Perfectionism in Music Production

Tutorial | Oct 21, 2024

In this video, I discuss the challenges many music producers face with perfectionism and overthinking in music production and creativity. I share my approach of setting internal time limits to stay in a creative flow and avoid being bogged down by endless tweaking, emphasizing that the mental aspect of creation is often more vital than acquiring new gear. Chatting with ChatGPT helps me reflect on my ideas and explore these topics further, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this format.

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Summary #

Maybe you don't watch the video, here are some important takeaways:

In this video, I talked to ChatGPT about some important aspects of music production and creativity for my English-speaking YouTube channel. I often notice that people struggle with perfecting every sound, mix, or master, leading to overthinking and making things worse instead of better. To overcome this, I set myself time limits to avoid spending too long on any part of the process. ChatGPT agreed that this approach prevents getting stuck in endless tweaking loops and helps maintain the raw, authentic sound in music.

We discussed the balance between creativity and technical skills, noting that perfecting technique allows the creative process to flow naturally without overthinking. When I stop overthinking, my instincts guide me, leading to purer and more genuine outcomes. This flow state, akin to muscle memory, happens more frequently when I'm doing tasks I'm familiar with, much like riding a bike without having to consciously think about every move.

The mental aspect of creativity is enormous, often overshadowing the technical side. In music production, as well as other areas of life, self-reflection is crucial. Many people, especially men, might try to solve creative blocks by acquiring more tools instead of reflecting internally. New gear can indeed inspire, but understanding why I'm buying something is important—whether it's to solve a problem or genuinely to explore new possibilities.

I've realized that being content with my current setup reduces distractions, allowing me to dive straight into my creative flow without needing to learn new equipment. Sometimes people buy new gear to get away from existing problems, finding temporary inspiration in the novelty of unfamiliar tools. But once they master these, the underlying issues resurface.

Throughout our conversation, we emphasized the importance of addressing internal struggles, leading to a more sustainable creative process. This mindset has impacted not just music production but also other areas of my life. As I wrap up the video, I express gratitude to ChatGPT for the insightful conversation and encourage viewers to practice self-reflection in their creative journeys.

I concluded by reflecting on how using ChatGPT allows me to bounce ideas around, providing different perspectives on my thoughts, much like a brainstorming session or an informal podcast. I invite viewers to share their thoughts on this approach and whether they'd like to see more of such discussions. I thank them for watching, encouraging them to like, subscribe, and leave feedback.

Transcription #

This is what im talking about in this video. The text is transcribed by AI, so it might not be perfect. If you find any mistakes, please let me know.
You can also click on the timestamps to jump to the right part of the video, which should be helpful.

