5 Amateur Music Production Mistakes (and how to fix them)

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Also... I totally messed up in not showing the DAW when I mentioned it in the video about how many plugins I have... (FACEPALM) I have a handful of tracks with Zero plugins on them and my vocals only have 5-7 for those who wanted to know haha!

[@josephsday2220]

I needed that as a begginer producer. I was wondering why i was so good at starting a project and so bad at finishing. And this is helping me so thank you

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yep - that is so common. It's always easier to start than finish. Happy to help!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hope this helps ya! Lemme know which of these was the biggest "light bulb" moment!

[@lintojoevarghese104]

If sound sucks everything sucks !

[@petershadgett1879]

Copy paste! It’s nice to cheat like that, but the ear knows! Thanks for that!

[@sphygo]

It's amazing how high quality and informative this video is (and your other vidoes for that matter) and yet it has only 6k views... So much good information that people should be aware of. You've definitely earned my sub.

[@traceywalker8713]

I loved when you said I should be asking "how is this section different from the last.." that is a great question to have in mind throughout a song. I also thought about a copy and pasted verse section in a song that I'm writing which is exactly the same musically as the last...not anymore! Gonna change that right now! Excellent video..your usp is yr honesty and no bullshit teaching. Thank you x

[@2sdm8]

The last tip is very good. I always strive to make sure each segment/section of song has something that makes it unique from the others. And that each section has something special that people would want to return to. Songs should be a journey not a static moment.

[@jayrumi]

whenever i feel like i am missing something out in my production i see your video it help me alot

[@solomonl2680]

I found that having reference tracks from the same genre or genres that I want to put an idea in was a bit of a lightbulb moment, it also helped me refine where i should take the track structurally

[@chillack7762]

What I do for copy paste is drums bass Rhodes & pad because I want the basic accompaniment to have the same chords for both the verse & chorus alongside vocal choruses if the song is a vocal number. However, what I vary is whatever goes on top. Verses 1 & 2 have different lyrics. Lots of times they seem to sound identical. In a ballad it’s easy to develop. However, in a downtempo or dance song, nearly every part sounds deceptively the same.

[@ScottDMoore]

Your time for us/me is well spent. Thank you sir

[@alexmasters23]

number 5 is the hardest but most important. thanks Nathan for reminding me I need to work on it

[@justam_ess]

Processing with INTENT.... not just cuz! 🔥🔥🔥

[@eljeysmusic]

Thanks man for coming up with this video. I have done music production for long time, but their are still some of these 5 points you mention I fall into. It is owsome you make this video about these 5 mistakes. And of cause is difficult to face the Truth as a producer sometimes, but these 5 points is fundamental and important. 🙏

[@definfected]

I enjoyed all of these tips. Excellent vid!! Much ❤ Nathan!!

[@aloha4522]

nice and simple words ..very much true

[@sumitsolanki3912]

Learn so much from you day by day Thanks

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Appreciate that! Glad to hear it

[@markrichardson6461]

#5 probably the best one. It’s so easy to copy/paste to finish the song. However, like you said, ‘why would people keep listening.’

[@ronnie4261]

This guy is WAY too underrated.

[@bryndayy]

I think you intended to put a DAW shot around 6:45 but it isn't there. Great video though, I appreciated #4 specifically.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Ah... dang.

[@emiel333]

For I forget: great video. You are great.

[@automaton111]

What about virtual instruments that have built in effects like delay and reverb? Do you disable them and add your own during mixing, or leave them and tweak them within the instrument?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Not necessarily! If I like what is happening within the library, I'll keep it. Really depends on the situation - but if it already sounds great, then why change it? On the other hand, if I clearly don't like the effects then yes I will turn them off and use my own.

[@automaton111]

@@NathanJamesLarsen I was just thinking if you have multiple instruments with different reverbs it might not be ideal for creating a cohesive sounding mix. But that gets into the question of what’s the best way to use reverb across multiple tracks in a mix. If you see reverb as a sound effect, then if it sounds good it is good. If you see reverb as creating a virtual space that all the instruments exist within, then it seems you’d use the same or very similar reverb for everything.

