- Looking for some inspiration to spark your musical creativity?
- We’ve compiled a huge list of our favorite music-related inspirational quotes below…
- Be sure to check them all out and come away feeling ready to take on the world!
It’s always beneficial to hear some inspirational quotes from time to time when being creative. When it comes to music, that could be anything from a tip on how to use compression right through to a good old-fashioned pep talk.
If you’re working on a mix and need that positive nudge to keep you going, we’ve compiled our list of favorite music producer quotes to inspire your craft.
Music Producer Quotes To Inspire Your Craft
Music Production Quotes About Mindset
Always Learning
“I think the future of our profession is about having as many skills as you can. You never know what the entry point to your career will be. It could be through editing, it could be through tracking, it could be through vocal production, It could be through being a
- Dave Pensado
Striving to keep learning and keep as many options open as possible can be the key to success, whether you’re pursuing music as a career or just for fun.
Do What You Love
‘’That’s what it is all about, as far as I am concerned. Recording and producing is like capturing musical intoxication. I know a lot of technical stuff about how to make records, and about choices of microphone and microphone positioning, and preamps, and effects, and so on, but what has really allowed me to stand out over the years, and kept me consistently in work over the years, is the love and passion for the mood and the rebellion of music.’’
- Nick Launay
Sure technical knowledge will get you a long way, but do what you feel passionate about and focus on the things you love.
Forget Genres
”My dad’s record collection is what inspired me in the fact that I’ve never really thought of music in different genres. I just gravitate to things that appeal to me musically. I just try and be authentic, try and look at who I’m working with and what they want me to bring to the table. Sometimes it’s heavy on the songwriting, sometimes it’s heavy on the arranging and playing, and sometimes it’s all of the above.”
- -Mike Elizondo
It can be easy to get trapped into genres. Try to think of it as ‘what do I like, what don’t I like’. You’ll find this opens a whole world of possibility.
Mean Business
”There’s so much that you don’t pick up stowed away in a room with no windows making records. Obviously, I love that, but I’ve always tried to be a good student of the business, learn more about how all the pieces fit together and the new technologies we need to be involved in as an industry.”
- Mark Bright
Music is a business after all, so keep on top of industry news, technology, and developments as there is more to it than just learning how to produce.
Find What You Love And Master It
”That’s the most important thing for someone to figure out. What genre of music do you really connect with? The techniques involved in creating a great classic rock recording versus a very intimate recording versus an EDM recording are so wildly different. I’m sure it is possible to be good at all of those things, but the people you’re competing with that are the best at making EDM music, that’s all they do. They do it all day, every day, and you need to do that if you’re really going to succeed.”
- Eric Valentine
It’s no secret that music is a competitive industry. Focussing on the genre you love the most and working at it can put you ahead of the competition. Don’t spread yourself too thin.
Start Small
“Make yourself useful. If you’re just starting out, look in your immediate neighborhood for people to work with; friends or people who think like you do. Make yourself available to them, which doesn’t mean hard-sell pestering but just let everyone know that you’re happy to help if they need it. Bands appreciate when there’s somebody taking an interest in helping them.”
- Steve Albini
Are you just starting out on your production journey? Start small, becoming a success overnight is possible so network, gain experience, and learn the ropes. The journey will be a great one!
Strive To Be The Best
”The best thing we can do is ensure a march to excellence, to empower, inspire, and to promote people who are straining to do something unique. Music is the very special creation of very special people whose entire lives and everything they’ve ever done, seen, felt, or touched goes into what they do. The process is magical”
- Bob Ezrin
Always challenge yourself to be the best you can be. Even if there are improvements and work to be done, keep pushing until you get there.
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
‘’As a producer you need patience, you can’t always rush things so you need to allow time for the magic to happen. This can take a bit of time, or you may have to come back to something if it’s not quite there. You know when it’s right though!”
- Romesh Dodangoda
Being patient is one of the best skills you can learn. It can be frustrating if you aren’t quite getting the sound you want, but work at it and keep your cool. You’ll get there!
More Than Just A Job
”Don’t struggle. Do it because you love doing it, and if anything comes from it that is a bonus. Don’t ever think of it as a job. I don’t think of what I do as a job, I just do what I do and I am lucky enough to get paid for it. Everyone can do what I do, but you may just need to do it in the eight hours you aren’t working.
