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-- When is it time to call it quits?
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When is it time to call it quits?

Hey fellow TA's. So, I'm at this point in my acoustic development, where I took a stock of what has been accomplished in the last 3 years that I have been mucking with this whole "production" hobby.

On one hand: 3 years bore no fruit
On the other: the fruit takes time to grow and blossom

I need some help here folks. As some of you may know I sunk an obscene sum of money on my so-called (hardware-based) studio. Yet failed to produce anything meaningful. It seems to me that for the last 3 years or so it has been just a series of gear aquisitions, changing the studio around to fit more gear in, etc. So, in all reality, the technical aspect and product knowledge aspect of my EDM producing had that time has been eaten up by focusing on technicality of the setup, etc. Lately, my gear has been disconneced in yet another attempt to re-arrange my "studio" and I just sat down one day and looked around and realized: "hey, maybe this is it - the most that I'll accomplish"? It seems like every time I want to write some music, I find a reason, excuse, or distraction not to do it. Yet, every day I sit and think that I have all this gear sitting around and not using it! Imagine that - I have at least 2 synths that were purchased about 2 years ago and in that time have only been used for at most 20 hours combined!

So, with that said - I'm trying to figure out if I just barricaded myself in by the supercomplex setup or am I just building up excuses not to do something for a fear of failure or did I just pick a wrong hobby?

It is really affecting me because now, I come home every day and I have this feeling like I should be down in my studio, wiring everything up and moving along to actually record something but I just don't. And it stresses me out - coz' it's always in the back of my mind like something that I need to do and it's not being done (you know, that nagging feeling?).

Sorry for a long winded post... Hope to hear some thoughts - don't have to be words of encouragement, I'm looking for honest thoughts here.

Cheers!

quote:

Imagine that - I have at least 2 synths that were purchased about 2 years ago and in that time have only been used for at most 20 hours combined!

Only for 20hs. and you want to produce?
if i got a synth i will play all day

man,all i have is fucking PII on 350mhz and fruity 4...every day i am trying to get good sound,but it's very dificult on this computer...i would like to have your hardware...

^^^ Respect! BTW, that's another thing, I noticed that I tend to use computer-based proggy's more than hardware simply due to ease of use. I especially love Arturia Moog and Atmosphere. I can spend hours with those two!

Ok, back on topic.

didn't read it all to be honest.... but if you still want to produce.. do it.. if you are bored with it.. don't do it...

if you wanna produce but can't get anything done.. just wait a bit... put the producing part to the side for abit and do something else....

and i think i read somewhere that you used software more then hardware.. if so.. why not just sell your hardware stuff.. maybe upgrade your copmuter if you need too and buy some softsynth's or something..

caus you don't need hardware synth's these days, and if you don't use them.. why keep them really????

my 2cents only

hey there mate, I feel the same way as u do, although I do not have any hardware units, but still I have constantly been upgrading my computer for the use of production, with keyboard, RAM and LCD etc.

I used to spend hours writing music before I got my computer on my PS 2, I had an average producing time a day of 2 hours.. but now I find myself producing very little at a time, I try to think of the reason for this.. is it because I have internet?.. is it because I work? .. although I love making music, but still I make very little nowadays.. it seems like the only times I am really spending hours on producing is when I actually MAKE something good that evolves even more as I proceed, but when I simply dont know what to do.. I make excuses and get distratcted by something else..

It could be the lack of talent or the feeling of mastering what I do, I blame the lack of descent monitors, crappy plugins, and the great sound of hardware.. or maybe it is because I want to make better music than I am capable of doing? ..or is it because my ears are so "skilled" that I instantly hear that what I do isnt good enough in regards of my favorite tracks..


dunno, but ur not alone m8

quote:

Originally posted by Subtle hey there mate, I feel the same way as u do, although I do not have any hardware units, but still I have constantly been upgrading my computer for the use of production, with keyboard, RAM and LCD etc. I used to spend hours writing music before I got my computer on my PS 2, I had an average producing time a day of 2 hours.. but now I find myself producing very little at a time, I try to think of the reason for this.. is it because I have internet?.. is it because I work? .. although I love making music, but still I make very little nowadays.. it seems like the only times I am really spending hours on producing is when I actually MAKE something good that evolves even more as I proceed, but when I simply dont know what to do.. I make excuses and get distratcted by something else.. It could be the lack of talent or the feeling of mastering what I do, I blame the lack of descent monitors, crappy plugins, and the great sound of hardware.. or maybe it is because I want to make better music than I am capable of doing? ..or is it because my ears are so "skilled" that I instantly hear that what I do isnt good enough in regards of my favorite tracks.. dunno, but ur not alone m8

Weird... I think some people are "doers" and other people are "thinkers". I tend to put myself into "thinker" category - that is, I need to think everything out before I do it. I can visualize the track in my head 10x over but when it comes to doing it, I have no idea from which angle to approach.

