 4. Advantages of Ghost Production for Artists For many artists, ghost production is a solution to several challenges they face in their careers. Here are some of the key advantages: 5. The Role of a Ghost Producer The role of a ghost producer goes beyond just creating a track. Here’s a look at their responsibilities: 6. Ghost Production in Different Music Genres Ghost production isn’t limited to just EDM; it exists across multiple music genres: While the dynamics of ghost production vary across genres, the core concept remains the same: the ghost producer creates the track, while the artist takes credit. 7. Ethical and Legal Considerations of Ghost Production What is ghost production without addressing the ethical and legal concerns it raises? The anonymity of ghost producers, combined with the fact that the artist takes full credit, can lead to questions about artistic integrity. The ethical debate around ghost production will likely continue, but as long as both parties are clear about their roles and agree to the terms, ghost production remains a legitimate business arrangement. 8. Ghost Production vs. Collaborations While ghost production and collaborations both involve multiple people working on a track, there are key differences between the two: In a collaboration, both parties share recognition and may even share royalties, while ghost production typically involves a one-time payment with no further compensation. 9. Famous Artists Who Use Ghost Production Although most artists who use ghost producers prefer to keep their identities confidential, there have been rumors and reports of some high-profile musicians relying on ghost producers. In the EDM world, many big-name DJs have been linked to ghost production. Similarly, in pop and hip-hop, ghost production is often used to maintain a steady flow of commercially successful music. For example, several top-tier EDM artists have been rumored to use ghost producers, though many have not confirmed these arrangements. The nature of ghost production makes it difficult to know the true extent to which these services are used in the industry. 10. Ghost Production Platforms and Services In recent years, several platforms and services have emerged to connect artists with ghost producers. These platforms facilitate the ghost production process by offering a wide range of services: Popular platforms include The Ghost Production, EDM Ghost Producer, and SoundBetter, which offer marketplaces for artists to find professional ghost production services. 11. How to Become a Ghost Producer For aspiring music producers, ghost production offers an opportunity to monetize their skills without the need to build a public brand. Here’s how to get started: 12. Ghost Production and Royalties One of the key differences between ghost production and traditional music production deals is the handling of royalties. In most ghost production arrangements, the producer forfeits all rights to the music in exchange for a one-time payment. This means that even if the track becomes a hit, the ghost producer does not receive any additional compensation. In some cases, ghost producers may negotiate for a percentage of royalties or a higher upfront fee if they believe the track has strong commercial potential. However, this is less common in the industry. 13. The Future of Ghost Production As the music industry continues to evolve, ghost production is likely to become even more prevalent. With the rise of digital platforms and the increasing demand for new content, artists are under pressure to release music quickly and consistently. Ghost producers provide a valuable service by helping artists meet this demand without compromising on quality. At the same time, the ethical debate surrounding ghost production may intensify, particularly as fans become more aware of how their favorite tracks are created. Transparency and collaboration could play a larger role in the future of ghost production, as the industry navigates the balance between artistry and practicality. 14. Conclusion: Is Ghost Production Right for You? Now that we’ve answered the question what is ghost production, it’s time to consider whether it’s the right path for you, whether you’re an artist or a producer. For artists, ghost production offers a way to maintain a steady output of high-quality music, even if you don’t have the time or skills to produce your own tracks. For producers, it’s an opportunity to make
Must-Have Gear for Every Music Producer
Studio Essentials: Must-Have Gear for Every Music Producer Introduction: In the dynamic world of music production, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in crafting professional, captivating tracks. Whether you’re just starting your journey as a music producer or you’re a seasoned pro looking to refresh your setup, having the essential gear in your studio is paramount. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the must-have studio gear that every music producer should consider to elevate their creative process and achieve exceptional results. 1. High-Quality Studio Monitors: One of the foundational components of any music production setup is a pair of reliable studio monitors. These specialized speakers are designed to provide accurate, uncolored sound representation, allowing you to make informed decisions while mixing and mastering your tracks. Invest in monitors that suit your studio’s acoustics and budget, ensuring that you capture every nuance of your music. 2. Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): A powerful DAW is the heart and soul of your music production process. Choose a DAW that aligns with your workflow and preferences. Popular options like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools offer a plethora of features for recording, editing, arranging, and mixing your music seamlessly. 3. Condenser Microphone: For capturing high-quality vocals and instruments, a condenser microphone is essential. Look for a versatile model that can handle a range of recording scenarios. A well-chosen condenser microphone can add warmth and clarity to your recordings, elevating the overall production quality. 