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The practice routines outlined below can be an effective approach for new producers. It encourages regular output, targeted improvement, and continuous learning : Replicate and Analyze: Choose a song or track you admire and try to recreate it as closely as possible. This exercise helps you understand the elements of arrangement, sound design, and mixing that contribute to the overall sound. Analyze the techniques used and apply them to your own productions. Genre Exploration: Challenge yourself to produce tracks in various genres. This broadens your skill set, exposes you to different production techniques, and encourages experimentation. Collaborate and Share: Collaborate with other producers or musicians. Working with others provides new perspectives, ideas, and learning opportunities. Sharing your work and receiving constructive feedback from peers or mentors can also accelerate your growth. Remix and Sampling: Remixing existing tracks or experimenting with samples can be an excellent way to practice arrangement, sound manipulation, and creative reinterpretation. Analyze Music Theory: Develop a solid foundation in music theory and apply it to your productions. Study chord progressions, scales, melodies, and harmonic concepts to enhance your compositions. Conclusion : Remember, consistency is key. Regularly setting aside dedicated time for practice and learning will help you improve and grow as a producer. Adapt and customize these regimens to suit your individual preferences and goals. I'll see you in the next blog post. Much Love - DJ NYK

The path of a DJ is often accompanied by nervousness and anxiety, particularly when starting out. I still vividly recall my very first DJ gig at a bar back in 2004. In the weeks leading up to it, I dedicated countless hours to practice, meticulously noting the timing of each song's intro and outro as there were no DJ software tools back then to assist with cue points or song markers. The anxiety was so palpable that I even sought divine blessings at Shiv Mandir before embarking on that performance. Feeling nervous before a gig is perfectly normal , even for experienced DJs with decades of global performances under their belts. It demonstrates your genuine care and investment in your performance. The novelty of a new venue, concerns about potential mishaps, and the shift from your private self to a public entertainer can trigger self-doubt. Here are some coping strategies to manage the performance anxiety: Focus on friendly faces: Direct your attention toward people in the crowd who are supportive and responsive. Greeting familiar faces on the dance floor can help soothe your nerves, knowing that there are people cheering you on regardless of the outcome. Ignore & avoid fixating on negative reactions. Be prepared: Working on your DJ set before the show is essential. Prepare well by shortlisting songs and curate a playlist that aligns with the event and your target audience. Being well-prepared will instill confidence in your abilities and allow you to deliver an exceptional performance. Arrive Early : Being at the venue early gives you the opportunity to become familiar with the surroundings, the stage, and the equipment. Familiarising yourself with the decks and other technical equipment beforehand can prevent last-minute technical issues. Knowing that everything is set up and working properly can reduce anxiety related to potential technical glitches during your set. Maintain a positive appearance: When you look good, you feel good. Dress in an outfit that makes you feel confident and represents your unique DJ style. Also, planning your gig attire in advance can help manage last-minute anxiety that arises from deciding what to wear. I've personally noticed how this preparation contributes to a more positive experience before a performance. Connect with your audience: Engage with the crowd through smiles, eye contact, and treating them as friends. Remember that everyone is present to have a good time, not to criticize or boo you. Shifting your perspective and building a rapport with the audience can boost your confidence. Be in the Zone & Prioritize your well-being: Before your performance, aim to find your focus and spend a few hours alone. Prioritize self-care by engaging in activities that enhance both your physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or any relaxation technique that works for you. Striving for a balanced state of mind and body can lead to a calmer and more composed mindset when you step in front of the crowd. As a personal testament, I have been practicing meditation since 2017, and it has proven to be incredibly beneficial in this regard. Conclusion : Embrace those butterflies and remember that being nervous is a sign of your passion and dedication to deliver an amazing performance for your crowd. With each gig, you'll gain more confidence and learn to channel that energy into creating an unforgettable experience for your audience. So, take a deep breath, step onto that stage, and let your passion for music shine through! I'll see you in the next blog post. Much Love - DJ NYK