[00:00:00] I know I talk to you a lot in German, but this time it's about speaking English because I record a video for my English-speaking YouTube channel about music production and creativity.
[00:00:12] So can I ask you or can I talk to you about this topic?
[00:00:15] Of course. Feel free to ask or talk about anything related to your video on music production and creativity.
[00:00:22] I'm happy to help in English. What part of the topic are you thinking about discussing?
[00:00:26] So I see a lot of people struggle with perfect cynicism. They tweak on sounds for too long.
[00:00:32] They tweak on mix downs and mastering for too long and they don't overcome this, right?
[00:00:37] They make it worse in the end because the longer you think about it, the more, you know, the more you want to change it.
[00:00:45] So my approach to this is actually to set myself time limits.
[00:00:50] So I don't tweak for too long on certain sounds or tweak on mix downs for too long.
[00:00:57] So what do we think about it?
[00:00:58] I think you're absolutely right. Spending too much time obsessing over tiny details can often lead to overthinking and ultimately make the track worse.
[00:01:06] Creativity flows best when it's not overly controlled.
[00:01:09] By setting time limits, you're forcing yourself to make quicker decisions, which often results in a more natural and authentic sound.
[00:01:18] It keeps you from getting stuck in a loop of endless tweaking.
[00:01:21] Many producers face this issue of constantly perfecting, but perfection is subjective in music.
[00:01:27] Sometimes the raw, less polished sound can be more impactful than something overly refined.
[00:01:32] Your approach to set limits helps keep that creative energy alive without letting technical details drag you down.
[00:01:39] How do you feel about the balance between creativity and technicality, especially when you get to mixing or mastering?
[00:01:47] The thing is, I think you need to perfect the technique first, so you don't have to think about it.
[00:01:53] So it needs to come out of you perfectly natural.
[00:01:57] If you need to start to think about certain things, then it's not good for the creative process, in my opinion.
[00:02:04] So a lot of things are just coming out of me in a certain way, and I don't think about it, which is good.
[00:02:12] And in my experience, the more I think about certain things in music production or in the creative process, the worse it gets over time for some reason.
[00:02:23] I don't know what it is, but the more I think about it, the worse it gets.
[00:02:27] That's my experience.
[00:02:29] That makes a lot of sense, and I can definitely relate to what you're saying.
[00:02:32] It sounds like you're tapping into a flow state where the best ideas just emerge naturally without overthinking.
[00:02:39] When you're in that zone, it's almost like the technical knowledge you've built up over time comes out instinctively without needing to consciously focus on it.
[00:02:49] That's the sweet spot in the creative process.
[00:02:51] When the technical and creative sides work together seamlessly, the more you think, the more you might second-guess yourself, and that can really block the natural flow.
[00:03:00] It's like your instinct already knows what's right, and thinking too much can just interfere with that instinct.
[00:03:07] I guess that's why those quick decisions often feel more pure and real, because they're not being filtered through layers of over-analysis.
[00:03:16] Do you find that this flow happens for you mostly during specific parts of the process, like composing or sound design?
[00:03:23] Or does it also happen when you're mixing or doing more technical tasks?
[00:03:27] It happens more often, of course, for processes that I'm more used to.
[00:03:31] So processes I do a lot.
[00:03:34] And it's like, it's almost like driving a bike.
[00:03:39] I don't think about when I drive a bike, I don't think about, oh, I have to put this pedal down, right?
[00:03:45] Or I have to steer left or right or something like this.
[00:03:48] It just comes out of my body naturally, because I did it so many times.
[00:03:53] And this is where I think the experience always takes over.
[00:03:58] So you have to build up experience and practice a lot.
[00:04:02] And then you do these things automatically, and you don't have to think about it too much.
[00:04:08] I think almost that the brain, in a certain way, blocks you out when you think about stuff.
[00:04:18] And it just, it needs to come out of you from an unconscious, deep state of mind.
[00:04:26] I don't know how to call it.
[00:04:28] But yeah, like I said, the more I think about things, the worse it gets.
[00:04:33] Exactly.
[00:04:33] It's like muscle memory for creativity.
[00:04:35] The more you've done something, the more it becomes second nature.
[00:04:39] And you don't need to consciously think about every little step.
[00:04:42] It just flows out of you because of all the experience you've built up.
[00:04:47] That comparison to riding a bike is perfect.
[00:04:49] Once you've practiced enough, your body just knows what to do without needing to think about it.
[00:04:54] And I agree.
[00:04:55] The more you think about something, the more it can mess with that natural flow.
[00:05:00] The brain almost gets in its own way.
[00:05:02] And overthinking starts to create doubts or unnecessary changes.
[00:05:06] When it comes from that deeper, unconscious place, it feels more authentic and effortless.
