Music Production Secrets Behind The Biggest Hits
Jun 13, 2025
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Tero Potila
So you're starting to get good at producing tracks. What's the next step to take your sound to the next level? A great place to start is by diving into the production secrets behind today’s chart-topping hits—those hidden tricks that give pro-level records their impact.
Kendrick Lamar and Drake are two artists who consistently dominate not just through lyrical brilliance, but through elite-level production that turns each track into an immersive experience. They use everything from subtle vocal FX to bold beat switches and clean low-end mixes to keep their sound fresh and powerful.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a range of essential production techniques. We’ll also look at specific tricks used by Kendrick, Drake, and their teams—so you can level up your workflow, sharpen your ear, and build tracks that truly stand out.
From sonic branding to vocal FX to industry loudness tricks, we’ll explore the workflows, tools, and decisions that separate the good from the unforgettable.
Fundamentals of the Production Process
Every solid track requires a level of coordination, technical expertise, and creative calls. You’ve got to know your space and gear in order to develop ideas and raw sounds into a finished piece you’re proud of.
I’ve learned that staying in a creative flow, especially when bouncing between ideas, requires a balance of structure and flexibility.
Crucial Role of Music Producers
The music producer drives the entire process. The producer’s job is to steer the creative vision and handle all the details and decisions, from selecting reference tracks to shaping a song’s arc. Great producers are the glue that binds the artist’s ideas to the final product.
Producers juggle studio time, work with musicians, vocalists, and engineers, and make snap decisions about what sounds blend best. Your calls on arrangement, effects, and when to pause can make or break a session.
I’ve often found that taking regular breaks mid-session helps refresh my ears and avoid tunnel vision.
Top-tier producers, such as those behind Kendrick Lamar or Drake, know that maintaining a consistent sonic identity across sessions is crucial.
Whether it’s Kendrick’s pitch-shifted vocal personas or Drake’s moody, filtered delivery, producers shape the emotional core of the track.
Here’s an important tip I’ve learned over the years: Sometimes the most potent tool is restraint—knowing when not to add something.
Personally, I reach the point of restraint in a production typically by having too many ideas going, then I start muting elements until the vibe and energy of the song is just right.
Core Elements of Production Environments
A productive studio setup strikes a balance between gear, acoustics, and workflow. Spaces range from bedroom setups to world-class facilities, each with its quirks.
Your environment should empower you to stay focused on the main idea of your project without distractions.
Drake’s early success came from minimalist setups honed by Noah “40” Shebib, where subtle pads and sparse drums left space for the vocal to shine.
Kendrick’s sessions often feature analog gear and unconventional microphone placements, enabling dynamic performance capture.
No matter the size of your space, organizing cables, labeling gear, and reducing distractions is non-negotiable. Fast workflows start with clear workspaces.
I always label everything in my DAW project file and keep track of individual sounds—it saves hours when revisiting tracks. I know… It’s tempting to speed forward when you’re in the flow and not name every track. But trust me, it’s worth doing as it helps keep your focus on creating instead of trying to remember what’s what in your project.
Unlocking the Power of Digital Audio Workstations
The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the heart of modern production. They let you record, edit, arrange, and mix with surgical precision. They also allow you to test bold ideas with minimal risk.
Kendrick’s team utilizes DAW power for abrupt beat switches and shifting vocal characters throughout the track. Drake’s productions rely on automation and precise EQ curves to evoke emotion.
Learning keyboard shortcuts, bouncing stems efficiently, and maintaining a clean session are productivity hacks the pros live by.
I’ve often said that if you can’t find it within 10 seconds in your session, your creative flow is going to suffer.
Essential Techniques and Secrets for Music Production
Modern production is a fusion of creativity and tech. Getting your mixes clean and your ideas to hit hard means going beyond presets and trusting your ears.
Music Production Secrets from Industry Pros
Use Reference Tracks
Top engineers frequently reference commercial tracks—Drake’s hits are often used as sonic templates. Match your lows and highs with a reference to avoid over-mixing.
Visual Tools Can Be Helpful
Use visual tools, such as spectrum analyzers and sound meters, to identify masking frequencies. 40’s mixes are famously clean because they carve space surgically. Kendrick’s engineers let saturation and analog warmth lend character instead of competing with other frequencies.
