Level Up Your Music Production Skills

Let’s be real, getting better at music production isn’t about having the best gear or the biggest studio. It’s about sharpening your ears, pushing your creativity, and putting in the reps. Here’s how to actually level up your skills in the recording studio.

First, ear training. This is the secret weapon most producers overlook. Learn to identify frequencies by ear. Know what 200 Hz sounds like versus 5 kHz. The more you can hear what’s happening in a mix, the faster you’ll spot what needs fixing, whether it’s muddy lows or harsh highs. There are tons of apps and online tools that can help you train daily.

Next up, production techniques. Don’t just rely on presets or tutorials. Study how different engineers mix music. Watch breakdowns, experiment with EQ, compression, automation, and effects. The more you understand how sound works, the more control you have over your mixes.

Then there’s creativity. Keep experimenting. Try new genres, layer weird sounds, flip your own beats. The best producers know how to break the rules, but you can only do that once you’ve learned them.

Finally, practice. Every day. Even if you’re not feeling inspired, open your DAW and do something. Make a loop, tweak a vocal chain, or remix an old project. Every hour you put in sharpens your instincts.

Not every track will be a hit, but every track teaches you something. Keep learning, keep creating, and your sound will keep evolving. In the end, consistent practice beats perfect gear every time.

-Aaron On Audio