Producers are a different breed. Spend enough time in the studio, and you’ll develop habits that might seem weird to outsiders but somehow, they work. From superstitions to bizarre creative hacks, many producers swear by certain rituals to spark inspiration, improve workflow, or just keep the vibes right.

Here are some of the strangest (but surprisingly effective) studio habits that producers have adopted over the years.

1. Producing in Complete Darkness

Some producers dim the lights, others go full vampire mode and work in total darkness. It’s not just about setting the mood—removing visual distractions forces you to focus purely on sound.

🔥 Why it works:

• You stop overthinking how things “look” in your DAW and start trusting your ears.
• Your brain tunes into details you might miss when staring at a screen.
• The dark, late-night vibe can actually enhance creativity (or at least make you feel like a mad genius).

🎛 Try it:
Turn off your monitor and mix purely by ear for a while. You might be surprised how much you rely on visuals rather than actual sound.

2. Listening at Unbearably Low Volumes

Producers love blasting their tracks at club levels, but some intentionally mix at barely audible volumes. The idea? If a mix works when it’s quiet, it’ll translate well everywhere.

🔥 Why it works:

• Forces you to focus on balance and clarity instead of getting lost in loudness.
• Exposes weak spots in the mix—if an element disappears, it’s probably too low.
• Helps prevent ear fatigue, so you can work longer without frying your brain.

🎛 Try it:
Turn your volume way down and see if your kick, bass, and lead still cut through. If they don’t, you’ve got some mixing to do.

3. Making a Track in a Completely Different Genre First

Ever felt stuck making the same loops over and over? Some producers break out of creative blocks by producing a random genre first, then switching back to their main style.

🔥 Why it works:

• Frees you from expectations—you’re not trying to make a “perfect” track.
• Sparks new ideas you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
• Helps break repetitive habits and gives fresh perspectives on sound design.

🎛 Try it:
If you usually make tech house, try writing a cinematic soundtrack intro. If you produce heavy bass music, try making a chill lo-fi beat. Even if you don’t finish it, the shift in mindset will refresh your creativity.

4. Looping a Track While Doing Something Else

Some producers swear by playing their track on repeat while doing completely unrelated tasks—washing dishes, scrolling social media, or even playing video games.

🔥 Why it works:

• Helps you experience your track as a listener, not just a producer.
• If something gets annoying after 20 minutes, it probably needs fixing.
• Makes flaws obvious—you start noticing that one snare hit that’s too loud or a synth that’s too repetitive.

🎛 Try it:
Next time you’re deep into production, step away from your DAW and let your track play in the background. Your subconscious will pick up things you might have missed.

5. Wearing the Same Hoodie Every Session

Some producers always wear the same hoodie, hat, or even shoes while working. It sounds ridiculous, but having a dedicated “studio uniform” can train your brain to switch into work mode instantly.

🔥 Why it works:

• Acts as a mental trigger—putting on the hoodie = time to create.
• Reduces decision fatigue (because, let’s be real, choosing an outfit is energy that could go into making bangers).
• Adds a sense of ritual and consistency to your workflow.

🎛 Try it:
Designate a piece of clothing or an accessory as your “studio gear.” You don’t have to wear the same thing forever, but you might find that a familiar outfit puts you in instant producer mode.

6. Making Tracks Without Looking at the Screen

This one is next-level weird, but some producers force themselves to work without looking—either by closing their eyes or turning off the monitor completely.

🔥 Why it works:

• Forces you to trust your ears instead of relying on waveforms and meters.
• Helps avoid over-editing—if something doesn’t sound right, you actually have to listen to fix it.
• Can lead to more natural arrangements since you’re not obsessing over grid placement.

🎛 Try it:
Close your eyes while adjusting EQ, compression, or even arranging parts of your track. See how it affects your decisions.

7. Talking to the DAW (or the Track Itself)

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “Why won’t this synth sit right?” or “Come on, kick drum, do your job”, congrats—you’re part of the club. Some producers literally talk to their DAW, plugins, or tracks, as if they’re alive.

🔥 Why it works:

• Verbalizing problems helps process solutions more clearly.
• It breaks up frustration—sometimes just saying what’s wrong helps you fix it faster.
• Makes the production process more fun and engaging instead of just staring at a screen in silence.

🎛 Try it:
Next time you’re stuck, say out loud what’s wrong with your mix. You might be surprised how quickly you figure out a fix.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Weird Studio Habits

Every producer has quirks. Some might seem strange, but if they help you stay creative, focused, or inspired, who cares? The best producers find what works for them—even if that means making tracks in the dark, wearing the same hoodie, or talking to their plugins like they’re bandmates.