My new year's resolution (and what I learned)

[Laurin Lenschow]

Edit: Here's my experience after one month (Post 28).
Edit 2: Here are my final thoughts after 10 months (Post 35).


Original Post:

Hey, so... I know there already is a thread for new year's resolutions, but I wanted to start my own one because:

1. I may need you to help me
2. I want to invite you to join me
3. and I intend to share my thoughts and experiences along the way.


In 2023 (...or until November, that is) I won't buy a single piece of music writing/production related gear or software. This includes libraries, effects plugins, daws, controllers... basically everything that can be used to make music. I will also unsubscribe from most of the devs newsletters and try to stay out of the forum's deals sections - I may even visit VI-C less often in general (for context: I'm here about 20-50 times per day).
This is the part where I'm asking for your help - if, in the coming year, you read my contemplations about wether I should buy something: The correct answer will always be "NO!" - feel free to remind me of this very post. (I'm only half serious about this - right now I'm rather confident I won't need to be reminded of this, but who knows... buying stuff is more fun than not to buy stuff after all )

But, if I don't visit the forum as often anymore, and if I don't spend hours upon hours watching the same walkthroughs over and over again, what will I do with all that free time, I hear you ask. Well, I want to put all the time I usually spend doing research about new tools working on my skills instead. I have a bunch of yt-videos bookmarked to learn more about harmony and orchestration, I want to finally read "The Study of Orchestration", maybe join scoreclub for a couple of months... I also want to do one short How to train your Dragon mockup per month - I got the score for christmas and I'm excited to study it.
I'm at a point where, while there's still a lot of stuff I'd like to buy, realistically I have about 95% of my needs covered. I believe that using this year to work on my skills rather than my tools will be quite beneficial and, while maybe not quite as fun at first, also more satisfying in the long run. Putting work in may not be as fun as buying new toys, but listening back to a new piece you're really proud of will make you significantly happier than playing with a new library and realising that buying it did in fact not turn you into John Williams.

So, this is the part where I invite you all to join me - I know it has been said many times (and often made fun of ) on this forum, but hey, lets just write some music! And, if you're battling FOMO throughout the year, remember: If you take this year to spend time with what you have it will help you to really evaluate where the gaps are and you'll get more use out of your money when next year's Black Friday comes around

...now, with all of that said... if something Abbey Road releated gets released I'll still buy that in a heartbeat - that's gonna be the only exception though


Sorry for the rather long post. Staying away from all music production sales and deals will be kind of a new experience for me (and I imagine for some of you it would be too - not judging anyone, obviously ), so I may occasionally chime back in here and let you know how it goes. Have a nice new year's eve party tomorrow everyone, and stay healthy and creative next year!

Click to read more...

 

[wunderflo]

wonderful idea, I applaud your bravery, and I'll be glad to join you!

With that being said, I'll have to make 3 exceptions:
1. After the release of Infinite Strings and/or Audio Modeling Ensemble Strings, I might pick up one of the modeled strings options.
2. I'll upgrade to Komplete 14 Ultimate in the NI 50% off summer sale (or at least get Kontakt 7).
3. The OTS group buy in June/July will be hard to ignore.
4. That upcoming Peace library by Audio Brewers... damn it! I said 3 exceptions! Ok, if that turns out to be something I can't resist, I therefor won't participate in the OTS group buy. Deal?

I can already see how this thread will turn into: "What to buy if you're only allowed to buy 3 sample libraries next year!"

 

[Paul@Sydney]

Already decided this myself, it's so easy to get sucked into constant buying, it never ends! And you have amazing tools and libraries already, judging by all your demos. I will help you stay on the straight and narrow if you do the same for me, deal?!

 

[Laurin Lenschow]

As long as I don’t just end up buying other types of things instead, it could be useful. Like more classes, courses, books, etc.

