Planting your studio.

[Arpangel]

My studio, or basement, is becoming populated by "gardens" of equipment, that just get left in random places, they suggest other gear, and they grow, I’m connecting these little flowering beds with cables, into my main mixer, it’s quite interesting how they evolve, from random bits and pieces, stuff from the loft, in storage, stuff I don’t use, all gets composted into new systems.
I’m not making any effort to organise anything anything now, one is an old coffee table with a compressor, a Mackie mixer, an Alesis Micron, a Monotron Delay, Quadraverb, an old cassette deck, it’s great just using what’s dumped there, seeing what comes out, and adding to them.

[Albatross]

Oh that's lovely. I'm the polar opposite and go for a very utilitarian approach where I have the bare minimum of gear as invisible as possible. I'd be happy if there were some type of spirit engineer with transparent equipment who would record me whenever I felt like it without my having to do anything except play and sing. I've just had a couple of days or reorganising and taking stuff out. The more elbow room the better.

[Arpangel]

Oh that's lovely. I'm the polar opposite and go for a very utilitarian approach where I have the bare minimum of gear as invisible as possible. I'd be happy if there were some type of spirit engineer with transparent equipment who would record me whenever I felt like it without my having to do anything except play and sing. I've just had a couple of days or reorganising and taking stuff out. The more elbow room the better.

I like your idea of the "spirit engineer" I feel like that sometimes.
On the whole, worrying and thinking too deeply about working methods ultimately, gets us nowhere, I’ve abandoned that now, completely, that’s why these little piles of gear are sprouting up, I could easily work with minimal equipment, I did for years, but this not caring, just organically letting stuff accumulate, in unpredictable combinations, is interesting, no way of working is the best, it’s just different, and we, are all different.
Whatever, the music just comes out, regardless, and that should be the same for all of us.

[Albatross]

Reminds me of my wife, she's very accomplished and successful in her particular field, only pertinent here in this discussion because she works in a complete mess (well a mess to me but not to her). I mean her office is a total sh!t hole and I'm not joking, its an embarrassment. Impossible to clean and hasn't been cleaned since I don't know when. I go in there and scream! There are piles of papers everywhere, pens run out, they just get pushed onto the floor, she is so focused she has no time for 'order' but she knows where everything is, somehow. And the output is amazing. I gave up trying to change her years ago.

Me? If there's something resting on the back of my keyboard I can't play it.

[Arpangel]

Reminds me of my wife, she's very accomplished and successful in her particular field, only pertinent here in this discussion because she works in a complete mess (well a mess to me but not to her). I mean her office is a total sh!t hole and I'm not joking, its an embarrassment. Impossible to clean and hasn't been cleaned since I don't know when. I go in there and scream! There are piles of papers everywhere, pens run out, they just get pushed onto the floor, she is so focused she has no time for 'order' but she knows where everything is, somehow. And the output is amazing. I gave up trying to change her years ago.

Me? If there's something resting on the back of my keyboard I can't play it.

Again, I was like that too, anything out of place and I was incapable of doing anything.
But I got ill, and things changed, my place got into a real mess, and from then on, I didn’t care anymore, still don’t.
Tidy, or not, it doesn’t seem to make any difference, I’ve recorded some great pieces with a friend, with stuff just dumped on the floor and I’m sitting cross-legged in the middle of a total mess, keyboard on my lap, or, another friend, he’s the opposite, fiendishly organised and amazingly tidy, but good stuff again.
I think maybe these different circumstances produce different results, maybe, not good or bad, different, because the environment pushes us in a particular direction, the way things are organised, what’s in reach, where they are placed, I’m interested in my little "gardens" for that very reason, to see what may happen that’s different.

[Albatross]

Funny actually, she got ill. Maybe illness is makes us see what's really important in life.

[Arpangel]

Funny actually, she got ill. Maybe illness is makes us see what's really important in life.

Yes, it does.
It also focuses us artistically, you see what's important, and what’s not important, anymore.
We are here on this forum because we are interested in the things that instruments, equipment can do for us, I get a lot of help, technically here, directly, or by reading other people’s posts.
But what this forum can’t do, and that applies to any forum, or individual, is to guide us spiritually, provide the Shamanistic magic that happens when we connect with a piece of equipment, an instrument, our preferred working environments, that’s completely, and utterly, down to us to find out, and some people never find out, and that’s very sad.
No one can hold our hand on this journey, we are alone, we have to make our own way, some find that way at a very early age, like that young pianist over at Musicians Lounge, some of us struggle, and find it later in life, others don’t find it at all, and may have to come this way again, they will then find it easier, as they have the experience of a previous life to build upon, that’s my opinion, that we have more than one chance, people we call "geniuses" or very gifted people, are here from a previous life, they’ve already had experience, and they are just building on that experience, and they seem gifted, to us.
Just my spiritual beliefs, don’t take them too seriously.

[manwilde]

That's a very nice way of looking at things, honestly. I wish I had those kinds of beliefs, but I don't.

