What I am about to talk about I probably something that 95% of music producers don’t even want to think about but that they really NEED to hear.
The fact is that where you are investing your time & money for your music might be the exact opposite of what you actually need.
As the creator of three #1 Deep Tech/Minimal releases, I feel that the things I tend to focus on & invest my time in might be worth sharing & for those who are ready for it, might be transformative.
As many of you should be aware of by now. I am not trying to push you toward buying more synths or plugins. I am not trying to push production techniques that are only valuable for maybe 5% of my followers.
Although I LOVE new techniques, new pieces of gear and some great 3rd party plugins just like anybody else does, I know that it’s not going to be a big factor in the quality of my music & how well it is received.
Sure, you DO need to understand some basic audio & midi editing, effect processing, sound design & sample manipulation and how to arrange & structure a song, the greatest investment in leveling up your game is the vessel that carries you through life.
The best investments I have made for leveling up my music production has been in my brain & body. That is the single greatest piece of equipment you own & although you need to keep it tuned up & healthy, it was given to you for free!
Over the past decade, I have experimented with a number of “life hacks” that have both boosted my creativity & my productivity.
The benefit is not only better music, but a more relaxed & focused mind as well as a greater level of balance & fulfillment in my life.
Most of my experiments start with a 30 day trial. Usually within 30 days I know if something is beneficial or not. The results are measurable & often times not in the most predictable of ways.
As a person who has suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, vertigo, complete disorganization & a number of other mental issues, I can say that these experiments that turned into life habits have completely transformed my life. From a person trapped inside a prison I created, to a creative & productive badass. To be fair, I was always creative, but had a difficult time getting these ideas out of me, due to mental blocks.
Like many people, up to my mid 20’s I was able to ignore my health & body & still get a lot done without any noticeable damage. Let me be the first to tell you though, that shit catches up to you FAST & if you don’t do something about it, you are really going to fuck yourself, so listen up now!
Just like living a carefree party lifestyle, this shit doesn’t damage you overnight (& getting out of your head in moderation can sometimes be a much needed experience) the transformation back to a healthy, productive and creative life doesn’t happen overnight either. That said, Just 1 NEW HABIT done consistently over at least 30 days can be absolutely noticeable & measurable.
Thusfar, the habits that have been the most impactful in my creative life have been:
Daily Journaling (20 min)
Daily Meditation (20 min)
Light exercise to get the heart rate up a couple times a day (5-10 minutes twice a day)
Body exercise every other day (5-10 minutes)
Starting my day off with a “Bullet Proof” Yerbe Mate and/or an Apple Cider Vinegar, honey & cayenne drink.
Making my first meal a hemp protein, whey isolate protein + a frozen banana smoothie
Eating all my daily meals within an 8 hour period
Eating 1 main meal a day & very little snacking (I do indulge in cheat days about once a week or when on vacation)
Doing my best to put 1 hour a day into making music (not watching tutorials, actually doing the work!).
Exploring new music at least twice a month
Personal Growth is a lifestyle that inspires every other aspect of my life & my body & brain are the most important creative tool I have & I want to get the most out of it so I don’t die with any of my music still in me.
If you are benefiting from these posts, you will absolutely love my 2 bestselling books:
The Mental Game of Music Production
The Process for Electronic Music Producers
To level up your Ableton Production Skills: Ableton Courses & Instruments
Take the Free Music Production Mastery Assessment Test. Discover your current strengths, weaknesses with your music making journey. You will get a personalized response directly from me as well as your next best steps to help you reach your goals faster. https://musicsoftwaretraining.com/evaluation
Happy music making!
Jason