When Is My Song Good Enough To Release? - RecordingRevolution.com

[@erniedouglas123]

“The enemy of art is the absence of limitations” - Orson Welles

[@khOii]

Ryan O'Leary only if your goal is to build a business off of it. But if not no limitations on art is beautiful. Some projects take a lifetime.

[@cenkerdemir]

Limitations (except resource limitations) can be the enemy of creativity in art. Social and other limitations, and strict rules are what make us escape to art.

[@thewizardssleeve119]

Necessity is the mother of invention

[@riffmaster5805]

that's the motto of Daredevils ha ha ha

[@zac3713]

actually i feel it’s the exact opposite of that

[@CrisSkyTube]

I’ve self released over 100 original song and: For me there is a process. I get excited when writing new songs. I’m excited when starting the production. Then the frustrations start. What beat to settle with. Real drums? Beats? Once I get to the point where the song is sounding like something. I get excited again. Now it’s vocals and the last little things. Once the song is at its final point, I’ll usually get cynical, and this is where i’ll show it around and start to analyze what could be better. Usually I’ll find something here that changes my whole perspective and I can finish the song. I’ll to take things in and out of the mix and it’s not uncommon that I’ll get a new melody or instrument to add. After a few mixes it’s done. On to promo. When making music, it rarely happens that I make a song and record it and release it without going from heaven to hell a couple times. But you have to make big clear decisions about your art, and deadlines are huge for this.

[@KaitavSapreMusic]

"That was the best you could do in that moment." Perfect point and something that we need to remind ourselves more often.

[@lynz]

"realize its the best you could do at that moment" ........ that's amazing, my perfectionism has been so horrible lately

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

I have OCD ... I definitely get you! The cool thing with Graham is that he's almost a REBT therapist for musicians and home recording engineers! That statement you quote ... one of his best ... that is exactly where REBT starts: realisations like that and learning to accept imperfection, and move on from it.

[@dbchoobie1924]

@@DavidAndrewsPEC I also have OCD. I notice every little detail and go on for hours to try and minimize the negatives but it’s never good enough.

[@trexxperiaz8654]

When it rocks in my car - that is a good sign to stop tweaking the project and finish it.

[@linadecaseleycarloss5838]

absolutely - car speakers take no prisoners & show up ALL the things that sound terrible but which you thought sounded GOOD in the studio.. Takes the rose tinted glasses off, metaphorically of course.

[@TeethOfDead]

You both hit the needle on the nose.

[@bensaylor7732]

So true...

[@gaelmarquez4635]

Fuck, I don’t have a car

[@tymikeson]

i dont know now many times ive taken the usb stick into my car, went to get a coffee thru a drive thru before listenting it (to get comfortable) take a sip, turn on the car stereo and go ...NO NO NO god#### and fly back home to fix it.

[@sincorosie1417]

I can’t express how valuable this video is

[@kezhintonmusic]

As someone self producing, I have watched a LOT of videos about production tips in this area and this is hands down one of my all time favourites. Thank you for your invaluable contribution!

[@Homestudiosimplifed]

Graham is the man! He’s given me the confidence to share my complete recording, mixing, and mastering process without fear of “losing” something. Because of his insight to share it all, I’ve found KZbin more fulfilling!

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

I have a couple or three channels in particular that I watch, and Graham's is one of them. I love his insights. I've been into this stuff since I was 15 ... 42 years, in fact. I still manage to learn something new that I'd not seen or thought of before. That's because, apart from me being open to learning new things, Graham's got ideas that I've not heard, seen or had before.

[@lxonly1]

Three years late, still these advices are gold. You gonna find me rework all my songs from the past 10 years..

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Everyone else has voiced my feelings, Graham. I'll just leave you a humble 'thank you'.

[@monkeyxx]

I wish there was a love button for this one

[@DavesCoverSongs]

Excellent advice! I’m 46 song in on uploading 52 songs in 2019. This experience has taught me that ‘done’ is better than ‘perfect.’

