We’ve all been there—the sense of dread when you’re working on an idea, but can’t get it over the finish line; the 16-bar loop just doesn’t expand beyond the remits of your DAW.
The article “4 tips for getting your tracks over the finish line in your DAW” from Splice, authored by Enda Harte, offers valuable insights for musicians and producers struggling to complete their tracks. Here’s a summary of the key points:
- Stop Chasing Perfection: The article emphasizes the importance of accepting imperfections in your music. It suggests that endlessly tweaking minor details can hinder completion. The concept of ‘Wabi Sabi’ from Japanese culture, which appreciates the beauty in imperfection, is highlighted as a mindset to adopt.
- Be Consistent and Keep Showing Up: Consistency is key in music production. The article advises against waiting for inspiration and instead recommends regular engagement with your work, even if it’s just for short periods. This approach, termed ‘iterative production’, involves making small, consistent additions and adjustments to your music.
- Arrange, Arrange, and Arrange: The process of arrangement is crucial. The article suggests starting with arranging and then moving to mixing and other elements. It recommends a subtractive approach to arranging, where you begin with a full arrangement and then remove elements that don’t work, ensuring a balanced composition.
- Make a List, and Check it Twice: Finally, the article advises making lists to plan and track your progress. This can involve noting down what needs to be added or subtracted during a listening session or scheduling specific times to work on different sections of your track.
The article concludes by stressing the importance of having a clear mind and concrete steps for creating and editing music, which can help in completing and releasing your tracks.
Source: 4 tips for getting your tracks over the finish line in your DAW – Blog | Splice
