If you’ve ever felt like banging your head against a brick wall because you can’t seem to  crack the “secret code of music production,” you’re not alon. We’ve all been there. 

But what if I told you that some of those solid bricks are actually made of myth? Yep, paper-thin myths dressed up as music industry gospel.

I’m talking about those beliefs that cling on for dear life—like needing pricey equipment to make waves in the industry or having years of college-level theory knowledge at your disposal. They say more plugins will polish your mix, but clearly great music has been made for decades without it. 

So, is there a code?

I don’t think so, and to help you hone your expertise and feel inspired, I want to dispel five common myths about music production. Let’s dive in! 

Table Of Contents:

Myth 1: Expensive Gear is Necessary for Professional Sound

Gone are the days when a killer track could only come out of a studio worth more than your house. Let’s bust this myth wide open—professional sound doesn’t demand a second mortgage.

Here’s the scoop: some of the most iconic albums were born in bedrooms and basements, with gear that wouldn’t break the bank. It’s not about having the priciest microphone, but knowing how to place it right. Modern technology has leveled the playing field, so even affordable interfaces can deliver stunning clarity. You don’t need gold-plated cables just to connect with your audience.

The real deal lies in skill and knowledge. You’ve got digital audio workstations (DAWs) that offer professional-grade tools without costing an arm and leg—heck, some are even free. And let me tell you, there’s no shortage of hit records made on budget-friendly setups these days. Take Billie Eilish as Exhibit A; her Grammy-winning album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” was recorded in her brother’s bedroom studio with minimal high-end gear.

Sure, having expensive gear may give you more options to work with—but it won’t necessarily make your music great. It’s like owning a sports car but not knowing how to drive stick; all those fancy features won’t mean squat if you can’t use them effectively.

In short? Your focus should be on honing your craft because skills trump shiny gadgets any day of the week—and twice on Sundays. You’d be surprised by how good of a mix you can get with simple stock plugins, proper room acoustics, and inexpensive music software.

Myth 2: You Must Be a Music Theory Expert

Think you need to be the Mozart of modern production? Think again. The myth that you’ve got to have your PhD in music theory to make it big in the biz is just that—a common music myth. Let’s face it, some of the most banging tracks were born from producers who couldn’t name a note on a staff.

Sure, knowing your way around scales and chords can help but let’s not forget—creativity doesn’t come from what you know; it comes from how you think. It’s about experimenting with sounds until they click, or sometimes even when they clash. Look at iconic producers like Kanye West or Timbaland—they’ve pushed boundaries without always sticking to conventional theory.

In fact, many hit-makers use intuitive approaches like ear-guided experimentation. This often leads them down paths no rulebook could ever predict. And let’s not ignore those handy DAWs that offer chord assistance and scale highlighting features making composing accessible for all levels of musical knowledge.

Bottom line—you don’t need extensive theory knowledge as long as you’ve got ears for good sound and a heart pumping full of creativity. So go ahead, twist those knobs and sample away until something feels right because that’s where true innovation lies.

Myth 3: More Plugins Equals Better Mixes

There’s a big misconception out there that using tons of expensive plugins will make a better mix. So many plugin manufacturers use pro marketing tactics to make it seem like their third-party plugins are the answer to your biggest mix questions.  

Truth is, piling on the plugins can turn your track into an overcooked mess.

A plugin overload often masks the real issue—a lack of understanding about what each tool does. You wouldn’t grab every spice in the rack for one dish, right? Instead, focus on learning how each plugin flavors your sound. For instance, compression isn’t just about making things loud; it’s about control and consistency.

The pros know that when making music, sometimes less is more. They use a few trusted tools to shape their sound—just like how master chefs rely on their favorite knife and pan. 

PRO TIP: Before you add a plugin to your mix, if you can’t give yourself a reason why you’re doing it, don’t.

Myth 4: Louder Always Sounds Better

We all love the feeling of cranking up a track. However, in production and mixing, loudness is not always the key to success. This myth is a relic from the ‘loudness war’, where producers would battle it out to create the loudest record possible. This was especially true in electronic music.

Here’s the deal: Loudness can actually mask a multitude of sins in your mix. Overcompression squashes dynamic range—the lifeblood of your sound—like an overeager hug that leaves you gasping for air. Dynamics give music its expression, allowing soft whispers and booming choruses their moment in the sun.

The truth? A well-balanced mix with room to breathe trumps a loud but flat audio pancake any day of the week. The mastering stage should be about polish and finesse, not just turning up everything until it’s screaming for mercy. Spend time dialing in a balance and it’ll do you better in the end.

The Side Effects of Overcompression

On that note, pushing levels too high can lead to distortion (and not the good kind). Once dynamics are lost, they can be impossible to recover in the mastering process. Over-compression strips away subtlety and nuance, blurring everything into one uniform mess instead of letting each instrument shine through clearly.

Beyond aesthetics, science has got our backs here too because our ears are more sophisticated than we give them credit for—they can pick out details even at lower volumes if given half a chance (just ask the Audio Engineering Society). So next time you’re tempted by turbo-boosting that master fader remember: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Key Takeaway: 

Turning up the volume won’t fix a bad mix. Overcompression kills your track’s dynamic range, leaving you with audio mush instead of clear beats and nuances. Keep it balanced—let every whisper and roar have its moment without cranking everything to eleven.

Myth 5: Good Music Always Gets Discovered

So you’ve crafted a killer track in your bedroom studio, and now you’re just kicking back waiting for the world to come knocking at your door? Hate to break it to you, but that’s like tossing a message in a bottle into the sea and expecting a parade. In today’s digital deluge of tunes, even top-notch tracks can drown without some serious swimming lessons—that means marketing, networking, and strategizing.

We all love an underdog story where raw talent alone catapults someone from obscurity straight to stardom. But let’s get real; those stories as one in a million. It’s brutal out there—artists outnumber available eardrums by miles. Think about it: IFPI reports thousands of songs released daily. To stand out in this sonic jungle takes more than just good vibes—it requires elbow grease too.

You gotta hustle smarter not harder though because shotgunning emails won’t cut it either. Networking isn’t schmoozing; it’s building genuine connections with people who can help give your music legs—or better yet wings. And don’t forget social media savvy—a sprinkle of hashtags here and some viral-worthy content there could be what makes or breaks your next release. Remember folks, making waves is key because when was the last time you heard about something sitting still?

Conclusion

We’ve busted some common music production myths today, and you’re probably realizing that a lot of what glitters in the studio is not gold. 

Remember not to fall for the biggest myths above when producing music, keep honing those skills, and fuel that creative fire with us here at Mix Elite. Start your free trial at our Mix Elite Academy coaching program, where premium courses await alongside juicy student discounts on plug-ins galore. Join our community of musicians, sound design experts, and creatives who are learning to produce music without feeding into tales.

FAQs

What is the hardest thing in music production?

Nailing the mix. It’s a delicate balance of technical skill and creative flair that can make or break your track.

What do music producers struggle with?

Finding their unique sound amidst a sea of beats can be tough, not to mention juggling multiple roles from mixing to marketing.

How many music producers fail?

Lots don’t hit it big. The game’s fierce, with only a few breaking through the noise to catch that lucky break.