[Arpangel]

That's a very nice way of looking at things, honestly. I wish I had those kinds of beliefs, but I don't.

Well, they are beliefs that come and go for me, that seem to have a grain of truth about them sometimes, just enough to make me think hmmmm?
All I know is that the material world of plastic, wood metal, instruments etc, is a very small part in the grand scheme of artistic achievement, as musicians we attach great importance to them, that’s not true about creative tools across the hoard, artists brushes, yeah, sort of essential, canvas, no, you can use a toilet roll if need be, or your finger to paint.
Painters, visual artists, don’t have this fascination or concern that some musicians have about the tools of the job.

[manwilde]

Totally agree. Regarding sound recording/mixing, you can really tell more and more self-recording musicians just looking for new sound toys to play with, instead of getting on with the music. Not that playing with toys is a bad thing, but young people seem to think they "need" this or that toy in order to make something sound good. And then when they ask here for advice and get the super boring answers ("treat your room", "try different mic positionings", etc.) they don´t like it.
I used to be young, too...

[Arpangel]

Totally agree. Regarding sound recording/mixing, you can really tell more and more self-recording musicians just looking for new sound toys to play with, instead of getting on with the music. Not that playing with toys is a bad thing, but young people seem to think they "need" this or that toy in order to make something sound good. And then when they ask here for advice and get the super boring answers ("treat your room", "try different mic positionings", etc.) they don´t like it.
I used to be young, too...

I don’t want to judge anyone, someone sitting playing with toys, it’s their money, their life, and it probably involves some form of healthy therapy, great, it’s all valid, right up to professional world class musicians and everyone in between.
But, I do get a "bit edgy" when I hear things like "I can’t make music because I haven’t got that UAD Apollo, or that Yamaha Montage 88 write me a check mum!
A friend got me going one day, he was talking about becoming a photographer, he "needed" a top draw Nicon with all the lenses, an i Mac and Photoshop, otherwise "there was just no point"
If you’ve got parents that are rich enough good luck to you, go for it, but most people haven’t, and I always admire those that make do, and come up with ingenious ideas and work-arounds, that way of working teaches you a lot, and really does stimulate your imagination (BIG-TIME!) and makes you appreciate what you’ve got.
I still love kicking about in the gutter, making do, it’s a hang over from when I didn’t have anything, or much money, that’s why I like messing around with these little piles of stuff, little studios in their own right, just to see what I can do with them, it’s a challenge.

[Drew Stephenson]

With the exception of a couple of my guitars, and my monitoring chain, everything in my studio is pretty much bargain basement. None of that matters as long as the single greatest limiting factor is me.
I could spend a thousand pounds on xyz gadget, or I could spend that money on some one-to-one tuition with some of the good people of this forum.
Anyone care to lay a wager on which might produce better results?

[Albatross]

I picked up a pair of Tascam US122s from eBay and paid £15 for one and £12 for the other. I have one on an old Acer laptop you could probably buy for £25 and add a couple of 57s or similar and a copy of Reaper or something and you could make a record on that rig given some instruments and talent and a room.

The quality of the most basic equipment available these days for buttons is astounding. We would have wet ourselves with joy if we'd had this stuff back in the 70s and 80s. We had to mortgage our kidneys for a mediocre 8-Track back then.

But everything is relative. It must be difficult starting out now because there's a whole online industry poking this stuff down people's throats and the discipline required to sail ones artistic ship straight through all the noise must be immense.

Things were a lot simpler and we had limited options back in the day. Less confusion.

[Arpangel]

the discipline required to sail ones artistic ship straight through all the noise must be immense.

That’s a great way of putting it, avoiding the noise?
If you are chosen to be a channel through which music can flow, to be a "musician" your guardian Angel will guide you, you won’t have to do anything, just follow, all will be fine.
The problems come when the demons try and distract you, these demons come in many forms, sometimes masquerading as friends, avoid, and their distractions are not related to music.
If you are chosen, you will know what tools you need to realise your "responsibility" and deliver your message as a musician, no amount of marketing will affect this, you can be a childhood prodigy violinist, and you’re instrument will be bought when you are young, and last you until you leave this life, it will be all you’ll ever need, that’s one example, the other example is the musician drawn to electronics, and the technology of his/her time, you will wander into exploration, and that’s fine, but if you are chosen it won’t distract you, it’s just the path you’ll take, albeit a different and more complex one.

[Arpangel]

This is what I’m talking about, what a perfect little "garden" beautiful.
I’ve got about three little beds like this now, and they are a great way of making excuses to buy new pedals, and use up redundant gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_crz5uGegdo

[uselessoldman]

There is a difference between the professional who buys what they need to get the job done to the level of quality they so desire. Then there is the enthusiast whose more the hobbyist attracted by the unknown "what if" scenario or that looks like fun and just got to try it just for the sake of trying playing owning. There is no specific objective or path, they meander down holes avenues without a specific goal in mind.

