5 Habits I Had To UNLEARN To Become A Better Music Producer 

"if the reference track sounds terrible, all you have to do is make your track sound terrible in the exact same way, and you are good!" this is probably the most underrated advice you can give someone

hell yea, i knew after 10 years the reason my music sucks is because of my car

I lost it all, my confidence, my girlfriend, and no bangin boogies to get down with the boys. It wasn't until I visited Dr. Underbelly that I was diagnosed with loopitis and had it for the last 5 years. Rest assured I'm now on track to get at least one song completed by the end of the month. Thanks Dr. Underbelly!

the "ok so check it" gets me every single time. no matter how many videos i watch that confirm that i suck at producing

Leaped for joy when I got a notification for this. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This guy is THE best resource for genuine and relevant music production information without being bored out of your mind 🐐

4:48 I was diagnosed with loopitis but then I started getting in those broad strokes during the session. After hours of hard stroking it finally happened! Thanks to Mr. Overchest I am no longer a loop-virgin!

Happy recovery from loopitis guys🙌

One thing I've come to learn over the years is to not drown your music in instruments. Like good cooking, a few ingredients made well is good enough and can bring the flavour of that particular vegetable or meat savory and perfect. Same for sounds. The most common mistake I did in my early days was to add too many tracks with instruments. Another thing is to not let an instrument dominate too much, it should support the music not dominate it.

Your last tip is so underrated! You might be the first person that I've encountered to talk about this. It's true, you gotta give up trying to make your song sound perfect on every playback device. It's an endless trap of analysis paralysis.

I agree with the drum samples. Sound selection is a very fundamental thing people sometimes forget. This applies most for samples, since it's the most literal example of "sound selection" possible, but it also applies from synth patches too. You want your "starting point," whether it's a preset or an original patch, to be as good as possible. Like 90% of the way there. Then process from there.

"Just make your track sound terrible in the exact same way"

One thing I must stress to new producers to break out of loopitis is to work with vocals ASAP. Vocals can give a clear direction for a song rather than an instrumental. For instrumental music you need to have really solid motifs that act how a vocal would. Solar System by Sub Focus is a good example of this.

The two i'm currently working on are loopitis and reference tracks. The last one, has never really been a problem for me, but i think laziness actually helps me avoid falling into that bad habit. I have a desk with cheap (decent) speakers and a sub on the floor. I would usually get on there to create, but i have a pile of shirts n stuff on my desk chair that i'm too lazy to move/put away. So for the past year, i've just been producing on my bed with my headphones and recently, a bluetooth/3.5mm jack speaker. I test out my mixes in my car and it's been consistently good with this setup. Just don't think about it too much is what I would say lol

Here’s a bonus tip I’ve learned over 17 years. Yes, don’t over process your drums. Maybe one distortion. Maybe one compressor. Maybe one EQ. Not always all three, not always in a specific order, but that’s about it. Also, underrated tip but equally important, _ADD REVERB TO ALL OF YOUR DRUM SAMPLES._ If everything else in your track gets room to sit in, why not your drums? And ik, some of you are gonna say “yOu CaN’t PuT rEvErB oN a KiCk DuMbAsS,” and to you I say, “ever cut the low end of your reverb bucko? Probably not if you’re saying this.” I tend to use two reverbs. One very very very wet reverb (still full dry) that has a short decay and physically mimics a 4-walled room, and another one with slightly more decay, larger room, and less wet.

Okay so I'm following the instructions and I just bought the 02 Corolla. I'm already battling student debt, and the apr is shoddy (only like 18%). Anywho will there be a part 2 to assist with loan issues? Thanks!

when I made my techno album, I was mixing on my KRKs and headphones, as well as doing a car check. Since both my primary mixing setups have little bass (5" speakers with no subwoofer), I realized very fast in the car, that the main thing was "sub is too loud", so I turned that down and now I really like my mix on most systems.

The king has returned

I know you have some older videos on it, but I think a video going in depth on gain staging, clipping, peaks, and generally just volume would be a great resource actually. I think both music producers and streamers would benefit a lot from it. I tune into way too many streams where the volume is just way too low.

It's funny cause, I already understood a lot of the concepts he was talking about in this video. But the one thing I took from this video to start using reference in my projects to get the same effect and loudness as the person's track I am using as a reference. Thanks for making this video, it goes to show that no matter how much experience you have in something, you can still learn something new.

Definitely suffering from loopitis, i really struggle with multiple drum patterns, can make 2 at most. (Genre is more like alt rnb/hiphop)

You've gotten really good at teaching production! Please keep it up!!!