- Steve Lillywhite
Not everyone will make a career from producing. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be extremely rewarding. If you love it, keep at it and even if it’s something you do for fun then throw everything you have into it!
Stay Curious
“You know, a lot of kids nowadays have Logic and a laptop, and they’re able to dive into the process of recording music and putting their ideas down. The early impressions that were made on me as a kid were more on the philosophical side because I had no idea what all the knobs meant. Watching these records being made, the process seemed so unattainable.”
- Nathan Chapman
Curiosity is a great motivator to keep learning. Question what everything does, learn it, and repeat.
The Bigger Picture
”My job is to make it (the band’s) record, not my record but make it the best it can be. It’s more about the details and not the big picture. Some producers spend hours editing drums, but to me, I’m like, “Hey is this song any good or not?” That’s the end, that’s it.”
- Howard Benson
Does it sound great? Then it probably is great. Don’t get swallowed by the tiny details and take a step back and see the music as a whole
The Secret Sauce
”If I knew (what made a great song) I wouldn’t tell anybody. When everything is right and falls into place it is still not a guarantee for commercial success. You can only try harder to follow your gut feeling and don’t look at what else is out there for comparison. If it was an exact science everybody would be doing it and would become filthy rich.”
- Reinhold Mack
There is no formula for making a great song. Trust your gut and your instinct.
Find The Middle Ground
”My whole thing is, the more different you can sound from anything else around but still be commercially successful is great! People need an identifiable sound. When your song is being played on the radio, people should hear who that is, even without the DJ mentioning who it is. That’s true with all the great bands, even ones that have been around for hundreds of years.”
- Roy Thomas Baker
Experimentation is great but make sure it’s still accessible. Or maybe experimental is your sound? Think about how it will impact your audience whatever it is you are creating.
Don’t Get Left Behind
“The songwriting doesn’t change that much, but the sonic palette does, and I try to keep abreast of that. If you can’t appreciate what’s going on now, you can’t be in it. I’m always trying to make something I like.”
- David Gamson
Your songwriting might have a tried and tested process, but try to keep ahead of the curve and don’t get left behind. Consider what people are listening to and how you can attract them to your song style.
You Get Out What You Put In
‘’The best advice I can give anyone who wants to make it in this business is the same advice I was given when I started out. First and foremost; Always do your best. Never depend on anyone else. Never assume anything. I will say that again NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING. Never assume someone else is going to do your job or everything in the recording process is going along fine.”
- Dave Jerden
Hard work is great, and so is trusting yourself. Make sure you put everything into your music and know you are capable of doing everything yourself.
Find That Unique ‘Thing’
”First of all something should be unique, and in some way never before heard, and uniqueness can come from a bunch of different places. A great song is kind of a succession of things you want to remember and ultimately can and that comes from you from all different angles, from a beat to a melody to a lyric. A record should also have a sense of motion, carrying you along in an exciting or meaningful way.”
- Matt Serletic
It’s hard to know what to do to create a unique song without going off the rails. But aim to experiment and find that ‘thing’ that really makes your song or mix stand apart from the crowd.
Forget Genres
”My CV can be a little confusing as I work with rock, electronic, etc. Essentially, I just love music and love working with bands whose music makes me feel something. If it’s music that both the artist and producer enjoy, they can inspire each other and achieve one another’s ideas and visions.”
- Dan Austin
You don’t have to limit yourself to a specific genre. If you enjoy it then this will shine through to the listener.
Don’t Get Too Attached!
‘’Be open to change and don’t get too attached to the song you’ve written because most of the time you can make it better by throwing ideas around and trying new things.”
- Dave Fortman
It’s your music so of course you’re going to feel an attachment to it, but sometimes letting go can be one the best things you do for your song!
Honesty Is The Best Policy
“I feel like the job is like being a coach, building good work habits, and building trust. You want to get to a point where you can say anything and talk about anything. There needs to be a real connection.”
- Rick Rubin
If you’re a producer who works with other people, or perhaps you’re a mixer or mastering engineer, then building a solid relationship where you can be honest with your collaborators is key. If something isn’t working, it’s healthy to be able to openly discuss that!