I guess that is why quality track shines through and making a quality track is so hard. It seems that in my case, I am dealing with a fear of failure and by finding these obstacles to my production, I'm just subconciously lying to myself. I'm thinking that while I have an obsticle and excuse, I can postpone finding out how bad my stuff really is. Even when I play, I tend to stick to "safe" chords - e.g the chords I know and comfortable with, without venturing out too much into the "unknown" territory on the keyboard. I'm sure that if you did an "autopsy" of my master keyboard, you'd see a certain range of keys that have very worn out contacts, with the rest being in almost new condition.

Which further disgusts me away... I feel like such a failure at times... so, I'm wondering if this is really a positive hobby to have, since it seems to impact me so negatively on so many levels... Hence the topic.

Could your problem might be you got too much stuff too fast and didnt take the time to learn what you have? If so, why not spend time playing with the stuff rather than trying to make music with it, and just let go. Maybe make a basic beat and store it and when you have that feeling when you are messing around, turn on the beat and go with it and see what comes rather than trying to force yourself into making nothing.

Re: When is it time to call it quits?

quote:

Originally posted by CynepMeH Yet, every day I sit and think that I have all this gear sitting around and not using it! Imagine that

I'm with you on that! About a month ago I had about $1500 in studio gear.. Then I realized, that I was at sometimes forcing myself to produce to justify all the $$ I spent on the gear.. when most of the time I would rather just play a PC game

So, after this, I realized why I produce music.. BECAUSE I ENJOY IT.. so I sold all the gear.. and started over.. bought a JP-8000 and a pair of $100 headphones and succesffuly reduced my studio cost from $1500 to $700... so now I just produce when I feel like it.. and don't feel bad if I spend a week without even opening Cubase

But I don't think I could ever quit producing.. I've been doing it since I can remember, practically. It is part of who I am.. I would feel empty inside if I didn't.. it's what seperates me from the masses...

I got a idea sell all but you 3 most favorite pieces of gear.. Master those pieces and make something. Just record yourself everytime you sit down.. Heck id even break it down to two pieces of gear making sure they dont overlap.. As i wouldnt have a jupiter 6 and 8...... Gear isnt what makes the music ya know...

-fr0st- on bliss's acount.

Never!!! Take a walk, come back to it but don't ever quit unless its just not your thing.

I can totally relate to that man. I haven't been at it for more than a year, but I've had my moments where I'm just sick of it all. It tends to be at the end of the week where I've spent ALL my free time in front of the comp. I've got a sound in my head, but I just can't pull it off. I almost quit it entirely, but I had some months vacation from it - and when I came back I made better sounds than ever before, and I got back the thrill of producing again. I'm not sure if this is the case with you, but I seem to need some sort of technical progress in my producing in order to stay excited with it.
I could never image that I'd quit now, it's just become a too big part of my life to let it go!

I think that the gear may be overwhelming, and it might be better to just sell all of it, and get a software based production setup.

From personal experience, I find that having a fully software production setup is much more flexible, and much easier to work with. If you suddenly have a creative thought, just boot up your program and get right into it, without dealing with all the hassels of setting up your gear. Maybe it's just me. I have a supernova just sitting here, I have only used it for maybe 2 tracks, and I feel that I can just produce better without having to deal with it entirely. It's really a good way to work non-linearly aswell. Sometimes I load up a track and work on it for 20 mins, or I have multiple tracks open and switch back and forth between them, just to keep the ideas fresh.


Also if you find yourself getting frustrated, just take a long break from it. I slowed down my music production a huge amount when I went to my first year of college, and took a break from it all. Recently I had the need to work on something new, so I just fired up Reason and was surprised with what I made. It feels good to be composing
music again, and I think that during the time off, I was able to collect some ideas and make a fresh start.


I would never give it up completely.

if you have the right ideas, but you dont seem able to convert them into your music, dont panic! Dont start a new project, but keep tweaking, one day it will sound good...I remember i once had projects, and i thought they sucked, so i kept starting over and over: WRONG! Just stick with one project, dont rush it, finish it and only start over when you are happy with the result. Each sucking project will once be good, it just takes some weeks sometimes. Imagine how Strange World 2000 sounded in the beginning!

Although gear-overkill or wrong gear may bring you apathy, a blatant appreciation of a music-genre doesnt make you a producer. Sure you get melodies in your head, and sure you'd like 'that' song to do 'this', it still doesnt make you a producer or the skills to do it.

And you say you compare your tunes to the ones you enjoy listening to. Where's the producer part in that? Copying what others do? That just sums up alot around this forum, and kills the "music is my/the ultimate form of expression/emotion" -signatures alot of so called 'producers' got in here.

May be too harsh, im not gonna say 'sorry' for that, and maybe a reality-check is needed. Get more out of listening to, and enjoy the music, and/or get another hobby.

Those who can, make music, those who can't, make excuses.

Cheers
C

quote:

Originally posted by CynepMeH Which further disgusts me away... I feel like such a failure at times... so, I'm wondering if this is really a positive hobby to have, since it seems to impact me so negatively on so many levels... Hence the topic.