Frequency Tricks
Be mindful of hot frequencies that create harshness, especially around 3 kHz to 5 kHz. A subtle dip can make a vocal sit better. I’ve also learned that keeping an eye on low-frequency content helps avoid a muddy mix—always use a high-pass filter where needed.
When setting the high-pass frequency, resist the urge to solo the track! Instead, listen to it within the mix and cut the low end until you can hear that you cut too much. Then dial it in by slowly easing on the low cut until the element sounds just right in the mix.
Let Your Ears Rest
Fresh ears also matter; I highly recommend taking breaks during mixing sessions. I usually dial in most of the mix, then take a lunch break or go hit the gym. Once I come back to put in the final finishing touches, I can hear details I probably would’ve missed with tired ears.
Secrets of Dance Music Production
Layering Kick Samples
Dance music lives on the kick drum. It’s very common to layer kicks from different sources—one for thump, one for click. Filter automation, sidechain compression, and stereo widening tricks give it lift.
If you’re combining multiple kick drum samples, always check for phase issues. If muting one kick sample makes the other sample stand out more in the mix, the two samples are most likely experiencing masking, and you need to adjust or flip the phase on one of them.
For tools on how to do this, look into your DAW’s plugins, as most likely there is a plugin or tool included that helps you fix this.
The same phase rule applies to any low-end elements, such as the bass and kick, so be sure to check those as well.
Automation
Whether it’s a club banger or an experimental hybrid like Kendrick’s “DNA,” automation breathes life into the loop.
EQ sweeps, high-pass filters, and tight low-end management keep the energy crisp. EDM leads benefit from movement—pitch modulation, delay automation, and mid-side widening bring them to life.
I often use short delays and Haas stereo techniques to give leads or other main elements in the mix that expansive feel.
With dance tracks, everything rides on whether the drop hits hard, and that starts with a clean mix and attention to detail.
Mastering the Overall Sound
Mastering is finesse. Don’t slam your master bus. Kendrick’s final mixes breathe; Drake’s shimmer with just the right glue.
I know this all too well myself; our brains perceive loud music as sounding better, so don’t fall for that trap!
Trim subs below 30Hz, tame piercing highs, and apply gentle compression to maintain clarity. A/B test against industry tracks using LUFS meters and spectral analyzers.
I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I have to say it again: Less is more. Let the emotional punch come from contrast, not just volume. I’ve mastered tracks that needed subtractive EQ more than any plugin trick—a reminder that clarity is king.
Balancing Track Volumes and Loud Mixes
Start with drums and bass. Build around them. If you’ve heard Drake’s “Nonstop” or Kendrick’s “Alright,” then you know that the low-end anchors everything in those productions.
Avoid frequency overlaps—use subtractive EQ and group compression to tame your mix.
Here’s another trick I use with every mix: Monitor at low volumes and trust your meters. Keeping the volume low forces your brain to focus on the correct details, rather than thinking it’s better because it’s louder.
I often solo groups (like all vocals or all synths) to spot overlap and mud. I know I said earlier to avoid the temptation to solo elements, but in this case, it can be helpful to dial in the final minor adjustments.
Loud isn’t everything. Clear, dynamic, and balanced wins every time.
The Most Powerful Tools for Producers
My email inbox is filled daily with ads for the latest and greatest plugins for sale. Yes, they can be helpful tools in your production workflow.
However, always keep in mind that you don’t need much to produce at the highest level. A secret trick plugin is not going to make that final difference; you being able to listen critically and trusting your ears will.
So my advice is, don’t chase every new plugin. Kendrick’s engineers sometimes use stock DAW tools; Drake’s team relies on tried-and-true processing chains.
Master your tools. The edge doesn’t come from novelty—it comes from mastery. I’ve seen excellent results using a basic EQ plugin, better than someone using five stacked premium ones.
The most powerful tool is the one you can use with intention.
Conclusion
Production isn’t just about tools—it’s about decisions, and trusting your taste and instincts. Every reverb tail, beat drop, or vocal FX should serve the artist’s voice.
Kendrick and Drake prove that staying current means being intentional: every element has a reason.
Even if you’re building your sound in a bedroom studio, the secret isn’t just in the gear—it’s in the vision behind it.
I’ve spent years refining my ear and workflow, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: clarity, creativity, and emotional impact will always outlast trends.
About the author
Tero Potila is a professional music composer and producer. His career combining knowledge and experience from music, TV, film, ad, and game industries gives him a unique perspective that he shares through posts on teropotila.com.