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

One a week?! You masochist! ;)

[@DavesCoverSongs]

David Andrews Ha! It feels like it sometimes. As of today, I’ve got two more to go! :)

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

@@DavesCoverSongs That's almost as mad as Michelle Zauner's idea. She has that Japanese breakfast project-band going on and, before that happened, she had a thing where she wrote and recorded one song a day for thirty days (the project was called June, iirc). I have a flat move coming up soon (not sure when) so I'm in stasis just now, but the proposed new place has some lovely space to set up a music room in.

[@davejohnsonmusic]

This is so my problem. I have piles of tracks that I've never released because I don't think they're "good enough", or there's something about he track that bugs me, like the performance. Then I just move on to another song and the cycle continues. But I'm getting to the point where enough is enough and I'm just gonna put my stuff out there. Great advice Graham.

[@rufian2630]

I'm not sure I can ever get to the point of not hearing ANY problems. I almost always have something that's still driving me nuts that I can't quite get right for one reason or another. I usually just abandon it and send it out because I'll start tweaking and then re-tweaking and winding up with something that I think is better, then come back a day or two later and end up going back a version or two. I get the bulk of my mixdowns pretty solid, pretty quickly. However, it's that last 2% that I question and tweak, and then question and tweak more until I literally have to abandon it, let it go and send it because I can't seem to come to a conclusion. I spend far too much time on that last little bit so thanks for this. I'm going to try to implement some of these ideas with the EP I'm currently trying to "abandon" ! lol

[@promethiousb1489]

@Neuromancer,,,thats me exactly.,,,glad its not just me,,,but i will be taking this guys advice,,,peace.

[@tbhv]

this is so helpful - thank you so much. I greatly appreciate the fact you address the real psychology behind releasing something and then go on to explain some practical tell tale signs of when a recording sounds finished. The idea of administering my own deadlines sounds crazy but it's exactly what I need to get my music finished and out there. Your channel is truly invaluable.

[@MusicTheoryLogic]

Brilliant! I couldn’t have said it better myself. I love how you even touch on the idea of bias when we work on our own music.

[@officialWWM]

I've just released my first single...and now that it's out there, there's about 5 more changes I'd like to make. Too late now :/

[@ArthurDhaeyerMusic]

14:59 Those last 20 seconds were very well said and moving ! Thank you

[@beatsbyekwatoriano3556]

I "tackle".. That will be the word I will be using to get rid of a "distraction". Thank you sir!

[@_ConnorEdwardsMusic]

I'm currently trying to achieve 1,000 Spotify streams for the first time ever, and I've made a series about it here on KZbin. This is awesome and so applicable, so thanks for that.

[@njsengelhaupt]

Graham, your videos have been a godsend to my recording project. I've been working to release my solo EP for about a year (that's what it feels like anyway) amd your tutorials have helped me get over many creative blocks. I'm at the final mixing stages and keep listening only to hear things that I'm not happy with and not realizing that I'm holding myself back from moving onto the next phase. This video has been a wake-up call (probably more of a pep talk than anything) and exactly what I needed to see at this stage. Thank you for everything you do and please keep them coming!

[@sevenonsunday3968]

Great work sir! Very deep, and an excellent point about just letting it go and walking away from fussing with it. About to release my first song on Sunday! It's crazy. Hoping to get more and more comfortable with the process so I can get all my music out there! Here's to the chase!

[@lysergicbay4131]

This is one of the most helpful and encouraging videos I've watched recently. Especially in the midst of starting a few song right now. Perfect.

[@stereothrilla8374]

Music is an art. Art is subjective. Just put it out there. The people potentially criticizing you probably aren't making art. And I should know... I'm an artist.

[@NyCruz]

I loved this. I love that you say this feeling is normal for creative people. Makes me feel like I belong in a way.

[@AdrianClement]

So timely! Just what I needed. This topic has been in my forefront quit a bit lately. Released a project last night after much hesitation and re-tweaking. As soon as I released it I was flooded with ideas of what I should have done. I let go of that feeling and resolved to take what I learned into the next project. Your advice is confirmation. Thank you Graham for all you do

[@darrennast6799]

Graham, I so appreciate the help you provide, and for free, amazing! Thank you! I'm slowly absorbing all the info in all your instructional videos as I await the recording gear I've ordered and I'm somewhat nervously looking forward to finally recording my tunes! I suspect your help will be invaluable in that process! Thank you again!