How can you be a failure at something if you don't attempt it? You havn't failed as a producer. Deep down, I don't think anyone can fail as a producer if they have passion. Just place yourself in the position of a student(which is technically what you are).

How many students don't study on the basis they're scared of failure?(which is what you basically said)
Now tell me how many students don't study on the basis they're uninterested in the topics they're studying?(99.99% I'd say)

It's a bit obvious that you don't produce because you're uninterested in the underlying factors of producing. Are you uninterested in spending 4 hours tweaking & eqing a lead? If so, producing's not for you

A better question might be: have you had FUN in the past 3 years doing it? Yeah, it's great to get signed and see other people recognizing your work as something good, but even if I was the best producer on the planet I wouldn't bother with it if I didn't thoroughly enjoy it. I find it to be extremely fun and satisfying, and that is why I do it (though of course like most people I started for different reasons, hehe).

Of course, if you're spending more time with atmosphere then you are with your hardware, then maybe getting rid of some of the stuff is a good approach. Sell all the other gear and get the Virus TI when it comes out since it'll have the same ease of use as a VST instrument. I think my setup definitely shows that you can succeed without expensive gear =P

start producing drumnbass

just be honest with yourself. do you want to do it to earn money? do you just wanna call yourself a producer? or do you love it.

Sure, software is great and very flexible. If you have a problem producing with hardware chances are you're just lazy. You're probably not going to be able to produce with software any easier than your hardware. It's really easy to get a case of the lazies.

I think every producer goes through a phase of being down every once in a while. I've heard a lot of good suggestions on here. Work on creating one really good sound and build things around that slowly.

Synths are just a very small part of the sound of a great mix. It sounds like you have synthitis. One synth like a Virus, or Nord Lead would be all that you needed in your sonic arsenal. Order of importance in trance (IMO): Vision -> Talent to bring that vision to life -> Technical skills to help the musical talent, and if you can't do this either learn or hire an engineer -> Good Room -> Good monitors -> ergonomics -> Good conversion -> Interesting, and original signal coloration, could be anything -> FX/Sound Design -> Synths

I see so many newbie producers thinking if they buy the latest synth they'll be great. It's just not true, and so many things come before that. It takes years of hard work to develop those stages or develop a style. 3 years? You're just getting started man. If you don't like doing it or think you'll be asking yourself these same questions in a decade, get out and get out fast. I plan on still being a producer when I'm old and grey, and loving it.

-Aaron

maybe you need a partner, someone who can help in areas where you are lacking, and you can reciprocate in areas they are lacking, and together you can motivate each other to produce some kick ass music. Do you have any friends that also enjoy your hobby?

3 years is not a long time man... think about it this way, garage bands can play for 15 yrs or forever and never get picked up.... and thats 4 people suffering, not only 1...


i learned that frustration comes from losing sight of why u started in the first place.. i know u didnt start fuckjin with this shit to make a million dollars, just remember why u started, and you will be fine

I can relate to your problem, don't despair! You're being too hard on yourself. I produced a lot of crappy tunes in the early 90s with crappy hardware and Powertracks (I was poor and had no other choice). If you have the money to buy hardware and try it out that's great. I just got back into this hobby a year ago after realizing how inexpensive and great sounding hardware is these days. I've bought and sold 40 to 50 used synthesizers in that time and have come to these conclusions.

1. Don't try to learn hardware you don't enjoy using, no matter how good the presets are or how good other people say it is. Life is short. You could lose months tweaking out of some feeling of obligation.
2. Don't keep hardware you don't use, it's a distraction. Buy it again later if you really miss it.
3. Make music YOU enjoy listening to.
4. Keep wearing out those same few key contacts if you like the way they sound, the variations on even a handful of notes are immense.

I think if you have to ask yourself that, then you're done. It doesn't really ever cross my mind to quit. My guess is you started too big.

Ya i agree with most of what u say man...i find myself in the same depression at times...but never thaught of quiting...

I myself have been producing for 3 years also...on a AMD 900 cpu with 260 ram...pure struggles...

In those three years i would have to say i created about 3 tracks...which only i enjoy listening too lol...i've lost alot of my msn contacts by sending people my tracks and saying is this good?...what if i do this?

I started with nothing...i mean nothing...no money...no musical theory...so its been extra hard for me...but i have to remember that Hendrix became famous using a left-handed guitar and self-taught himself how to use it...

Honestly only now have i been able to create melodies which are enjoyable to others...but yet i want to be my own style...everyone seems to hate it unless theres a tiesto vibe...

all i can say is u got people in ur position to bro...ur not the only one...ur actually in a good position because alot of bad producers think there the shit...at least u know u need to learn more...in time u will progress...i myself have progressed alot in the past 3 years...from creating erratic melodies...to enjoyable ones.

I would suggest listing what u know how to do...and what u dont know and figure out how to improve on it.

btw my probs are layering and making basslines that are as good as my mels...

anywayz bro...good luck...and dont give up...giving up is too easy...producing takes along time to master
sebasano

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