4. MIDI Controller: A MIDI controller opens up a world of possibilities for virtual instrument manipulation and control. Whether it’s a keyboard controller, drum pad, or MIDI pad controller, having a tactile interface can streamline your creative process and allow for expressive performances. 5. Audio Interface: An audio interface serves as the bridge between your analog gear and digital audio workstation. Look for one with high-quality preamps, sufficient inputs and outputs, and low-latency performance to ensure optimal recording and monitoring capabilities. 6. Studio Headphones: In addition to studio monitors, a reliable pair of studio headphones is crucial for precise monitoring during recording, mixing, and editing sessions. Opt for headphones known for their accurate sound reproduction and comfort, enabling you to make informed decisions about your audio. 7. Acoustic Treatment: Creating an acoustically treated environment can greatly impact the quality of your recordings and mixes. Invest in acoustic panels, bass traps, and diffusers to minimize unwanted reflections and resonances, allowing you to achieve a balanced sound. 8. External Storage: As your music library grows, adequate storage becomes essential. An external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) provides the space you need to store your project files, samples, and audio recordings without compromising your computer’s performance. Conclusion: Building a well-equipped music production studio is a crucial step toward realizing your creative vision and producing exceptional music. From accurate monitoring to precise recording tools, these must-have gear essentials form the backbone of a successful music production setup. By investing in quality equipment and honing your skills, you’ll be well on your way to producing professional-grade tracks that resonate with audiences worldwide. Remember, your studio gear is not just a collection of tools – it’s an investment in your artistic journey. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to Contact us.
Music Producer Bad Habits and How to Fix Them
Music Producer Bad Habits and How to Fix Them Studio bad habits are extremely easy to emulate, and with time, adaptation to those habits is so comfortable and easy. Those habits often appear as a comfortable shortcut during work and a great way to cope with work pressure. I’ve come across a quite number of habits in the studio that I can describe as studio bad habits, I will like to discuss and suggest how producers can overcome these habits. Below are a few of the habits and ways to overcome them: Bad Posture habits Music production often requires that every day, you spend much time sitting at a desk in front of your computer. On most occasions, you might feel crumpled, back and neck pains, and extremely tired thereafter. Have you wonder if just sitting in front of your computer working could result in such pains! Then, there’s is a chance that your sitting position during the studio session was bad. Continuous repetition could lead to bad posture down the line. What to do Always maintain a good sitting position during the studio session. Ensure your chair and table are well-positioned such that you will not need to stretch or bend your neck unnecessarily. Take a timed break to keep your eyes off your screen, stretch and straighten up. The more comfortable you are, the more productive you are likely to be so, consider a comfortable studio chair with proper support one of the most important equipments you need while setting your studio. Staying Indoors For Too Long I believe in hard-work and often respect guys that do it but I believe working smartly is a key to success. Staying in the studio working for 16 hours does not guarantee that you will do more than someone that worked for 8 hours. The idea you need to bring out your best might come while sitting in the garden next to your studio. Being a producer should not restrict you from living a normal life like other people, explore your city, mingle with people, understand when you need a break, and don’t force it when you have a block. What is important is, know how to manage your time without depriving yourself of the need to live a normal life. Comparing Yourself To Others Everyone has a role model and working towards emulating your heroes is never a crime, the crime is idolizing someone. When you started comparing yourself with the person, it’s likely to drain your confidence and self-esteem. In all fields, there is always someone with better equipment and experience and it’s not a crime to look up to them to improve yourself. If you’ve got to the point where you always “wish” then you are already in competition with the person. What to do Run your race and wish others well, Follow your creative instincts, and have the belief that your only competitor is yourself and not anyone else. Success is not achieved by outshining a competitor, it is achieved by overcoming your fears, inhibitions, challenges, and becoming a better version of yourself. Committing your energy into a competition will drain you, instead motivate yourself with the success of others and allow the passion you have for music to guide you. Work on yourself to be different from others, consistency and perseverance is key to success while competition will only make you believe you are not capable. Fearing Failure habits One of the studio’s bad habits is the fear of failing. If you fail, it does not mean the end of your life. I considered a failure as a learning experience and an avenue to try again. If you are worried about failing, it is best to get back to the studio and do more. Fear itself is a tool that can motivate you to do better and it can also be a tool that can kill the burning desire in you. You can either use your fear to your advantage or allow it to quench the burning desire the motivate you