Q&A
How do I start learning music production from scratch?
Nov 19, 2025
Start by choosing a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that fits your style—Ableton Live for electronic music or FL Studio for hip-hop and trap. Focus on learning the basics first: understanding your DAW's interface, creating simple drum patterns, building chord progressions, and arranging short loops into full tracks. The key is to build a solid foundation in music theory fundamentals, sound design basics, and mixing principles before diving into advanced techniques. Don't get overwhelmed by buying every plugin or watching endless tutorials—just start making music consistently and learn by doing.
Futureproof Music School's Music Foundations and DAW-specific courses (like Music Production with Ableton Live 1) give you a structured learning path from total beginner to confidently producing your own tracks, with Kadence (Futureproof's AI music coach) available 24/7 to answer questions as you learn. Plus, live workshops and feedback sessions with Futureproof Mentors ensure you're never stuck figuring it out alone.
What are the essential VST plugins I should prioritize as a beginner producer?
Most DAWs include stock versions that are perfectly adequate for learning before investing in paid alternatives, but once you get going there are a few you should consider. Start with a versatile synthesizer (like Serum or Vital), a quality compressor, and a parametric EQ. These three cover sound design, dynamics control, and frequency shaping, which form the foundation of 90% of production tasks.
Should I learn music theory before getting to know my DAW, or can I learn both simultaneously?
Learn them simultaneously! Use your DAW as a practical playground to immediately apply theory concepts like scales, chord progressions, and intervals. This hands-on approach creates stronger neural connections than studying theory in isolation, and you'll stay motivated by hearing your theoretical knowledge translate into actual music.
How should I structure my practice sessions to balance learning technical skills and creative output?
Use the 70/30 rule: spend 70% of your time on focused skill-building (recreating sounds, mixing exercises, learning your DAW's workflow) and 30% on free creative experimentation. This balance prevents burnout from overly technical practice while ensuring you're building concrete skills rather than just randomly clicking buttons.