Sometimes we worry too much about our musical flaws, thinking we need to make everything absolutely perfect. But here's the thing: as music producers, we often forget that we're not creating music to impress other producers or show off our technical skills. The main purpose of our music is to make people feel good when they listen to it. So, what really matters is how our creations connect with our listeners and make them resonate with the music. That's what makes us successful as producers. Now, this doesn't imply that quality is inconsequential or that you should disregard the importance of a well-mixed and mastered track. These aspects undoubtedly contribute to a polished final piece, but they aren't everything. In fact, they hold much less significance than we've been led to believe. Let me give you an example: I recently heard a Punjabi song which was poorly mixed, and has an overly simplistic production but has gained momentum and has become a massive world-wide hit. This shows that there's something more important than technical perfection in music—the feeling it creates and how it connects with people. Sometimes we get so caught up in the details that we waste a lot of time trying to make everything perfect, instead of moving on to the next project. I'll share my own experience working on a single called 'Remember You.' I spent around 9 to 10 months changing vocals, rewriting lyrics, tweaking the mix and master, and even redoing the arrangement and video edits multiple times. I'm really proud of the quality I achieved, but looking back, I realize I should have set a deadline for completing the project instead of endlessly pursuing perfection. Thinking that we have to keep working until every flaw is gone can be harmful to our productivity as producers. It can cause delays, and in today's fast-paced world, it's important to create content quickly and consistently. It's better to write and release four tracks in a month, even if they're not 100% perfect, than to spend all our time making one track slightly better than the other. Conclusion : If we want to become better producers, we need to focus on creating top-notch content, set deadlines for our projects, and not get too attached to the idea of perfection. Embrace the idea that repetition is key, and don't be afraid of imperfections. The most important thing is to keep improving and consistently sharing your music with the world.

Creating and releasing music is just one part of the equation in an Artist's career. Refining the non-musical skills listed in the post is as important to survive in the fast paced Music Industry Eco System 1) GRAPHIC DESIGN : Learning basic graphic design will help you create your own cover arts, album covers, social media posts andt much more without relying on someone else to do it for you. Learn the basics of Photoshop or Canva to speed up your design process & build a professional artist brand. 2) LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT : Playing an instrument allows you to gain a better understanding of musical theory. An instrument allows you to have a tactile and visual way to learn musical concepts. Knowing musical concepts can help you make better compositions. Not to mention, learning an instrument also gives you a better ear and learn how to analyze musical pieces. 3) SOCIAL MEDIA : Who are you going to play your music to if you don't have any listeners or followers. Its extremely important to take your Social Media posts seriously & devote time in building a community. Today's creators offer much more to their fans than just music. Between track releases, keep your audience entertained with exciting and insightful content on a consistent basis. Show them you are a normal human just like others and not just a studio nerd making music in his/her cave. 4) MUSIC JOURNAL : Its difficult, rather humanly not possible to retain all the info in your head. The tracks you like, the ideas you want to produce, your yearly goals, your daily tasks/things to do etc. Its wise to jot down all that’s in your head down onto a diary. This will make you a more effective & competent Artist. Its ok to go digital and take down your notes on Apps. I personally like writing with my own hand with a pen. 5) VIDEO EDITING : Without a doubt Video is the most dominant medium on the internet. As an Artist you need to post videos on Instagram & Youtube & to do so consistently with speed its wise to learn the basics yourself so that you don't have to rely on someone else (which also slows you down and also you'll have to shell out money for their services). So learn video editing and do the basics yourself.

