My ears just don’t really pay attention to lyrics at first. It’s all about the sounds, the harmony, the melody and the rhythm.
Tag: music production
are your drum loops working right for your song?
A lot of artists and singer-songwriters are using loops to create their songs. This is a creative, easy, and fun way to get ideas going. However, often these loops need help to work together. They must create a coherent and consistent mix and production. This ensures they don’t distract listeners or feel wrong. In this example, the two separate drum loops used had very different kick sounds. So, I added a sample from my library, originally from my OP1, to the softer drum loop. This was done to make it feel more similar. Sometimes being a mix engineer means doing more than just balancing exactly the tracks I’m sent. This is where I draw on my Production and Musical skills and knowledge but also my strong ear that notices these things.
level up your logic pro drum production
“you’ve really worked your magic on this one haven’t you – i love the outcome!”
A little before and after mixing video for Beth Sarah’s song Collide.
Beth had done a great job of recording Collide on her home setup but she really wanted this dreamy, lush folky song about being in love to sound more rich, deep and textured and have more of a spacious & immersive feel. It took me a day to mix as well as adding soft synth bass, chimes and some subtle, extra strings. What do you think? Hopefully that it sounds better
new release – the end by cherry june
Mixing & additional production by me
Really enjoyed working on The End by Cherry June which came out on 27th June. A poignant, melancholy & dreamy indie folk song inspired by Phoebe Bridgers & Lucy Dacus. Written & recorded by Cherry June. Additional production, mixing & mastering by me. Bass, drums & synths by me. Guitars, vocals & synths by Cherry June.
produce faster with a default channel strip
This piece of content is for anyone using a DAW to create music who’s Ok with things being a bit less fiddly.
BEFORE & AFTER MIXING FOR CHERRY JUNE – THE END
Give me one day and I’ll transform your demo into the finished beauty it should be. Thanks to Cherry June for trusting me with her nostalgic, dreamy, melancholy indie rock song that she recorded herself at home using Ableton Live. The demo had good foundations & the reference tracks I was given were so on the money! I’m a big Phoebe Bridgers fan and I loved helping this song inhabit a similar sonic space. ‘The End’ is out soon! Get in touch if you need some songs mixed, ready for release…
THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE OF SMALL MIRACLES BY DAMON BROCK
Damon Brock, Small Miracles. Recorded, arranged, produced and mixed by me. The brief and vision for this was for the source sounds to all be ‘real’ instruments but to use effects, editing and processing to add layers of other-worldly atmospheres. To create a sense of space within an alternate, warped reality. At it’s root, the song has a fairly traditional melody and harmony and Damon didn’t want this EP to veer too far from a ‘band’ sound (I did get a bit carried away on this one tbh). The track count is pretty low & the overall sound feels like a blend of the familiar with the unfamiliar. . Vocals & acoustic guitar by Damon Brock Electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, keys, drums & percussion by Steve Baker
Why Self-Producing Artists Struggle to Finish Songs — and How to Fix It
If you’re an artist who writes, records, and produces your own music, you’ve probably experienced the frustrating limbo of having a mostly finished track sitting in your DAW — weeks (or months) after the initial inspiration.
The core idea is strong.
The parts are mostly there.
But something’s not clicking — and you can’t quite tell why.
You tweak the snare. You double the chorus vocal. You throw another plugin on the master bus. And still, the track doesn’t feel done.
Sound familiar?
You’re not broken. You’re just doing too many jobs at once — and here’s what to do about it.
The 3 Big Reasons Self-Producers Struggle to Finish Songs
1. You’re Too Close to It
When you’ve spent hours recording, editing, comping, and mixing your own track, your brain stops being able to hear it objectively. This is real. It’s called listener fatigue — but it’s also emotional bias (‘demo-itis’). You’re attached to the work because you built it from scratch.
You start to lose the ability to tell whether the vocal’s too loud or just louder than you’re used to. Whether that middle eight is actually boring or you’re just sick of hearing it.
2. You Don’t Have a Clear Finish Line
Most self-producing artists know how to start — but not how to finish. You chase a vibe, build out a section, add parts… and then what? How do you know when it’s enough?
Without an outside perspective or a clear goal, you can fall into endless tinkering mode. This is where good songs go to die.
3. You’re Playing Too Many Roles
You’re being the songwriter, the arranger, the producer, the engineer, and the mixer. That’s a lot of hats — and none of them are getting your full attention.
It’s like trying to write a novel, design the cover, edit the manuscript, typeset the pages, and do the marketing… all at once. Even if you can do all those things, should you?
How to Fix It (Without Selling Your Soul to a Label or an Algorithm)
1. Define the Goal Before You Hit Record
Is this a single you plan to release? A song for your EP? A sketch to send to a collaborator?
Knowing what job the song needs to do helps you make better decisions and avoid the “maybe I should add a sax solo?” spiral.
2. Bring in an Outside Ear
This doesn’t have to mean giving up creative control. It means letting someone else hear the song with fresh ears and help you make decisions — even if that’s just “this part’s working, this part isn’t.”
A good producer or mix engineer (hello 👋) helps you keep the emotion intact while solving the technical and creative problems you’re too deep inside to see.
3. Work in Stages, Not Spirals
Set yourself mini-deadlines:
- Song is written = done
- Rough production is done = done
- Arrangement locked = done
- Mixing tweaks only = done
Each of these stages a decision point. Every time you say “done,” you get closer to releasing. Avoid the endless loop of “what if” by making one choice at a time.
Bottom Line: Finishing Is a Skill — and a Team Sport
If you’re making music alone, it’s easy to think you should be able to do it all.
But the truth is, every great record is finished by more than one person — even the ones that sound DIY.
So if you’re stuck, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means you’re ready for that next level of collaboration. And that’s where I come in.
If you’ve got a track in limbo, send it my way — I’ll tell you what it needs (and what it doesn’t). No pressure. Just honest ears and a plan to help you finish.
Steve Baker 