FEATURE 100 PRO TIPS

It’s becoming an annual tradition here at MusicTech to reflect, not just on the mountains of new gear released over the last twelve months, but also on the huge quantities of knowledge and experience we’ve mined in our interviews and features, and organise the very best tips, advice and guidance into relevant sections.

We understand the hardships and difficulties that you might encounter at every turn when embarking on any music production project, or when attempting to develop a career in this complicated industry. So, whenever we speak to production luminaries, the technically gifted or people who’ve made an impact on music – we always strive to get as much practical advice from them as possible that we can assemble into an easy-to-navigate feature. The very feature you’re reading right now, in fact.

We’ve also included a range of extra tips from our ever-expanding readership, who we still maintain open comms with. The art of making and producing music is a nuanced vocation, and sometimes, hearing from individuals who are making music in their own unique way can be more beneficial than a one-size-fits-all approach. There are also a few generous pearls from our ever-insightful writing team.

So enjoy this bumper-sized compendium of the best insights into music production, from the very best brains in the business.

COMPOSING PRO TIPS

ED HARCOURT

Mercury Music Prize-nominated songwriter, composer and producer Ed Harcourt revealed his perspective on music making to us this year, when we visited his unique Wolf Cabin studio.

Top Tip “I’ve learned new things from writing with other people, and some writers who are 20 years younger than me. You need to be a sponge. It’s the nature of being a songwriter, you’re just logging everything in your head. I’m always producing different people and working with different people. I’d like my spectrum to be even broader, to be honest. As long as I think the end result is good, and has something to say and moves you.”

JEZ ASHURST

Multi-instrumentalist songwriter Jez has worked with Tom Walker, Little Mix, One Republic and Westlife. He has lectured at Bath Spa University, LCCM, BIMM and Leeds College of Music, as well as being part of the music team behind the X Factor.

Top Tip “Don’t settle for ideas that don’t excite you, keep digging and there’s probably something better waiting to be written. People often say, ‘get the first song out of the way and then write the second song for fun’. Writing the second song is then a little bit easier.”

PAUL STATHAM

One of Warner Chappell’s longest-serving songwriters, Paul was instrumental in the creation of numerous global smash hits, including Dido’s colossal Here With Me.

Top Tip “Learn how to analyse a song that you like. If you can listen to a song that you like and think, ‘Actually, he’s using anaphora there,’ or ‘There’s two counter-melodies running under the main hook.’ Once you learn these things, you can incorporate these deliberate songwriting methods into your own creativity. It makes it an interesting exercise. The best resource is your ears – just listen to songs and try and work out what is affecting you. What is it about a song that makes you feel the way you do? Is it the dynamics, is it the lyrics, is it a weird chord inversion? Deconstruct the things you like.”

LUCA BACCHETTI

Globe-trotting DJ and composer Luca utilises a range of modular synths in his set-up, and likes to challenge the musicians he works with by putting them into unusual recording environments.

Top Tip “With a laptop, you have a musical bomb in your hands. It’s so easy now to access amazing sounds thanks to powerful computers, plug-ins and drum machines. And there are plenty of great producers to look to. Someone like Four Tet is making incredible music but with a super easy, super simple set up. It’s really inspiring. But I believe you need to impose limitations to get the best out of your music. If you have a drum machine and something to create beats, then you’re all set.”

JOSH BOARDMAN

Josh and his LA-based band Battle Tapes write music built on the attitude of making powerful, exciting tracks regardless of genre.

Top Tip “I find that people get really tied up in the specifics of what they use and don’t really talk about the art they make with that stuff. At the end of the day, I just want a song that kicks my ass, in the best way possible. It has to emote something. It’s got to make you feel and connect to something human. That’s more interesting to me than what snare drum sound you’ve got.”

FRANCESCA LOMBARDO

Prolific composer and electronic producer Francesca has released tracks that traverse genres such as minimal, tech, deep and progressive house on illustrious labels such as Crosstown