⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡ 00:00 Intro 01:03 Why it's easier for DJs to get started 04:38 The biggest music production myths 06:20 Excuse #1 “I don’t know where to start” 09:44 Excuse #2 “I feel like I need to make a perfect track every time” 11:23 Excuse #3 “I feel like an imposter” 12:29 Excuse #4 “I feel like I’m cheating by using certain tools” 13:59 Excuse #5 “I feel lonely producing music” 16:17 How to get started making music
I agree and approve this message! I started spinning around 1984 and by '88 I was bored playing the same versions the radio played on heavy rotation. I wanted to be different and have custom versions. I started buying track recorders, samplers/sequencers, and drum machines. It was pricey then and the only way to play special versions was a cassette deck. Technology these days including STEMS and digital playback, is what I was dreaming of years ago! Today's DJs have no excuse for not exploring the endless possibilities.
I’ve always wanted to make music, but always had all of the mental barriers you mentioned in this video. I started DJing in 1985 in Detroit, right at the onset of the Detroit birth of Techno. As a kid I shopped at the legendary Buyrite records and purchased all the first runs of the legendary records made on the Transmat, KMS, Metroplex, Incognito, and Express label as well as the stuff being imported from Chicago on the Trax, DJ International, and Underground labels. I feel that if I had made music, I’d have been a lot further in this craft. This video has motivated me get in the studio and start making tracks. I wish I had seen a video like this a long time ago. I’m going to take some of your courses and get started…like you said,”why not, I’m kind of already doing it by DJing”. Thank you for the fresh perspective..looking forward to taking the production courses in the next few weeks.
I have been producing in my head for ever. As a dancer I always was tuned with the beats and vocals. I have a nat for ity an dI am also going to take the course for Abelton.
great video phil. couple of months ago i started playing my own original music and had good reactions. even though i dj other artist songs i enjoy playing my own original songs.
This video confirmed i made the right choice to produce - had a difficult night trying to get an idea out and ended up organizing my library and finishing a basic loop for a new song.
A lot of people are saying the new Mac M4 mini base model for $599 is "the best deal in music", so combine that with an entry level MIDI controller keyboard with bundled DAW software, some VST synths, a pair of decent headphones, and you're pretty much off to the races for less than about $1,000. The modern music software "in the box" is so good now. Also, there are so many music producer tutorials on RUclips now, you can learn a lot for free just by watching videos and tutorials, and finally putting in the time to practice your craft.
A really good thing that got me started as a DJ that I wish was available for music production was great tutorials. Because of Dj TLM tutorials on RUclips I’m in Dj today. I feel like I need a series of tutorials that start me off with the very basics to get me started.
if you've ever considered taking an online DJ course, you MUST do it! I've taken 4 courses through Digital DJ Tips and they are all outstanding! Phil is an excellent teacher and responds to all questions in the courses. I wish I would have started this years ago. don't make the same mistake I did by waiting, do it today!
I've been cutting up tracks making them me for 3 years never made my own track yet thank you Phil for inspiration I will give it a go later today can't wait to open the daw and get going I use Abelton
My problem is I have a full time job and family, DJ on the side. Just seems it can be time consuming. And with searching for music, gridding and setting up stuff for playlists, just seems tough to make your own music with such limited time. Anyone have insights or ideas? Thx
This is largely my problem, as well. I do a weekly livestream and spend most of my spare time finding music for those sets, so it seems hopeless to also pick up production. I'm confident I'll figure out how to fit it in, but right now, it's easier to do things I'm already familiar with and that have higher urgency.
None of us has enough time in adult life! Little and often, setting priorities, assessing what you’re doing and what is important and what isn’t over time all helps.
Thank you for this timely video and helpful guidance! Music production is one of my many pending projects. I wrote full lyrics and a melody 2 years ago and have several remixes in my head. How do we navigate copyright permission when remixing tracks?
6:20 i think the biggest excuse will always be that producing just like DJ can be an expensive hobby or Job you have to upgrade your computer and buy stuff to create music. You need first the cash to make it happend.
This also depends what style of music you play,, I mainly play 70’s Disco and rare Funk, so I won’t be re creating any of that in a hurry,, I do regularly re edit those tracks to make them Dj friendly but that’s as far as I go
I am not yet producer. I am just a dj. My problem is that THERE IS PLENTY OF ARTISTS that are doing their thing...I don't know can I give something different. I allready play as a dj bootlegs...mash ups and all that other good ish. And it's 😅 ANNOYING THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT IF YOU ARE DJ...YOU'RE RICH AND PRODUCER. Scuse my french but I am a fricking dj. But as a dj and artist there is only thin line. When you play with fx and all that Jazz...you are ALLREADY BETWEEN A DJ and a artist. So...there goes my 10 cents.
⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡
00:00 Intro
01:03 Why it's easier for DJs to get started
04:38 The biggest music production myths
06:20 Excuse #1 “I don’t know where to start”
09:44 Excuse #2 “I feel like I need to make a perfect track every time”
11:23 Excuse #3 “I feel like an imposter”
12:29 Excuse #4 “I feel like I’m cheating by using certain tools”
13:59 Excuse #5 “I feel lonely producing music”
16:17 How to get started making music
I played my first festival gig with all my own songs this year, was so epic to play the tracks on a LOUD sound system. What a feeling!