to start in the first place. Unplanned Studio Sessions Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Don’t just work, work smartly. If you leave your sessions too loose, getting things done on time will be difficult. Just like school, orderliness must be observed in your studio, there should be time assign to every activity if you want to be productive. Have a target for every week, assign time frames to every task and every task should get you closer to meeting your target. For instance: Monday: collecting sounds Tuesday: arranging the best parts into a track Thursday: Do your first mix Friday: review the mix and edits Sunday: arrange your studio for the new week Bad Diet & No Exercise habits One cannot live well if one has not dined well. It’s a good thing to dedicate your time to work but remember only healthy people can be productive. Dedicate your mind to your wellness just like you’ve dedicated it to work, make healthy diets, and exercise a priority and keep yourself in shape. Balance your diet rather than eating junk, embrace green, eat more fruits and vegetables, don’t overeat, embrace water and drop beers, lift weight during your break, born out those calories in the morning before you start working. Your physical and mental state will reflect in your work and enhance your productivity. Hanging Around The Wrong People You will agree with me that 50% of your characters will also reflect on the behavior of your friends. The mind is malleable and can easily emulate the behavior of people that surround you unconsciously. I remember when I was in college, my closest friend loves basketball and prefer to use his leisure time to train rather than reading. With time, I got used to playing with him even when I was supposed to study. Soon, I became addicted while he became a pro, he was earning money while still in college
Growing Your Instagram As A Musician
Growing Your Instagram As A Musician It is inarguably that Instagram has grown to become a major social media platform even thou some still considered Facebook to be the king when it comes to social media. Beyond reasonable doubt, Instagram surpassed the like of Myspace, Twitter, and many others which make channeling your energy to be relevant Instagram worthwhile. With over one billion active users, Instagram is a fantastic visual social media platform to grow your fan base. However, building a community of fans as a musician requires some strategies and all efforts might be futile if the strategies are not put in place. Here are a few tips you need to grow your fan base on Instagram. Secure Your Name The first important thing to do is to secure your handle immediately you have a band name if you have the intention of promoting yourself and band on Instagram. This is important as two persons cannot use a handle so securing your handle is a necessity before another person does. You can read the Instagram trademark policy for more information. Build Your Identity Instagram allows you to build a profile for yourself, take this opportunity, and make it worthwhile. Let your profile include your stage name, real name, contact information, and a short biography. When people visit your profile, make them stay a bit by making it attractive. A consistent appearance of your set of pictures is one way to achieve this. For instance, upload your picture in batch and ensure each set of pictures have a similar and consistent look. Various photo editing apps exist to help to make your photos a fitting one for your theme. VSCOCam is a perfect example of apps you can use. Tell Your Story Consider your Instagram feed as your online page to showcase who you are, utilize the advantage to tell your story. Showcase your picture, video, and other content that described you as an artist. Be consistent in your feed to be relevant. For instance, your performance, your interest, fashion, and others are a great way to keep your feed interesting. Make Every Post Meaningful Do your research before posting to ensure you are posting what people want to see. Check the pages of other artists whose acts are related to yours and have gained grounds on Instagram to see how they post. Check the kinds of things they post that attract more viewers and comments, check the hashtags they use that gain them more comments then, follow the same steps. Do not copy other people’s content or use other people’s intellectual properties without their permission or referencing them. Digging about others who are ahead of you in their online identity will help you step up your game. Post Consistently But Wisely Consistency in posting is vital in building followers, sporadic posting can make you irrelevant and cause you to lose some of your followers, to make posting easier, you can create some of your posts ahead of time. Apps like Hootsuite can be of help to stay at the cutting edge. However, these two things are very important when posting: Post At The Right Times Perfect timing is very important to receive the most engagement, your fans are not located in the same time zone so, posting in the morning, afternoon, and evening will ensure all your fans have immediate access to your post regardless of their locations. Also, you push a bit harder to analyze when most of your followers will be online. Tools like Owlmetrics, Iconosquare, Sprout Social, and many others will help you to stay at the top of your game. Watch How Often You Post Consistent posting doesn’t make too much difference if the contents are not rich. Contents post on Instagram is not always temporary like most other Social Medias so it is important that every of your post makes good meaning and would not annoy your followers. Spark Engagement Just as you are looking to grow a community of fans online so are others trying to gain followers too. You have to give to receive, engage your followers with questions that will demand their comments, post-call-to-action photos and videos to engage them. React to meaningful conversations, leave good comments on other people