How to Simplify Your Music Production Workflow
Let’s be real—music production can feel overwhelming. The sheer number of tools, plugins, techniques, and endless tweaking can make you feel like you’re spinning in circles. It’s easy to get lost in the process and feel paralyzed by the options. If you’ve ever sat there staring at your DAW, wondering where to even start, you’re not alone.
But here’s the thing: overwhelm is normal, and more importantly, it’s conquerable. Today, let’s break down how to simplify your workflow, clear the mental clutter, and get back to what really matters—creating great music.
1. Stop Overcomplicating Your Setup
One of the biggest sources of overwhelm is trying to juggle too many tools and sounds. Less is more in music production, but sometimes we forget this when faced with a sea of plugins, instruments, and endless sound libraries. It’s tempting to try every new synth or effect, but in reality, the constant search for the “perfect” sound can kill your creative flow.
The solution? Simplify your setup. Pick a few go-to plugins and instruments that you trust, and stick to them for a while. Master those tools. Instead of jumping between 100 different VSTs, focus on learning the ins and outs of just 10. When you reduce the number of choices, you can start focusing on what really matters—your ideas.
2. Create a Template to Jumpstart Every Session
Staring at a blank DAW session can be intimidating. You’ve got to figure out your BPM, choose your instruments, load your effects—it’s a lot before you even start making music. Eliminate the guesswork by creating a template for your projects.
Having a template means you open up your DAW and already have key elements laid out: maybe a kick, snare, hi-hat, some chords, or even your favorite synth. This way, you don’t spend half your session deciding on basic elements—you dive straight into making music. Speed is everything when inspiration strikes.
3. Set Small, Actionable Goals
One of the main reasons producers feel overwhelmed is trying to do too much in one session. You want to finish an entire track in a day, mix and master it to perfection, and still feel inspired for the next session. That’s unrealistic, and it sets you up for burnout.
Instead, break your process down into smaller, actionable tasks. Rather than aiming to finish a full track, set a goal to create just a killer melody today. Tomorrow, focus on your drums. Then move to bass, effects, and arrangement. By setting these small goals, you build momentum and reduce the pressure to achieve everything at once.
4. Use Loops and MIDI Files to Kickstart Ideas
Creative block often comes from feeling overwhelmed by the blank slate in front of you. You sit down to make something new but can’t seem to get the ideas flowing. This is where using loops and MIDI files can be a game-changer. These tools aren’t a shortcut; they’re jumpstarts for creativity.
Sometimes, all it takes is a single loop or MIDI melody, chord progression or synth preset to trigger a flood of ideas. Maybe you hear a guitar riff, and suddenly you know exactly where to take the track. These tools give you a starting point, something to build from, and before you know it, you’re in the zone, layering your unique ideas on top.
5. Develop a Routine That Works for You
Creativity thrives on consistency. One of the biggest mistakes producers make is waiting for inspiration to strike rather than creating a routine that fosters inspiration. If you only produce when you feel like it, you’re relying on luck, not habit.
Instead, try developing a routine that works for you. It doesn’t have to be complicated—maybe it’s 30 minutes a day, or maybe it’s a few longer sessions each week. Whatever it is, make it consistent. When you show up regularly, you’ll find that ideas flow more easily and overwhelm becomes less frequent.
6. Limit Your Revisions
We’ve all been there: you create a beat or a melody, and before you know it, you’ve revised it to death. At a certain point, you’re not improving it—you’re just tweaking out of fear it’s not “perfect” yet. Over-revision kills creativity and keeps you stuck in one place.
Set yourself a limit. After a few revisions, move on. No track will ever feel 100% perfect, and that’s okay. Your best work often comes when you learn to trust your instincts, finish the track, and release it into the world.
7. Embrace the Process, Not Just the Outcome
One of the most important things you can do as a producer is to fall in love with the process. If you’re always focused on the outcome—whether it’s finishing a track, getting streams, or gaining recognition—you’ll burn out fast. Remember why you started making music in the first place: because it’s fun, expressive, and fulfilling.
When you shift your focus from outcomes to the creative journey itself, you’ll feel less overwhelmed. Music production isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the joy of experimenting, learning, and pushing your creative limits.
Breaking the Cycle of Overwhelm
At the end of the day, every producer faces moments of feeling overwhelmed. The key is to simplify your workflow, break tasks down, and find ways to rekindle your creativity. You’re not alone in this process, and the solutions are often simpler than you think. Focus on progress, not perfection, and remember that the journey itself is where the magic happens.
Keep pushing, keep creating, and remember—every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward the music you’re meant to make. Stay consistent, stay patient, and watch your creativity unfold in ways you never imagined.
You’ve got this.
Cheers and have a great day!