Wow sounds great RobotClinic
I agree and approve this message! I started spinning around 1984 and by '88 I was bored playing the same versions the radio played on heavy rotation. I wanted to be different and have custom versions. I started buying track recorders, samplers/sequencers, and drum machines. It was pricey then and the only way to play special versions was a cassette deck. Technology these days including STEMS and digital playback, is what I was dreaming of years ago! Today's DJs have no excuse for not exploring the endless possibilities.
I’ve always wanted to make music, but always had all of the mental barriers you mentioned in this video. I started DJing in 1985 in Detroit, right at the onset of the Detroit birth of Techno. As a kid I shopped at the legendary Buyrite records and purchased all the first runs of the legendary records made on the Transmat, KMS, Metroplex, Incognito, and Express label as well as the stuff being imported from Chicago on the Trax, DJ International, and Underground labels. I feel that if I had made music, I’d have been a lot further in this craft. This video has motivated me get in the studio and start making tracks. I wish I had seen a video like this a long time ago. I’m going to take some of your courses and get started…like you said,”why not, I’m kind of already doing it by DJing”. Thank you for the fresh perspective..looking forward to taking the production courses in the next few weeks.
I love your history, what a time to be kicking around the record stores!
I have been producing in my head for ever. As a dancer I always was tuned with the beats and vocals. I have a nat for ity an dI am also going to take the course for Abelton.
great video phil. couple of months ago i started playing my own original music and had good reactions. even though i dj other artist songs i enjoy playing my own original songs.
This video confirmed i made the right choice to produce - had a difficult night trying to get an idea out and ended up organizing my library and finishing a basic loop for a new song.
The path is never smooth!
I'm a Producer, just about my buy first controller. Doing it the other way around!
That’s legit too, good luck!
A lot of people are saying the new Mac M4 mini base model for $599 is "the best deal in music", so combine that with an entry level MIDI controller keyboard with bundled DAW software, some VST synths, a pair of decent headphones, and you're pretty much off to the races for less than about $1,000. The modern music software "in the box" is so good now. Also, there are so many music producer tutorials on RUclips now, you can learn a lot for free just by watching videos and tutorials, and finally putting in the time to practice your craft.
A really good thing that got me started as a DJ that I wish was available for music production was great tutorials. Because of Dj TLM tutorials on RUclips I’m in Dj today. I feel like I need a series of tutorials that start me off with the very basics to get me started.
DJ TLM is a great teacher. I learned from a few tutorials by him as well.
Incredible video Phil. Succinct, motivational and very apathetic! Inspirational stuff!
Glad you enjoyed this!
if you've ever considered taking an online DJ course, you MUST do it! I've taken 4 courses through Digital DJ Tips and they are all outstanding! Phil is an excellent teacher and responds to all questions in the courses. I wish I would have started this years ago. don't make the same mistake I did by waiting, do it today!
Thanks for your kind comments
I've been cutting up tracks making them me for 3 years never made my own track yet thank you Phil for inspiration I will give it a go later today can't wait to open the daw and get going I use Abelton
Good luck DJ Ashley!
My problem is I have a full time job and family, DJ on the side. Just seems it can be time consuming. And with searching for music, gridding and setting up stuff for playlists, just seems tough to make your own music with such limited time. Anyone have insights or ideas? Thx
This is largely my problem, as well. I do a weekly livestream and spend most of my spare time finding music for those sets, so it seems hopeless to also pick up production. I'm confident I'll figure out how to fit it in, but right now, it's easier to do things I'm already familiar with and that have higher urgency.
None of us has enough time in adult life! Little and often, setting priorities, assessing what you’re doing and what is important and what isn’t over time all helps.
5:15 great simple analogy
Glad it resonated
Thank you for this timely video and helpful guidance! Music production is one of my many pending projects. I wrote full lyrics and a melody 2 years ago and have several remixes in my head. How do we navigate copyright permission when remixing tracks?
If you’re making for your own DJ sets you need not worry about this
6:20 i think the biggest excuse will always be that producing just like DJ can be an expensive hobby or Job you have to upgrade your computer and buy stuff to create music. You need first the cash to make it happend.
One of the key things though is to move past this stage! Too many people are in love with production gear rather than actually producing music
This also depends what style of music you play,,
I mainly play 70’s Disco and rare Funk, so I won’t be re creating any of that in a hurry,,
I do regularly re edit those tracks to make them Dj friendly but that’s as far as I go
Of course, and you’re quite right - although of course those tracks are ripe for sampling
Will you be doing a review of the NI Kontrol Z1 mk 2 soon?
Yes
👍👍👍👍👍
I'm already content w being alone most of my life. lol
Ha ha fair enough!
@ keep up the content Tysm for ur time! Love u guys n crossfader
I am not yet producer. I am just a dj. My problem is that THERE IS PLENTY OF ARTISTS that are doing their thing...I don't know can I give something different. I allready play as a dj bootlegs...mash ups and all that other good ish.
And it's 😅 ANNOYING THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT IF YOU ARE DJ...YOU'RE RICH AND PRODUCER.
Scuse my french but I am a fricking dj.
But as a dj and artist there is only thin line.
When you play with fx and all that Jazz...you are ALLREADY BETWEEN A DJ and a artist.
So...there goes my 10 cents.
Do what comes naturally to you, there’s no single pathway
@philharris always great information and explanation