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Production Frustration Syndrome

Where to go, is it called writers block? I have an immense desire to express but, my potential is limited by the machines, and or mind. Sometimes I think it needs to be better than what it is, a more precise sound I think I chase - personal perfection also.

just bonkers

If you have some quality sound sources and a solid range of effects processors, then you likely have the "machines" side of things covered.

We all get frustrated from time to time. It gets better with experience. We learn to eliminate a lot of bad decisions before we make them yet again.

If there's something in particular you're struggling with, find examples of it in your favourite songs and try to recreate them using a variety of techniques. One of the attempts may well get you a lot closer to your goal.

Another option is to do something else for a while. Watch a movie. We can't expect ourselves to always be "on", to always be creative and productive. I don't know anyone who can live up to that expectation!

Re: Production Frustration Syndrome

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Originally posted by Energy_3 Where to go, is it called writers block? I have an immense desire to express but, my potential is limited by the machines, and or mind. Sometimes I think it needs to be better than what it is, a more precise sound I think I chase - personal perfection also. just bonkers

I know exactly what you mean, but for me there was only one way to combat this. I find I have to TRY and perfect every tiny detail AS I GO. Otherwise I somehow cannot get the right feeling and the track fails to inspire me and like shit leads to shit.

I know others prefer to whack the basic track down and then go back and tweak, but this way doesn't suit me.

So try and get the perfect kick and bass - test on consumer systems and then build on that but only if your quality control filter has been fully satisfied. Once you get those bits absolutely bang on (which I find usually fails at that point with most WIPS), then and only then, move on.

Or get the perfect melody and sound and automation going until you are perfectly satisfied, and then build on this firm foundation.

I find personaly this approach less daunting and more fun as there are always new elements to be looked forward to working out.

Won't work for everyone though.

When I get stuck, particularly with technical limitations, I watch James Cameron interviews. I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but watch the making of The Abyss. It really puts things into perspective. Just to bring a movie like that together you have this enormous budget, this vast team of professionals that you need to round up and squeeze this vision out of... They have to overcome all kinds of insurmountable technical challenges meanwhile the studio is breathing down your neck... I mean hell, Avatar took 4 years and brought in 3 fucking billion dollars. Could you imagine working on a project for 4 years? Or deal with that kind of responsibility? They had to invent entirely new technologies to even make it possible. The reality of bringing a project like that to fruition is astounding. It makes finishing a 4/4 EDM track or even an album seem pretty easy in comparison, and with that it takes some of the pressure off. A little perspective goes a long way in the creative process. There are people out there carving their niche in the world with challenges far fucking greater than anything you're dealing with. Suck it up man and work through it if it's what you love to do.

Every single day for the last 2 months I've been trying to start a track, and could never come up with something I thought was worth working on.

Just keep at it, it'll pass. It never seems like it will, but it always does if you keep trying without getting frustrated. If you're actually starting to get frustrated it might be time to take a break.

The solution is doing a hardcore remix of a cheesy pop song. The low standards of such will give you a ton of ideas.

I do different things when I hit a block. I'll play more guitar instead, or watch videos on production techniques, or just sit down and practice something or mess around with the aim of not actually making anything, just to play around. I also read alot on music and music theory when I'm not actively making music, it gives it all time to sink in.

Doesnt usually last long, sometimes a few days, sometimes a few weeks. I never try force it.

Re: Production Frustration Syndrome

quote:

Originally posted by Energy_3 Where to go, is it called writers block? I have an immense desire to express but, my potential is limited by the machines, and or mind. Sometimes I think it needs to be better than what it is, a more precise sound I think I chase - personal perfection also. just bonkers

How long are you producing? Keep at it, its gets better

great repsonses. I have to pay thanks individual to all, great info.