Where has this guy been all my life

as a visual arts student I love to see comparisons between different arts like what you did with Bob Ross. keep it up

The reference track with luf meter, & using it for the sub as well, is easily the biggest epiphany I’ve had in a long time. That is gonna make my life sooooo much easier from now on

Your descriptions are the best, thanks beat man.

One thing I learned the hard way is: trust your ears. Too much visual information when mixing can be a problem for a noob.

Addictive editing style and video format. Great video. Subbed

So glad you’re releasing this kind of content again! Been following the channel throughout my entire production journey and the fact that I’m somewhat half-decent now is thanks in a large part to you.

I just found ur channel some days ago and joined the discord a few hours ago. Glad ur back

you're so great bro even after ten years plus of producing I still watch ya. love ya 💜

My Bro just described my first 5 years of music making

Great vid Brody

ur a legend been watching since forever so happy ur still uploading

Man I’m so glad I subbed to this channel years ago. There’s just nothing like it. Keep up the good work, wowzers!

Best video I’ve ever seen from you man, respect 🙏🏻

Really helpful, love this style of video. Thanks man :)

An incredible video once again!!!

You have opened my eyes to my many flaws! Thank you, sensei

Wow, that was something I really needed to hear. Have a great day!

man i really enjoy your stuff!

Your videos never get old man haha. Love it.

Great video!!! Wish i saw this a few years back. You rock!

Amazing content my friend

Thank you Underbelly! Who else in the world would remind me how much I suck at producing. Love to learn from you! Long life for your channel!

These tips are actually super useful! This is exactly what I needed to hear lol

4:36 c'mon man don't EXPOSE ME LIKE THAAAT 😭😭😭😭

actual useful information in a short time with great humor so it‘s even more fun to watch.. awesome!

I want that stacked OTT chain

Amazing video!

Great video, thanks! :D

holy moly this was actually really solid advice, thanks for this

Good tips!🔥

It's always the car. Happy new year mate 🎶

Great content!!!!

That list tip saved me 😅been stressing over getting the low-end right for multiple systems. I'll just focus on the ones i expect my song to be heard and call it a day! Release time 😊🎉

Actually so helpful and motivating thanks

Wowsers... thank you!

Your intro was REAL.

I started using a reference track to do production now. as in, load "baby blue", notate every section and big change "-bass 4 bars here, add melody filtered back" etc, and then build my entire track around that. I've never fleshed out full songs so fast. having a skeleton is by far the greatest game changer.

Dude you are hilarous🤣🤣 and very educational too.. subsribed!!

You had me dying at "loopitis" 💀💀💀😭😮‍💨🤣🤣🤣

love u man so much

you're the man G!

Putting key changes or chords in locators is also useful.

I had a good laugh and also got inspired by your tips. Well done

Great info.

Thanks, homie!

Back to the classics, love it❤

I love you

this was probably your best video yet

Unironically some of the best advice for modern day bass music production. A+ work 🤝

That beginning was amazing😂😂😂

Nice video man, informative, with some nice comedy. Ill sub

All brilliant useful and delivered in the usual 😂 style. Thanks very much ❤

Love this channel

Amazing bro.

What a great video and channel

I needed this so bad. 😭

Thank you, you also have a great day 🙏😌

Best Intro Ever.... and a very good video too

Hahaha that intro. Banger in itself. 😮

love the haïda pic in the background, have a moon design myself

i liked the kick at the benining

inspiring as always

The Earth is finally healing ❤ Missed you man

Hell yes! 🎉 Thank you Prance Conners

I love this man

You’re already ahead of the game using Leotrix as a reference

This was great

Thanks!

so good!

Once again, wisdom was shared. So next time with the boys I can use the excuse that It's probably the car. Thank you underbelly 🙏

i realllllly appreciate the attitude of this video it slaps ngl

I missed this kind of videos Underbelly, you gave me joy, and nostalgia when I found while I was really started producing music. Thanks.

ty!

This guy is amazing at teaching, learning a lot from the videos in a fun way and just got a free orientation from him after entering the website, it's trully mind blowing and an honor for me, gotta love the internet. Thanks for your wisdom and knowledge sharing bro, and giving out the most valueable thing in life, time. I'll pay for a class when I get the money and organize my doubts in place. Dude is awesome! Thanks again.

Great advice. I still can’t believe we’re at -4 LUFS though. 🙉

Maaan, that was gold! I knew that already. I was sick testing my classical guitar pieces in my car. It's always the most horrible experience. Of course I've learned a lot over time and hat much improved, but the rest of the bad noises are from the car speakers! I have another one: I've seen many finding a peak in the spectrum meter and then immediately eq it out. I mean, that really don't have to be always the case. Some notes or tone have that peak - it's ok!

Thank you

the legend is back