Stepping into the thrilling realm of club DJing can be an exhilarating experience. However, it's important to navigate this path with caution, as new DJs often encounter common pitfalls that can hinder their progress. In this blog post, we will shed light on these mistakes, offering valuable insights and practical tips to help aspiring club DJs thrive in their craft. 1. Not Playing Enough Classics : Many new DJs wrongfully believe that it is of the utmost importance to constantly play latest music. While it is great to play new songs and have a fresh collection of remixes & mashups, one should strike a balance by playing out enough classics that have withstood the test of time. No one can deny the power that a classic, time-tested song can deliver on the dance floor. Tracks like Jumma Chumma, Koi Kahe, Gasolina, I Gotta Feeling & many more are still a staple in my club sets. However, underground music scene is an exception to this rule. The reality is that a majority of people at most nightclubs are not nearly as involved in music as we DJs are. So make sure to always keep a folder of classic weapons ready & balance them out with latest music! 2. Not Reading the Crowd : When starting as a club DJ, i would sometimes pass on playing time tested bangers to instead showcase all the exclusive remixes & mashups i had made & the new tracks i had found that week. The group of party goers who order bottle service at your Saturday night residency probably do not care about your exclusive new creations. They probably just want to hear Badshah's new song, and there is nothing wrong with that. So one needs to draw the line & perform a DJ set with empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of the person on the dance floor who works 40 hours a week and wants to get a bit loose at the club. For the majority of club DJs, we are there for the crowd, not the other way around. 3. Playing All The Best Tracks First : Holding the audience on the dance floor is critical especially at a nightclub where people will come and go off the dancefloor often. So when you play out, it is tempting to do everything possible to keep the crowd’s attention at the start. But do not play all the bangers and floor fillers at the very beginning of your set. Create a flow & program a Dj set like a story. Always leave the crowd wanting for more when you've finished. 4. Drinking Too Much : Alcohol is such a part of nightlife culture that it can be hard to abstain, but drinking at every gig would be an incredible health hazard if you're playing out 3-5 nights a week. Alcohol can have a dramatic effect on a DJ's: * Ability to read the crowd and tell what they want * Personal wellness & health * Sense of timing (making it hard to beat match & doing ghoda gaadi transitions) * Ability to communicate with crowd / promoters / club owners in a respectful manner

Looking at 𝟓 𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 you can have as a Music Producer and simple strategies to counter them. 1) Comparing Yourself : It's understandable to want to be like your musical idols but when being a fanboy crosses over to comparison, you can seriously hurt your confidence. It has taken your musical heroes years to reach where they are. There will always be someone who will be better at experience, training or producing music than you. Don’t hold yourself up to unfair standards. We all have different strengths. Follow your own creative instincts. What can you work on that separates yourself from others ? Build on that skill. 2) Unplanned Studio Sessions : You won’t get any music finished if you don’t have a planned studio schedule. Spontaneous jams are good but a studio schedule just like a schedule for work/college is needed to be productive. Start with weekly goals like finishing a track. Assign a task for each day of the week. For eg : Monday - Audition new sounds & lay down a basic idea. Wednesday - Complete the arrangement Friday - Mix & Master the project Sunday - Final Changes & Review Stick to the schedule and you will see how quickly your music gets finished.. 3) Avoiding Networking : For most producers, networking is a chore and takes away from precious studio time. I understand the feeling completely. But truth be told, going out and meeting music industry people is the best way to build relationships that help your career. Fire up your social media pages and tell people what you are working on. Be active in the DJ/Producer community. Visit local gigs, talk to other artists, managers, producers and connect. 4) Bad Diet/No Exercise : As much as you are dedicated to your music, pay equal emphasis on taking care of your body by maintaing a healthy excercise regime & diet inorder to function at optimum levels of energy required to bring out the best in you as a creative artist. During studio breaks go for a run, avoid junk food, eat a clean diet, drink lots of water & learn to meditate. This will reflect in your music and overall state of mind. 5) Not Collaborating : Another bad habit i see a lot of producers making is not collaborating with others. Collaboration is an essential component in modern day scenario. Collaboration gives our work constructive feedback, fresh ideas and perspective that altogether help us to produce better-sounding work compared to what we could achieve by ourselves. I’ve known Top producers who are still insecured sharing their projects or stems. Don’t be like this. Connect with other artists over a project & work like a team keeping your ego in check. 6) Perfectionism : Naturally, Being a music creator you want to put your best work forward. But perfectionism can ruin your creativity. Perfectionism creates an inner critic which gives you a bad review anytime you try to do something, Leading to self doubt and discouragement. It's all about doing it. Do it everyday and one of these days something great will come out, Eventually you will be comfortable creating out of the box and you will finish more projects in no time.