[@dcrock1592]

Have a great day Graham! Thanks for your channel!!

[@stevehowe9404]

The fresh ears is end game too, Thank you.

[@terrydavis3252]

Just ran across this today….Don’t know that I’ve seen it before, I needed to see it. Thanks, Graham!

[@gabrielzachariasmusic]

Amazing video Graham! Your entire philosophy on music creation is very inspiring and positive. About a year ago, I built my home studio and have made so many strides with it. I'll be releasing my first single in a month so this video couldn't have come at a better time

[@ThomasPenninger]

Graham, you are THE MAN! Thank you for putting out all this awesome content. As a fellow musician your tutorials on mixing and all the other amazing videos are just super helpful! Keep it up bro. You are saluted! 🙏💯

[@JonahBaker]

This is great, thanks bro!!

[@relaxbro5605]

I kind of know (and I think most do) everything you adress, still knowing about it doesn't make it any easier! What makes it easier, is to see someone like you talking about it. It's relieving and motivating! Thx

[@royjones1571]

I've been sitting on a song for awhile now. I am creating a deadline for it now. It's not too ambitious. 12-31-19. But there it is.

[@tbhv]

this is one of my absolute favorite videos of yours- I lost it and am so grateful I found it again! thanks !!

[@PhilosopherFool]

This video couldn't have come at a better time for me. Marking the calendar, I got one month. lol

[@MirlaAvila-k6c]

Thank you, this was so helpful, as a new independent songwriter/singer/producer, I got a lot to lean and your channel has really inspired me to move forward. Thanks so much

[@JesseDill]

Really good synopsis of what I've learned the last couple years trying to figure out how to mix/master and release my music! One thing that I have found also REALLY helps: When you think your mix is sounding pretty good, maybe you're close to done having finished most of these steps, then try doing a quick mastering pass. I have found many times that when you put a mastering chain on, next to a reference track, and put your mix at that level, you immediately find things in the mix that you'd like to change or that just lose some of their flavor/dynamics/etc. Or maybe something is too loud once you've got your limiter and mastering EQ on there, but its really just one instrument - rather than EQing it down, jump back to your mix and turn it down just a touch. It can make a huge difference, and save you time trying to master out problems that are MUCH easier fixed in the mix. Thanks for the great video - I was just thinking about this today as I'm working to finish a current project! Deadlines are essential!

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

9:12 so important to try and listen with fresh ears. I have a track I created 3 years ago(that I’m only just recently semi-satisfied with🤦🏽‍♂️) that had a glaring simple electric piano melody part that just stuck out like a sore thumb. I had only recently started hearing it. So I’m trying to tech myself to listen objectively and not to that part of the song or instrument that’s so pat “myself on the back cool” and hear it like someone who hasn’t heard it before. So hard, but it just takes a shift in your listening focus.

[@RobinApplewood]

Another solid video Graham. Honestly, this is another reason why I prefer analog mixing/recording in this digital world. As long as I can sell the concept to my client, recall isn't much of an issue and we work so much faster. I end up using my ears, my intuition and my tools much more efficiently than if I had unlimited options and ability to make tweaks.

[@alexgreychuck7605]

You are the Bob Ross of Mixing.

[@ManishMoktan]

Your Videos always Helps me... Thanks a lot... You are The true reason I Am a Better in mixing Today.... ☺ ☺

[@deavontewhite9811]

EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR TODAY! ❤️❤️❤️keep creating guys🙏

[@PASTACATProductions]

Hey griend, Fraham here. I know if I sit on a song for too long then I just never put it out. I do my best work if I set a strict timeline and accept anything I discover later as a learning opportunity for future songs.

[@khOii]

Gustavostopher I see how this can work! Great mindset. Improving is part of the journey.

