Today, I want to talk about something that’s often on my mind as a modern Eurodance producer: feeling like an “old soul” in a world dominated by incredibly young, tech-savvy artists. When I see 15-20 year old producers on the internet, confidently sharing their journey after just a year or two, a part of me feels a pang of envy. They have an abundance of online music production resources and tutorials at their fingertips – tools I could only dream of when I was their age, struggling with a no-name keyboard and extremely limited sounds.
A Composer’s Paradox: Experience Meets Beginner Status
Despite my over 20 years of experience as a songwriter and composer, I often feel like a beginner when it comes to areas like processing vocals, mixing and mastering. I spend hours watching YouTube tutorials and reading music production blogs to improve, yet that feeling of insecurity persists. It’s a strange paradox to feel so seasoned in one aspect of music, yet so new in another.
Where Did the Melody Go? A Plea for Artistry
One of my biggest concerns is the shift I perceive in what’s valued in music. I find it sad that melody keeps losing space. So much discussion revolves around sound design, intricate mixing techniques, specific frequencies, and calculating every decibel and LUFS. It often feels like the focus is on a scientific precision rather than the artistic touch. I see highly specific “gold standard” tips everywhere, and while they might sound nice, I question how universally they can be applied. Music, at its core, should be art, not just calculated sounds. You wouldn’t tell a painter the red in their corner needs to be a bit darker at specific light frequencies; you’d appreciate the overall aesthetic.
The Preset Debate: Efficiency vs. Ego
This obsession with sound design also leads to the idea that using presets is a “noob” move, that we must create our own sounds. Yet, I think about the 80s and 90s music production – so much of it was built on iconic synthesizer presets, like the DX7, which are instantly recognizable in countless hits. Very few producers back then had the time or expertise to program entirely new sounds. I love presets because they allow me to be creative quickly. I remember phases where I’d spend my entire limited free time tweaking knobs, only to feel dissatisfied at the end. Now, while I’ve gained experience and about 70% of my sounds are self-made, I still use presets when it’s efficient or when I feel a new sound wouldn’t significantly improve on an existing one.
Beyond the Frequencies: Art, Not Just Science
Sometimes, when I receive reviews on platforms like SubmitHub, the feedback feels purely technical. Comments about needing a cut in specific high-mid frequencies make me wonder if the reviewer has any understanding of the song’s artistic intent, or if they just see numbers on a screen. While mixing and mastering are crucial, I believe the art of the song should always come first. Ultimately, I feel a growing distance from current music trends, and perhaps a bit “old” in my perspective. But my conviction grows stronger that we need to keep melodies, traditional song structures, and thoughtful arrangement alive. For me, that’s what makes music truly connect and endure.