So much to read about gear and technques, what about the mind games?

[NuEra]

I happened across this site after clicking on a link on the bottom of a medway post on gearslutz.

[admin]

NuEra,

The road to success in the music business can't certainly be a trying one. I requires a lot of patience and dedication. It's also not a 'fair' business and politics play a part, you just have to work within the system and do what you can to get to where you want to go. It's easy to want to give up but whether you stick with it or not shows how serious you really are, it's up to you.

I created this forum to try and help people overcome some stumbling blocks in the process since I know first hand how it can be. So use it to your advantage

[Rambunkcious]

NuEra,

Hi, and welcome to the forum and I hear ya on the importance of confidence, you couldn't have said it better. I guess that is just the nature of our human creativity, and perfectionism.

I cant speak for the rest of the members on the forum, but I too have found myself in negative places at times due to my own creativity, the politics of the local scene, or in my case just the local scene in general. I have shelved countless tracks due to creative roadblocks and dissatisfaction.

From a creative point of view, I assume we all got into this game to satisfy our own musical curiosity, creativity and experimentation, along with a little bit of vanity, and in general to make people dance, if not at least make ourselves dance.

The way I look at it is you have to be individualistic about it, make sure you make music that satisfies you and lives up to your own standards. Since your standards are set pretty high due to the killer tracks youve heard in the past, plus the nature of our music being as complicated as it is even in its simplest forms, partly cause the slightest nuances make a whole world of change.

When the time comes those same standards will not falter and will serve you well. Even if you are stuck patience has a way of taking care of things, from my own personal experience, and if all else fails you've got place like this forum with members who are more than willing to help.

As for external factors outside the production of music, I dare not tread to far without stepping on anyones toes, but business in general is like that whatever field you may be in, you have to push and shove sometimes to get ahead, actually neglect the pushing and just start shoving these days as there is so much competition.

Like you said earlier keep on truckin, and keep on keepin on brother.

From another tortured artist (aren't we all)
Rambunkcious

[NuEra]

Well thanks for the responses gentlemen. Sometimes all it takes to get back in the right mindset is a few words from some people who know where you are coming from.

I think one thing I may need to learn is to lighten up. I'm so adamant about not giving up, and put so much pressure on myself to make progress, that if I get into a rut for a day or two I really let it get to me. I guess an important lesson that I can learn from this is not everyday is not going to be a creative day and thats ok.

I have a nice gig in my hometown tonight (about an hour outside of Toronto-where I currently live) and it should be a great way to release some stress and start fresh in the studio on monday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[admin]

Little tip, for those 'non creative' days: use the time to organize samples, or if you're up to it make new ones. I generally find that process different than writing a track, so even if I'm not into writing a song I don't mind running through some sounds and saving them for later. That way when you are in the mood to compose you've got some nice material lined up.

[NuEra]

Little tip, for those 'non creative' days use the time to organize samples, or if you're up to it make new ones. I generally find that process different than writing a track, so even if I'm not into writing a song I don't mind running through some sounds and saving them for later. That way when you are in the mood to compose you've got some nice material lined up.

Thanks! Very good tip. I often do find myself doing stuff like that. Updating my autoload page in Logic. Or in my down time from production I can always be shopping for new tunes for DJing or practicing the piano! And sometimes its fun to just load a synth up and mess with some effects and make some noise.

[sven hauck]

Hi NuEra,

Welcome to the forum. You been given some great advice. All I can add to that is the following:

Surround yourself with positive people that share the same beliefs that you do. Forget those that play mind games or bullshit politics with you. Focus on your goal and give it all that you have to give inside. And, most importantly, never look back.

I had what you may call a life changing event two years ago. It really made me focus on what's important and forget what isn't. The latter category included some not so positive people. I wish them well, but from a distance.

I've been fortunate to see some great producers in action in their own studio. The feeling of inspiration that I got from this was incredible. No frills, pure focus, concentration and just going for it. And going for it with an efficiency and confidence that I've wished for since I started making tracks. This, my friend, is what it's all about.

Never let anyone make you give up on your dream...

[NuEra]

Hi NuEra,

Welcome to the forum. You been given some great advice. All I can add to that is the following:

Surround yourself with positive people that share the same beliefs that you do. Forget those that play mind games or bullshit politics with you. Focus on your goal and give it all that you have to give inside. And, most importantly, never look back.

I had what you may call a life changing event two years ago. It really made me focus on what's important and forget what isn't. The latter category included some not so positive people. I wish them well, but from a distance.

I've been fortunate to see some great producers in action in their own studio. The feeling of inspiration that I got from this was incredible. No frills, pure focus, concentration and just going for it. And going for it with an efficiency and confidence that I've wished for since I started making tracks. This, my friend, is what it's all about.

Never let anyone make you give up on your dream...

More great advice. Thank you!

Coming to this board has been a really positive experience so far. I know the scene is full of people that "get it" and I love when I come across them. I have a feeling this board is full them. Cheers to you all, and hopefully we cross paths sometime in the wonderful world of producing.

[Waylo]

I've come to learn that this game is much more of a marathon than a sprint. I started getting really deep into production about 5 yrs ago, after 3 yrs of DJ'ing previously.

At that time I was out in the city almost every night networking. It definitely helped me to score a lot of gigs, but I soon learned that these gigs weren't really going to lead to the next steps - as most of the top slots were all filled by international DJ's. The locals around here get bunched into "the locals" and its extremely hard to break out from that.

I guess that's when I got real serious about production. What I thought may take 1-2 years to learn how to make a good track has turned into a lifelong pursuit.

When I originally thought this would be fairly easy, and that most of the music was made by teenagers, I soon learned that this really takes a long long time and a lot of hard work and dedication. And really most of the best music is being made by producers who have been in the studio a long long time.

Treat it like a marathon, not a sprint. Work at it a little bit every single day. And don't be afraid to take a break when you need it. Sometimes taking a month off can refresh your whole perspective and workflow.

[T-Lectual]

good topic...I don't think their is anything else that is quite as complex as writing music/audio engineering....except maybe rocket science!? When I first started producing my nieve self also thought it was going to be easy like learning how to DJ or something...couple of years at it I will have it down like all other skills I've aquired in my life...but over the years it seems like the more I learn - the more really I have TO learn! Heck I paid tens of thousands of dollars to get a degree in Audio Engineering from one of the best recording schools in the US (where Jesse taught) and I now realize that they barely even scratched the surface.

Passion(and a little talent)+Perserverance=Success ...

or was it?

Oppurtunity+Preparation=Success

uh yeah