Does It Sound Good?
‘’I have always operated under the assumption that if I like the way an instrument sounds, it doesn’t matter how it is recorded. Music is the most important thing. If the song is great, and the arrangement is great, and the playing is great, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t make that sound great with whatever recording system you’re using.”
- Tom Syrowski
Of course there are lots of things to be meticulous about, but try not to overthink it. If it sounds great now, then it probably is great!
It Sounds Good, But Does It FEEL Good?
‘’With every band and producer out there, it isn’t about ‘this plugin and this plugin’ it’s about telling a story in a song. It’s about making someone feel. That singer is singing to ME”
- Garth Richardson
We aren’t going to argue that great plugins can really make a mix pop. But consider the feel. How is this going to impact the listener?
Consider more than just the music, how are the lyrics and vocal delivery affecting the track?
Depth, Depth, And More Depth
‘’I aspire to make a record that sounds better 10 listens in than it does after two, and still, at 50 listens, you’re picking out things that add depth and thoughtfulness to it; there’s enough in there that you can still be extracting pieces out of it.”
- Trent Reznor
You’re probably paying a huge amount of attention to your mix, but think about what a listener might pick up on after a few listens. Think about how you can keep it fresh.
Take Charge!
‘’A producer is
- Tony Visconti
A producer is often a lot more than someone who just hits record! Structuring a session, planning, and knowing where you are headed can make a recording session a success.
Learn By Making Mistakes
“You make your mistakes to learn how to get to the good stuff.”
- Quincy Jones
We can all probably remember the first time we picked up an instrument or first opened a DAW and wondered what the heck we were doing.
Or maybe we’ve compared ourselves to our peers and wondered why we aren’t as good. The answer is to keep going and make mistakes. How else will you learn otherwise?
Learn And Then Undo
‘’I’d say from an educational point of view: learn as much as you can about everything. Period. And always go back to the basics because you never know what you have missed. Take the time you have to experiment with these things and learn what they do so you can be that unique viewpoint in your productions and your work that makes you stick out. Learn everything you can – and then forget it all, there are no rules!’’
- Joe Barresi
There are no rules for music production. Learn as much as you can, but don’t be afraid to experiment!
Keep It Real
”Do it for the love of doing it, not for the money. It is a really competitive field, and if you love doing it, then you’ll be happy. Always be sure to follow your dreams and work hard. The reward of this job is the music. If you are good at it, then that’s just the icing on the cake.”
- Johnny K
Let’s be honest, if we were all into making music for a massive payout, most of us would be disappointed! Let your passion be your motivation.
Don’t Overthink
”I’m always overthinking. I’m always trying to draw some conclusion that isn’t there that’s going to get me to a better way of working. I remind myself all the time: let it go. It doesn’t mean let the quality go.’’
- Kenny Beats
It’s easy to overanalyze music, especially when we’re the ones creating it. Sometimes it pays off to relax and let the little things go.
Music Production Quotes About EQ and Compression
Keep Your Compression Options Open
“I’m a big fan of having lots of choices. I don’t like to do the same thing all the time. The way that I set up my mixes, all of my compression is parallel, and I’m never directly compressing anything, which means all of my compression can be brought in from a template. I have way more compressors set up on a session than I’d ever use so I can just mix and match and try things quickly.”
- Andrew Scheps
Andrew Scheps proves that too many compressors are not a bad thing, as long as you’re only using what you need.
Music Production Quotes About Gear
Forget The Tech
”I’m absolutely not a tech head when it comes to production. I’m faking it till I make it. I passively read about technical stuff if I’m really bored, but generally speaking, almost never. I usually don’t even talk about it. When people start talking about equipment, it makes me a little anxious!”
- Dave Sitek
Technology isn’t the be-all and end-all. It helps of course but remember that just because you know the tech, it doesn’t guarantee a great mix.
Make Do With What You Have
‘’I made so many recordings with junky mics and crappy mixing consoles, you have to use what your tools are, and in some ways, that’s been inspirational.’’
- Butch Vig
Butch Vig has worked on some seriously impressive albums, and if he says you can great results without spending a fortune on gear, then who are we to argue!