[@Writtenmirror]

I like this mindset!

[@officialWWM]

I have to do that too, otherwise I'd never finish anything...

[@mar2529]

thank you so much for this summary of the long ass video haha

[@nazaroffkz]

Hey Fraham, griend here. It doesn’t seem like you watched the entire video, there’s a few more indicators 😉

[@oledahl.]

I also ask other people to give me feedback on my music and who are not people with audio knowledge, but I never ask family or friends about their opinions because in my experience family and friends are not totally honest with you. They like you so often they may say it's good just because they are afraid of hurting your feelings or if they are family they will like whatever you do because they love you and are proud of you almost no matter what.😂 the kindest reg from Oslo, Norway 🇳🇴

[@desco4001]

Everything you said and all the comments resonate so much.. I can’t say I’ve ever gotten as much out of a video of this sort. When I get close to finishing a track I do the car test. Then based on that will usually make a few notes and go back to tweak for one more session. Then feedback from a friend. Looking fwd to more content in 2020!

[@KenRossJordan]

Thanks so much Graham for all that you do to help others create great music!

[@andymorris15]

Thanks so much man, I'm literally about to release my first track on Spotify/Apple tomorrow, and your email came to my inbox promoting this video today. YES! The most useful tactics to me were the distractions one (come back tomorrow also), then playing to my girlfriend who has good classic music taste, but doesn't know about music production and ALSO a friend of mine who has a good broad music taste and has some sound design from uni. The third CURVEBALL is playing to someone in the boomer generation, see if they get it and can stand it (that is if your writing contemporary pop music).

[@cwilliammusic]

Good advices Graham, i never thought of it that way. I show all my songs to my daughter for feedback and it has work for me so far

[@KingPhoey]

The distraction point in this vid really resonates and damn the reference point too. Thank you.

[@quigleyjamesmusic]

Thanks Graham This is a great KIK (kick in the keester) One other thing that I have found is when all the pieces get glued together. It's really a sense of feeling that you know that you know that you know...it is finished. blessings

[@J-MeEvansMusic]

This was fantastic advice. I've been struggling with this problem, cause I could nitpick it to death. I use the send it to a friend idea, and I'm gonna start using the deadline idea too.

[@BOTPlayingBlackOPS6]

You are the best teacher online!

[@musondajmwila8450]

"Deadlines unlock creativity" -- I agree totally. I've seen it many times but I just forget about that when I'm creating. Lol

[@adammichaelchannel]

Thanks for this video. In addition to deadlines, having a set amount of time each day for music helps me progress.

[@roxnroll8050]

Damn dude - forget gold nuggets, this video's a freaking gold mine! Thanks!!!

[@Pearlpassionstudio]

Again Graham...Excellent tutorial..great points, straight from the heart. cheers

[@andybonnar1067]

Needed this video. Thank you, Graham!

[@stevehowe9404]

9:00 in… That’s Fantastic. Thank you G.

[@benbrown5124]

Thank you graham, you've helped me a lot over the years, now I'm joining my friend to work on our first EP

[@robertjschroff6307]

What you provide I feel it being very good and I do like very much what you are saying. Thanks, Robert

[@PianoSpitfire]

Great video Graham!

[@axelfoley1768]

On the same song save a few of your earlier mixes (when you thought it sounded good) and compare them with later mixes of the same song. This can help. If you have a snapshot feature in your DAW, maybe use that. I often find a few things in the earlier mixes sounded better, and a few things on the later mixes sound better, so I usually end-up colating the best tracks from each to arrive at a better final mix. I do the same for the mastering (which I do myself). Compare several.

[@oliw3664]

Incredibly wise words. I'll try to apply these in future. Thanks man.

[@BoathausMusic]

I'm releasing a song today that I've been sitting on for nearly a year (a full EP actually but the firs single drops today). I always have the anxiety about knowing I'll want to change something as soon as I release it but decided I need to start hammering through this back catalogue I have now. Thanks for the awesome tips!

[@recordingrevolution]

Slow clapping you from over here!

