Charlie Puth discusses how music production techniques like side-chain compression, once secret engineering tricks in the 1960s-70s, have been increasingly exaggerated and commercialized over decades. He explains his approach to making music theory accessible through TikTok and traces the evolution of sonic innovations from their origins—like Phil Collins' gated drums influencing the sound of '90s rock—to modern dance music, emphasizing that virtually every musical element can be traced back to earlier inspirations.
Key Moments
Conan O'Brien
“Well, that's what I would do. I would be like, 'Oh, say can I would start down there.' So, then when I go up to have the rockets red, I can”
Demonstrating understanding of how to sing the national anthem by starting in a low key to allow room for the high notes
“I don't like the way this teacher talked to you.”
Responding to Charlie's story about a solfège teacher who refused to let him advance without memorizing note names, despite being able to play and sing perfectly by ear
“I thought that was just like if you study for a vocabulary test, if you need to memorize the definition of whatever, then not the word whatever. I know what actually what is the definition of. You read a bunch of definitions. you're going to memorize them because you heard it so many or you read it so many times.”
Explaining his childhood assumption that everyone memorizes music the same way he does—through repeated exposure without formal study
“It wasn't as obvious, though. It was just more of like a really secret engineering trick to, right, a little spice that they were putting in and not telling anybody. And then everyone exaggerates it more and more and more.”
Explaining how side-chain compression went from a subtle studio technique in the '60s-'70s to an obvious feature of modern dance music
Charlie Puth is a singer-songwriter and musician whose fourth studio album, Whatever's Clever, is out now. Known for his distinctive musicianship and innovative production work, Puth has built a significant following through both his music and his viral TikTok series Professor Puth, where he breaks down music theory and production techniques for a general audience. He recently performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl and frequently collaborates with other artists.
Takeaways
1
Side-chain compression: from secret trick to obvious effect What began as a subtle volume automation technique used by engineers in the 1960s-70s (like in Donna Summer's work) has evolved into the ubiquitous pumping effect heard in modern dance music and TV shows like Euphoria. The technique itself—volume rising and falling rhythmically—hasn't changed; what's changed is how exaggerated and obvious it's become as producers keep pushing the effect further.
2
All modern sonic innovations trace back to earlier techniques Charlie demonstrates that contemporary production techniques—from the bright, compressed drums of 1990s rock to modern dance production—are evolutionary expansions of earlier innovations (Phil Collins' gated drums, Bon Jovi's stadium rock compression). Understanding this lineage reveals that musical 'trends' are actually incremental exaggerations of existing ideas rather than wholly new inventions.
3
Music theory terminology creates unnecessary barriers to understanding Charlie's TikTok series Professor Puth attempts to explain production concepts using accessible language and audio demonstration rather than formal terminology. His goal is to help people understand that complex-sounding technical effects (like side-chain compression) are actually simple concepts—volume automation—once you strip away the jargon.
4
Absolute pitch ability can mask need for formal music training Charlie's ability to memorize and reproduce complex musical passages by ear (having heard them repeatedly) led him to assume this was a universal ability, not realizing this gift is actually rare. His solfège teacher insisted on formal notation study even though he could perform accurately—highlighting a tension between practical ability and theoretical credentials in music education.
5
Repeated listening creates implicit music knowledge without study Charlie notes that hearing a James Taylor song 10 times creates automatic familiarity and recall, parallel to how studying vocabulary definitions multiple times embeds them in memory. This suggests music absorption works through passive exposure, though formal training (reading sheet music, understanding theory) may be necessary for some educational or professional contexts.