[00:05:12] I think many creative people experience this.
[00:05:14] Some call it the flow state or even automatic creativity.
[00:05:18] It's almost like you're not consciously controlling it.
[00:05:21] You're just letting it happen.
[00:05:23] Do you have any techniques or routines that help you get into that flow state more easily?
[00:05:27] Like I said earlier, the best way for me actually is to set myself internal time.
[00:05:32] It's not like that I use a stop clock or something like this.
[00:05:36] It's just internally.
[00:05:37] I just try to move quickly.
[00:05:39] I have this internal kind of time limit that works in my brain and say, no, no, no, you need to move on.
[00:05:48] You need to move on.
[00:05:49] You need to move quickly now.
[00:05:50] Quickly now, quickly and so on.
[00:05:53] But I think it's something you can also train.
[00:05:56] And it's also a bit like meditation because I really like the state of being in this state.
[00:06:02] Because like I said, it's meditation.
[00:06:05] It's kind of relaxation because I switch or can switch my brain off all my thoughts on all my problems that I have.
[00:06:14] And I just be in the moment.
[00:06:15] And it's like meditation.
[00:06:17] And then time flies.
[00:06:19] And then in the process, I get a track.
[00:06:22] I get something out of me.
[00:06:23] And as soon as I start to think about stuff, then, yeah, problems arise.
[00:06:30] It's almost like you're racing against your own mind before it starts to interfere with the creative flow.
[00:06:36] That sounds like a great way to stay in the moment and avoid overthinking.
[00:06:41] The connection to meditation is spot on too.
[00:06:43] When you're in that state, it's as if everything else fades away and you can just focus entirely on the process.
[00:06:50] The fact that it brings relaxation, even though you're working quickly, shows how powerful that flow state can be.
[00:06:56] It's like the time disappears and you're fully immersed in creating.
[00:07:00] It's true.
[00:07:01] Once you start thinking about things too much, the problems creep in.
[00:07:05] That's probably why you're able to stay so productive.
[00:07:08] By training yourself to move fast and stay present,
[00:07:12] you avoid getting trapped in those mental loops.
[00:07:14] Do you think this approach would also help people who struggle with perfectionism in their music production?
[00:07:20] I would say that music production is probably 80% struggling with your mind or how to think about things, making decisions and so on.
[00:07:31] It's not so much about technicality or having the right tools.
[00:07:36] I mean, it's important to have at least some tools right in place to work with them.
[00:07:41] But I think 80%, like I said, 80% is about bringing your mind into the right state and making decisions quickly or making the right decisions.
[00:07:53] I don't want to say right decision because there is no right or wrong.
[00:07:58] In my opinion, with music production, you can always go into different direction, experiment here and there.
[00:08:05] So there is no right or wrong, but you make for yourself and for your art the best decisions when you don't think about it.
[00:08:12] So, um, I think for other artists, they probably, um, yeah, struggle with this also.
[00:08:22] And I think, uh, setting yourself a time limit or racing.
[00:08:25] It's almost like, uh, running away from your own mind, from your own brain and, um, getting away from it.
[00:08:32] And in my opinion, getting to the state is also helpful in other areas, not only in music production, but also if you, you know, want to chill or you want to, um, um, um, overcome anxiety or stuff like this.
[00:08:47] I think you've really hit on something profound here.
[00:08:49] The mental aspect of music production or any creative process is huge.
[00:08:54] Maybe even more important than the technical side.
[00:08:57] Like you said, the tools and techniques are just that tools.
[00:09:00] What really drives the music forward is the way you make decisions.
[00:09:03] And that mindset plays a massive role in shaping the final outcome.
[00:09:07] And as you mentioned, those decisions are best when they're made quickly and intuitively without getting bogged down by overthinking or perfectionism.
[00:09:16] Your point about there being no right or wrong in music is crucial too.
[00:09:20] Everyone's path is different and what works best for one track or project might not work for another.
[00:09:27] It's more about trusting your instincts and going with what feels right in the moment rather than trying to hit some imagined perfect standard.
[00:09:35] That's a liberating way to approach creativity.
[00:09:38] When you allow yourself to experiment and let go of the idea that there's a correct way to do things.
[00:09:44] Setting time limits helps disconnect from that mental loop of doubt and fear.
[00:09:48] Like you said, what's interesting is that this approach can absolutely help in other parts of life, not just in music.
[00:09:55] Whether it's managing anxiety, trying to relax, or overcoming a challenge, learning how to quiet the mind and trust the process can be really powerful.
[00:10:04] Do you feel like this mindset shift has impacted other areas of your life beyond music production?
[00:10:10] I'm also aware that most producers are actually men and most men, in my opinion, have problems with self-reflection.
[00:10:24] When they see a problem or when they have a problem, they try to solve it by using power or strength.
