Stop OverProducing Your Beats! You Dont Need That Many Sounds!

[@DEMONT4u]

I needed this ,because i over think my tracks .

[@phucknaw2104]

Same here. Alot of it comes from having the same plugins i need to expand but when i do come up with a nice melody i tend to try to add alot on top of it

[@YELLOWBOYBEATS]

I do to bro 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@slapnpop826]

I think this is one of the biggest things for us older producers. I had to realize this about 6 months ago.

[@p-k-musicmedia1126]

Your right, if you started making beats between 2006 to 2014 you probably over produced because back then 1 finger melodys were normal and the sounds were thinner. Now chords can fill a lot of space.

[@dubandr]

What could I say? I am already 46 years old and, oddly enough, I am growing quite well now in music, everything seems to be just beginning. It's impossible to stop, that's what I feel :-)

[@dozhadeville444]

We are in the dumbest generation they are too easy to please smh

[@eman0828]

Theres a whole lot more than just beats if you are a Producer. I started off as a beat Maker in the early 2000s before I became a Record Producer producing the entire song from start to finish. What you want is not an overall produced song as a whole. That includes the Songwriting and Arrangment, Vocal Production, the Musical Arrangement parts or any live instrumentation. I produce records outside of Hip Hop as well as I do produce rock and metal. I'm currently working with this new band right now. Some songs I work on may be already written that are song demos and I analyze what needs work and then I would polish the record. You figure what's missing but don't add too much rather its 3 part vocal harmony, backing vocals or horn or string part.

[@dozhadeville444]

@ANTAGONIST BEATS Yea and when people see its really no more integrity in it they just do whats gon bring the quickest dollar. It is more bread in it but we had to sacrifice the substance.

[@Sinosure]

I'm a minimalist. I produce that 90's style boom bap. Simple & to the point. Phat samples for the core of the beat & a couple extra sounds to sprinkle on top & that's it!! 👊🏾💯

[@BoloDaProducer]

Damn right!

[@leewightman8619]

Snap ...boombap all the way

[@SoulOfTheSouth]

I think it’s best to make a “skeleton beat” first then have the artist or artists record their vocals. After they records their verses, then the producer can build the sounds around the beat and listening to the vocals so that way you can sequence the song better. That’s how Dr. Dre, Kanye, DJ Quik and Bad Boy producers did it. Don’t add too much and don’t add too little. Even producers like Jake One, The Neptunes, Sha Money XL, Nottz and Scott Storch do the same thing. Too many sounds can cover up the track. Scott Storch call it “sandbagging”.

[@BoloDaProducer]

We call it “Skeleton Beats” 👍🏾

[@lee_the_underground_producer]

Nick mira did that in some or one of his videos

[@smartwerker]

@@BoloDaProducer yeeeee

[@trapbeatproducer]

now i know what my beats are called 😅

[@SoulOfTheSouth]

@@BoloDaProducer Yes that’s the correct term lol.

[@ojaix555]

I usually sing on a vocal track early on in my beats then remove it when I'm done. Helps me simulate and retain that space for a vocalist.

[@ECollinsMusic]

Great idea

[@sangsterproductions]

🎯

[@ReddOneHunnid]

Thanks... this is a life hack lbs

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

This is so true. I think a listener wants to hear maybe half the variation that we producers think they need.

[@THA-REAPER]

I overproduce a lot but I get rid of things towards the end. Its so much easier when you have vocals already or the artist is recording.

[@dd23313]

Bolo is that guy! He is the beginners producer FAVORITE PRODUCER

[@jtaylormusicnow1]

Bro the pros favorite as well

[@frodarola]

🎇

[@swordis45]

But for Movie or TV show scoring you add more instruments. I do agree with you don't cluster the beats its about the vocal being able to sit comfortable.

[@KelvinSarrz]

Very true...I used to overproduce when I started making beats and artists always used to tell me that they couldn't find space to add their own vocals. The way I think of it is like a painting, as producers its our duty to add the structure and a few colors here and there but leave the rest of the canvas with space so that the artist can add more color and complete the painting. Thank you for the tip bro!!