[@tylerhill6706]

@@automaton111 well many guitarist and keyboardist use reverb on their instruments while recording and then the engineer adds other reverb to create space later in post. So I’d assume same goes for producing with sample libraries. I’m new to producing but that’s how it always was for me playing and recording live music

[@Jacob-iv7qg]

I will give critic as a long time fan (I assume you already pulled your guard up, it's not needed 😃) In my opinion: this advice is very generic, and not why people sign up for YOUR channel, I would much more appreciate more valuable insides, *1* more deep dives into 'sound selection', *2* how different sounds work together/layering sounds (e.g. guitars) *3* production techniques, *4* how you combine different rhythms/patterns to create a cohesive groove *5* mixing ideas for producers (like the 'underwater effect') (And yes, also the gear, instruments, VST's and effects plugins you use and love) *Thanks in advance!*

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I have a lot of videos on my channel that are very specific - this is one of very few that is "more generic" - and this is a "starting point" video - in other words, this isn't meant to go deep on every topic here, but it's to address what they are in the first place so people know what to be thinking about. Again - most of my videos are more specific with specific tips / techniques. But - noted.

[@Jacob-iv7qg]

@@NathanJamesLarsen I got that, this is why I commented to you and not to other boring channels that I never even check nowadays because you always give me so much valuable advice and insides, Also, what do you say about does ideas I mentioned, is it helpful to you in any way?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

@@Jacob-iv7qg For sure - and I appreciate that. I didn't feel this was "Attacking" by any means. And I like the suggestions - I'm all for it! I have videos I'm working on (have several on the docket) that go into specific techniques!

[@hushyholland8823]

@Jacob I would look into counterpoint and harmony and music theory around composition and arranging. Also critically listen to as much music as possible and writing down what you hear, Be as descriptive as possible and then depending on what you are trying to improve use the techniques you find in your work. These helped me a lot when I was going from intermediate to more advanced stuff. I was asking a lot of the same questions. Hope that helps and good luck on your production journey.

[@emiel333]

For those who are just starting: make a folder with your favorite and most used sounds.

[@TheZwhitey]

Nice dude!!

[@jasonkeyes6706]

Really helped me! 😀 Thx!

[@onimisilovesonmusic4548]

Very helpful

[@_memo71_]

Love your videos Nathan!! Btw what camera do you use to film your videos?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks a ton! I'm using a Canon 5d Mark IV with a Sigma 24-70mm lens

[@timschannel247]

1. Comes shit in, shitcomes out 2. challenge your work 3. reference your work 4 . Work on your work to get it done 5. never mix with Master Plugins / consider k-System

[@andrewbrownmusic3700]

Do you know of any programs that offer internships with working producers over the summer, or is that more of a thing where you have to reach out to them yourself? I'm a college jazz studies student looking to get some experience in production.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Dont know where you live - but my recommendation is see if there is a producer in your area you can work with for free. That's what I did years ago. I offered to work for free to a producer who is quite successful - and I learned more with him than YEARS combined trying to learn on my own. If you don't have anyone in your area - then I'd look for an online option. I have a course - not saying I'm the only one but I do have a program with a private community for support. I don't believe in saying "I'm the only one with a good option" but you can check it out in my description if you're interested. But... I will say - if you CAN find someone locally - do that.

[@andrewbrownmusic3700]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Thank you for the in depth advice. I also think that working with a local producer in the real world will teach me a lot more than doing stuff myself.

[@WillDemascal]

Great video! 🤘

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks Will!

[@goldfingers8763]

in relation to not record above zero db , its not true if you record at 32 bit , in 32 bit it even better to record above the zero to achive higher volume and lower noise floor

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

Super helpful!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Happy to hear that Matt! Thanks!

