This is simply a rant because feel like many people want to pursue being an EDM DJ/Producer and don't understand the importance of working hard, and how working hard will make you successful.
First thing first I came across a guy who was telling me how he wasn't advancing, how he wasn't achieving his goals, and how he wasn't getting anywhere producing EDM. He also mentioned how he’s being produced for “X” amount of time and he can't come up with any new ideas.
Please feel free to comment or like. I really want to know what everyone thinks of what i wrote. thanks
Long thread. These are categories for those who want to skip parts of this thread
- Keep Producing
- Learn Everyday
- School of Producing
- A Producer/Dj Story
- Is Your Music Good?
- Promoting Music Properly
- Time
- Money
1). Constantly producing “trash” or “garbage” is the only way you’ll become successful. The best “L’s” in life is learning from your mistakes and accomplishing something better. Just because you have been producing for “X” amount of time doesn't mean you'll necessarily make it. You have to learn how carry yourself. You've been producing for 2 years, well someone else has been producing for 3 years, maybe 4, or even 5. It takes time. Only the strong and dedicated will achieve their desired goal. I'm pretty sure the most successful producers in the world can pull up their older files from the past and you’ll hear garbage. They used that garbage to make something better. Slushii shows his projects and production on his instagram from time to time on video. He constantly pulls out his older files to show his audience how much he’s improved. He’s improved tremendously over the years. The amount of music you drop is not important it's how well you mastered and produced it. Quality over Quantity. Be yourself and produce what you love, not what everyone else wants to hear.
2). Produce everyday. Even if you feel like you can't come up with something new. I can't even imagine how much producers have came up with a song or noise just by “ messing around with their daw/vst”. It's okay to change it up every once in awhile. Prime example. Jauz was one of the key founders of Wobble/Bass house. Jauz incorporated heavy bass sounds similar to the styles in the 80s and 90s and made it unique to his own likings. Therefore he became big due to uniqueness. I can't re-call, but i'm pretty sure before Wobble House/Bass House exploded, Future House was the leading genre with Dj’s such as Oliver Heldens and Tchami. Noticed how i used the work “unique”. Learning from mistakes and constantly practicing will gradually improve your music. “Something different” or “new” will come over time. Nobody touches a laptop and becomes big in one day. You can't plant a tree and expect it to give you apples the next day. Listen to other genres than the one you produce, it’ll help you explore new sounds and ideas. Avoid trying to produce like your favorite artist, it's okay to have similarities but understand that if you want to be exactly like your favorite producer most likely that producer has become better or moved on to a different style than the one you were trying to accomplish. Keep producing!!!
3). For those who keep asking about production school…. STOP!!!!! You don't need it. Dont drown in yourself in a $15,000 - $25,000 debt just to produce better music. If you’re able to afford it I say go for it , but I recommend not to; i'm pretty sure a bunch of people on this thread will agree was well. There is many things that you’ll find in Youtube that they probably won't teach you in school. Youtube will become one of your best friends for music production as well as Reddit. Find Youtube producers who will teach you what you're looking for the or simply just to learn from. I'm not saying all, but many producers have experience and they'll be able to teach you something new. Dr P. a Dubstep producer once tweeted that he never attended school because he learned everything on youtube. EVERY PRODUCER IS DIFFERENT, in other words use their knowledge or skills to learn something new. School can teach you anything you've ever wanted to know but they can't teach you creativity.
4). Every Producer/Dj has a story. Like I said you can't become big overnight. Martin Garrix would sleep with his laptop. I recall in one of his episodes his friend said that when they were sleeping or playing outside Garrix would stay inside to produce. Dj Snake was on the verge of quitting but continued to pursue his dream. Now look at him….. Dude has radio hits, Headlines festivals, and owns one of the cleanest jackets ever. You’re not the only person in the world with problems everyone has them. Ghastly mentioned that he was financially unstable but put his heart into become the great producer he is now. Moral of the story is that everyone goes through battles, you just have to learn how to defeat them. Everyone is this thread can make it you just need to heart and dedication. There's those who like EDM, Who love EDM, and those who are IN LOVE with EDM. Be the one who's in love with edm, those will for sure make it without a doubt.