That's a good point - I'll definitely have to make sure that I really get enough out of each single course before I move on to the next one! That said, I'll probably overhaul my studio in November and get some stuff that's actually useful, like a replacement for my bad, 13-year old midi keyboard, so I do have a good motivation to put some money aside and not just spend everything on courses and books

I will help you stay on the straight and narrow if you do the same for me, deal?!

Deal!

 

[dunamisstudio]

I'll join. Heck, already said don't buy another reverb. hahaha

I'll grabbing all I can November and December, cause starting January, I'm going to cut spending and start writing. Only thing that might sway me is the company that releases something I want and they don't do sales often. But yeah, I went nuts this month, finishing off Symphony Complete Pro, Studio Orchestra and Strezov choirs (except Storm, don't have the money for it).

But I'm going to start waiting to the end of the year for best sales and work with what I have and know what to get by that time.

 

[Pop Corn]

I'd like to join you but I already know I'll pick up the Komplete summer sale for Kontakt 7 and I still don't have a woodwind library so, post this again in 2024

Seriously though, good luck. I'm pretty close to being completely set but hoping 2023 will be the end of buying stuff. Probably about €700 away from my dream collection. Any money after that will only be spent for updates. I'm actually already making music again everyday rather than buying software/libraries. It's terrible for the energy bill but I've started leaving my PC on during the day with Studio One open and that one change has made me write music everyday since Black Friday. Also made me realise that there's very little holding me back in terms of software too. It's the first time ever that I feel "free" to make what I want and it's a nice feeling knowing I have almost everything I need.

Here's to more learning and music in 2023 and less Youtube gear reviews and wallet hits

 

[Vik]

€700

I’m also around that amount (+ sales tax) away from having the libraries I need. Plus a Komplete update and a non-plastic sounding perc library that both can wait.

Since this already has an AA flavour to it, I must admit that I also wonder: what will happen if, next year, they all start to make truly modular and expressive libraries (why make non-expressive libs anyway??), with enough appassionata in all 5+ layers and generous vibrato control?

I guess the answer is that I don’t dont know – other than that I’ll have go through my own inner layers and remind myself that the kind of satisfaction I get from making music means more to me than shopping pleasure.

 

[Laurin Lenschow]

Usually it works like
- you limit yourself
- something cool has released, you really like it
- if you don't buy it you feel limited, you feel unsatisfied you may start to dream about gear
- it distracts you from the music and makes less happy
- or, you buy it
- you feel guilty as you broke your commitment
- it distracts you from the music and makes less happy

Of course, people are different and sometimes it works, but there are better ways.

Well, best case scenario would be that I don't even hear about the cool new releases in the first place and therefore the other parts of the chain won't apply... I'll let you know if it works

 

[Banquet]

This is a noble effort and I will attempt to join you. I already didn't buy much in 2022, although did pick up quite a lot (and more than intented) around BF. However, with the purchases culminating in Pacific, I really don't need anything else so I'm hoping this will be do-able for me.

I'd also like to humbly add another resolution for me - and in case anyone else would like to join this one... I'm going to put away objects of distraction while I'm in my 'studio' aka, the spare bedroom so I can concentrate on writing and hopefully get into the flow. So no more internet or phone, which I seem to pick up every few minutes to check forums, releases, sales, etc.

 

[Vik]

Since we’re all different, I guess Socrates’ good old Know Thyself (‘To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom’) is an important but often overlooked ingredient in any life changing process - including decisions about buying less or more stuff (and, more importantly, focusing less or more on creating music).

 

[Paul@Sydney]

Well, best case scenario would be that I don't even hear about the cool new releases in the first place and therefore the other parts of the chain won't apply... I'll let you know if it works

Put all the deals and commercial announcement forums on ignore, I did that for a while this year, really helps focus. It also serves to show how little purchasing libraries is talked about outside of those forums. Sample talk tends to be more users helping users oriented, rather than purchasing oriented. My favourite forums have been the composition and the notation ones, really full of great ideas and information about composing.

