Important Rule: Trade-Offs (Patreon)

Over the years, I've picked up a valuable rule of thumb that's relevant not just in music production, but in many areas of life as well. The essence is this: every action you take involves a trade-off. 

Take sound mixing, for instance. If you crank up the volume on one track, you're inevitably going to drown out the others. Make everything equally loud, and you lose the elements that should stand out. Plus, boosting the volume too much can sacrifice the dynamics and transparency of the whole mix. 

So, it's all about finding that perfect balance, that sweet spot where you're giving up just enough to achieve the result you're aiming for.