[@chrisbeaumont4630]

I feel it can help to make one element the focus at a time, whether its bass, drums, melody or some chords etc, and either cut other elements or switch them to compliment the main focus. Keep bringing in something new to keep things fresh and then blend elements together once people have had time to get used to each, like having just bass and drums during a heavy bass drop, cutting out the melody, then bring the melody back in on top with the bass once its had some time to shine. Keeps things clean and can turn a few small decent ideas into a well sequenced dope track. Its good to remember people cant focus on too many things all at once if theres tons of complex layers that change up quickly all the time, making things too busy like that can just sound offputting and clashes to a lot of people. Lots of layers can make each shine less if all played at once too if the sounds dip into eachothers frequency range, making things sound wrong or too weak. Best to limit how many sounds are in the same frequency range so everything can play at once and have its own place and all shine together, learning to EQ and mix can help smooth it all out and fix clashes, a common example is too many bass sounds in the same range or trying to have a really powerful bassy kick along with a powerful subby bassline without mixing properly or composing to give each some space. Knowing that sorta stuff can help writing songs easier off the bat too cuz you can just focus on ideas you know work together naturally in production. Best of luck everybody out there

[@veasley1215]

I come back here often to keep myself grounded, if overproduction was a person it’d be me. Trying to get to a sweet spot in production where I know enough is enough

[@JustinGamana]

How is it going ?

[@leogolive]

I’ve always approached my music from a simplistic standpoint. The simpler the better. Matter of fact my whole life is predicated on simplicity. Whenever things get complicated everything suffers.

[@tonymitchell2026]

Awesome instructional video. I have to agree. I have noticed a lot of Hip Hop, Trap and Dance tunes of today do not have a lot of elements. I have to keep reminding myself about that as well. Thanks for reinforcing that tip.

[@fathomforex1060]

Amazing insight & video. This opens up the ability also to make more beats with less frustration because you’re not trying to perfect a beat with so much competing within the track, and it allows you to crank out more tracks because they are simpler & therefore quicker.. great points bro 🔥🔥🔥

[@SirMixAlotChannel]

I totally agree with everything Bolo said.....I've produced stuff with nearly 50 tracks and ended up using 16. Submixing some stuff can help to keep things organized too!

[@phlokkOfficial]

You’re one of the best IOS producers because of your teaching style. Love it! Would love to get you on our platform but we haven’t released yet, hopefully this fall. But the advice for independent artist need to hear this type of knowledge!

[@chosenstarr13]

I know i struggle with this..thanks for the info

[@schenkiboibeats3201]

Word! About over producing: I come from a sort of classical/orchestral mentality. Every instrument has it is own role; it is not really about how many instruments are involved into a production but in my opinion how many roles are being played and how many of them are overlapping. The overlap is the issue. Every producer or composer, when adding parts to their crafts should be asking themselves which seats aren’t already busy because there really is just so much room in our brains when listening before everything will be easily perceived as chaos and having more than one thing doing "the-same-but-different-thing" is the fastest route to aural mayhem. Big ups form a producer who quit iPad producing because in desperate need of overproducing😂

[@thomasdannegger]

As an engineer I really appreciated what you said about not having space. Those sessions are the hardest when you’re trying to give everyone what they want (upfront vocal, every little extra element in the beat clear and punching). I get it, people love what they make, but it usually leads to at least one day with zero results and lots of friction until people get on the same page with the realities of the track and start allowing you to make some room.

[@rockjonez61]

Thanks for the re-focus. I do forget and carried away 😂

[@AakeemDuncan]

I needed to hear this. I be trying so hard to be the mf Neptune’s 😂

[@Prydestalker]

Same bruh. Thing is the Neptunes ain't even use a lot of sounds as well their shit is simple but groovy

[@phucknaw2104]

Same man i add alot sometimes. This is gold.

