Music Production Made Simple Podcast
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S2E22 – The Secrets of 808s as a Beatmaker
Discover the secrets of using 808s in your beats.. An 808 is a hybrid between a kick drum and a bassline, and you must learn to use this instrument to truly excel as a producer!
S2E21 – Drum Loops or Melody First
Should producers start with drum loops or their melodies first? That’s what is answered in this episode..
S2E20 – Piano and Melodies for Music Producers
Creating melodies on a piano as a beatmaker using FL Studio is not as hard as you think. Yes, music theory is required, but it’s all about improvisation and catchy melodies!
S2E19 – The Walk Around Test
The Walk Around Test is that FINAL LISTEN after you’ve made the beat, done your arrangement, and applied your AUDIO PAINTING. It’s listening to make sure that the song FLOWS.
S2E18 – Powerful Reverb Tips
Reverb is everyone’s most favorite effect. Learn how to use reverb good in this episode, with my main tip focusing on predelay! Discover what is reverb, and different techniques while using reverb.
S2E17 – A Song vs. a Beat vs. a Loop
The hardest part for producers is turning a loop into a beat or a song. You will also learn the difference between a song and a beat in this episode.
S2E16 – See Results FAST While Learning Music Production
Do you want to know the #1 secret to learn better, not just as a music producer, but as a person FAST? It’s actually TRYING what you’re just watched, read, or have been studying. Learn how to learn music production fast in S2E16 of Music Production Made Simple.
S2E15 – Getting Comfy + Healthy Work Environment
It’s very important as a music producer to have a comfy environment that allows you to work efficiently, as well as with proper posture. It’s a boring topic to many, until it happens to you. Listen close!
S2E14 – Producers NEED Computer Maintenance Skills
Your computer as a music producer is absolutely essential. If it stops working, you stop working!
The main point I wanted to get across in this podcast episode of Music Production Made Simple is if something happened to your computer today… how long would it take to get you back up and running?
S2E13 – How to Make a Real Beat
In this episode of Music Production Made Simple, I make a beat from scratch through the Original Composition beatmaking method. Listen to hear step-by-step, and how the beat turned out!
S2E12 – Making a Beat Vs. Knowing Your DAW
It’s important to understand what your end result goal is with music. We all want to make the beat. The beat is what is the most fun, it’s what people dance and sing to, and is what gets all the credit. But not everyone can …
S2E11 – We All Have 12 Notes
No matter if you are a beatmaker, or a musician, we all only have 12 notes available to us in an octave. This allows us to remember, it’s not as complicated as it has to be.. once you know the basics!
S2E10 – Velocity Makes the Difference
VELOCITY is one of the most powerful ORGANIC TOOLS that music producers must understand to use. Add emotion and dynamics to your music with VELOCITY.
S2E9 – Quantizing Makes Life Easy
Quantizing in FL Studio allows for an extremely fast workflow, while still allowing that human-flavor by manually note-nudging after with your ORGANIC TOOLS.
S2E8 – Ups and Downs of a Producer
Producers will always face UPS and DOWNS.. it’s important to know that they come, and how to fight against them.. We do that with education and practice!
S2E7 – Producers Need Breaks, Too
As a producer, we don’t get normal weekends. It’s important that you take the necessary breaks to work on your craft with a clear mind to give you the best results!!
S2E6 – Making Your First Months Count
This episode will prevent you from making MAJOR MISTAKES in your first three months starting music production. Learn fast, efficiently, and acquire the proper tools to make high-quality beats in FL Studio.
S2E5 – EXAMPLES of Low-End Bass Clashing
The low-end of your song is make-it-or-break-it. If your low-end sucks, you song will never be at its BEST! Listen to how bad bass clashing can sound in this episode, and learn how to fix it with using Cut Itself in FL Studio
S2E4 – SHORT-TAILED and LONG-TAILED DRUMS
Knowing the difference between SHORT-TAILED and LONG-TAILED DRUMS will make a drastic difference in how hard your drum loop will hit. If you use drum samples unwisely, you will have a sloppy drum loop, instead of the desired hard-hitting ones we hear in late 90’s hip-hop.
S2E3 – Taking Music Production Seriously
Discover a very cool trick (that not many know about) for A/B comparison (which is one of my 5 GOLDEN PILLARS of Music Production!). You will also hear an awesome interview I had with a member of my beatmaker training platform named James.
S2E2 – Sticking to One DAW
Sticking to one DAW will tremendously speed up your learning of how to make beats, save you lots of money with FL Studio’s LIFETIME FREE UPDATES, and truly see the results you want in your beats, if you keep at it!
S2E1 – Welcome Back and COMBATING GEAR LUST
The beginning of Season 2, and talking about Gear Lust, how I’m now a Recognized FL Studio Trainer, a new MIDI Keyboard I acquired since we last talked, and how to join the beatmaker training platform!
#030 – The Evolving Template
With the release of my new book called “FL Studio Ultimate Template Creation Guide“, I wanted to reveal some best practices I’ve discovered over the years. The biggest point I’m wanting to get across to you is to be MINDFUL of your actions behind this …
#029 – Keeping it Real No Matter What
In this episode, we talk about a couple things related to music production, but more of just an update of where I’ve been.
#028 – Managing Your Monies and Paying Taxes
You may have never thought to make money through your music, but for those who are just starting out to actually capture some capital in this industry, here’s some tips I’ve discovered to keep my finances in check when dealing with online income.
But here’s my disclaimer: I am not a tax professional. Please do not listen to any of my advice on taxes, money, or any finance stuff! Please seek professional guidance from a trained professional!
I hope this gives some solid help in staying organized with your taxes!
#027 – Collaborating in the Music Industry
Collaborating can bring huge potential growth to your brand and music career, but.. it doesn’t come without its downsides.
