TRACKTOBER
31 tracks in 31 days. Wrong answers only.
You make a track EVERY DAY?!
Yes ma'am! Every day in October I make one track. I get two hours max to work on it. That includes finding samples, writing, mixing, whatever passes for mastering. When the clock runs out, it's done. It gets a cover with Tim on it (that's the bat) and it gets posted. No exceptions, no carryover, no "I'll finish it tomorrow."
Year Two starts Thursday, October 1, 2026, and I'd love for you to join me on this adventure.
Wait, but... why? What if it doesn't sound very good?
I started doing Tracktober after my momager Matthew Conrado dared me to put out more music (even if it wasn't good!) when I was in a bit of a production rut. Many musicians (like me) battle with perfectionism and sit on heaps of really beautiful music they never get to share with the world. I decided to start putting out unfinished musical sketches in this way in order to get over my fear of putting out music.
If you join me on this adventure, in just one month you'll:
- Have 31 sketches of your musical perspective in a variety of genres and styles.
- Have intentionally learned or honed at least 20 skills in music production.
- Have connected with different artists from around the world on what speaks to them, in a rapid-fire way that prevents anyone from getting too bogged down in the details.
- Very, very likely have put out at least 1 or 2 absolute flops... and that's part of it! Own it and explain what you learned. It helps other artists and is actually funny to look back on. Oh, and the best part is: PEOPLE DON'T REMEMBER YOUR BUSTED TRACKS, THEY REMEMBER THE GOOD ONES!
Pick your flavor
Jump in whenever. You didn't have to start on the 1st.
One a day, all month. Full strength.
Any ten days, done before November. Half the commitment.
Just one track. Zero pressure, all flavor.
Same rules either way. Two hours a track, hands on the gear, tag #tracktober, drop it in the group.
How to join
- Join the WhatsApp group.
- Review the day's idea, or choose something else to work on.
- Set your timer for 2 hours and go!
- Write down what you learned for the day and post your track (warts and all!) on SoundCloud with #tracktober so we can all find each other.
- Post your track in the WhatsApp as well if you'd like feedback or other ideas from the community!
The rules
Two hours max. Everything music-related counts against it. Set a timer. When it goes off, bounce what you have.
One track a day, every day. Miss a day, fine, just don't stack two the next day. The point is the daily reps, not the catalog.
Post it, whatever it is. If it's good, bad, whatever! 10 seconds or 10 minutes! Tag it #Tracktober.
Hands on. Samples, synths, plugins, hardware, whatever. You can use some light AI for mixing/mastering, but no generative AI making the music. (I might do one labeled AI day as an experiment. If I do, it'll say so.)
Cover art is bonus. Doesn't count against the two hours. Make Tim, make your own Tracktober creature, or skip it.
It's more fun with friends!
I'll be doing collab tracks all month with experienced producers. You can get involved in any of the following ways:
Where Tim and I will be
In one of these cities and want to make a track together? Send me an email at joeywiththemustache@gmail.com.
Tim's wardrobe, last year's covers
31 tracks, 31 looks. Every Tracktober track gets a cover with Tim on it.
FAQ
Do I have to do all 31 days?
Nope. All 31, one a week, or literally one track total. If you made a thing in two hours during October, you did Tracktober.
What if I miss a day?
Skip it. Don't double up tomorrow to make up for it. The streak isn't the point, the reps are.
Does the two hours have to be in one sitting?
Ideally yes, that's where the magic is. A hard stop forces decisions. But if life is life, split it. Just keep an honest timer.
What counts as done?
Bounced. If there's an audio file that exists outside your DAW, it's done. Unfinished is a valid genre.
Can I use loops and sample packs?
Yes. Splice, your own crates, a voice memo of your fridge, whatever. Sampling is producing.
Where's the line on AI?
Light AI for mixing or mastering is fine (an assistant EQ, a mastering pass). Generative AI making the actual music is not. If I do one labeled AI day as an experiment, it'll say so loudly.
Do I have to post the whole track?
No. Ten seconds of a phone video with the track playing is plenty. Post something, tag #tracktober, move on.
What DAW do I need?
Any. Ableton, Logic, FL, a phone app, a groovebox with no computer. The rules don't care.
Do the tracks have to be good?
Absolutely not. Most of mine aren't. A couple of them turn out great and that's the whole gamble.
Can I release them later?
Yes please. One of my 2025 Tracktober tracks is coming out this October. Two hours is a sketch, not a ceiling.
Can I do it with a friend?
Yes, and the collab formats above work for anybody, not just with me. Same sample with your roommate is a great way to start.
Who is Tim?
Tim the Tracktober Bat. He has a mustache. He's on every cover. He wears whatever the track turned into. He loves you.
What's the workbook?
My list of 50-something daily themes with the challenge for each, plus the ones I'm actually doing this year. DM me and I'll send it.
Ready to jump in?
Tracktober is my thing, but when you start doing it, it'll be your thing too! Tim the Tracktober Bat approves this message.