meaningful posts, like people’s photos, and follow people with similar goals. Use the Right Hashtags When posting, try to make a connection with your post by connecting with people with a similar mindset. Think of hashtags that represent your brand and what your followers are likely to be searching for, include that with your post. Tools like Owlmetrics and Iconosquare would help you know the trending hashtags that would reach your audiences. With relevant hashtags, you are likely to gain more followers. Return Any Engagement Take advantage of every opportunity, if you receive any comment on your account, do not let it end there, try to establish a conversation. Return every comment and like on your post, even if you have nothing to say, a good emoji will show that you appreciate the time taken to comment. The more active you are with your followers, the more they are likely to be committed to following you. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to contact us.
Promoting Yourself As A Music Producer
Decades ago, if you wanted to record something of good quality, you need to visit a recording studio that had had a professional-grade tape machine, a console, and a whole slew of outboard gear and mics. Human resources such as engineers and managers are part of what makes a studio. Most musicians are not familiar with how to operate the equipment, including set levels and mics placement but the engineer was pivotal to the whole thing working out. Making good musical decisions that would translate well to a finished product was not a common thing among the musicians but the studio is drivers of all because it takes a whole lot of investment to make a studio and their output quality would determine their return on investment. Fast forward to our digital world of now, things have changed significantly, computer power, quality of equipment had skyrocketed, memory and storage space has increased drastically with continuous fall in their prices. Both recording software and hardware are now accessible and affordable to the points that anyone can purchase and set up a recording studio at the small available space in their home. The necessity to shell out the big bucks at a commercial studio has drastically reduced and almost eliminated as most musicians are now investing in some form of recording technology Regardless of the development, artists still value the need for a good producer and for once, Producers’ contributions have never been overruled in the music industry. Marketing yourself as a producer is an essential part of becoming a successful music producer in the competitive music world. Being a music producer relies not only on being competent but also relies on relationship hence; marketing yourself would create a way to make a name for yourself out there. Here are some marketing tips that may help your music production business: Web site Every business needs a website to highlight their skills and talents. Music producers are no different. Take advantage of the Internet’s reach by creating a Web site for your business. You don’t need to spend a huge amount on a website. Include things like your basic business information, contact information, and some clips of recordings you’ve produced. Get a paid site and choose a URL that’s catchy and easy to spell. Make your website as simple as it can and ensure it is easy to navigate. Include the Web site’s URL on your business cards so that potential clients can find it easily. Avoid having excessive information. Clutter makes your website unprofessional. You don’t need to include everything on your site, enough information to let visitors see your creativity along with an easy way to get in touch with you is enough. Networking Networking is the most important marketing strategy for music producers. There are several ways to network in the music industry. Keeping in touch with people you’ve worked with, engineers, artists, bloggers, publishers, record studio owners, engineers, label executives and other stakeholders that help you find clients and grow your business. Becoming a member of music associations in your country or neighborhood is also important for instance you can become a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). Check out Billboard and other advertisements that share the latest trends in your marketing demographic. Keep yourself up to date with forums like Mix Magazine, Tape op, Sound on Sound and the likes as you can meet other professionals in your profession through them. They are also a good way to wider your exposure as those professionals may be from other neighborhoods. Mix CDs Without the publication of your success story, no one will be listing to it. Creating a mix CD of different styles of music after recording is part of networking as they communicate to your contacts what you are capable of doing. Define your brand There are plenty of music producers out there. Make yourself distinct from everyone by creating an identity for yourself. With ‘beat logo’ without the name, the majority can relate that it’s Dre Trademaker. To be special and different from everyone else, you need to brand yourself. As a music producer, you’ll need a catchy name, develop a logo and other visual concepts that people begin associating with you. Create appealing business cards that include your logo, contact information and list of your services. Keep business cards with you wherever you go. You don’t know where and when you will meet someone who could connect you with a promising band. Get on Social Media Utilize the digital world to your advantage, social media is globally and cut across all tribes and races. If you’re not on social media, you’re missing out on great opportunities to network and build huge followers. Build a befitting profile for yourself on social platforms and follow people you admire in the industry. Follow stakeholders of your industry such as artists, engineers, label owners, other record producers, and the likes. Share your content regularly to keep your followers engaged and ensure this is done professionally. Create a schedule and let people know when new music is dropping so they have something to anticipate and a reason to visit your page. Do all you can build a relationship with your followers and ensure the relationship is mutual. