Learning music production without going to school? Totally doable. The internet is packed with resources for anyone wanting to learn on their own – free tutorials, software guides, the works. Plenty of producers have made it big without ever stepping foot in a music classroom. It really comes down to putting in the work and staying consistent with your practice.
Going the self-taught route is pretty common these days, and the industry respects it. Music production isn’t like being a doctor or lawyer – nobody’s asking to see your degree. What people care about is whether you can make good music and know your way around the technical stuff.
There’s this idea floating around that you need to know crazy music theory or have classical training to make it. Sure, those things can be helpful, but they’re not deal-breakers. Most modern production is about training your ear, getting comfortable with software, and finding what makes your sound different.
Look at producers like Deadmau5, Flume, and Martin Garrix – they all figured it out through trial and error and online learning. They spent tons of time getting good at their software, learning sound design, and just making track after track until they found their groove.
The skills that actually matter these days? Knowing your DAW inside and out, getting the basics of mixing and mastering down, understanding how to design sounds, and knowing how to put a song together. Being able to network and work with other people often matters just as much as the technical stuff.
Learning on your own works best when you have some kind of plan instead of just winging it. There’s tons of stuff online, but knowing where to start makes things way easier. Pick a DAW and stick with it – jumping around between different programs just slows things down.
YouTube is probably the best free resource out there. Some channels focus on specific software with step-by-step walkthroughs, while others dive into mixing techniques or how to make certain genres. Find teachers whose style clicks with you and work through their content systematically instead of bouncing around randomly.
Don’t sleep on the manuals that come with your software. Most DAWs have detailed guides, built-in tutorials, and example projects that can teach you a lot. Actually reading through these while using the software helps you understand both the basics and the more advanced features.
Online communities and forums are great for getting feedback and learning from others. Places like Reddit’s WeAreTheMusicMakers or Discord servers for specific DAWs let you ask questions, share your work, and see what other people are doing. Staying active in these communities keeps you motivated and up to date with what’s happening.
Having some structure helps a lot. Set weekly goals, block out time for practice, and keep track of how you’re progressing. Start simple – maybe recreate a basic beat or melody – then work your way up to more complex stuff. Doing a little bit consistently beats cramming for hours once in a while.
Most people take somewhere between six months to two years to get decent at music production when learning on their own. It really depends on how much time you put in each day, how you approach learning, and what you’re trying to achieve.
A few things affect how fast you pick it up. Daily practice time makes the biggest difference – someone putting in two hours every day will get there way faster than someone who only works on weekends. Having some musical background can help, but plenty of people start from scratch and do just fine. The style of music you want to make matters too, since some genres need more technical knowledge than others.
Here’s roughly how things tend to progress:
Learning at your own pace has its pros and cons. You get to focus on what interests you most and don’t have to worry about keeping up with a class, but you also don’t have deadlines or teachers keeping you accountable. Staying motivated becomes entirely up to you.
Getting started doesn’t require much gear at all. Your computer is the main thing, and most modern laptops can handle basic production software just fine. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM, a decent processor, and enough storage for your projects and samples.
Picking your first DAW is probably the most important decision after getting your computer sorted. There are plenty of free or cheap options that work great for beginners. Reaper is budget-friendly, FL Studio is pretty intuitive for newcomers, and Ableton Live Lite often comes bundled with hardware. Whatever you choose, stick with it and really learn it.
The essential hardware includes:
There are cheaper alternatives for pretty much everything. Used gear can be a great deal, and lots of successful producers started with basic setups. Free plugins and samples can replace expensive software while you’re learning the fundamentals.
Buy things based on what you actually need right now. Start with decent headphones and your DAW, then add an audio interface when you notice lag or need to record instruments. MIDI controllers and studio monitors can wait until you’ve got a regular practice routine going.
Learning music production on your own takes dedication, but it’s never been easier to get started. Focus on practicing regularly, find good learning resources, and connect with online communities for support and feedback. Every professional producer was a beginner once, and your unique perspective is what makes your music yours.
Going the self-taught route gives you the freedom to explore what interests you and develop your own sound without having to fit into someone else’s idea of how things should be done. Don’t be afraid to experiment, learn from your mistakes, and celebrate the small wins. Progress might feel slow at first, but skills build on each other over time.
Start with basic equipment and upgrade as you get better. The most important thing is spending time actually making music, not having expensive gear. Free resources and affordable tools can take you pretty far when combined with dedication and creativity.
When you’re ready to take your productions to the next level, working with industry professionals can help speed things up. At Wisseloord, we get what it’s like for self-taught producers and have resources to help bridge the gap between bedroom production and industry-standard results. Our academy and camps and writing sessions support artists at every stage, whether you’re working on your first professional release or developing your signature sound.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact our experts today