New producers tend to stumble over the same stuff, and honestly, it’s pretty normal. Things like cranking levels too high, going overboard with effects, or getting bummed out when comparing their tracks to artists who’ve been doing this for years – it’s all part of figuring things out. These hiccups can be annoying, but they’re just part of learning the ropes. Getting a handle on what goes wrong and how to dodge these issues helps producers get better faster and make decent music right from the start.
Jumping into music production feels like drinking from a fire hose because there’s just so much stuff to wrap your head around. Learning the software, understanding how audio works, and finding your own sound while trying to make something that doesn’t sound like garbage – it’s a lot. That gap between what’s in your head and what comes out of the speakers can be pretty discouraging at first.
The learning curve hits hard because production mixes technical know-how with creative stuff. One minute you’re dealing with frequencies and compression settings, the next you’re trying to figure out if something actually sounds good. Lots of beginners get caught up bouncing between YouTube videos, downloading every plugin they can find, and never really nailing down the basics.
Then there’s all the conflicting advice floating around. One person says to high-pass everything, another says that’s ruining your mix. All this information just leads to overthinking everything instead of actually making music. The thing is, production takes time to get good at – it’s not something that clicks after a couple weeks of messing around.
Poor gain staging is probably the biggest technical mess-up new producers make. Lots of people think pushing everything into the red makes it sound better, but it just creates distortion and leaves no room to actually mix anything. Keep individual tracks peaking around -12dB to -6dB and there’s plenty of space to work with.
Going crazy with effects is another classic move. It’s tempting to throw reverb on everything or use that shiny new plugin on every track, but too many effects just make everything muddy and hide the real problems that need fixing. Starting with proper EQ techniques and cutting problem frequencies before adding effects works way better. A clean, balanced dry signal beats a heavily processed mess every time.
Mixing at the wrong volume levels causes problems too. Cranking the monitors might feel good, but it tires out your ears fast and gives a false impression of how the mix actually sounds. Mixing at conversation level, around 75-85dB, and taking breaks regularly helps your ears stay fresh and makes mixes that sound good on different systems.
Most beginners blow their budget on gear and software while completely ignoring where they’re actually listening. Here’s the thing though – a treated room with okay monitors beats an untreated room with expensive speakers every single time. The room colors everything that comes through, adding weird resonances and dead spots that make mixing accurately pretty much impossible.
There’s this idea that expensive gear automatically means better results, but that’s not really how it works. People will drop thousands on monitors but stick them in the wrong spot in a room with no treatment. Basic acoustic treatment, even DIY stuff, can change the listening experience more than any gear upgrade. Start with treating first reflection points and corners where bass gets weird.
Bad monitoring setups create mixes that sound great in one room but awful everywhere else. If speakers are too close to walls, placed unevenly, or at the wrong height, the sound is basically lying about what’s actually happening. Getting speakers positioned right, making an equilateral triangle with the listening spot, and some basic room treatment makes a real difference in being able to make decisions that work outside the studio.
Not finishing tracks is probably the biggest productivity killer for new producers. Starting with excitement, getting the main idea down, then getting stuck tweaking the same eight-bar loop forever. Setting deadlines and accepting that done beats perfect helps break this cycle. Give a track a week, then move on regardless of how it sounds.
Getting stuck in loops happens because it’s comfortable to keep perfecting what’s already there instead of facing the challenge of actually arranging a full song. Breaking this habit means sketching out a complete song structure right when starting. Copying the arrangement from a reference track works fine. Having that roadmap makes it much easier to keep moving forward.
Over-complicating arrangements is another trap. Beginners often think more elements equals more professional sound, but usually it’s the opposite. Focus on making each element count instead of layering dozens of sounds. If there’s no clear purpose for something in the mix, it probably doesn’t need to be there. Simple and clear beats complex most of the time.
Comparing work to professional producers who’ve been doing this for decades is just setting up for frustration. Their latest release represents years of experience, plus professional mixing and mastering. Instead, compare current work to what was made six months ago. Progress, not perfection, should be the measuring stick.
Expecting instant results kills motivation faster than anything else. Music production is a craft that takes years to develop. Nobody expects to play guitar like a pro after a few months, so why expect that from production? Embracing the journey and celebrating small wins, like finally understanding how compression works or finishing a first full track, makes the process way more enjoyable.
Fear of sharing work keeps many producers isolated and prevents getting valuable feedback. Early tracks won’t be perfect, but hiding them away stops learning what actually connects with listeners. Sharing works in progress with trusted friends or online communities might sting sometimes, but the feedback is invaluable for growth.
The path to becoming a skilled producer is full of mistakes, and that’s completely normal. Focus on mastering fundamentals like gain staging and room acoustics before chasing the latest plugins. Develop workflows that help finish tracks, and keep realistic expectations about progress.
Every professional producer started exactly where beginners are now. They made the same mistakes, felt the same frustrations, and gradually built their skills through consistent practice. The difference between those who succeed and those who give up isn’t talent – it’s persistence and willingness to learn from every mistake.
Whether producing in a bedroom or considering professional development at facilities like Wisseloord, the journey is about continuous improvement. Countless producers have transformed their skills by focusing on fundamentals through structured academy programs, staying patient with themselves, and never stopping their pursuit to learn music production. Collaborative environments like camps and writing sessions can also accelerate learning by connecting producers with experienced mentors and peers. Mistakes aren’t failures – they’re stepping stones to becoming the producer someone wants to be.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact our experts today