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and many others are perfect platforms to market yourself. Be Consistent Keep your website and social media pages up to date by adding new content regularly. Creating a catchy profile is not enough, you need to create a marketing plan of how and when to share new content. Stick to the planner and ensure your activeness. Consistency is a vital key to building up a new business. You must ensure the content you share are relevant and maintain a moderate interval. Take advantage of Promotional Campaign Getting in the front of the right audience is not an easy task for music producers, but through the help of a promotional campaign such as a winning email campaign,
Productivity Tips For Music Producers
PRODUCTIVITY TIPS FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS When you thought of what music producer was like, you probably don’t think about it being cumbersome. All the busyness and boring activities of facing your computer and series of tools alone on a daily basis are enough to get things wee bit slow but dancing to the tune of this feeling can totally disorganize you. Being organized is one of the major keys to productivity, that is; having all the things you need ready before you need them, getting to work on time, being prepared for things to do, taking control of the things you and so on. However, knowing what it means to be organized is not enough as they are not easily achievable most time but they are essential for productivity as a music producer. Forming a good organizational and productivity habit as well as adding little extra effort to improve your daily routine will make you completely different from other producers. Here are few ways to improve your productivity as a music producer. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CALENDAR There series of calendars, Google calendar, Apple iCal, Microsoft Outlook calendar and many more. It doesn’t matter the type you are used to but what matter is how you utilize the calendar to enhance your daily productivity. Organize your time based on your average performance. You know yourself than anybody, you know your best functioning time which is completely peculiar to just you. Mine is 12:00am – 7:00am, I know I am more productive during these hours that people consider to be sleeping hours so I block out my night to focus on things to do and sleep during time most people consider working hour. Block out your productive time of the day and dedicate those hours to just work. Don’t fix appointments within those hours, organize a “to do list” and set time for all. For instance, if you schedule 1:00pm – 1:10pm for lunch, try as much as possible to stick to the time without exceeding it and always set reminder to remind you at least 5 minutes to the time. Give your brain time to relax at least 10 minutes at the completion of every task. LIMIT DISTRACTION As music producer, you always have access to the internet and if there is any home for distraction I think that is the internet. If you get yourself addicted to email checking and social media, then, you are on the right track to reduce your productivity. Five minutes interruption to check emails and reply messages on social media will definitely reflect on your productivity. Prioritize your productivity time to focus on things that matter and stay away of distraction. Adopt the use of internet blocking tool to limit my web access during working hour. ADD A SECOND MONITOR Work on your working convenience, part of things you can do to achieve that is by increasing your visuality. The more you can see at a glance, the faster and easier your work will become. Large flat screen are not too expensive, get yourself one instead of straining your eyes to locate layers while working. UPGRADE OR UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE There are series of software that you can use, many will notify you to update to a newer version as the producer include new features while some will just notify you to upgrade in order to draw money from your wallet. A farmer knows a tractor will do better than a cutlass, it’s your job and your duty is to source for improved software that will enhance your productivity. LEARN YOUR EQUIPMENT Regardless of when you start working as a music producer, you cannot be so sure that you know all functions on your DAW and controllers. Obviously, there are a few functions and work modes that you’ve never try, this might be based on the fact that they are different from what you know or what you always need. Whether you’re using a complex reverb plugin, an FM synthesizer, or even an auto-tune plugin, there are tweaks you’ve not try that can make a huge difference. Look into the manual and learn something new, watch video of other producers using the same tools, search more information about your tools and learn something different from what you used to know about them. WALK AWAY Learn how to call it a day when needed. Sometimes, it’s the best thing to do. When you feel that you are experiencing a producer’s block, don’t force yourself, just quit for that moment as all your effort might not be productive. Signs to walk away • When you mix for almost an hour and at the end, you play it and discover all you’ve done is not in any way fit with your chord progression. • What you produce is not compatible with the lyrics you are producing sound for When you notice the signs above, taking a break to relax your brain is the best thing to do. There are many more actions you can take to improve your productivity but I will limit it to these six, I will publish more tips in the future. If you have your way to increase productivity you can share it with us by Contacting us.