5). A music mentor once told me that your music isn't good till someone other than your friends or family member give you a realistic feedback. Seek feedback constantly, be prepared for the constant criticism and opinions as not everyone in the world will love your songs. People who tell you what you need work on will become your go to and they will help you improve your music. Find a friend and also find producers for feedbacks. Producers hear things that many people don't and they will be more than happy to help you on you music journey. If nobody likes your music take the “L” and produce more.
6). STOP COMMENTING on youtube threads. I’m a 14 year old Producer/Dj from the Netherlands. Nobody gives a S**T where you’re from or how old you are. If a 73 year old grandma producer better music than you im booking her over you. Nobody cares about the age. The buyers/fans/audience only care for the music and the vibe you bring with you. Imagine being interviewed. Interviewer : How did you get where you are right now. DJ : Well you see, I was watching Tiesto’s video and i spammed his video and Spinnin hit me up 5 minutes later.
How annoying would that sound. Yeah you made it but come on… that's so annoying. It’s just not realistic. DJ/Producers have their soundcloud open. Send them music with a small brief summary of your music and who you are. Don't put your age or where you’re from. Example of how your message should look like. : Hi, Im Dj “insert name here” and here is my track named “BlahBlahBlah” please feel free to give feedback and thank you for your time” No spam and it doesn't sound annoying. If your favorite dj doesn't listen your music, someone will…. trust me. If you’re good, someone will eventually find you, it takes time. Spinnin gets like 50 million songs a day, it wouldn't be the most realistic record label to send it too. Curbi was signed by spinnin because Oliver Heldens liked his music and sent demos to spinnin. Take into consideration that Oliver Heldens has connections. Tiesto signed Oliver Heldens to his label “Musical Freedom and then signed to Spinnin because of the right connections. As a dj and producer you must know how to market yourself. Nobody makes it by themselves, everyone needs help. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THAT GUY EVERYONE HATES BECAUSE OF ENDLESS SPAM. Only send your music when it's good. Build yourself the right portfolio before sending out your music and good luck
Send your music the right people and label. Don’t send trap to Spinnin or Heldeep Records… you’ll have no chance. You would realistically send trap music labels such as Trap Nation, Mad Decent, or producers who produce or play the same genre of music. It will increase your chances of getting recognized. If you are signed to a label be smart and really think of the future outcome. READ THE CONTRACT CAREFULLY. Not EDM related but…. Don't be like Drake who dropped 2 albums in the year of 2015 to end his contract with Young Money Records. Find a label that you'll be happy releasing music with, it’ll surely pay off over time.
7). Spend time making quality tracks. Yes producing tracks at a faster rate helps you finish track, but spend time in perfecting your track. Your songs will become the biggest reputation that you’ll hold for the rest of life. Some people are slower and some people are faster… it’s okay. Porter Robinson takes a tremendously long time to release a track but he puts heart into his music and that makes him an amazing producer. Dj Snake also takes awhile to release a new song. The point of this section is to love what you do and take time in your music. It will sound better over time. Don't stress out. If you stress, just simply leave your computer and take a break.
8). Last but not least. Buy yourself a good laptop that can hold a good amount of CPU. Buy some good quality monitors. Buy some good headphones. Buy a midi keyboard. Anything else is miscellaneous stuff that you can buy later. Spend money on your stuff. Good things in life aren't cheap. If you can't afford it, get a job. Many people work hard for their stuff. You don't need the fanciest vst’s to produce great music…. remember, it's all about the creativity. Use what you have during the mean time. Buy everything once you’ve learned the basics and only buy it only if it will benefit your music. Dont just buy something because everyone else has it, It’ll be pointless. Try to buy the VST or DAW on your own without cracking, people who made the DAW and/or VST are also trying to make a living. You have to help each other out. If you're not able to afford it then it's completely understandable.
Ignore the haters. Block the BS. Believe in yourself. Produce what you love, not what's trending. Have fun, good-luck everyone and keep producing!!!!!
Feel Free to comment, i'd love to hear some thoughts or ideas.
P.S. - i'm not famous or nothing. There is surely better producers on this thread than me but it's just rant. Thanks.
Submitted May 16, 2017 at 07:23AM by dannyaguayo https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/comments/6bgmtg/for_all_the_djs_and_producers_on_this_subreddit/?utm_source=ifttt