It’s Not Just A Phase
”Single greatest tool? Well, that would have to be good old mono! Whether working 5.1, stereo, or multi-stem, every day I’ll always check things out quite regularly on one-speaker mono just to see how things are coming along, and focusing and then adjusting accordingly. Some of the most listenable recordings ever made were in mono, and it’s really a tool that often gets overlooked.”
- John Kurlander
Checking your mix in mono can be so valuable in finding phase issues and other problems that you won’t pick up on when listening in stereo. Keep checking back and your mix will thank you!
The 10,000-Hour Rule
”I think that as time has gone by, I’ve been able to focus on the right things in each situation better and quicker. I think that I’ve become less and less interested in showing what I can do as a producer, showing people any kinds of fancy tricks or flashy ideas, and more and more concerned singularly with making something that makes people feel something intensely and that changes people hopefully.”
- Larry Klein
The saying goes it takes 10,000 hours to master any skill. That’s a lot of time so keep learning as much as you can along the way! Reflect on what you’ve achieved and what works well for you.
Music Production Quotes About Mixing
Louder Doesn’t Equal Better
“I make my mixes big by monitoring really quietly.”
- Chris Lord-Alge
Short and to the point. Sometimes our ears can trick us into thinking something sounds good just because it’s loud. Monitor at low volumes. If you can get your mix to sound punchy, then you know it will sound amazing at a higher volume.
K.I.S.S.
”Keep it simple! From experience often I will only get 5 or 10 minutes to get a good drum sound up. Anything you do you have to be able to use from the start.”
- Andrew Dudman
We’re all guilty of overcomplicating things at times, sometimes simplicity is the best option. Try giving yourself a shorter period of time to mix, you’ll work faster and you might find better results when you don’t overthink.
All About The Rhythm
“When I mix a track, I normally start with the drums, and then the bass, and once I’ve got the rhythm section rocking and I have a good feel, I’ll get the vocals in and then other key hook elements. Record companies always want the vocal louder than God, but you need to keep the power in the track as well.”
- Spike Stent
Everyone has their own workflow, but starting with the rhythm section and getting that sound great can be the secret to a huge sounding mix.
Focus On The Vocal
”I think the main thing I listen out for is the vocal. Obviously, the music has to be great, but I think even if the music is fantastic, if you have a really bad vocal on top you’re wasting your time. It has also got to be something I feel musical empathy with so that I can bring something to the party as it were.”
- Stephen Street
Many people choose to start getting their vocals sounding great first, and for good reason. The average listener will be paying the most attention to the voice, so make sure this sounds second to none.
Keep Your Balance
“Ninety-nine percent of mixing is the balance. If you can hear what everyone is doing, and it all sounds flattering, then you can’t really make any mistakes.’’
- Steve Albini
It’s easy to get caught up in complicated signal chains or to start EQ’ing and Compressing before finding a balance of your instruments.
Try making sure you can hear all the instruments first, then get stuck in with processing to fine-tune things.
Music Production Quotes About Collaboration
Connect With Your Singer
‘’I hated being the guy in the vocal booth feeling like you’re being watched. If I’m in the studio then the singer is stood next to me and we can communicate like people.’’
- Jason Perry
It’s easy to want to put your singer in a separate vocal booth or room. Try having them sing next to you, and you might find you really connect in a way that you can’t do in a separate room or speaking through a talkback button.
Focus On Each Project Separately
”As far as technical philosophies go, that changes from project to project and it’s my job to cater to the artist while still doing my job capturing great sounds and a great performance. At the end of the day, it’s all about the artist. So, how the artist functions in my room is most important. Are they comfortable? Are they working well? Are they doing their best? Those are the biggest concerns. After those things are understood then I get to conform to the situation and the record-making happens.”
- Michael Keire
Think about what your project needs. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. Learning how to adapt is key.
Know Your Enemy
“When I started out I was more focused on the drum aspect of a record, but as I worked more and more I thought about what the singer was trying to say. So I learned that sometimes you have to guide artists. It’s a balance, trying to figure out when to be their friend and when to shout at them. It’s my job to sort through all this and help people make the best record they can.”
- Butch Vig
Okay, I know enemy is a strong word, but knowing your role as a producer working with an artist is a great skill to have. Sometimes tough love is the way forward!