[@evan7618]

Fair enough. 😌

[@jaden_shah]

unrelated, but what desk do you have?

[@atcordice]

my thing about any plugin Garbage in Garage out

[@fiddlefolk]

most of my favorite music is the least produced..... I like to call it perfectly imperfect. I think that is what is missing in today's music. Everyone grids and everyone auto tunes. How about just a great performance and no frills.Keep it real! Maybe that's why the CMA's have zero audience..... People want real music, real performance.....

[@kikiu2619]

How come the recordings don't clip, when I record at 5+db?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

They are - clipping is going above 0bD - the amount of distortion will vary though. If you're hitting 5dB that is a huge problem.

[@kikiu2619]

@@NathanJamesLarsen how is that a problem?

[@homophobesblowcock3297]

@@kikiu2619 Because when you add processing like compression it will be very distorted.

[@JulianFernandez]

No intro is the best intro

[@ScottDMoore]

ug, I just wanna create. Much less produce someone else. I can play but Im so stuck.

[@xrenaissancen]

First view!!!

[@noonecs9614]

DJ Khaled should learn the last tip lmao..... Jk

[@StormBolt111]

2 nd comments

[@mikecole2837]

Great video but hilarious that the audio is... not great.

[@adirkse]

I'm sorry... "The biggest mistake I see among beginners and amateur producers..." So you think of yourself as a professional producer? Have you listened to your own song on Spotify?!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

LOL - yeah I just make a fake full time income with music... 😂

[@adirkse]

​@@NathanJamesLarsen No, not "LOL", or "yeah, I just make a fake full time time income with music." That is not the point. It's just telling that you can make a living out of you producing. Which of course is good for you. However, the fact alone that you feel you have to say exactly that, makes me laugh. It's not that you don't know how to do certain things and several of your videos are great stuff in my opinion. But the way you address people and talk about people to me is just condescending. Especially if you're talking about beginners and amateurs, and don't necessarily post a very good production on Spotify yourself...

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

You not liking my production is your opinion and you can feel free to have one. Plenty of people don't like my music - and I'm sure if you put yourself out there - you'd have people who hate your music too. Does that make you a crappy artist or crappy producer cause someone says you are? You really expect me to be like "oh yeah you're right - I suck"? Uhhh no. Especially not when I feel quite proud of the work that I do. If you actually saw the video I made where I created that song - you'd see the overwhelming positive comments 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ So yeah - if you don't like my work - totally cool but bashing me in your original comment - is probably not the best way to get a serious comment from me. You attacked me as not being a professional - I make a full time income doing this. Which... by definition is a professional. I was commenting to you saying "you call yourself a professional producer?" - yes. I do - because I am. By definition. If you think that's condescending... that's kinda weird considering your original comment was not exactly what I would call kind. Imagine yourself in my shoes - and someone comments what you did - when the vast majority of comments I get are positive. You really think I'm gonna stop and be like "oh dang. A bad comment. I'm not any good... I must suck!"? Also- I've produced literally hundreds of songs (probably over 1000) - but if you wanna declare me "not professional" based on one song - you do you.

[@seanbutler6767]

Funniest thing I’m taking ice skating lessons, because I can’t skate you know? And my coach goes and says he see’s one big problem he see’s with beginners is they tie their skates wrong fall down frequently. And I’m like okay buddy you’re not in NHL, don’t talk about beginners like that. What a condescending jerk. I’m also an amateur music man I make all these mistakes mentioned. Thx 4 vid

[@adirkse]

@@seanbutler6767 A condescending jerk, yeah, if he would act like so saying he himself ís a pro. Like this guy often does in his videos. But if you go to listen to what he (as a "pro") has posted, it's obvious that he is everything but the pro he likes to promote...

[@jaden_shah]

unrelated, but what desk do you have?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Using the Artist 88 from Buso Audio. Great desk - however it took forever to get here after I ordered... like almost 2 months.