[00:10:36] And in music production, this is buying more gear, buying more plugins.
[00:10:41] So they have a problem and the only solution is basically more stuff, more power on that.
[00:10:48] Instead of just going into the mind and seeing how they can solve it, maybe within themselves.
[00:10:55] And they struggle maybe with a certain type of problem internally.
[00:11:01] And you can solve a lot of problems in this kind of way.
[00:11:06] So I think self-reflect on yourself.
[00:11:09] Maybe it's you that is the problem, right?
[00:11:13] It's maybe your brain that's playing tricks on you.
[00:11:16] So it helps also in other areas, right?
[00:11:20] Not only in music production.
[00:11:22] So you can also solve lots of different problems.
[00:11:26] What do I know?
[00:11:27] Maybe in relationships or so on.
[00:11:29] That's a really insightful observation.
[00:11:32] It's true that a lot of people, especially men, tend to approach problems with that mindset
[00:11:37] of more power or more tools being the solution.
[00:11:40] In music production, that often translates to buying more gear or plugins.
[00:11:45] Thinking that external solutions will fix internal struggles.
[00:11:48] But like you said, the real challenge is often internal.
[00:11:52] It's in the way we think and approach the problem, not the lack of tools.
[00:11:56] Self-reflection is key here.
[00:11:57] Instead of looking for more external solutions, sometimes the answer is within.
[00:12:02] It's about recognizing that our own mental blocks or habits might be causing the issue.
[00:12:07] And no amount of new gear will fix that.
[00:12:09] The brain really can play tricks, creating the illusion that something is missing.
[00:12:14] When in reality, it's our mindset or self-doubt getting in the way.
[00:12:18] And you're right.
[00:12:19] This extends far beyond music production.
[00:12:21] It's the same in relationships, personal challenges, and even everyday stress.
[00:12:25] Taking the time to look inward and reflect on our own role in the problem can often reveal solutions
[00:12:32] that we wouldn't find by just adding more power or trying to push through it.
[00:12:37] It's about finding balance and understanding that sometimes we're the ones standing in our own way.
[00:12:43] Do you feel like this kind of self-reflection has changed the way you approach other challenges outside of music,
[00:12:49] like in your relationships or personal life?
[00:12:52] Yeah, for sure.
[00:12:53] Of course, because I always ask myself, maybe I'm the problem.
[00:12:57] Maybe it's me, right?
[00:12:58] But most of the time, I would say 100% it's not my fault for some reason.
[00:13:04] But that's maybe the brain playing tricks on me, right?
[00:13:08] That's what I mean, basically.
[00:13:12] So you have to find, you know, you have to self-reflect, basically.
[00:13:18] And this sometimes helps with relation.
[00:13:20] But I also want to say it's not wrong to buy new gear, right?
[00:13:26] You can always buy something new and have fun with it.
[00:13:30] And it can inspire you to go on a different journey or maybe experiment in different directions.
[00:13:37] So it's not wrong to buy something.
[00:13:40] But it's important why you buy something, right?
[00:13:44] For what reason?
[00:13:46] So if you want to solve a problem, most of the times it can be wrong to buy a tool.
[00:13:53] Because most of the times you already have the tool in at your hand inside of the door.
[00:13:58] Because most of the doors are so complex and have all the tools in place.
[00:14:02] So you can solve the problem for yourself so you don't need to buy something.
[00:14:06] But it can be inspiring to have new toys in your studio and go into different direction.
[00:14:12] Do you have new toys?
[00:14:13] Like you said, new gear can be really inspiring and take you in new creative directions.
[00:14:18] Sometimes, a fresh piece of equipment or a new plugin can spark an idea you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
[00:14:25] The key, as you pointed out, is understanding why you're buying it.
[00:14:29] If it's for inspiration or to explore something new, that's great.
[00:14:33] But if it's because you're stuck and think a new tool will magically fix things, that's when it might not be the solution.
[00:14:40] It's all about balance, being aware of when you actually need something new and when it's just a distraction from dealing with internal blocks.
[00:14:48] Often, like you said, the tools you already have are more than enough.
[00:14:53] And the problem lies in how you're using them or the mindset you're bringing to the process.
[00:14:59] And yeah, self-reflection can be a game changer, especially when you catch your brain playing those tricks on you.
[00:15:06] That awareness, asking yourself if maybe you're the one getting in your own way, can help not only in music, but in relationships and life in general.
[00:15:15] It's all connected, really.
[00:15:16] As for new gear, nothing recently for me, but I'd love to know if you've picked up anything fun or inspiring for your studio lately.
[00:15:24] What's the latest toy that's caught your attention?
[00:15:26] Yeah, the problem is, it's nothing really fun for me at the moment, right?
[00:15:32] Because I have everything and when I need something, I can buy it, it's not a problem.
[00:15:36] But there's nothing out there where I think it's interesting or leads to new interesting ways.