See Things From Both Sides
”I try and make each band sound like themselves. This goes back to making sure everyone is playing the right parts and making sure the sound in front of the mic is always great. I don’t want the same painting in every room. A lot of producers have that.”
- GGGarth
You might have found a signature sound, or even discovered your secret sauce to a great track.
But try not to keep doing the same thing. How can you make things different? How can you make this track differ from your last?
Get To Know Your Artist
”Reaching the core of an artist’s talent can only be understood by sitting with them and discussing what is their mantra. It is therapy, songs are therapy, and music can change the way we think about everything in a flash. I try to find artists that have a grasp of that and will allow me to take it to the next level because I know where all the potholes in the road are … well, most of them.”
- David Bendeth
If you’re recording someone else, it can really pay off to get to know them and understand who they are.
Focus On The Whole Product
”Honestly, I feel the most important part of making a record is having great songs and players that can play them. The feel, performance, and the sound and whether or not it’s appropriate for the song, all come into play when making a record.’
- Ryan Greene
There’s something really satisfying about a great band gelling and creating a great song. But that can mean a lot of work to get right, but when it does, you’ll know!
Music Production Quotes About Songwriting
Write Songs As Well As Produce
”Actually writing songs with bands (is the most enjoyable part for me), working on tunes and what gives them an identity. I’ve worked with lots of bands where I’ve had to get them on board with the idea of “Hey you could reach a broader audience, you can still be this band, you can still put this message forward, but you can have a song that connects with more people.” Just getting people onboard and not being afraid to change for the better.”
- Will Putney
If you usually record or mix bands or artists, try and become part of their songwriting process. Put your mark on their work and see how this affects the end result.
Passion. Passion. Passion.
”You can’t have a great album without people playing and singing the hell out of a tune, there are many ways to get a real performance – new ways, old ways, in-between ways – and my belief is, whatever it takes. I want a record to sound like the band is really playing, not like it’s all coming from a computer”
- Jack Douglas
So much of a great-sounding song comes from feeling. If you’re recording yourself, let that passion shine through. If you’re recording someone else, think about how to make them comfortable and express themselves.
It All Starts With The Song
”Production starts with trying to get the best songs you can. From there, you try to play them in a great way. And also, having good instruments that play well and sound good. Whether it’s the type of guitar – or what type of pick-up it has… Or choices to do with drums, or cymbals, etc… all these little choices along the way.”
- Bill Stevenson
A great song can create an even better mix! Yes instruments, tones, and phrasing all play a big part but focus on tightening your song as much as you can before hitting record.
Find A Balance
”I guess I have a balance of organization, structure, and creativity at the same time and those are the things you need when driving a project forward. Be passionate, work hard, and develop your taste. Know why you like something and why you don’t like something.”
- Jacob Hellner
Try and find a trade-off – it’s not always just about those moments of inspiration that make a great producer.
Express Yourself
”Music is emotional, you want people who listen to your music to feel something. Think about not just how to make music but what are you trying to say. What is your story? Let your passions drive your creativity and personal expression. The only thing that matters is what comes out of the speakers.”
- Kamikaze Space Program
People want to know your story, what is your song about? Is it a positive or negative journey? Don’t be afraid to be honest in your lyrics and music.
Find Your Sound
”People need an identifiable sound. When your song is being played on the radio, people should hear who that is, even without the DJ mentioning who it is. That’s true with all the great bands, even ones that have been around for hundreds of years. Even though they have had a lot of different changes of sound, you can hear who it is instantly.”
- Roy Thomas Baker
Of course, you want your music to be varied, but focus on your sound. What makes this music your own? How can you build a signature sound that a listener can identify instantly as you?
Take Your Time
‘’A lot of people are rushing to record a bunch of songs once they’ve written them, and they don’t really think about what may or may not be working with the songs. If they’re going to rush into the studio with a bunch of songs that are potentially good before they’ve honed the arrangement right, they’re going to regret that. It’s really about focusing, and putting as much attention as possible into the end result.”
- Michael Beinhorn
Quality usually beats quantity! You might have 10 tracks ready, but are they all where they need to be? It’s often better to have 5 great tracks than 10 mediocre ones.
*Looking for another way to spark some creativity in your studio? Check out our 5 Best Lava Lamps to boost creativity in your studio space…