There's nothing wrong with taking a few requests, but don't feel the need to fulfill them all. DJs are hired to deliver a service, and sometimes that means dealing with criticism.Different scenarios will call for different responses, but remaining respectful is a rule of thumb that will always help your case, no matter what route you decide to take. Here are 5 Tips for DJ's to handle Song Requests 1) Say Yes (In these circumstances) : If someone suggests a great song and you think the request could mix well into your set, give it a go. But if you think the BPM or Genre or energy of the song is too different from what you are currently playing then you don't need to oblige the request and risk upsetting the crowd & the energy on the dance floor. If the request comes directly from the venue owner, the event host, or the bride/groom - then you're going to want to accommodate. Bottom line, be professional and show respect to the person cutting your cheque. 2) Dont say a hard No. Be Diplomatic : Avoid saying a hard NO (Eff Off) to someone on their face. Everyone has ego issues you know and it's not a wise idea to hurt someone's ego. If a person seems unreasonable, just listen to the request and then do nothing. A situation where a straight " I cannot play the request" response is acceptable is if the request, is for a song you already played earlier in the night. There will always be drunk people, people who claim to be a DJ or people who have a very entitled attitude. Be sure to remain professional and keep your cool in these situations. It's not worth your energy. If the person continues to bug you, escalate to «'ll play it soon - I promide! " & keep procrastinating. They'll eventually get tired & give up. 3) Consider Requests While Setting Expectations : The key is to set honest expectations and to offer positive acknowledgment. Tell them: "Great song but it doesn't really fit into the mix right now. Whenever I find a spot where it could work, l'Il definitely play it." This approach is usually better than a hard NO because there's less risk of the person feeling disrespected. If they're with a group, they have a better story to tell their friends than, "The DJ said 'No', let's leave." 4) Use Requests to your advantage : Requests are a very good way to build up a night and energy on the dance floor and can be used to your advantage. You get a overall sense of what the crowd in the room wants from the requests that are being placed. If you are playing Genre X and you are consistently getting requests for Genre Y then you should derinitely try & switch to Genre Y & notice the reactions on the dancefloor. If you see happy faces then you should steer in the direction of Genre Y. Also requests are a great way to learn about the popular songs of another genre that you aren't familiar with. I learnt the names of all the Rock Music classics from the requests I used to get when I was a resident DJ at a pub in Delhi. 5) Politely Lie : What happens when someone asks, "Do you have anything we can dance to ? Just tell the person that you don't have it, even if you really do. Your set and the rest of the crowd are more important than satisfying a single person who doesn't even know how to place a request respectfully. And remember the club owner, managers, or promoters may be listening, so don't lose your spot just because of a request. And no, you can't "just play it from YouTube" because you don't have WI-Fi & an Aux Cable. Sorry! Side Note : If for any reason you couldn't oblige a person who respectfully gave you a request, you can apologize to them later for not being able to play their song, if they are still around after the night is over. Any resonable person will appreciate this gesture of yours and will return to hear you out again knowing you are not cocky & care about the people on the dancefloor. This is something i personally do at my events. Doing so doesn't make you a smaller person or artist. For most of the DJs we are there for the crowd not the other way around. Be nice & try to oblige requests whenever you can. Build resilience & ignore the rude/drunk people who misbehave. Its part of the job.