[@thebeatrumble]

Clips and The Neptunes go hard tho lol

[@p-k-musicmedia1126]

It's because their sounds were nice and thick, fl studio 8 and older had a flat sound engine so you had to layer sounds to get that full sounds plus most producers didn't know music theory. Lex luger didn't know music theory. Most of his beats were 1 finger melodies loaded with other sounds.

[@luchamiomaridekakio6429]

Yea but when we hear songs on radio the instrumentation sounds complex cause of vocals. That's why I started downloading the instrumentals of popular songs to remind myself to quit trying to add sounds lol.

[@jasoncarter3604]

I’m getting back into making music after all these years and I had this thought about simplicity vs too much going. I’m glad this video found its way to me. I’m going to challenge myself and see what I’m made of using less sounds.

[@tizankb3180]

Maaaan you know we bopped to that classic bolo stop playing 😂😂😂😂

[@JakeyWakey]

I'm not gonna lie, I'm addicted to woosh transition sound effects.

[@HazyJ28]

I'm an unaffiliated customer of Air Technologies, but lemme recommend their Synth called "theRISER". ITS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT and I think you'll like it, according to your comment. It's also only like $15 right now

[@JakeyWakey]

@@HazyJ28 thank you for the heads up, but i already have it ;)

[@HazyJ28]

@@JakeyWakey oh dope 😂😂

[@oldkiahood]

Every best. They really tie transitions together I rarely use anything else

[@FuzzekeTrailerMusic]

Try and get “Quantum Trailer Sound Effects” from “AVA Instinct” a lot of cinematic woosh trailer sound effects there.

[@chillack7762]

My “formula” for backing tracks. If there’s a singer in it, no sampling will exist. But if there’s a rapper in it, sampling will be employed. Downtempo smooth jazz R&B (a la Paul Hardcastle): Drums: usually a high hat, snare (often alternating between a side stick and a snare, two different snare sounds, two different side stick sounds, side stick and a finger snap, finger snap and snare), and kick, may add rides, Toms, & crash to add transition and signals for a section Bass Rhodes The verse will be drums, bass, & Rhodes or also have a pad in it The chorus will add hi strings & bells when necessary (usually 7-9 tracks for a backing track) But in a “rap song”: Drums will be hihat, snare, kick & nothing more Sample Filtered sample when needed Bass May add Rhodes, pads, hi string & bells for interest

[@BoloDaProducer]

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@sr4triple7s27]

I like using a lot of sounds in one beat. I will stop and use less sounds. Thanks Bolo!!!!!!!

[@HazyJ28]

That's a good shout, big homie. Thank you.

[@tk1ngatk1nga]

Man, this is so true, I have put together some beats where it's just muddy when I step back and listen. I guess it's easy to be in the music and forget the experience from the outside. Good stuff. You just confirmed one of my many errors, more bass and more kicks, which often means I don't complete the beat as I'm trying to mangle it all together. Many years ago I created a beat for a friend to sing to in a club, man, the moment they played it, I wanted to run and hide, the bass swamped everything and was not even clean and clear, the concept of mixing for different mediums was not even on my radar for me. Less is more in so many cases. I'm learning. Thanks again.

[@michaelcarter2454]

Agree totally bass kick snare hats cymbals lead melody and maybe a few accents pieces here and there is always more than enough

[@dakidfromknowhere765]

This was great advice because I overthink too much.

[@Bassivor]

Thanks for this. I'm starting to dig into producing on a professional capacity and I KNOW I would've been pissed if I started learning layering and mixing before I saw this. Now I can try not to murder my tracks thinking that complexity = likeablility.

[@HardWorkENT23]

Thanks for the jewels 💎

[@arizonakey838]

Shout out to Bolo!! Much love and respect for what you do!! I'm here 2 years later and it still relevant...

[@tajik.yassin5203]

My brother I Soooooo totally agree I’m going back in time to production. There are way to many sounds in music these days and NO playing live. Check this as an example lay your base drum track down and play live over the whole full 4 minutes it’s more organic and it’s live just try it you will be amazed at the results and edit the parts that are fire a splice then together on your choice of DAW. I’m from Minneapolis my brothers I am with you.

