Hey Reader,

For years, I thought I could figure everything out myself.

I’d spend hours tweaking sounds, watching tutorials, and breaking down my favorite producers' mixes to learn their tricks.

And sure, I learned a lot.

But something was missing…

So I took a different approach.

How One Collab Changed Everything

Last month, I worked on a collab with another producer.

In just one session, I learned more than in weeks of producing alone.

✅ New techniques I added to my workflow:

• A smarter way to use Ableton’s "Enhance" preset on hi-hats for extra crispness.
• A vocal FX chain that makes vocals sit perfectly in the mix.
• Smarter drum layering techniques for extra punch.

But it wasn’t just about learning new techniques. It was also about seeing what I was already doing right.

One thing I’ve always done naturally is use a visualizer to reference frequencies, making sure my mix sounds good and is club-ready.

Turns out, my collab partner hadn’t thought about using it that way before. And just like I learned from him, he took away something new from me.

➡️ The realization: Collabs aren’t just about learning. They’re about exchanging knowledge.

Finding the Right Collab Partner

“Just collaborate” sounds easy, but how do you find the right person?

Here’s what I learned:

✔ Match the skill level. It’s not just about what you can learn – it’s also about what you bring to the table. A collab should be valuable for both sides.

✔ Avoid massive skill gaps. Sure, I could reach out to top-level producers, but that wouldn’t be a collab – it would be coaching. I look for producers on my level or slightly ahead.

✔ Check workflow compatibility. I made the mistake of starting our project in an older Ableton version. My collab partner saved it in a newer version… and I couldn’t open it anymore. Doh. Lesson learned.

💡 Before starting a collab, always check which DAW and version your partner is using.

Different DAWs can work together, but it’s often a messy process. Some features won’t translate well. Stems need constant exporting, and the workflow slows down.

Much easier if you're on the same setup.

Quick Tool Tip: Musesession (For Remote Collabs)

If you can’t work in the same studio, check out Musesession.
It works like Zoom – but for music producers. (And it has a free version! 🚀)

Think about it – who’s one producer you’d love to collab with? Send them a message today!

Worst case? They say no. Best case? You both level up.

Until next week!

Stay Productive,
- LEMAN

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