Finding your focus as an Artist can be difficult, but here are some tips to help you stay on track and develop your creative career : 𝟏) 𝐅𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐒 𝗪𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔'𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐇 - Tackle the projects that require "hard focus" early in your day. Self-control & our ability to resist distractions - declines as the day goes on ! 𝟐) 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄 - Turn off your phone, whatsapp, email, social media & any apps unrelated to Music Production or your task. Even the presence of background activity (and temptation) can drain your focus 𝟑) 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 - Book time on your calendar for uninterupted, focused work and respect those blocks of time as you would any client meeting. 𝟒) 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 - Stuff like doing chores is classified as a 'Mindless' task. Conversely the core tasks of problem solving and invention that relate to one's creative pursuits are classified as 'Mindful,. Shifting from Mindful to Mindless tasks gives the brain time to process complex problems in a relaxed state & also restores the energy necessary for the next round of mindful work.

1) 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 : Trying to play your song to all your friends and family members is not conducive to an optimal workflow. Getting feedback from too many different ears all with differing opinions ends up casting doubt on one’s work. Instead, seek out feedback or help from only a handful of trusted producers that you believe might be able to give you some insight on how to resolve your problems. 2) 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 : Set your deadline & make it a habit to finish the song within that time. In today’s scenario you need to produce content on regular basis and cannot sit on one song for a long time. Don’t spend time endlessly exporting, testing, and tweaking during the mixing process. Make an agreement with yourself not to exceed a set amount of time polishing your track & save up on the valuable time which you can use to work on creating another song.

When a particular genre or style of music isn't your thing and you try to follow the trends when your heart's not in it, your music won't be any good. Consider the trends but don't let them write your music for you make the music you want! Thankfully there's an audience for almost any style of music you can imagine. So stop stressing over catching up with trends and bring out the best in you by making music that resonates with you.

We all share the desire to become successful music producers. Whether it's achieving worldwide recognition or simply creating high-quality music, the journey to success can vary greatly in terms of time. While there are no "crazy growth hacks" to becoming a good producer, there are several ways to avoid wasting time and streamline your progress, regardless of your circumstances. Let's explore five common time-wasting pitfalls to steer clear of: #1: Minimize Unnecessary Admin: Focus on your music rather than getting caught up in excessive administrative tasks. While it's important to act professionally, remember that true professionals prioritize their craft, especially in the early stages. Avoid getting overwhelmed by email management, excessive social media adjustments, and unnecessary communication with industry personnel. Invest your time in making music and save the rest for later. #2: Limit Tutorials, Plugins, and Samples: While tutorials, plugins, and samples can be helpful, they can also become distractions if overused. Set limitations on tutorial consumption, avoid downloading every free sample pack, and resist the urge to accumulate an extensive collection of plugins. Embrace the concept of "less is more" to maintain focus and avoid wasting time on unnecessary resources. #3: Keep Ego in Check: Ego can hinder progress and impede growth. Stay open to change and different perspectives. Don't let ego dictate decisions that might compromise your music. Be willing to adapt, learn from others, and challenge your own beliefs. Overcome the temptation to use certain plugins or follow rigid rules that may hinder your creativity. Remember, ego is the enemy of progress. #4: Focus on Finishing Songs: Starting new ideas is often easier than finishing them. Overcome the hurdle of incomplete projects by prioritizing the completion of songs. Finishing teaches you vital skills such as structure, arrangement, mixing, and mastering. These skills are not fully developed by working solely on loops or short musical ideas. Challenge yourself to see projects through to the end, even if it's a struggle. #5: Allow Buffer Room for Releases: Avoid the rush to release music immediately after completion. Instead, schedule releases in advance, allowing for buffer time. This approach offers several advantages, such as gaining attention from Spotify editorial playlists, building anticipation through pre-saves, extending the lifespan of your songs, ensuring proper distribution across platforms, and securing premieres and support from influencers. Give your releases the time they deserve to maximize their impact. By avoiding these common time-wasting mistakes, your journey as a music producer will be smoother and more efficient. Remember, success may come at different times for different individuals, so focus on internal growth rather than external validation. Enjoy the process without placing unnecessary time restrictions on yourself. Learn from those who have walked this path before, and save yourself from needless errors. P.S. Reducing expectations can also be helpful. Don't set arbitrary timeframes for success or rely solely on external events beyond your control. Celebrate internal changes and improvements, and find joy in the creative process.

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.