[@BoathausMusic]

@@recordingrevolution Thanks! :)

[@undergroundswamis4350]

Solid and timeless. Thanks Graham!

[@phatato]

Thank you for the helpful motivation and reminders!

[@draxxguzu]

Great information... I'm an artist myself in Jamaica

[@SimonTebbenhamMusic]

"You've gotta have a deadline. I've been talking about deadlines for ten years."

[@patinalux4994]

Love your enthusiasm and your kick ass attitude! Thanks for your work :-) It really motivates me. Lots of love from Berlin!

[@bbayuba]

Thanks for this Graham. I am currently working on an album with a friend and I feel I am never ready for it to go. But when we decided on a tentative deadline, the limitation on creativity was taken off

[@jonthomas83]

I absolutely love the advice, thank you. It's inspired me to just crack on and get on with it. Procrastination and perfection is the enemy for me, personally.

[@sunyclubband4203]

I have been there, in my personal productions unlike the songs of my clients, I am very dissatisfied and perfectionist, it is a double-edged sword

[@jseibles]

Thanks man. Keep doing what you are doing. This video brings me LIFE!

[@JackalovichMokov]

Thank you for this video Graham. Your channel has truly taught me how to mix.

[@RongeMusic]

Graham is the man. Thank you!!

[@danielgfrost]

Grayham, you forgot to mention testing the audio on multiple speakers/headphones!!! love from Australia!!

[@ausiamm]

You just said whats on my mind this Evening

[@DaveyDoodle]

Such a great video and subject to cover for producers and songwriters alike. I struggle with these things as so many of us do but Graham makes some good points. I wanted to add some thoughts that were inspired by this video. 1. We are all our own worst critics and will tend to hear things that most people will not notice. Sending your mix to some trusted friends (ears) and listening for some subjective or objective feedback can give you the 'feedback' (sorry :P) you need to know your song is good enough to release. We'll probably also be able to find reasons NOT to release a track but sometimes we need to trust that it is 'good enough' for everyday people. 2. The cycle of being pumped up and then deflated by a song you're creating (or struggling to create) can be a tough one to manage. Taking breaks and switching gears (go for a jog, do something non-music related) can help clear the mind and refresh the ears. I usually find this happens when I lose sight of the big picture, which leads to my next point: 3. The forest and the trees: When I'm most frustrated is when I'm focused in on some little detail of the song. If I'm not careful, I'll lose perspective of the whole song and what the song is really about. In those cases, I try to get in touch with the "core" of the song, the essence of it (maybe it's the lyrical or emotional content, or the vocal, etc). In short, don't lose the forest for the trees; remind yourself what inspired this song in the first place and see if that can inform your choices rather then dinkin around with a delay plugin or eq, etc.. 4. Perfection doesn't exist. As artists, we tend to blow out of proportion how "important" our art is to US. But it's a journey and as Graham says in so many words, you'll never grow if you never put yourself out there and "risk" a little. You gotta start somewhere so just do your best, have fun, and let the rest take care of itself, I say! Okay, speech over.

[@1funkyangel]

Graham,... This is word in season for me !! Great video !! 😁

[@samilamppu104]

I´m repeating myself - Thank you, Graham!

[@NovemberSound]

Graham: A final tip to know when your song is ready to release - send it to a friend. Me: ( nervous, awkward laughter ) heh, heh, a FRIEND? …. yeah...….. I got plenty of those.

[@JudeElBoukili]

:( sry for u man

[@AquashiiMusic]

Amazing info as always! Loving the lighting Graham :)

[@JudeElBoukili]

Thx man, I already feel morally better about my songs

[@mati-fena]

I needed to hear that, thank you for bringing great value to us as always

[@kaleidoscopeguitar5757]

Thanks, great video for leading into the new year!