 

[Roger Newton]

Last year (2022) I bought the Universal Studer A800 and that was it. BUT.....


What I would be interested in knowing, is this resolution mainly to do with lack of funds? Because if it is, your resolutions should be more along the lines of making more money out of what you already have. That's providing you write/perform music for money in the first place.

If it's all a hobby, then it's probably worth mentioning that hobbyists generally don't give a crap how much they spend on their hobbies. Statistically, hobbyists spend more on their hobbies than they do on their spouses.

I am not really understanding this resolution apart from maybe 2023 is going to be fiscally and monetarily difficult for a lot of people anyway. That's because credit card debt is through the roof and the rising of the interest payments on credit cards is instantaneous as opposed to say, a fixed rate mortgage that still has a while to go. So I could understand some planning in spending but experience also tells me that any kind of planning that's more than 5 minutes into the future with most people is unlikely. Too many FOMO factories, eg like real estate.

 

[Paul@Sydney]

Last year (2022) I bought the Universal Studer A800 and that was it. BUT.....


What I would be interested in knowing, is this resolution mainly to do with lack of funds? Because if it is, your resolutions should be more along the lines of making more money out of what you already have. That's providing you write/perform music for money in the first place.

If it's all a hobby, then it's probably worth mentioning that hobbyists generally don't give a crap how much they spend on their hobbies. Statistically, hobbyists spend more on their hobbies than they do on their spouses.

I am not really understanding this resolution apart from maybe 2023 is going to be fiscally and monetarily difficult for a lot of people anyway. That's because credit card debt is through the roof and the rising of the interest payments on credit cards is instantaneous as opposed to say, a fixed rate mortgage that still has a while to go. So I could understand some planning in spending but experience also tells me that any kind of planning that's more than 5 minutes into the future with most people is unlikely. Too many FOMO factories, eg like real estate.

Ha, you're spot on with spending more on hobby than wife. No funds issue here. Zero debt, plenty cash flow etc. My rationale for spending hiatus is I've invested enough, I have plenty of pro level gear, and now I need to learn to use it better, and as you say, make it start earning (if even in a minor way) before investing further in yet more gear. And by investing I don't mean just funds. It's time too. Each new tool requires significant investment of time to learn, time that is better spent mastering what I already have. In fact, time is by far my scarcest resource nowadays.

 

[Laurin Lenschow]

What I would be interested in knowing, is this resolution mainly to do with lack of funds?

No, not at all. I just think that focussing on other things than the acquistition of new tools will be more benefitial for me right now.

If it's all a hobby, then it's probably worth mentioning that hobbyists generally don't give a crap how much they spend on their hobbies.

I'm a hobbyist or maybe semi-professional at best (I have made money with my music, but it's far from being a regular job and I only do it for personal enjoyment), but I don't see how this statement relates to my resolution. I never thought "Oh my god, I have spent x amount on libraries, there must be someting wrong with me", I just came to the realization that focussing on learning rather than buying is going to bring me closer to my goals and lead to more happiness in the meantime

 

[telecode101]

I think it can work. Just don't follow deals forums and don't try demo's.

One strategy that works for me is if I get tempted by something, I always dig into what I already have and then see what is in my collection and check out some YT videos on how to use it and I realize I didn't know how to use it so start getting interested in it and then forget about the new thing I was going to get.

 

[Markrs]

Very supportive of this, Laurin. For me there was a point that actually picking up a new library started to make me enjoy this hobby less, due to overwhelm of choice and having to learn everything. I think felt guilt if I didn't use all I own.

This isn't about regrets, more about knowing sometimes you need stop chasing potential and learn to fully use what you have. To this point I have gone back to just learning stuff on the piano, to simplify things.

I am not going to pretend there isn't things I am interested in as there are. I would still like the Solo Strings from Sample Modeling, or Audiobro MSB. But I have lots of solo strings I have barely used as well as recently getting Infinite Brass.

