Ever get the feeling..

[the4thImpulse]

The feeling where you think (or maybe believe) that you need new, and often expensive, gear or software in order to create better music? And when you get that feeling you can't create any more music until you have said gear because you feel like it will "change" everything for the better..

Well I have got that sickness again right now and I guess a lot of you have or will experience this in some way eventually. The only way I have stopped this in the past is by accepting I don't need it or I can't afford it and I am wondering if anyone else has any more tips on getting past this. Staying focused on making music rather hording music equipment is the only way to become a better producer and that right there is my problem. And please don't say "if you really loved music than you would make it all day everyday.." its a good question to ask but I know music is my life so does anyone have good advice here?



(I made this thread not only to help me but anyone else who may be experiencing this.)

[Sonarch]

Well, it really depends. I'm just starting out, so it's hard for me to do anything until I get the right stuff for it. I'd need a pop filter for my mic to do vocals, a special plug for my electric guitar if I want to record, etc...
If you've been making music for awhile and you feel like you've explored the full extent of your equipment, your loops, your samples, or whatever it is, I'd say go for some new stuff if you can afford it. But I wouldn't buy more stuff until I'd used a lot of my stuff in some way, and really became familiar with it. Bored, even. You might even find something interesting while trying to use a different part of your stuff in a song. But that's just my take on it.

[Lavender_Harmony]

The feeling where you think (or maybe believe) that you need new, and often expensive, gear or software in order to create better music? And when you get that feeling you can't create any more music until you have said gear because you feel like it will "change" everything for the better..

Well I have got that sickness again right now and I guess a lot of you have or will experience this in some way eventually. The only way I have stopped this in the past is by accepting I don't need it or I can't afford it and I am wondering if anyone else has any more tips on getting past this. Staying focused on making music rather hording music equipment is the only way to become a better producer and that right there is my problem. And please don't say "if you really loved music than you would make it all day everyday.." its a good question to ask but I know music is my life so does anyone have good advice here?



(I made this thread not only to help me but anyone else who may be experiencing this.)

I get this fairly often. There's a few ways to get out of it. First of all, try learning a new technique, go through theory or tutorials and find a new thing to include in your music, be it a chord or way or writing harmony.

Another is to try a completely new genre. Often this will help loads, and you'll be consumed with learning the intricacies of the new genre that you forget the craving for new software or plugins.

Lastly, you can go on an all-out freebie binge in KVR. You'll likely find something that makes some neat sounds and can make something from there.


Sometimes the reality of it is, yes, you need that bit of kit. Best way is to start saving, and try new things in the meantime that are within your capability.

[Raddons]

When I first started taking guitar playing super seriously, I felt that I needed the best amp and a new guitar... I should have just practiced more.

So yes, I do feel that way. Not right now, at the moment. Right now I'm feeling unmotivated and just bummed out about music. I hope things clear up for you, seeing how that is a terrible feeling.

[vladnuke]

Oh god all the time man. It's gotten so bad that when I start working on musics I have to turn my internet off sometimes so I won't feel tempted to ogle all dem sexy things. But, I have enough shit (hell, perhaps more than I can use) and adding more shit will just slow me down. Except for effects plugins. I will never, ever stop wanting more effects plugins. I'm constantly searching for free ones.

[SoaringFlight]

I do. Specifically I feel the need for monitor speakears, decent audio interface and a midi keyboard. And probably stronger laptop.

[Deathsongx3]

All the time :c

[Belgerum]

The solution suggestions that I use:

Write a song in a 13/8 time sig. or 7/4. or 15/16. this makes songs very difficult, butt fun everytime I do it, no matter what.

Play around with what you've got in ways that you think are stupid and bad. Have you ever tried slowing vocal samples or wubs WAAY down? Have you ever written a song with the pitch bend turned all the way up the whole time? Have you ever using a didgeridoo in a jazz tune, or bongos in dubstep? have you ever...

Write a remix. You get to see what other people have made, learn from them, and apply what you have to their stuff, and nothing inspires me more than other people's music.

idk if i've ever wanted more equipment so badly, but I know the feeling of writer's block and dealing with little inspiration. Overall, try to focus on getting to know your equipment better, not getting more crap that you don't need. That's my opinion, at least.

[the4thImpulse]

Thanks everyone, a big theme I see here is too get distracted from the stuff I don't have and to stay focused on what I got.

[natsukashi]

I do. Specifically I feel the need for monitor speakears, decent audio interface and a midi keyboard. And probably stronger laptop.

Those are actually good investments, so eh. Don't mind spending money on things like that. but don't go overboard.



Also, I'm horrible when it comes to those things as well. For example: I want to get an analog drum machine, but truthfully I would not program better beats, get better samples or ANYTHING really by investing in that. Yet I yearn for it. It's probably some stupid cognitive thing in which I have trouble accepting that experience in better than equipment as a way to deal with obstacles in music production.
(Another hypothesis is that it's my yearning for a real feel with my equipment as I look at analog stuff and not VSTs and digitally run equipment.)

But I want to bring up a point that should be made clear. Sometimes, it's nice to buy stuff, and sometimes it's inevitable. I think that the most basic question you should ask is: Do I actually need it?
If yes, then by all means, invest in it. There is no shame in that.
And you could also ask yourself: How do I utilize this, should I buy it?

If you don't need it nor have any ideas (technical or creative) on how to use the equipment, then I personally feel that you shouldn't bother.

You can also do a pro/con-list or some other analysis on pen and paper to jot down why or why not you should get or not get a specific piece of equipment.

[ChromaticChaosPony]

I just attempted dubstep and made something that is decent for a first try. I actually have the capability to do it decently. But, now I feel the need to have Massive or Razor or something like that. The free VSTs don't always cut it. Any help? Better free VSTs? Sample packs? Advice in general?

[Ed Viper]

I'm feeling the same thing, now, instead do what I do to get out of it:

Work on ukulele covers for popular brony songs. I'm kinda championing the one I'm doing for Pinkie's Brew right now (although I can't sing, I'm doing it anyway )

Unless you don't have a ukulele, then you'd have to get one to do that, which is kinda counter-intuitive given the situation.

Eh.

[Sonarch]

I have a ukulele! But I don't know how to use it very well...

[Captain Ironhelm]

I quite often have that feeling. Like now in music I want a microphone, and a midi keyboard. And the mic is completely justifiable in my mind, since I want to do vocal music.

What halts me in my tracks:
- I simply cannot afford to spend more.
- I know that after I get something, there will always be something else that I want. It's simple human nature.
- I keep a spending budget. I have x amount that I have set aside to play around with. I can save this amount over several months if I want to get something bigger, then I allow myself to splurge from my spending "savings".

Too tired right now to think of anything else.