[@dire4048]

Thanks Bolo! I have struggled with this for over a year. Funny how it's harder to leave space than to over produce. I always have that feeling like somethings missing and the beat needs more. The answer is the artist is missing. Now I am leaving my beats open and I am stereo panning almost all my melodies all the time.

[@james12erby43]

Yeahhh your right. Scott Storch use to talk about this all the time in interviews. He even said that drum sounds are very important and, how and what frequency tunning you should use when mixing a kick drum. In which he said the kick drum is usually between 55 to 60 Hz.

[@beecessity9189]

Well said. I totally agree with you Bolo. In my personal experience, I like listening back to my music and I find myself liking the ones with less elements the most. Even when I play my music for others, they often prefer the ones with simple drums and instrumental arrangements instead of ones with intricate chord changes and technical arrangements. Ever since I realized this I always try to create beats with a level of simplicity. Great video 👍👏🏼

[@Videokeys]

Bolo, you hit us hard. Yeah, Im trapped with over production of unnecessary tracks, that it's too tight for artistry

[@ThoughtsEtcEtcEtc]

Haaaaa thumbs up before even watching this. It’s hard to hold back when your compute power, VST selection and HD space is beyond godly. Lotta kids today become engineers before they become musicians. It’s easier to teach engineering than style am I right about that? Word up.

[@edogee314]

Good advice. I've always kept it simple.

[@MatrixxSoundlab]

That's SOLID advice!

[@MrArtVein]

Nothin but fax here. Timbo calls it extra sauce. You don't wanna add a whole different sauce cuz then there's no space.

[@krensingchannel]

Great Channel👍🏻Greetings from Germany

[@BoloDaProducer]

🔥🔥🔥

[@jonathankeith6186]

You know what they say, less is more. 👍👍🔥🔥

[@Herudakompozer]

Good advice...

[@kingcheflos602]

Great!!!! advice nice way to break that down 💯💯

[@corywilliams458]

Humble Advice🙏🤘

[@SKYJORDXN]

Simple beats are better in the long run for sure

[@djwerd831]

thank you

[@frodarola]

Heyyyyy i am so guilty of that. I try and mix my own product at a beginners level and u just brought to the light. Great topic! Thanks Bolo

[@thevinedge]

Much Luv n respect

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

The problem isn't HOW MANY sounds, it's sequencing. Lazy production has aided Lazy ears and artists. Every sound doesn't need to be in every part of the beat. The beats become STATIC, when you rely on them few sounds and don't build on any music theory. The lack of space is coming from not knowing when to use different at sounds in different parts of the song structure. As a rapper and producer I understand both worlds where only producers and only artists don't. In the end, it's never WHAT you do, it's HOW.

[@MATIKKMUZIK101]

Exactly. As a artist and producer we know where to put those sounds. I always want the second half of my 16 to climax. Like painting a picture, the sound placement and lyrics will give the listener images of what is being said. If I can close my eyes it, it's good.

[@DETERMINOLOGY]

Good point as well.

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@@MATIKKMUZIK101 indeed. Building different motifs out of the basic melodies to make small subtle changes to the record is what keeps them moving. When you listen to Curtis Mayfield, it might be 15 or more instruments on "We the people who are darker than blue" but they only coming ay certain parts of the record. Small things like an extra snare or clap in the hook section do alot. Then there's situations where you purposely underproduce, like when Prince took the baseline out of Doves Cry

[@MATIKKMUZIK101]

@@millyoneyedeaz1350 Hell yeah bro. Took me years to understand how it works. Makes the writing process so much better.

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@@MATIKKMUZIK101 you hit it right on the head. They don't understand how the writing process is affected by song structure. Writing to the notes and melodies instead of just the drums.

[@jamicub39]

The smile back then let me know back then you would do big things. They laugh now they cry later. Go Bolo..

