Are you focusing on the wrong thing when making music?
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
There’s a good chance you’re focusing on the wrong thing when making music—and I say that because I did for years. I ignored this at first, but now it’s one of the most important mindsets I hold when I step into the studio.
For a long time, I was distracted from what truly matters in music. I could hear the sounds I was creating, but I wasn’t feeling them. I was caught up in making technically “correct” decisions instead of focusing on what actually felt right.
The trap of technical perfection
Like many producers, I fell into the tutorial rabbit hole—endlessly watching videos that drilled technical “rules” into my head. I started to see music in terms of right and wrong decisions:
“Saturate the kick.”
“Glue the drums.”
“Follow the exact synth recipe.”
I obsessed over which plugin to use, rather than how to use it well. I spent hours crafting the “perfect” synth line without even asking myself if the track needed that kind of sound.
I was making music with my logical brain, not my creative one.
The shift: from what to why
Here’s what changed everything for me:
I realised that when making music, my focus shouldn’t be on what I was doing, but why I was doing it.
I stopped asking, “Is this technically right?” and started asking:
What emotion is this element bringing?
What vibe and mood is this track expressing?
Do I actually like what I’m hearing right now?
That shift was huge. Because the real impact of music comes from its essence—the emotion and soul embedded in the sounds. That’s what touches people on a deeper level, not whether you EQ’d the hi-hats at 8kHz.
Think about it—what really matters?
Think of your favourite artist and your favourite piece of music. Do you really care what type of compression they used, what synth plugin it was, or how they processed the clap?
Most likely, you care about how that piece of music makes you feel.
You care about the energy the track creates.
You care about the story the music tells.
That’s what your attention should be focused on. The mixdown, techniques, and plugins are there to help you achieve that—but they’re not the focus of the creative process.
Where the magic happens
The magic in music happens when you can clearly express your vision through sound—when the ideas in your head align perfectly with what’s coming out of the speakers.
Of course, mixdowns, plugins, and technical know-how are important. They’re tools in your creative arsenal.
But they’re just that—tools—not the heart of the music.
A new way to listen while producing
As you create, try this:
Tune in to each sound. How does it sit with the others? What role is it playing?
Ask why it’s there. What purpose does this element serve? Does it add to the emotion or energy?
Zoom out to the bigger picture. What’s the overall vibe? How can you enhance it further?
Think about the essence of your track. What is it really trying to say?
Then ask: How can I showcase that in the most beautiful way across the track’s journey?
Final thoughts
The real questions you should be asking aren’t about plugins or presets—they’re about feeling, intention, and expression.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what makes music remarkable, magical, and authentic.
So, I hope you consider this and give it a try next time you sit down to make music.
Big love
Eryk Kabay
Ready for action? Whether you’re feeling stuck or looking for that final professional polish, I’m here to help you cut through the confusion and make your tracks shine. Let’s get your music sounding its best and ready to be released into the world.
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