10 Hard Truths I Wish Someone Told Me When I Started Producing
Most beginner producers don’t fail because they’re untalented--they fail because they’re overwhelmed.
When I first opened a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), not only did I think it would take forever to learn how to use the damn thing, but I also thought I needed everything all at once: expensive plugins, the perfect headphones, the right YouTubers to copy, and the best virtual instruments.
I thought “good music” meant mastering every skill at once.
None of that helped.
What actually moved me forward were the simple lessons I’m about to share with you. If someone had handed me this list on day one, I would’ve avoided months of frustration.
Let’s get to the list, shall we?
1) Fancy Gear Doesn’t Make Better Music
I wasted so much time thinking I wasn’t “ready” because I didn’t have the right equipment.
Here’s the truth:
Skill matters more than gear. Taste matters more than gear. Reps matter more than gear.
Use what you have. Learn your DAW. Stop shopping for sound--learn how to shape it.
2) Simple Sessions Make Better Songs
I used to stack 20+ tracks because I thought more layers equated to more emotion.
That’s how you get mud.
Some of the best beginner-friendly songs come from just four core sounds:
Drums
One main melody
One bass
One texture/pad
Keep it lean. Make choices. Leave space.
3) Mixing Isn’t Magic--It’s Volume
Every beginner thinks mixing is complicated.
Here’s the secret nobody tells you:
80% of mixing is simply turning things down.
Balance your sounds. Start with the most essential element and build around it. Skip the plugins until you actually need them.
Immediate improvement.
4) Perfect Is The Enemy of Progress
I used to tweak hi-hats for hours. Fix kicks that didn’t need fixing. Rework a melody until I forgot why I liked it in the first place.
You grow by finishing songs--not perfecting them.
Set deadlines. Bounce (export) the track even if it isn’t flawless.
Momentum matters more than polish.
5) Learn One Skill At A Time
Production is a lot:
Sound design, mixing, arrangement, chords, drums, workflow...
Trying to learn everything at once is the fastest route to burnout.
Break it down.
Focus on one thing for a week:
drums → melody → arrangement → mixing
Master the basics layer by layer.
6) Reference Tracks Are A Cheat Code
I used to feel guilty about using reference tracks, to the point where I wouldn’t use them--like it wasn’t “real creativity.”
Then I learned professionals use them constantly.
They’re guides, not crutches.
Compare structure, energy, drum placement, and transitions.
Copy the approach, not the exact sound.
7) Limitations Make You Creative
Unlimited options kill beginners.
You thought you wanted the perfect synth library...until you open 300 presets and lose the idea you had 30 seconds ago.
Create rules for yourself:
Use three instruments
One drum kit
One scale
Constraints sharpen taste and speed up skills.
8) Good Ears Take Time
I used to get frustrated because I couldn’t “hear” what tutorials were talking about.
Guess what? Nobody can at first.
Your ears improve slowly--through repetition, comparisons, and curiosity.
The more you produce, the sharper you get.
9) You Don’t Need Music Theory To Make Good Music
You don’t need to understand advanced harmony to make a great song.
Most modern music is built on simple shapes and familiar progressions.
Learn major/minor.
Learn a couple of go-to progressions.
Build melodies from simple patterns.
That’s enough.
10) Your Best Work Comes From Play, Not Pressure
The harder you try to “force creativity,” the more your ideas disappear.
Your best work shows up when you’re relaxed, playing, and exploring.
Have two types of sessions:
Play session (experiment, have fun)
Production sessions (finish the track)
Protect the fun. It’s your most significant advantage.
Closing Thoughts
Everyone starts messy.
Everyone starts confused.
Everyone starts with songs that don’t sound like what’s in their head.
The difference between beginners who grow and beginners who quit is simple:
One keeps going.
The other doesn’t.
Make the music you can make today--not the music you think you “should” be able to make.
Progress happens faster than you think.
What’s one lesson you wish you had known sooner? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear about what you’ve learned on your journey, whether that’s through music or something else.
As someone who already lives inside melodies and rhythms, I loved this. Keeping things simple is so grounding. I’m guilty of over-layering, overthinking and over-polishing. But this made me want to get back to the heart of it: one feeling, one motif, one honest moment. It’s wild how easy it is to forget that the songs that move us most aren’t complicated. They’re truthful. I’m so glad we got to enjoy another music newsletter today Idris Elijah!
I spend a lot of time alone and that’s where I’m most creative and clear. When I’m on my own, the pressure drops and the curiosity kicks in. I can experiment, mess up, restart and follow ideas without worrying about how they look. And I think that’s why the moments I do connect with people, like sharing music, ideas, or my X page, hit so much deeper. The solitude shapes the art and the connection gives it meaning. This felt like a reminder to keep trusting that rhythm. Thank you Idris for another insightful music issue!