In this episode I talk about my own personal experiences with collaborating, and how it’s accelerated my growth within the music industry, various ways to collaborate, and how to properly reach out to a potential candidate you’d like to collaborate with!
#026 – Learning How to Research Effectively
You may not think about it, but being a music producer requires A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE!
Nowadays, with us being “bedroom producers”, we actually take on the role of many trades to create our music.
#025 – Playing Piano as a Beatmaker
Trying to learn the piano for music production from watching YouTube videos that teach you classical piano techniques? Sadly, these videos/techniques don’t fully relate to us beatmakers playing the piano.
#024 – Making a Career Out of Music Online
In my decade within the audio industry, I’ve discovered it’s very hard and discouraging, if you let it.
In this episode, I discuss how I first started making money in the audio industry with my online endeavors, and how things have evolved over the years.
#023 – Sleep and Audio Interfaces
In this episode, we discuss the importance of a healthy sleep schedule to keep a clear mind and stay focused.
In addition, we also talk about an audio interface, what features are important to buy one, and thinking about how you as a beatmaker go about creating your music.
#022 – How Easy MIDI Makes It
After receiving MANY questions about how to use a MIDI Keyboard to make beats, I decided to put together some resources for you. This episode discusses why MIDI is so powerful for producers.
#021 – Using Automation Clips in FL Studio
Automation clips are a bit finicky in FL Studio. In this episode, we discuss what they are, and how to use them effectively.
#20 – Golden Rules of Mixing and Mastering
In this episode, we discuss some golden nuggets I’ve come across over the years in terms of mixing and mastering.
#019 – Delay with Sidechain Compression
Here’s a cool trick to get extra clarity out of your delays.
Send the audio insert to a delay insert, apply sidechain compression on this delay insert whenever the audio insert plays.
An audio example is provided in this episode!
#018 – Melodies Don’t Require Expert Knowledge
In this episode we talk about the mindset behind a catchy melody.
As much as understanding a musical instrument inside and out is important as a music producer to create amazing melodies, many melodies we hear in our music today only consists a couple notes!
#017 – Using Cut Itself While Sampling
In this episode, you will learn about a technique called Cut Itself.
It’s a very powerful tool that is used in many areas of music production from sampling, to achieving a cleaner mix, to replicating a realistic sound to your music.
#016 – Building a Custom Computer for Music Production
What’s the best custom music production computer you can build? What do you look for in parts?
In this episode, we talk all about how to pick out the parts to build a custom music production computer from scratch!
#015 – A Quick Up-Start With Compression
In this episode we’re going to be talking about compression!
Compression is probably the trickiest tool to learn as a music producer, in addition, it will also be the last tool that you’ll fully comprehend, too!
#014 – Patience and Comparison to Others
Inspired by my own blunder, it reminded me to keep patient and continue to dot my i’s and cross my t’s. Additionally, we talk about on-going social media trends, and being aware of how they can affect you mentally!
#013 – How to Create Content as a Beatmaker
This week we take a little break from creating music, and talk about how to create content to teach about music through tutorials and courses.
#012 – Creating Melodies with Sound Selection
Did you know the secret to an amazing mix is actually in wise sound selection?
Wise sound selection is the foundation of your song’s frequency spectrum, and in this episode, we discuss how to think in terms of your lows, mids, highs, and how to use certain instruments powerfully in your music.
#011 – Goal of Mixing – the Analog vs. Digital Debate
What should be your goal when mixing a song? Is analog gear better than digital? In this episode, I share some best practices to achieve reliable results.
#010 – Before Releasing Your Music
In this episode, we discuss what to prepare BEFORE you release your brand and music. Additionally, how to stay professional at all times, and always be aware of your decisions and the outcome those decisions can bring.
#009 – Arranging Your Song with Audio Painting
Personally, I feel the division between an amateur to professional producer is in their arrangement. It’s important you take the time out and bring out your song’s fullest potential to maximize its emotion!
#008 – Do Beatmakers Need to Know the Piano
The question of “Does a beatmaker need to know how to play the piano” sparks a good conversation. In this episode we discuss the question, but also how to get started playing the piano from a beatmaker’s perspective.
#007 – SAFE SPOTS: Create Amazing Drum Loops
In this episode, you will learn how to create amazing drum loops with GratuiTous’ special term Safe Spots™.
#006 – Different Approaches to Making a Beat
This episode asks you an interesting question:
“When making your beats, what do you first start with? The Instruments, the Drum Loop, or do you create both at the same time?”
It’s an interesting topic for discussion, upon which GratuiTous gives his opinion.
#005 – Buying Sounds, Saving Money
Purchasing the right sounds is important when starting to produce music. Learn what to look for when buying sounds, achieve high quality, and save money while doing so.
#004 – A Specific Music Production Folder
Before you start taking music production seriously, it’s INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to set up your own custom music production folder.
FL Studio offers its ‘User Data Folder’, but has been known to cause a lot of headaches for many users.
That’s when I took the initiative to figure out the absolute best way to set myself up for the long-term as a music producer, know exactly where my files are, and never have missing files EVER AGAIN!
#003 – Gear and Tools Required as a Producer
Music production gear has truly become affordable!
It’s important you purchase the right gear right from the start. Not only to save money, but also for enjoyment. If you have the right gear that suits you and your workflow, it will motivate you to continue to practice music production, and break pass that point to truly excel in this craft!
#002 – Proper Producer Mindset
It’s important to stay true to who you are as a music producer in this music industry. It’s easy to look at and compare yourself to others and fall into the same spiral.
#001 – Welcome to Music Production Made Simple
Welcome to ‘Music Production Made Simple’.
This is the first episode in the podcast which introduces what to expect from future episodes, and also a brief background on GratuiTous and his approach to this music industry.
