Tips from Plugin Music Alumni – Vel C.
Who is Vel C.
Vel C. is a techno producer and Plugin Music School alumni based in Belgrade, Serbia. With the help of Plugin Music, Vel C. has been able to not only make considerable progress in music production, but also to release his new music under the music label Arnaca Records called Satire EP.
Arnaca Records
Founded by techno producers Michal Basar and Luckes, Arnaca Records is a dutch music label that supports new producers and emerging talent from the Plugin Music School. The aim of Arnaca Records is to provide a space for Plugin Music alumni to connect and release their music. Besides Michal Basar and Luckes, the current roster includes established producers such as 5iCK, Sandro Mure, Nilbog, and other successful musicians.
Listen to Vel C.’s EP, and image, how much progress he did in a year
Vel C.’s incredible journey offers some valuable lessons for other music producers, so here are a few key tips based on his journey:
1. Adopt a curious, open mindset
Vel C. approached the learning process with curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Instead of blindly accepting every piece of advice, he asked deep questions to understand why certain techniques worked.
For beginners, it’s important to stay open to learning but also to be curious and question how and why things work in the music production process. This helps you absorb information more effectively and avoid blindly following trends or techniques that don’t fit your sound.
2. Focus on quality, not quantity
One of the first breakthroughs Vel C. had was learning to filter out the noise. As a beginner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, sample packs, plugins, and tutorials available. Vel C. learned to avoid this by focusing on a few high-quality sources and ignoring the rest.
It’s essential to streamline your learning and avoid diving into too many tutorials or packs. Master a few core techniques and sounds before branching out. Overloading yourself can lead to confusion and frustration.
3. Less is more: simplify your workflow
Vel C.’s big turning point came when he embraced the concept of “less is more.” Instead of drowning in a huge sample library, he cut out 90% of his samples and only kept the ones that fit his vision. This simplified his decision-making process and helped him focus on the sounds that truly represented his style.
The temptation to collect endless samples and presets can be strong, but it’s often more productive to limit your choices and really explore the possibilities within a smaller set of sounds. This will help you develop a more cohesive sound and save time in the long run.
4. Don’t get stuck on perfection
In the early stages, it’s easy to get bogged down by small details—perfecting every note, tweak, or effect. Vel C. learned to focus on finishing tracks rather than over-polishing them. He didn’t dwell on problems he couldn’t solve right away and moved forward instead of getting stuck in perfectionism.
Don’t be afraid to let go of tracks that aren’t “perfect.” Focus on finishing projects, as each completed track teaches you something new. You can always revisit and improve later, but getting stuck in a loop of tweaking can slow your progress.
5. Build a consistent workflow
Vel C. also spent time optimizing his workflow to eliminate repetitive tasks and minimize decision fatigue. As a beginner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made in a track—from sound selection to arrangement and mixing.
Developing a consistent workflow can help you work more efficiently. Try to streamline your process by organizing your files, using templates, and sticking to a few key production methods that work for you. The more organized and efficient your workflow, the more energy you can focus on being creative.
6. Tell a story through your music
One of the most striking things about Vel C.’s music is that it always tells a story. Whether through the atmosphere or the lyrics, his tracks communicate deeper messages.
Don’t just focus on making your music “sound good”—think about what you want to say through your music. Whether it’s through the vibe, the arrangement, or even the title, make your tracks meaningful. Music that has a clear narrative or emotional direction often resonates more with listeners.
7. Learn to iterate and improve
Vel C.’s journey also taught him to prioritize finishing tracks and using each project as a learning opportunity. Instead of trying to get everything perfect on the first try, he focused on creating and improving with each new track. For beginners, this is crucial.
Don’t expect to create a masterpiece right away. Each track you complete is a step forward. Embrace the process of trial and error, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. The key is consistency and improvement over time.
8. Don’t overwhelm yourself
Vel C.’s strategy was to tackle one thing at a time. He didn’t overwhelm himself by trying to master everything all at once. As a beginner, you might feel the pressure to learn mixing, mastering, sound design, and composition all at once, but that’s a recipe for burnout.
Start with the basics—learn how to make a simple beat, then build on that foundation over time. Focus on mastering one skill before moving on to the next.
Conclusion
Vel C.’s story highlights the importance of a focused, patient approach to music production. As a beginner, you don’t need to have all the tools or the perfect setup to start making great music. By staying curious, simplifying your workflow, finishing projects, and telling a story through your music, you can start creating tracks that resonate with listeners and help you grow as a producer. The most important thing is to keep learning and experimenting while enjoying the creative journey.
We hope these tips inspire you to create better music and avoid getting stuck along the way. If you do hit a roadblock, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you finish professional-sounding tracks and achieve your music production goals!
