My 5 Biggest Music Production Problems and Their Solutions

My 5 Biggest Music Production Problems and Their Solutions

Author: Brian Funk March 1, 2026 Duration: 16:09

Have you ever felt like the more you learn about music production, the harder it actually gets to finish a song? You aren't alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 biggest mental blocks I've faced, from "tutorial paralysis" to the crushing weight of trying to be a "Great Artist," and the practical shifts I used to break through them.

After 6 years of the Jamuary challenge, I've learned that the secret to finishing more music isn't a new plugin or more music theory; it's about moving from a romanticized "Artist" identity to a prolific "Maker" mindset.

In this episode, we discuss: 

The "Quantity Over Quality" Hack: Why having a routine allows you to fail safely.

The Skills of Finishing: Why completing "bad" music is the only way to prepare for your best work.

Learning by Doing: How to escape the "Tutorial Junkie" cycle and get your hands dirty.

Killing the "Artist" Label: Why viewing your work as a "body of work" is more freeing than chasing a single masterpiece. Stop overthinking, start creating, and let's get those ideas out of your DAW and into the world. 

Listen on Apple, SpotifyYouTube

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk


Brian Funk hosts the Music Production Podcast, a space where the technical meets the personal in the world of making music. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations that feel like dropping into a studio with a knowledgeable friend. As a working musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer, Brian approaches each topic with a practitioner's curiosity. Discussions flow naturally from the specifics of a piece of gear or a production technique into broader reflections on creative philosophy and the artistic process. You'll hear about the tools of the trade, but always through the lens of how they serve an idea or unlock a new way of working. The podcast thrives on informal dialogue, whether Brian is sharing his own experiences or talking with guests, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. It’s for anyone who builds songs from the ground up and thinks about the why just as much as the how. Tune in for honest, nuanced talks that go beyond simple tips and tricks, offering a deeper, more human perspective on the craft of music production.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Production Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Serato's Nick Maclaren on Music Tech and Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:39
Nick Maclaren is the Chief Strategy Officer for Serato. Nick talked about his experiences as a DJ and how it lead him to become a Serato user. We discuss Serato's new multi-fx plug-in Hex FX. Nick also spoke about the te…
Building Worlds with Music - Landman Composer Andrew Lockington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:41
Andrew Lockington is a film and television composer who composed the scores for many films including blockbuster hits City of Ember, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Sandreas, and Rampage, as well as hit television shows…
Echoes of a New Beginning - Jamuary 1 Prompt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:27
It's time for #Jamuary2025, a challenge to make and share music for as many days as you can during January. I'll be sharing the prompts I am giving to my Music Production Club here on the podcast. Whether you are keeping…
Be 31x More Creative with Jamuary2025! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
It's time for Jamuary 2025! These 31 days of creativity will dramatically increase your creativity. Here are some lessons, tips, and takeaways that will help you prepare to make the most of the Jamuary challenge. Listen…
The Threat to New Music - David Rowell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
David Rowell is a veteran music journalist who has worked as an editor and writer at the Washington Post for over 20 years. Stewart Copeland of the Police said "David Rowell is the kind of critic that scares us musicians…
Live Performance and Collaboration with C4RP00L [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
C4RP00L is an alternative hip-hop band that combines hip-hop beats with electric guitar and bass. They've just released new music, Creature Mode: Vicious and Creature Mode: Velocity. I spoke with Danger, Renzo Starr, and…
Tyson Boorman - Getting Industry Standard Mixes for Your Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Tyson Boorman is a mixing and mastering engineer for Nightowl Music Group. He is the author of The Objective Mix - Mix Like a Pro Without Pro Gear or Premium Plug-ins. Tyson teaches music production on his YouTube channe…
STOP Optimizing! Do THIS First!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
Let's get the big things right before we worry about the details. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: My First Album Project Nairb - Apple Music - Spotify My Second Album Forest Far - Apple Music - Spotify Music Fro…
Ben Levin - Staying True to Yourself as an Artist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:04
Ben Levin is a musician, visual artist, and educator. He runs the Ben Levin Music School where he hosts courses that help artists find their voice, finish music, and maintain and cultivate their love of music-making. Ben…
David Mash - Musician, Educator, Futurist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:59
David Mash is a musician, composer, educator, technologist, and futurist. David worked at Berklee College of Music for 44 years, first as a teacher of guitar and jazz. Then he started the Music Synthesis department, whic…