Are you destined to become a failed wannabe music producer?

[nvisibl]

Writing a new track can sometimes be an exhilarating buzz, but how come you never seem to muster the gumption or staying power to take your tracks to conclusion and finish them off? Is your PC hard drive littered with 8 bar loops and generally sporadic half assed’ness in wav or MP3 format? The ideas sound great you think yeah? And as you lap up the little praise you receive from useless listeners you affirm to yourself once more that you will or can complete them if you want to? Stop kidding yourself.

Or are you one of those who is always talking a good track, going on about what you’re going to do next, how you’re going to tweak this and sequence that. How you’re going to write or do things in a way that’s better than everything and everyone else that’s out there. Do you continue in your fat mouthed energy criticising other artists, styles and producers trying to convince yourself that you yourself know what the fuck you are doing. Perhaps that’s just it, you don't know what the fuck you are doing, and so you spend more time talking and saying rather than actually doing the doing.

Do you insist on having to buddy up or collaborate with others, hmmm? If so then you obviously lack energy, inspiration, willpower or even hope or faith in your own ability. Perhaps adhere the lesson you wash-out as the spin cycle repeats itself again and again, your never ever going to find that right person to work with and of whom is creatively compatible with you. Mostly because you’re not even creatively compatible with yourself and so trying to feed off the energy of others to fill the gap that’s created by the lack of inspiration or belief in yourself is a useless endeavour which nearly always ends in bitter feeling.

And lastly Einstein, technical proficiency doesn’t necessarily count for creative ability. So your tendencies of “experimentation” are your simply making noise with the toys to the detriment of getting anywhere. It’s oh so easy to fuck about aimlessly with the gadgets, try writing some music for a change. And no you don’t need any more new kit, just get on with it.

[LivePsy]

Dude, don't you realise that those on forums are here because we can't really make music?

[Hollowcell]

Shit where did I put those 8 bar loops?! Ah that's right, I deleted them to make space for pron (the other thing I use my DAW for). hehe

So what is this thread about again?

[nvisibl]

dont mind me, just a 1 on 1 with the devil inside

[Doc Jones]

hey nvisibl, don't be so hard on yourself.

Over the years, I have pretty much asked myself those very same questions.
And because of those questions, over the years I have taken a more realistic view of where I am going with this stuff. What's really neat is that once I took the pressure off of myself (ie thinking that I have to "do something" in the music industry), my creativity really started to take off. I still have lofty (though more realistic) goals that keep me motivated - I would like to have enough decent material to be able to play out at the local clubs. Utltimately the whole process is a lot more enjoyable for me. When the creativity is there - I am wholly addicted to it, but when it isn't there, I can easily just step back and take a breather - no pressure.

I guess ultimately what I am trying to say is certainly figure out a way to stay motivated (and using pressure is definitely one avenue of motivation), but also see if there is a way you can step back and really just enjoy the whole process.

[nvisibl]

No worries, i'm fine. The speil above is a reflective commentary on what i've seen in the 'wannabe producers' around me over the years, and of course from what i've seen in myself too. I wasn't sure how to frame it, and I also thought it may push a button or two, so was a bit wary.

Its a 1 on 1 with the devil in all, coaxing him out of his hiding places so that he can be seen, better understood, and defeated through acceptance.

I get what yer saying on the pressure thing Doc.. nice one and so true.. i've been down that road many times too, and may visit again i'm sure.

The way I see it is like you understand that its all very important as its what you've chosen to do and have put so much time and energy into it, but its important in a not so important way. There is much more to life than the fullfilment of your own desires, most especially if your the type who fancy themselves as a pop star of sorts.

Detaching from expectations and results are key. And if experiencing anoff day then its just an off day, simple as that. Go do something else, or go one better and do something for another. That will help break down ego, its resistance and complaint.

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Originally Posted by nvisibl

Writing a new track can sometimes be an exhilarating buzz, but how come you never seem to muster the gumption or staying power to take your tracks to conclusion and finish them off? Is your PC hard drive littered with 8 bar loops and generally sporadic half assed’ness in wav or MP3 format? The ideas sound great you think yeah? And as you lap up the little praise you receive from useless listeners you affirm to yourself once more that you will or can complete them if you want to? Stop kidding yourself.