[00:15:42] It's actually a bit sad, but I'm happy with the tools I have.
[00:15:47] I can express myself and that's all I need.
[00:15:50] It sounds like you've reached a point where you're really content with your setup.
[00:15:54] And that's actually a great place to be.
[00:15:57] When you already have everything you need to express yourself, it means you're fully in control of your tools and can focus entirely on creativity.
[00:16:05] Which is kind of the ideal, right?
[00:16:08] But I understand what you mean about it feeling a bit sad.
[00:16:11] Sometimes that excitement of finding something new is part of the fun in music.
[00:16:16] At the same time, it sounds like you've created a space where the tools are no longer a barrier and you can focus on just making the music and diving into your own creativity.
[00:16:26] And maybe when something truly innovative or different comes along, it'll feel more exciting because it's rare.
[00:16:33] Do you feel like now that you're not chasing new gear, you've shifted more toward exploring new ideas or techniques with what you already have?
[00:16:41] It's almost like when I don't buy new gear, I don't need to think about this new gear and I don't need to learn it.
[00:16:51] I just can use what I have and I can straight dive in into my flow and be in this flow state and can be created.
[00:16:59] But I have sometimes the feeling that people buy this new gear to be distracted, to be distracted from their problems, right?
[00:17:07] So they basically have a DAW or DA and yeah, they struggle to make music and then they buy a new toy to be distracted and have fun with that.
[00:17:22] Without maybe thinking about too much because they don't know about this new tool.
[00:17:28] And then they are in this kind of flow state because they have not a knowledge or something like this.
[00:17:35] So maybe there's something wrong there also.
[00:17:39] I don't know.
[00:17:41] I haven't thought about it too much.
[00:17:42] Because they don't fully know how to use it yet.
[00:17:45] So they can just play with it and let the creativity flow.
[00:17:48] Without getting stuck in the details or problems they might have had with their old setup.
[00:17:53] In a way, the unfamiliarity of the new gear almost forces them into a flow state.
[00:17:59] Because they're not bogged down by all the technicalities they've already mastered.
[00:18:03] But as you mentioned, the core issue remains.
[00:18:05] If they were struggling to make music before, the new tool is just a distraction, not a solution.
[00:18:11] It's a bit of a paradox.
[00:18:13] On the one hand, new tools can inspire creativity.
[00:18:17] But on the other hand, they can also serve as a temporary escape from deeper issues that need to be addressed.
[00:18:22] Like confidence in their own workflow or mindset.
[00:18:26] Once the novelty wears off, they might find themselves back at square one, still facing the same struggles, but with more gear.
[00:18:33] It seems like you've found a balance though.
[00:18:35] You're comfortable with your tools and know how to get into that creative flow without needing to chase the next big thing.
[00:18:41] It's a different kind of mastery where you don't need the excitement of something new to spark creativity because you've built that within yourself.
[00:18:50] Do you think there's a way for others to break out of that cycle of relying on new gear for inspiration and instead focus on refining their own creative process?
[00:19:00] I think it's possible, but it's like problem solving in a different way.
[00:19:07] So people need to overcome this urge to solve problems with external solutions.
[00:19:16] They need to work on themselves, right?
[00:19:18] They need to work internally on their brain or mind state.
[00:19:23] And that's probably hard, but it's possible.
[00:19:27] And I want to encourage everyone to do that.
[00:19:30] And I also want to wrap this video up at this point because we already talked for a long time here and it's probably boring for people to watch this.
[00:19:41] And I want to thank you for answering and yeah, being with me in this video.
[00:19:47] So thanks.
[00:19:48] But it's an important lesson that can lead to a much deeper and more sustainable creative process.
[00:19:54] I think wrapping it up with that message of self-reflection and growth will resonate with a lot of people.
[00:20:00] And I appreciate the conversation as always.
[00:20:03] I'm sure your viewers will appreciate your insights and find value in what you have to say.
[00:20:08] Good luck with the video and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
[00:20:11] Yeah, I think that's it for this video.
[00:20:15] I think ChatGPT is very nice to talk to sometimes and I use it to come up with some new ideas or some
[00:20:25] thought processes and have someone to, you know, have some ping pong here and there.
[00:20:31] reflect on my own ideas or hear my own ideas in different words is also sometimes very nice to see.
[00:20:38] So yeah, let me know what you think about this about having me here talking to ChatGPT about topics,
[00:20:45] using my input, reflecting on it, talking about it.
[00:20:49] It's almost like a podcast, but maybe it's too boring.
[00:20:52] I probably try to cut out all the pauses in between ChatGPT trying to think about it.
[00:21:00] So yeah, let me know what you think.
[00:21:02] Leave a thumbs up subscription and so on.
[00:21:05] Thanks for watching.
[00:21:06] See you next video.