I have many a friend who are either one or the other, me I am without doubt the hobbyist, and a bad one. Whilst I have good friends who might only own 3 guitars, play a specific one almost every night another as backup and probably an acoustic, use one amp and one cab and their effects box has hardly changed in 20 yrs. Its not about the toys and gizmos for them its about the music. Probably good enough to have made it professionally but now have a good day time job so music is their relaxation time, a bit of fun.

Yes it is nice to be smothered and surrounded with toys, we are after all only grown up teenagers, but I confess, some of us take it a little to far. For some its just lucky they have the money to indulge, so why not? So there we have it, our toy room. Some might call it a studio, or even a music room, but for some of us, its just a fun place to be... full of things to play with. Somethings in life never change, a kid always have their favourites but there is nothing better than getting something new

[Arpangel]

There is a difference between the professional who buys what they need to get the job done to the level of quality they so desire. Then there is the enthusiast whose more the hobbyist attracted by the unknown "what if" scenario or that looks like fun and just got to try it just for the sake of trying playing owning. There is no specific objective or path, they meander down holes avenues without a specific goal in mind.

I have many a friend who are either one or the other, me I am without doubt the hobbyist, and a bad one. Whilst I have good friends who might only own 3 guitars, play a specific one almost every night another as backup and probably an acoustic, use one amp and one cab and their effects box has hardly changed in 20 yrs. Its not about the toys and gizmos for them its about the music. Probably good enough to have made it professionally but now have a good day time job so music is their relaxation time, a bit of fun.

Yes it is nice to be smothered and surrounded with toys, we are after all only grown up teenagers, but I confess, some of us take it a little to far. For some its just lucky they have the money to indulge, so why not? So there we have it, our toy room. Some might call it a studio, or even a music room, but for some of us, its just a fun place to be... full of things to play with. Somethings in life never change, a kid always have their favourites but there is nothing better than getting something new

Interesting, I don’t differentiate between professional and curious amateur, or hobbyist, although hobbyist does grate a bit, there’s something a bit dismissive about it.
I think this came up in another thread, but those that put the main emphasis on playing with, or collecting equipment, get enjoyment from doing so, even though the music may not be primary, if that’s what they want to do fine.
For me, the music has always been what motivates me, I "vaguely" know what I want to do, sometimes! and I have a hard core of essential things that are my "bread and butter" tools, on top of that I have things that may help, that are experiments, failed or otherwise.
Interesting thing, I could easily do the "essence" of what I do with hardly anything, and at one point I was tempted to adjust my system to just the things that were really successful, that gave great results live, in pieces that people liked, so, if I did this I’d be doing what I really hate, in myself and others, and that’s "playing to the audience"
Worst thing you can do, it takes me nowhere, you’re safe, you know what works, no, definitely not going to happen.

[Albatross]

Music or any art has always been an ecosystem, a culture and pretty much everyone involved goes to make up the whole. More so than ever now because we have this global electronic consciousness and every man and his dog is feeding into it.

But if you buy a bit of kit and ring up support or don't buy a certain colour of pedal, all these decisions and ideas go to make the whole. Hobbyists, pros ... they all contribute in their own way. Put a piece you've done on Soundband or somewhere, it might influence someone, your idea might end up on a big record.

Art is a calling, you can't get away from it. God knows, everyone I know who does art has hated its influence on their life at some point but they always get dragged back. People sometimes say to me things like, its so nice that you can play, I wish I could, I'd love to be able to do that. I often respond, "Its a curse .... sometimes."

[Arpangel]

People sometimes say to me things like, its so nice that you can play, I wish I could, I'd love to be able to do that. I often respond, "Its a curse .... sometimes."

If you didn’t play, or had never played, would just sitting on the porch watching the world go by have any more or any less meaning, than playing, or doing anything?
Once we’ve given those things equal meaning, nothing is important anymore, and we become free, that’s when we do interesting things artistically, when we have that perspective.
We have to let go, of all the importance given to art, dumped upon it, to be like a child, pointless, it’s impossible, but it’s worth it at least, trying to hold on to that.

[Albatross]

That is a thought I will keep with me now forever.

[FrankF]

This is what I’m talking about, what a perfect little "garden" beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_crz5uGegdo

That is quite lovely: Harold Budd meets Rick Deckard (but not in Taffy's Bar).

[Arpangel]

This is what I’m talking about, what a perfect little "garden" beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_crz5uGegdo

That is quite lovely: Harold Budd meets Rick Deckard (but not in Taffy's Bar).

Yeah, it’s good isn’t it! Goes some way in encouraging me to avoid making wet fart sounds, and other digestive noises that my modular emits from time to time.
We need a Modular Doctor someone who can hand out music on prescription "I think you should take 2000mg of Frank Sinatra today, followed by 3000mg of Captain Beefheart, after meals.

[Arpangel]

Oh well..........



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS5E1dQnBmE