[@cellrok]

i throw every idea on a beat and then start deleting parts that stick out after a while, become annoying, or too dominant, etc.. production is reduction. Reduction is a musical term actually, you can look it up on Wikipedia. You carve out the essentials to make a song easier to follow or practice. This technique also helps avoiding clutter in a beat. If there are 3 basslines that kinda work together (but really are too much) then find the one that carries the most essence and delete the rest.

[@meusince199]

So right! I'm a beginner producer & I used to think that I needed more sounds to produce a good track. Less is more.

[@Bernz66]

I was told a long time ago…… “human ear can only recognize or focus on two sounds”….. beat and then melody….. pick what will be focused on within the song….

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

Then explain why I can't hear way more than that. Some people just have poor attention spans and think they're entitled to speak for the rest of us

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

Beat and melody aren't sounds either. You're one of the people I'm talking about apparently

[@Bernz66]

@@millyoneyedeaz1350 “some people have poor attention spans”…… that’s your average music listener…… YOU listen to more cause that is you, a person who produces music, not the average person who consumes music…… there is only “beats and melodies” in music and it has to produce a sound for you to hear it. And most of all, I never said I was speaking for anyone. This is what I learned from multiple engineers and producers while working in a studio.

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@@Bernz66 Quit trying to walk it back. You made a claim about THE HUMAN EAR, that's a different argument than what you're trying to make now. BEFORE I produced music, I could do this. Yet again you make too many assumptions. That's called protecting your preconceived notions, otherwise you would ASK questions instead of make those presumptuous about my heating abilities

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@@Bernz66 and as I said before BEATS and MELODIES are not sounds themselves, they are principles we use to describe structures. Beat refers to the pulse/meter and melodies are the rhythmic patterns placed within that. Sounds are individual vibrations. The average listener hasn't always been this sonically lazy. You're talking to someone from an era where the majority of the music was different sounding, complexity of lyrics was revered. None of this refers to my fellow musicians. This was everybody I knew. The average listener TODAY has been conditioned away from these things. It's beyond delusional to claim this was how the average person always been with music. The standard just got lower and lower over time. End of the day it's not true to make the statement you made period. I don't care what you heard somewhere. I've been like this my entire life, only a musician half of it, and I'm hardly some rare case. There is a reasons most songs NOW are 2 mins, barely with 3 verses,etc. Whereas OLDER music was 3 1/2,- 12 mins a song. Those compositions were ALSO MADE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. This is a problem ALL ART FORMS suffer from. Movies are now made in simplistic microwave formats just as music is, and the past of that medium was ALSO MORE COMPLEX. Same way alot of film audiences are jaded with short attention spans, it wasn't the case back then

[@atcordice]

I respect your views. You are on point.

[@e-zammelectronicmusic7333]

Yo! I think using your produced tracks could be an excellent reference tracks for all your followers to using them like model to inspire there own productions. Keep’on produce! 🤙🏻

[@andrecampbell8592]

Love the energy G one love

[@DJ_TideWave]

So true! Less is more!

[@cycomyco6117]

Good game the real part is you back it up in your music for those who want to step there game up bookmark this video big ups to Bolo.

[@mtrbeats9537]

This changes all i know🔥

[@DJCHRISJAMAICA]

Important message! Respect!

[@music4thesoul-bymastalee6375]

Yeah i feel you, but my motto is whatever feels good, sometimes its less and sometimes its more. but never overthink it.

[@GodsOrdainedVisionary]

He has helped me alot

[@kahmaynecommahz]

Thank you Bolo

[@PutItOutThereTV]

I needed to hear this. I always have at least 10 tracks for a beat. Used to be 13 so, I'm working my way down.

[@dtrelzmusic]

Yes sir, take the minimum approach and listen after the artist adds verse and if the song needs more add it then, but don’t over do it

[@ArjunSharma-wi3jp]

Every piece of this video is what i leart past 5 yrs ……..gods truth !! This hit me hrard

[@djsharpmclive1221]

Solid, yeah Beats be to busy .....mine too. Thx

[@bobby-b9876]

feel that bro.. appreciate the advice! I was thinking my beat sounded empty the other day. I then added loads of strings but it just feels messy when i spit over it. I see my error now!