[@rawkinj6609]

I understand that listening to pro mixes in your studio helps balance and eq stuff but it seems that not too many people talk about this : How can you use a '' mastered mix '' to compare to your '' un-mastered '' mix? Wouldn't it be better to use a professional un-mastered mix ? That is also why pro mixes sound good in your car. Cause, if i'm not mistaking, a good mastering engineer will make it sound great on most systems by limiting, dynamic compression etc... ( correcting some of your eq & compression mistakes sometimes, maybe !?) Chris Lord Alge once stated that sometimes the mastering didn't do his mixes justice.... did he listen to his mixes in his car? Haha! Kidding Mr. CLA! Thank you for your great channel!! Rawk on!

[@dyrtiredd4906]

Hey bro, you are becoming an awesome find! I just stumbled upon you tonight, and I am glued to your content. I am really feeling helped and that you care. I have my first original song up on most platforms, and I had my 2nd one mixed and ready, but I decided to go into the software to touch it myself some. I am giving myself until next Friday (December 16th, 2019) to have it done and submitted for release. It is December 2nd today. I plan to study up and tweak it well in the meantime. I appreciate you bro. #Blessings #Peace #Love

[@KevOppelt]

Thank you. The part about being blind unless I reference was especially helpful.

[@jjjuhg]

I will re mix my album. A few improvements, structure sometimes, backing vocals where is too empty. True everything you said. Thanks.

[@josdamsmendez3127]

I use my phone S10 as speaker because i know most people will listen through it, and if i hear that everything sounds clear, then i know it's good to go. I also check the stereo on default headphones that came with the phone. You can do the same with the latest Iphones or simply check the most used playback devices that people normally use to listen to music. The program I use is called "soundwire" and it's an App you can get from the app store for free. To use it, First, You need to download in your computer "soundwire server", install it and then download and install in your phone "soundwire" app, then you connect your phone to your computer. Rum both programs and match up the server number and press the wire square icon to connect. You'll need to activate in your Phone "USB tethering" to avoid latency problems and use it properly. Enjoy !! :)

[@nineeast8730]

Thank you for the reminder man. I appreciate it.🙏

[@ArthurDhaeyerMusic]

I am in this exact situation right now !

[@Bill_Wesley]

The Beatles were huge fans of the 'deadline' concept. They typically released two LPs and several singles every year. And a Christmas record!

[@imagenesmentales]

AMAZING video!! I've been doing this without even knowing it. Working on my album #9 and i always set a deadline and that's the main reason i know it's ready to release. Also that makes me work harder. The headbanging thing is so true haha. Thanks brotha

[@SkyeLabMusicGroup]

Great video Graham. The problem I'm having is not with releasing music, but in releasing videos. You're doing it for 10 years! (been watching you for about 5) Wow, how do you do it so consistently?

[@Add_Bill]

Thank you for this Graham. Very helpful and informative. As an aside, at least two times during the last week, I have been advised that long song intros are out. So, apparently the 'know it all' music gods have spoken, and long song intros are out of fashion, and all artists must start singing right away! haha. Yah right. Imagine Led Zep followed this 'good advice' for songs like Stairway to Heaven, etc. Haha. My advice. Do not cave in to peer pressure or the latest music trend or fad. Do what you love, and play it with feeling. When you love what you do and play it with feeling, your fans and listeners will love it too. Do you prefer a long intro because you think it makes your song better? Then, play a long intro for f*ck's sake! When artists start doing things in an attempt to appeal to and placate the lowest common denominator, 'master painters might be inclined to begin painting by numbers' because it's faster and more people can understand it more quickly. My advice. Learn your craft and then, go ahead and craft YOUR art. Don't simply produce a song by a deadline because research shows that Spotify prefers [insert new music trend or fad here]. Don't even think about the number of Spotify streams. When you play the song, think about the number of people who will REACT at your next gig! There are an infinite number of ways a listener could react to a song. That makes your song art. The song interpretation will be subjective. Capture that feeling and energy in your recording. If the song is successful. Great. If not, that's ok too. Not everyone loves death metal. But hey, if death metal is your thing, play death metal the way YOU think it shoud be played! And rock on! 🔥🎼🎸

[@JakeBlaze]

Outstanding video man :) this is exactly what I’ve been looking for

[@daryllwilson8503]

sent here by Adam Ivy..... very cool advice thanks dude !