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Music production and beat-making are more accessible than ever, especially in the era of AI. With countless resources and tools available online, you might wonder whether pursuing a formal education is even necessary. Here’s why I believe the self-taught route is not only cost-effective but also more rewarding and flexible.
Why Learning Music Production on Your Own Is Better
I enrolled in sound engineering college right after high school and still regret taking out a student loan to fund this education. While learning directly from industry experts has its benefits, I believe that much of what I learned could have been self-taught using online resources.
My focus has since shifted to video editing, a skill I’ve successfully taught myself, proving the value of self-directed learning. So if you’re considering institutional education in audio or music production, here’s why you might want to rethink it and teach yourself instead.
1. Ditch Expensive Tuition Fees
One of the biggest advantages of teaching yourself music production is avoiding the high costs of formal education. Tuition fees, textbooks, and special equipment can quickly add up, possibly leading to significant debt.
Unlike professions such as medicine, music production doesn’t require a special license for employment. Many free or low-cost online resources offer comprehensive training, equipping you with the skills needed to secure paying gigs. You can also considerinvesting that money in quality audio gearand software instead.
2. Learn at Your Own Pace
Formal education follows a rigid schedule, which may not suit your learning style. Traditional classes usually move at a one-size-fits-all pace, but by teaching yourself, you can focus more on concepts that challenge you and breeze through the stuff you find easier.
The ability to manage your own time also provides more opportunities to gain practical experience, such as joining a mixing session to see how it’s done,improving your DIY home studio, or collaborating with other musicians. Moreover, you could fit a job into your schedule to earn some money without worrying about class conflicts.
3. A Personalized Curriculum
Personalized learning offers something that formal education can’t match. When you control your own curriculum, you may focus on the genres and methods that truly interest you and tailor your studies to suit your goals and preferences.
For example, my college trained us on Pro Tools; after discovering Ableton, I wished we had been taught to use it instead. A customized learning approach would have allowed me to pick any DAW I wanted. I actually would have started out with a beginner-friendly audio editor before taking the plunge into the complexities of DAW software.
4. Discover More Tools
Whereas a sound engineering college will probably focus on specific software and methodologies, teaching yourself how to produce music encourages the discovery and exploration of a wide range of tools and techniques, including DAWs, AI tools, VST plugins, production techniques, and equipment.
This versatility not only enriches your knowledge but will also allow you to better adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.
Free and Affordable Resources for Learning Music Production
If you want to learn how to produce music but don’t know where to start, I’ve got some recommendations. It’s best to start by just watching YouTube videos because it’s cost-free, and you may even be able to learn everything you need to know from there. Some online courses are free, and those that aren’t are still much cheaper than tuition fees.
I also recommend learning an instrument if you don’t already know how to play one—a secondhand keyboard is cost-effective and easy to learn, or you can try avirtual piano. Lastly, check out ourbeginner’s guide to music productionandhow to mix musicfor a condensed introduction.
Beginner-Friendly Tools for Learning Music Production
There’s no point in learning about music production if you have nothing to work with. Eventually, you’ll need to use a DAW such asAbletonorLogic Pro, but as a starting point, check out these tools:
Furthermore, check out thesetools to help you learn the ropes of music production,free online DAWs, andwebsites to download VST plugins for free. If you’re keeping up with the AI craze, it’s also worth checking out thesefree AI plugins for music productionand theseAI tools to help mix your music.
Choosing to teach yourself music production can be a rewarding journey. With the right resources and a personalized approach, you can develop your skills at your own pace. Embrace the freedoms that come with being self-taught and unlock your creative potential without the financial burden of formal education.