Overcoming writer’s block as a music producer
WHAT ARE WRITER’S BLOCK FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS It is possible for you to have heard about writer’s block or probably you have experienced it as a producer or you are just hearing it. It is important to know full details on how to mitigate this problem as it is considered a common problem in the music production. Before we proceed, let’s check what writer’s block means. WHAT IS WRITER’S BLOCK? Writer’s block is typically a bane of every producer, virtually every producers and writers experience it occasionally. It is a condition primarily associated with music writing and production in which a music writer or producer loses the ability to create new work or experience lack of concentration on the existing one. Sometimes, most people confuse writer’s block with being exhausted. When you are exhausted, you got tired and lack seal to proceed with the work but when you are really experiencing writer’s block, you have the seal to work but simply lack concentration and ability to proceed with the work. For instance, as a music writer, you might have the seal to write but stay up for hours without achieving anything, the problem might be where to start versus how to finish. Also, a producer might find himself in the studio, right in front of the keyboard to work, run many keys only to discover that only meaningless sound is produced or probably a chord from a song he has produced a long time ago. At that time, he is not exhausted, he is simply experiencing a writer’s block. HOW TO OVERCOME WRITER’S BLOCK Dealing with the problem from the root is very important, the main problem is that for all music writer and producers, music has become a habit that no longer requires passion and inspiration; we see it as our daily obligation such that we just dive into our studio and perform our duties using our regular techniques trying to get inspiration from what we do rather than applying our passion and inspiration to what we do to get a better result. Many don’t know they are doing it wrong but it’s not too late. Below are a few ways to overcome writer’s block: CREATE AN INSPIRATION PLAYLIST As a music writer or producers, music is what we do, music is what we need inspirations to do and so one of the best ways to get inspired is through music. As music producers, we are used to worrying about so many things such as task at hand, an improvement on what we do and we always want to create something new and so it’s easy to lose focus and purpose especially why we make music in the first place. It’s important to create our source of inspiration and excitement as these are the only way to create good music. Curate a playlist that moves you, a collection of your favorite tracks that you can’t but listing to, great tracks that motivate you all time, put it on your music player, put on your headset and take a walk. Walk in a calm and beautiful environment such as a garden or stay on the balcony to experience nature while listening to those collections to refresh your head. BREAK A FEW HABITS As earlier said, music has become a habit to many producers, when you are experiencing a producer’s block, it is important to break a few habits of yours. You can change your sitting position, rearrange your studio, change your working hour, for instance, if you do make music in the morning, sleep in the afternoon and play basketball in the evening. You can rotate your routine, play basketball in the morning and make music in the evening after relaxing, you can find time in the afternoon to sit in your backyard and play with your instrument along with your pet; let your pet play with your keyboard while you watch and listing to the sound making through the jumping of your pet. Just do something different to regain your passion and inspiration and confidence while relaxing. PLAY VIDEO GAME Discovering yourself is the best way to be inspired and stay focused, don’t just put your all when you know the inspiration to do so is far away from you. Once you notice you are experiencing a producer’s block, (that moment when you are trying all your best to produce a melody that can change the moment but instead, you end up playing something far from your expectation or you just discover that you just don’t get into it) It is important to take a break and do something different. A video game can help you cool down your head. Play action or adventure or any game you are good at. Play with a friend if you have the opportunity to do so. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Albert Einstein stated and I quote “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting the different result” changing your approaches is often a great way to overcome writer’s/producer’s block and also a perfect way to learn something different that will make you grow as a producer! Do you have any different ways on how to overcome this problem? Tell us on Facebook or contact us!