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Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:57 pm
by melodium747
I know this sounds like a dumb question but how long did it take you all to get at least half-way decent at producing and how did you keep from being discouraged? I'm not trying to ask how long its gonna take me to get good but just wondering about yall's experience. I've been trying for about a month now and I keep getting aggravated / discouraged ha.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:37 pm
by benjam
melodium747 wrote:I know this sounds like a dumb question but how long did it take you all to get at least half-way decent at producing and how did you keep from being discouraged? I'm not trying to ask how long its gonna take me to get good but just wondering about yall's experience. I've been trying for about a month now and I keep getting aggravated / discouraged ha.
A month isnt a long time dude just keep making tunes and each one will be better than the next. When your feeling low about production just check out your old projects and youll see how much youve improved. Dont wonder why your tunes dont sound like the pros because thats stupid You dont pick up a guitar and wonder why you cant play like hendrix after a month. I guarantee youll find producers on here that have been doing it for years and arent happy with their shit just keep making tunes and youll get better.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:40 pm
by melodium747
Thanks man. Yeah it sometimes just get frustrating but I love doing, its kind of a love / hate thing going on right now but Imma keep at it! I appreciate the words.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:42 pm
by Sinisterbeats
it took me about 3 years to get to a level Im satisfied with but I still have a lot to learn. Music production is a never ending journey of learning new things. You cant rush it, there are no shortcuts. Just enjoy what your doing and try to improve on every new track you write.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:44 pm
by Mehlovich
I have been producing for like a year or so. And i am still not happy enough with my tunes to play them to anyone really...
However thats not what its about. Its about the process...
Try and save everything you make. That way you can look back and see how you have improved.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:00 pm
by dj nation
melodium747 wrote:Thanks man. Yeah it sometimes just get frustrating but I love doing, its kind of a love / hate thing going on right now but Imma keep at it! I appreciate the words.
been producing for almost 3 years now and i still feel the love hate thing, just keep on it really
and yea ckeck back to your first tracks, like ive still got on of my first tunes uploaded to youtube just for the fact its quite a laugh to listen back to it,

Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:28 pm
by JemGrover
Prior to about last summer when I started using these board, I'd been messing about with a DAW for about 3 years (ie, never learnt basic techniques, etc.. Ha, to make things "loud" I'd previously just whacked a massive gain with a low-shelf ) In the last year, I've learnt the bulk of what I know, and yet I've only created about one thing I'm reasonably happy with and even then, it's only the actual composition of the drum beat.
I'm quite content with not making anything worthwhile until another 3 years from now, tbh. There's no hurry.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:35 pm
by melodium747
Thanks for all the advice! I'm definitely gonna keep working on it and no doubt keep all the things that I make would be cool to see where I've come in terms of producing.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:05 pm
by hasezwei
3 years, haven't finished a single tune.
that's no problem though, all my idols have been doing this shit for like 10 years before they got where they are now.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:30 pm
by Nacklewicket
although i dont see myself as even half-decent at producing it took me about 6,7-8 months before i actually started produce TUNES and not just make loops beats fiddling with stuff. but i have always found it just pure fun to explore effects,vsts,playing around with samples so i never really felt "discouraged"
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:41 pm
by benjam
Also if your feeling low or have writers block try producing another genre I mess about trying to make house sometimes I hate house if im honest but I find the ideas keep flowing despite.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:58 pm
by johnny666
I been recording professionally for about 3 years and thats not including the hard work before that...I record actual bands and require a different level of production.
I have just gotten into producing Dubstep now (1 month to say the max) and yes some techniques do apply however a different playing field to what im use to.
Few people mentioned on here," do not give up and always remind your self of your previous work" which is spot on.
Also do your research, get inspired by artists you listen to. and try learn the mechanics of making particular sounds. as well as experimenting.
Its been the most awesome experience for in my whole engineering/ producing career.
But yeah just keep at it, and keep everything you make because theres always room for those lost ideas for a track when you have reached a more satisfying level.
all the best
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:41 pm
by paravrais
melodium747 wrote:I've been trying for about a month now and I keep getting aggravated / discouraged ha.
LOL
If you're losing interest after a month man I'd just give up right now. I've been doing this for just over 2 years and I'm still shit and hate 98% of everything I make. It's a LONG uphill struggle learning to produce. You gotta accept that and grit your teeth or move on.
Come on mate, chin up and get back to work!
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:07 pm
by melodium747
paravrais wrote:melodium747 wrote:I've been trying for about a month now and I keep getting aggravated / discouraged ha.
LOL
If you're losing interest after a month man I'd just give up right now. I've been doing this for just over 2 years and I'm still shit and hate 98% of everything I make. It's a LONG uphill struggle learning to produce. You gotta accept that and grit your teeth or move on.
Come on mate, chin up and get back to work!
haha I haven't lost interest at all, I've become damn near obsessed lol I was just getting a little pissed / disappointed that all of the things I've made so far have been complete crap. But I'm definitely not gonna stop..I love this shit haha
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:59 pm
by -[2]DAY_-
its ALWAYS a love/hate ting, innit
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:03 pm
by dj nation
-[2]DAY_- wrote:its ALWAYS a love/hate ting, innit
is it.....lol, nah just messing about, my mate tells me is it is the new innit, innit

true tho
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:20 pm
by melodium747
haha I imagine it always will be
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:27 pm
by nowaysj
melodium747 wrote:I know this sounds like a dumb question but how long did it take you all to get at least half-way decent at producing.
I've been at it for 15 years. I'll let you know when I'm quarter-way decent.
Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:07 pm
by melodium747
nowaysj wrote:melodium747 wrote:I know this sounds like a dumb question but how long did it take you all to get at least half-way decent at producing.
I've been at it for 15 years. I'll let you know when I'm quarter-way decent.
haha well now I feel better

Re: Time it takes
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:09 pm
by therook
That's the cool part about production. There is not really a time limit in order to finish. We make music, not cars. Its not really an exact since but I can tell you from experience that I have read countless forum posts, tutorials, pdf's, magazines, etc. and I still don't know what the heck I'm doing. lol. Just do it for you. Chances are if you like it, someone else will too.