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

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"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."

start producing drumnbass

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Wave is to particle as zero is to one as bagpipes are to modem noises.

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?

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Electronic Night Life
<3

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

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More Cowbell.....!

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.

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