[@anthonywood257]

Truth be told.

[@digijaymuzic]

Tru fact bolo for sure. I started doing this months ago.

[@iamdjtab]

I always made sure the verse section was sxaled down for the artist. The busiesr part of my tracks is usually the top and the chorus sections. Excellent vid Brother Bolo!

[@sangsterproductions]

Thanks for the content

[@deebo29pit]

I been saying this for a long time as well. All the facts!

[@roberttolbert6303]

My guy couldn't of said it any better.

[@KingBee77]

Makes Sense! School Emm.

[@impalaboulevardmusic5375]

I feel yo bro.. Last night the kick and the snare had a plan of attack on me, but the hi hat gave up their tight relationship and told me. No waiting what the 2 808's, keys, synths, vocal chops and 22 to other tracks think about it, otherwise, i leaving this mother

[@AngryBrother360]

A great artist mentor once said to me...."all emphasis is no emphasis!.🤔

[@simclimie6045]

THANK U SO MUCH SIR FOR YOUR ADVICE

[@jlawedeo3518]

You don’t know how much I agree with you. Don’t get me wrong some beats are ok with more than 6 or 7 sounds but it’s not necessary. 🎹🔥

[@Ikkikun29]

That was my problem with making beats. I always thought that it could use another sound.

[@AckieleeAi]

You just got a new subscriber my friend I’m located in Georgia as well unless 30 minutes away from Atlanta

[@BoloDaProducer]

🔥

[@AckieleeAi]

@@BoloDaProducer going to send you my Beat tape

[@reesebertrand2767]

Thanks for the info brother

[@BLHz8blah1]

You know what. I never thought about it in this way because I learned to mix with live drummers (heavy metal). The principle is the same though I think I just never looked at it in this way. Thank you, sir cause learning is fun. Every time a day I learn something new it is a good day.

[@dmims2779]

This is one of the greatest advice I have ever heard. I usually make music many times with limited sounds because I don't want the track to be congested with so many sounds you can't hear the beat. Sometimes I feel when someone does that it's because of their ego. Sometimes simple is effective. Many times when it has too many sounds you cannot identify the song. One of my favorite albums is Queen Latifah's Black Reign with Kaygee of Naughty By Nature who produced the album. That is one of my favorite productions of all times because of the production sounds. You need to hear the album with headphones on to understand when you get time. Thanks for the video this is awesome....100

[@valentaskackauskas626]

You are good man! Thanks you for video 👍

[@Bizzy501]

This the best producer channel

[@Big_smoke_254]

Thank you I needed this. I always overthink when I'm trying to make a beat.

[@MOONYARDNEWARK]

Ive been checkin you out for a few months i enjoy your content, im not a begginer, but been out of the loop for awhile, and i thank you for sharing it has been helpful. just want to say thank you...

[@mtezman3465]

😂 I said it with you at the same time 0:53 it took me by surprise too cause I've seen like 4 of your videos. Thanks, great content!!!!!!!!!!

[@Some_Guy_Called_Raven]

For me, some examples of what you are talking about are songs like Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, You Rock My World, and Remember the Time. Or did I miss the lesson you taught @bolo

[@hydroblast2209]

Rocking with you BOLO !!!!

[@sev7789]

Subscribed, thumbs up and comment. Appreciate the gems bolo

[@RoyaltyMAD]

My basic rule for producing is this: 16 tracks or less. I use my MPC One and use a pad for each sound. The most I have ever used on a song is 12. That includes my tag also. Bolo can you make a video on making a producer tag in logic please

[@prodajboi632]

hey bro thank your videos help me out a lot!!!!!

[@trec.3696]

I’m not done watching the video but before I forget, @bolo I’m looking forward to that beat tape💯

[@quincyfrierson9201]

Facts I know i do thanks for the heads up bredrin... Bless up

[@prod.bylvwlee]

I use a guitar, a good sub bass and maybe some strings or another bass to go with the sub, and then simple drums. Thats it.