For the songwriters and producers building music with intent
Whether youâre sketching your first melody or fine-tuning your tenth album, the fundamental challenge remains the same: how do you translate the music in your head into a piece of music that actually resonates?
The Music Factory with Dave Johnston exists to bridge the gap between the âsparkâ of a song and the professional âengineâ of production. I provide the systems to build the track and the creative logic to make it matter.
A Focus on Substance
This is a resource hub built on substance, not superficial trends. It is designed to help independent creators remove creative friction and finish better work, more consistently. I focus on three core pillars:
The Song: Techniques to turn raw ideas into sophisticated, structured compositions that hold up before you even hit the studio.
The Sound: Practical production workflows and mixing techniques to help your music achieve professional clarity without needing a million-dollar facility.
The Habit: Developing the âArt & Engineâ mindset - the creative discipline required to keep producing at a high level, even when inspiration runs dry.
đ Start Building: Subscribers immediately receive my 30-Minute Mining Guide, the 4-Week Habit Challenge, and thereâll be more resources to come.
Why trust this advice?
Iâm Dave Johnston, and Iâve spent two decades at the intersection of commercial success and academic rigour. My insights arenât just theoretical; they are forged in the studio, the classroom, and on the stage.
The Academic: I hold a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Production and Composition, and Iâm a Senior Lecturer at SAE Creative Media Institute.
The Performer: As the drummer, backing vocalist and a composer for Villainy, Iâve toured stadiums with the likes of AC/DC and Incubus, earning three Aotearoa Music Awards.
The Independent: Through my solo project n1ghtmar3cat, I explore the depths of sound design and alt-pop production, acting as my own writer, producer, and engineer.
The Collaborator: I work with other artists as a producer and mixing engineer. My experience spans multiple genres, allowing me to combine diverse musical styles and technical logic to give every project a unique sonic edge.
I share the methods I use to maintain high-output quality across multiple genres, from heavy rock to pop and electronic music.
What do you get with The Music Factory? (Fortnightly)
Every second week, youâll receive:
Deep-Dive Articles & Tutorials: Comprehensive guides on production and songwriting, often featuring video demonstrations - particularly within the more technical My Sonic Toolkit series.
The Creative Philosophy: High-level articles on the psychology of making music, creative ethics, and the strategic âwhyâ behind it all.
Songwriting & Arrangement Deconstructions: Practical breakdowns of tracks, showing you how the song and the production work together.
Factory Resources: Exclusive access to resources Iâve created. Coming soon: sample packs, Serum 2 starter banks, and more.
Support the Project & Access Direct Feedback (Paid Subscription)
If you find value in these resources and want to support the project while gaining more direct technical engagement, a paid subscription offers:
The Video Archive & Pre-Releases: Access to standalone video tutorials, plus the ability to view new tutorials before their public release.
Technical Reviews & Consultations: Direct access to monthly project feedback (2 credits/mo) and the ability to book a private consultation to work through your specific production hurdles.
Supporter Rate: Lock in a lower rate as an early subscriber to help me keep this project sustainable and focused on high-quality music education.
Join the high-output community
Stop collecting âunfinished_demoâ files. Start building a sustainable, professional practice.
Daveâs Note on Community
This is a two-way street! Think of The Music Factory more like a workshop than a lecture hall. Whether youâre a seasoned pro or just starting your journey, I encourage you to reply to the emails or post in the comments section and share your own ideas. Letâs build a hub where independent music thrives through shared expertise.
Top-Rated Articles from The Music Factory
Get straight to the good stuff! These are the articles my readers have found most useful.
Work With Me
đ â Visit my website for examples of my work, and get in touch if youâre looking for an experienced creative professional to mix or produce your music.