Will I give in and buy something in big in 2023, possibly. That is just being honest with myself. The Komplete 14 UCE sale offers a lot for the money. I will also be interested in Infinite Strings when it is released. I will see how strong my will power is come the time.

 

[easyrider]

Once you get past the first couple of GAS attacks it gets easier…it gets to the stage where you know deep down a new shiny won’t be the catalyst to the change of behaviour you need.

It‘s a bit like giving up sugar in your tea…the first few weeks are not so pleasant…your brain craves the sugar hit…now if I drink tea with sugar or someone makes me one with sugar by mistake I recoil in horror…and it’s tastes sickly sweet…

I did this with plugins….now I find it increasingly difficult to buy a plugin alliance Plugin…I’m totally past it…a waste of money as I have all the plugins I’ll ever need and then some.

Even the cheap $24.99 new releases soon add up to hundreds over a period of time and for what real purpose….it’s just a rehash of a saturation plugin with a different gui…

its all distraction……

Had the same epiphany With guitar amps sims and pedlas and fx….bought loads of them in the sale, bought Amplitube 5 and was bogged down with loads of choices and endless scrolling through presets and faffing with a mouse when I should be actually playing the guitar.

Then one morning it hit me….what the feck was I doing…? I pulled out my Marshall amp and in seconds had far superior tone than any sim in existence..I was turning real knobs and getting great tones quickly…

No computer to load up…instant creative fun…I deleted all my amp sims and began to build,over a period of about 6 months a pedal board…I thought long and hard about each pedal that I wanted…and some I wanted were only available used…Like the original Boss true analogue Flanger for the early 80s…There was not going to be any digital Sh1t on this board…

I’ve now got less choice when it comes to guitar but man the tones I can get and the sound quality beats anything ITB…and I now I come down to my studio space with a coffee and in seconds I’m playing…not computer to boot just me and my guitar…

I’m free from the shackles of choice paralysis and it feels good…ok the board cost me a fair chunk of money…but in the long term I’ll save by not buying new amp sims and more software that will eventually become obsolete…

I’m actually slowly realising that less is more…especially in the context of creativity…

Having 100 pianos VI‘s and cork sniffing each one doesn’t make you write music it makes you less focused and actually can be detrimental to the whole process…

Same with compressor plugins or EQs or switching DAWs because you’re suffering FOMO…

Guitar players play guitar…composers write music…it’s like the cyclist with the carbon bike and all the Lycra but never actually goes riding…he likes the idea of being a cyclist in his head…but the cyclist is the person on the bike he can afford in shorts and a t shirt actually riding their bike…

 

[Tim_Wells]

I've already cut way back over the past couple of years. If I can't make something good with what I've already got, then it's time to give up the ghost.

Now if I was making a lot of money from it, my view would be a little different.

 

[Roger Newton]

I've already cut way back over the past couple of years. If I can't make something good with what I've already got, then it's time to give up the ghost.

Now if I was making a lot of money from it, my view would be a little different.

You don't need that much to make money either. And you don't need to be a 'pro'. It can be just a hobby or passtime. I only have relatively few tracks but there are many serious writers that have what I would describe as a very decent income.

 

[cedricm]

I was on a plugin + samples library diet for most of the year and I don't regret it.

I got quite a few plugins for BF and Christmas though. Mainly upgrades and palette extension (reverbs and u-he synths mostly) and a case or two of FOMO (BB Tubes, Invigorate).

But no samples library and I don't plan any library purchase, but for the Komplete upgrade next summer.

So mostly, I'll focus again, like you, on learning and exploiting what I already have and spending less time thirsting over flavors of the month.

What I've begun that may be of interest to you: I have a worksheet per type of plugin, such as EQ or delay, and I'm making an inventory of what I have, classify with main categories and list specificities of each plugin.
This allows me to make sure I'm not wasting too much money, know why I purchased a plugin and when to use one over the other.

I could do the same with samples libraries, I don't have that many though (but for way to many piano vstis).