Hey a,

I've spent more money on studio monitors and room treatment than most producers spend on their entire setup.

If I were starting over as an artist, I'd put all of it near the bottom of the list.

Here's my brutally honest tier list of where to put your money as an artist:

S-Tier: Education (and it's NOT what you think)

You can spend tens of thousands of dollars on a music production degree that won't get you anywhere. 

Sure, you'll meet great people and learn something. But that's not where the REAL education happens.

I'm living proof of that. As a complete autodidact, I've self-learned every nerdy aspect you can think of.

Hell, I even got hired to teach at a music production university in Berlin (talk about imposter syndrome...).

And still, I wish I had invested more into my own education.

Just not in traditional institutions…

If I were to start again, I'd invest in true mentorship from people who are actively working in the music industry. 

I'd go to paid workshops in local studios. I would travel to events like Superbooth or ADE and immerse myself in every event, meet people, and learn from their experience.

I'll be fully transparent: that is the number one reason I started my mentorship program.

I've built the exact resource I wish I'd had back when I started getting serious about producing electronic music.

But I'm not saying it's the ONLY resource, which is why I keep recommending all these other options, even to the members inside our program.

A-Tier: Flow-state tools (and those might surprise you)

The faster you can enter a state of flow and the longer you can stay in it, the better your tracks will be.

It really is that simple.

So I recommend putting your money into tools that help you with that.

Most importantly a fast computer (I swear by Apple silicon products), an audio interface from a trusted company like RME who are known for their reliability even if their marketing isn't as flashy, and a solid DAW.

And no, I don't recommend pirated software. 

You don't EVER want to risk not being able to open a project just because some crack stopped working on the latest update.

Flow-state tools can also be things that make you enjoy the process more. 

A moody lamp, incense sticks, or a chair that lets your back survive a long session.

B-Tier: Tools that make you want to play

Okay, okay, I have to admit it: I probably overspent in this category. 

Being the modular synth geek that I am, this is my guilty pleasure.

But it proves a point.

I'm drawn to these tools. I want to play with them every single day, the way I used to be addicted to building LEGO spaceships as a kid.

And it doesn't have to be expensive. 

Little grooveboxes like the Korg Volca series, used synths, cheap guitar pedals. Even a DAW controller that makes you want to touch the knobs can be a wonderful investment.

C-Tier: Things that help you listen better

Now you might be wondering why I'm not putting speakers, headphones, and acoustics higher on that list.

Here's the simple reason: you can make an amazing-sounding track on a laptop and a pair of AirPods. 

You won't hear every detail, but if you've invested in the tiers above, you'll produce something that holds up better than you might think. 

I care about monitoring more than almost anyone, because I mix and master other people's records for a living. That's a different job than yours.

As an artist, a sub-$200 pair of headphones and some correction software like SoundID Reference would totally do it.

D-Tier: External plugins

They're fun. Some of them are even useful.

But there's a reason I show 99% of the things on my YouTube channel using Ableton stock tools.

The more you limit yourself, the better you get, because it forces you to learn each tool deeply.

I have my exceptions. I couldn't live without a full-sized EQ like the FabFilter Pro Q, and some specialized tools I need for mixing and mastering work simply don't exist natively.

But are those a requirement for you as an artist? Probably not.

E-Tier: Music promotion

This one's tricky, because getting the word out does matter.

But before you spend a dollar on ad campaigns or playlist promotion, make sure what you finish actually makes you feel proud.

And here's what I've seen work better than any paid campaign: taking people along on the journey. So many things about you are worth sharing because they inspire others.

From your honest excitement about a new track idea to your latest trip to nature that makes you feel inspired.

Done honestly, without performing for an algorithm, that builds something no ad spend can buy. Real trust, and a three-dimensional artist brand.

Yes, it takes work. But at least it's free.

Let me know if any of this resonates and what else you find important.

Your music matters. Make it count.
Philip

PS: I put education at S-Tier and for good reason. This program is where I put my heart and soul and it’s exactly what I wish I had when I was stuck with unfinished tracks that didn’t sound close to any professional reference. We work with artists like you one-to-one to figure out what it actually is. Book a free discovery call here and find out if it’s right for you.