Why chasing perfection might be sabotaging your audio projects

As an audio producer with over 20 years in the business, I’ve seen a troubling trend: creators spending weeks perfecting a single project that could have been “good enough” and shipped in days. The pursuit of audio perfection has become the enemy of progress.

The 90% Rule That Changed My Business

Early in my career, I would spend hours tweaking EQ curves by fractions of a decibel, convinced that listeners would notice the difference. The reality? Most people consume audio on phone speakers, in noisy cars, or through cheap earbuds. That “perfect” mix I agonized over for days often sounded identical to the version I had after just a few hours of focused work.

Now I follow the 90% rule: when a project reaches 90% of what I envision as “perfect,” it’s time to ship. That final 10% often takes as much time as the first 90% but delivers diminishing returns that most audiences will never notice.

What Your Audience Actually Cares About

After producing hundreds of projects—from corporate training videos to indie music albums—I’ve learned that audiences prioritize:

Clarity over perfection. They want to understand every word, not admire your compressor settings.

Consistency over complexity. A simple, well-executed approach beats an overly complex production that draws attention to itself.

Authenticity over polish. A genuine message delivered with minor technical flaws will always outperform a sterile, “perfect” recording that lacks soul.

The Memphis Mindset

Working from Memphis has reinforced this philosophy. This city built its musical legacy not on technical perfection, but on raw emotion and authentic expression. Sun Studio didn’t have the most advanced equipment, but it captured lightning in a bottle because the focus was on the performance, not the gear.

Your audio should serve your message, not overshadow it.

When to Stop and Ship

Here’s my practical test: if you’re making adjustments that require A/B testing to hear the difference, you’re probably done. If your changes are only noticeable when you’re actively listening for them, your audience won’t care.

The goal isn’t to create audio that impresses other audio engineers—it’s to create audio that serves your audience and delivers your message effectively.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The hardest lesson I’ve learned is that “good enough” often is good enough. Your audience is waiting for your message, not your masterpiece. Ship the project, gather feedback, and apply those lessons to the next one.

Progress beats perfection every time.

Ready to create impactful audio without the perfectionist paralysis? RHDR Media focuses on delivering professional results that serve your message and your timeline. We know when to polish and when to ship, ensuring your projects reach your audience when they need them most. Contact us at contact@rhdr.media or (901) 485–9180.