WHERE did you learn to PRODUCE?

[MarioMHJV]

Production is something many want to delve into, but few know how. My question is where and how did you personally learn music production from? And how long before you considered yourself 'good'?

Did you...

• Have a mentor/friend teach you?
• Pay for classes (ie. Sonic Academy)?
• Trial and Error?

It seems like production is a lot of guess work and "one step forward, two steps back".

ALSO, I was hoping everyone could post links to blogs/YouTube videos and offer resources to help other DJTT members.

[polybius]

Had bass and guitar lessons for about 4 years. Had a rock band during 6/7 years.
Started with production about 2 years ago taking it serious only since last year.

Well, I watched tons, and tons of videos in youtube, downloaded tutorials and read tons of internet articles. Lots of great free stuff on the internet, just need to find the right places.

Trial and error also.

I think knowing about music theory, arrangement and some other stuff I learned from playing an instrument really helped.

[seitz]

trial by error and my father who has been recording for about a decade

[juan2]

trial and error FTW!!! or as i like to call it "experimenting..."

[JasonBay]

trial and error FTW!!! or as i like to call it "experimenting..."

This is the best answer honestly. No way to fast track this, just have to put the time and effort into it.

[djdunamis]

Self-taught through trial and error, internet and magazine articles, youtube, and having a background in music helped (played guitar and bass for 10 years in various bands and DJ'ed during some of those years too.)

[benjackal]

No matter what any body says, if you are doing trial and error/experimenting and pick up bad habits... its going to take longer to unlearn them.

Having a friend who is better than you, to see maybe once a week/fortnight can keep you on track and fix your faults.

How do i know this works? I did it the hard way, my housemate is a very keen learner but it took a lot of "STOP, dont do that, let me show you where you are going wrong.... continue" he is quite good now.

[padi_04]

Trial and error. Now I get paid to teach

[elliot1106]

I always find it weird how everyone I know who produces are the same people who are into metal and alternative rock (among over things) and are all musicians (in the instrument sense )

I learn in my bedroom Experimentation, articles and youtube.

[jackastro]

I was into rock/metal/blues and played guitar/bass/drums. I gradually became interested in electronic music. Sold a guitar, bought a synthesizer. Experimented in my bedroom.

I find that EDM has far fewer rules than rock, which makes EDM more experimentation friendly.