Or are you one of those who is always talking a good track, going on about what you’re going to do next, how you’re going to tweak this and sequence that. How you’re going to write or do things in a way that’s better than everything and everyone else that’s out there. Do you continue in your fat mouthed energy criticising other artists, styles and producers trying to convince yourself that you yourself know what the fuck you are doing. Perhaps that’s just it, you don't know what the fuck you are doing, and so you spend more time talking and saying rather than actually doing the doing.

Do you insist on having to buddy up or collaborate with others, hmmm? If so then you obviously lack energy, inspiration, willpower or even hope or faith in your own ability. Perhaps adhere the lesson you wash-out as the spin cycle repeats itself again and again, your never ever going to find that right person to work with and of whom is creatively compatible with you. Mostly because you’re not even creatively compatible with yourself and so trying to feed off the energy of others to fill the gap that’s created by the lack of inspiration or belief in yourself is a useless endeavour which nearly always ends in bitter feeling.

And lastly Einstein, technical proficiency doesn’t necessarily count for creative ability. So your tendencies of “experimentation” are your simply making noise with the toys to the detriment of getting anywhere. It’s oh so easy to fuck about aimlessly with the gadgets, try writing some music for a change. And no you don’t need any more new kit, just get on with it.

I've chatted to some artists who, in my eyes have had alot of success (No. 1 hits and stints on Top of The Pops)...and they all say the same thing. The tracks that made them sucessful were their least favourite (creatively speaking)...and most, if not all found it very hard to keep the momentum going. All the big hits were recorded in studios where there was input from 3 or 4 people.....working together to make it happen. Face the facts.....its a tall order for anybody to do it 'Lone Ranger' styleee....

My advice would be to strip back all the uncessary crap that you may have in your studio....and go back to basics. Keep it really simple... 1 monosynth, 1 polysynth, 1 drum machine, 1 effects unit....and bin the crappy samples cd's you love the thought of using but never will. Thats right Randell...there is an Easter Bunny...

You must talk yourself out of the mental state that your in. Focus on small, attainable goals, work on individual tracks....try not to conceptualise an entire album....its overwhelming. If you want to rock out with some jamming mates....don't feel bad about that....sometimes thats exactly what one needs to do........lighten up...don't take it too seriously - you could be run over by a bus tomorrow.

At the end of the day, how successful you are primarily comes down to your mental wellbeing, technical knowledge of the gear your using...and yes....some creative flare. I have seen some big names make it.....who are no more talented than the average guy walking the street. Sobering thought.

Now, get out there...have a beer....get some pussy and make some tracks tonight.

DS

[Juho L]

Originally Posted by DIGITAL SCREAMS

get some pussy and make some tracks tonight.

I hope you have realised that these two things rule out each other? Although I did have a cat that walked on the keyboard creating Mike Garson stuff.

[synthetik]

I registered to reply to this thread. A folder of mine exists within my harddrive that technically has more access time than any of the other folders in my computer. Almost a gigs worth actually, only a few tracks are finished, if that. And somewhere in my mind I've always thought maybe it's just me, maybe I can make music in my head, make unlimited amounts of patches, talk like that very same extremely fuzzy and distorted patch is the most unique thing in the world and it's in my song. BUT I can't just do it, I can't sit there and actually make music.

I don't know if it's the lack of skill or the lack of dedication, believe me, I really want to make music, my desire to make music far outweighs everything else I want to do. I just can't. Reading through everyone elses' replies, I realize that maybe it isn't about making crap that other people would like but more about making those 8 bars. Thanks all.

[Ceri JC]

Originally Posted by synthetik

I don't know if it's the lack of skill or the lack of dedication, believe me, I really want to make music, my desire to make music far outweighs everything else I want to do. I just can't. Reading through everyone elses' replies, I realize that maybe it isn't about making crap that other people would like but more about making those 8 bars. Thanks all.

Perhaps your goal could be just to make the best possible loops you can and then either collaborate with someone else who'll blend/tweak them into a great track, or maybe sell them to a sample CD manufacturer?