030. Break All The Rules

ProducerHead

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030. Break All The Rules

First Master the Rules, Then Destroy Them: Production Wisdom from Dan Giffin

toru

Apr 02, 2025

Transcript

In this second part of our conversation with Dan Giffin (Philia), we explore the practical aspects of music production and the mindset that has helped Dan build his successful career.

Who is Dan Giffin?

Dan Giffin, creating music under the name Philia, is a multi-faceted talent in the electronic music scene who has successfully merged technical expertise with artistic creativity. Based in Denver, Colorado (after relocating from New York), he has established himself as a bass/funk artist, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, Ableton Certified Trainer, and podcast host.

Dan has collaborated with major label artists including Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, The Band Perry, and others. He has also shared the stage with artists including Tiesto, Slushii and Manic Focus, and performed at major festivals including Electric Forest in Rothbury, MI.

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Episode Highlights

Throughout this episode, we dive into:

Building genuine connections in the music community
The importance of giving without expectation in networking
When and how to break rules in music production
Technical insights on gain staging and signal flow
Practical approaches to clipping and distortion in production
Balancing solo and contextual listening during mixing
AI tools that are changing Dan's creative and promotional workflow
The value of perseverance and hard work in the production process
Habits that can get in the way of finishing music
Recommendations for plugins, books, and entertainment

Three Meaningful Takeaways

1. Give More Than You Take

Building a community comes from genuine support and service without expecting immediate returns. Acts of kindness and proactive networking create opportunities that eventually come back around.

2. Know the Rules Before Breaking Them

Understanding fundamentals gives you the foundation to experiment effectively. As Dan puts it, "Break all the rules, but only after you know what the rules are."

3. Trust Your Ears in Multiple Contexts

For a mix that translates well, test it across different listening environments. Dan recommends checking mixes on at least four systems: studio monitors, headphones, car speakers, and phone speakers.