For me the passion is there, i mean without sounding like a woman, when I listen to trance/hardtrance or freeform i sometimes cry seriously. And, yes I dont have a problem creating most of the sounds im after. With the machine side of things I have a great minimal set up, however, before I use to have hardware so i am at times frustrated trying to adjust to the whole VST thing. I miss my TI synth, ease of use.

thanks heaps tho, chip chip away i shall

Re: Re: Production Frustration Syndrome

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Originally posted by evo8 How long are you producing? Keep at it, its gets better

well I use to just sit on my KS-5 or virus back in the day, and tweak no DAW at all so actually producing prob the last 2.5 yrs

FWIW - I have been a writer for quite a while now (a real one, not just writing on boards . I have been working on a new book for about a year, just something I do/spend time on when I feel inspired between other things. Yesterday I banged out 12 solid pages. It had been a couple weeks since I had even touched it. Sometimes you will have fits of creativity, other times you just want to trash it all.

Unless you are under a professional deadline for paid work, don't push yourself to the wall and make yourself miserable. If you do, where's the enjoyment? Why are you making yourself nuts beating yourself up?

Genuine creativity cannot be 'forced'. Sure you can put something down, but is it something you like? No? Then why do it at all?

Everyone has different ways to find their own muse. Try something like "The Observation Deck" by Naomi Epel...it's a card deck and book that can stimulate lyrical ideas that can in turn lead to melody lines or even patterns to fit them. You may not even use the lyrics, but the melody/melodies they inspire can then develop into a track on their own.

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Originally posted by Normie FWIW - I have been a writer for quite a while now (a real one, not just writing on boards . I have been working on a new book for about a year, just something I do/spend time on when I feel inspired between other things. Yesterday I banged out 12 solid pages. It had been a couple weeks since I had even touched it. Sometimes you will have fits of creativity, other times you just want to trash it all. Unless you are under a professional deadline for paid work, don't push yourself to the wall and make yourself miserable. If you do, where's the enjoyment? Why are you making yourself nuts beating yourself up? Genuine creativity cannot be 'forced'. Sure you can put something down, but is it something you like? No? Then why do it at all? Everyone has different ways to find their own muse. Try something like "The Observation Deck" by Naomi Epel...it's a card deck and book that can stimulate lyrical ideas that can in turn lead to melody lines or even patterns to fit them. You may not even use the lyrics, but the melody/melodies they inspire can then develop into a track on their own.

I agree wholey. I think for me its purely me trying to take from whats in my mind and literally translate it on the screen. Because I know I have it in me when i stumble upon what it is that i seek. So in some parts i think at this point in time it is machine based. So I think a persistant learning curve to know the in/outs of my gear in in call for.

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Originally posted by CalvP Great post normie. Something similar to the observation deck, is the Oblique Strategies by Brian Eno/Peter Schmidt. It's a similar idea, with a set of cards etc & was developed initially just as a personal tool to get away from the confinements of production pitfalls, but became so popular they started producing them. There are free online versions, apps etc Thought it was worth a mention

I shall take a look for sure, you fellas are so insightful.

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Originally posted by meriter When I get stuck, particularly with technical limitations, I watch James Cameron interviews. I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but watch the making of The Abyss. It really puts things into perspective.

A good point.

I also think of the great masters paintings that sometimes took years.

Like you say, having this perspective on art makes me sit back and think actualy what we do is a lot easier than we might think, although still hard to do well.

quote:

Originally posted by CalvP Perhaps we should start a thread on inspiring artwork?! The Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo get's my vote, 4 years in the making I was lucky enough to visit the louvre in paris a few years back & it really backs up what you're saying. Some works you just had to stare at in utter wonderment! i would really advise everyone to check out their local galleries & museums at least ONCE (i know it's not everyone's cup of tea), it could change your creative outlook forever

nice CalvP, my perspective on my own art music has now shifted a degree from this post, gold!

I suffer from this too, i also tend to make something and think yes that sounds grerat and the more i listen to it it just looses its affect and i end up changing it .

Writers block is gay

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