Here are the 5 most common mistakes we have seen New Music Producers make !
1. Not Cutting The Unnecessary Low End :
This is probably the most common mistake ! Most new producers keep low end on their synths, pads and other mid / high range instruments. This inadvertently leads to the entire mix becoming muddy and cluttered. The low frequencies on each instrument begin to pile up and can result in a boomy or muddy mix. So CUT your unnecessary low frequencies to craft a good sounding track !
2. Poor Sound Selection :
Spend time & pay attention to the samples you choose while programming your song (kick, snare, hi-hat, bass, synths, effects, etc). Don’t just grab the first available sample. Spend some time searching for something that works perfectly for the genre you’re intending to produce. Using a Trance kick in a Hip Hop track would sure be experimental but wouldn’t make your song sound like mainstream Hip Hop so choose your sounds wisely.
3. Too Much Layering :
When it comes to instrument tracks, many producers use FAR too many layers. Too many layers just introduce noise, mud and other issues into your mix. Listen to how your main instrument sounds and determine WHAT exactly you want to add – perhaps some mid-range layers to make it fuller, plucked sounds to add more attack or some wide synth patterns to achieve a greater stereo spread. Think twice before you add a random layer “just because”.
4. Lack Of Layers :
On the other hand, sometimes we see many newbies using just one synth sound for their main lead. Usually, this sounds very flat in comparison to their reference tracks. Achieving the big EDM sound requires layering to make a massive stack of synths that all complement each other and form a full and desired sound. However, here you need to maintain a good balance as mentioned in the previous point.
5. Too Much Processing :
Tons of plugins on each track is another common mistake that new producers make. Don’t apply every plugin you have and every technique you’ve seen & learnt. Listen to the sound carefully, understand its problems, then choose the appropriate instruments to fix them. No amount of plugins will get you to the sound you’re looking for if you don’t know how and where to use them in the first place.