The I promise I will not buy more gear-thread (HaRd MoDe 2017)

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

To me, version updates of software I already own and am working to master does not count as "more gear."
Saying no to free stuff will be difficult, but will save a lot of time!

I hadn't really thought where I stand on "free", but personally I draw the line at paid updates

[Aleatoriac]

It goes against everything that is KVR. I wouldn't be surprised if I got banned.

So! You in?

Dammit I've been eyeballing Izotope RX

What happens if I break my promise?

Can I weasel a caveat in that if I secretly planned to purchase it in January 2017 - but formulated the plan as late as 31 December 2016 with money I earned in December 2016?

[Michael L]

I could easily imagine that the experience could easily change perspectives

I'm looking forward to that.

I hadn't really thought where I stand on "free", but personally I draw the line at paid updates

To me, its more about time and focus, over money and ADD. So I can say no when iZotope releases their free spectral flanger, but my eyes will welcome a bigger GUI in Tassman 5. Or will that un-change my perspective?

[incubus]

I can't say no in a general sense (I have a couple of smaller things on my list when they go on sale) but as far as anything I've lusted for big, nope. Almost certainly won't happen. Why? Because I'm never satisfied (partially disappointments, mostly honest-to-god defects)

I'm gonna play what I have an make it work. The end* ... perfection doesn't exist. And, my playing has really suffered from gassing all the time.

*Picks, strings, pickups, they don't count, but the beef.....I'm serious.

[dzilizzi]

by the way, If anyone is crying at the thought of a whole year without buying new gear (359 days, now), then be grateful you didn't commit to eating nothing but potatoes for a whole year.

I think I might have an easier time only eating potatoes for a year.

Yeah, I would love to do this but I know it will not happen. And I will think twice about buying anything else, because I went a little crazy with all the great black Friday/holiday sales. I really need to learn to use what I have. But when an interesting sound comes along that inspires me? And it is a great price? It's hard to turn it down.

But good luck to you all.

And stay away from the Bargain thread....

[elxsound]

Your arguments about not being a collector are definitely valid, but I'm not really looking to change anyone's philosophy past this year. Though, I could easily imagine that the experience could easily change perspectives

Wait... what?

So what is the point of this?

Yeah I'm out. I can understand for those people that have trouble accomplishing things because they're always buying something new, but if this is just about keeping a New Years resolution for the sake of having a New Years resolution then I don't see how that's helpful.

If it's something you need that helps you earn income by making you faster or sound better then go for it.

[Chapelle]

---

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Your arguments about not being a collector are definitely valid, but I'm not really looking to change anyone's philosophy past this year. Though, I could easily imagine that the experience could easily change perspectives

Wait... what?

So what is the point of this?

Yeah I'm out. I can understand for those people that have trouble accomplishing things because they're always buying something new, but if this is just about keeping a New Years resolution for the sake of having a New Years resolution then I don't see how that's helpful.

If it's something you need that helps you earn income by making you faster or sound better then go for it.

The point of this will likely differ from person to person. And there will be people such as yourself who don't see the point.

For me, I have various reasons for setting this as a challenge.

1) As someone who doesn't make a penny from music, and who hasn't really been making much music at all, I can no longer justify 'investing' money into it

2) I have bought so many apps, plugs etc, over the years, with most of it never ending up in music projects

There are other reasons...

I posted about the 'potato' dude because I see certain parallels. The idea is not to never eat anything but potatoes again (or never succumb to buying plugs again), but to spend long enough time without doing so to appreciate what we have. I am absolutely confident that surviving an entire year in this manner will cultivate an appreciation that lasts way beyond the end date.

Shopping therapy exists, and I think there's an element to that in some of us, perhaps.

Of course, if you are a professional, or someone who has good reason for everything they buy (and are getting use from it), then this thread is not going to be for you. But others are clearly drawn to it, whatever their personal motivations

[mikebenson]

Your arguments about not being a collector are definitely valid, but I'm not really looking to change anyone's philosophy past this year. Though, I could easily imagine that the experience could easily change perspectives

Wait... what?

So what is the point of this?

Yeah I'm out. I can understand for those people that have trouble accomplishing things because they're always buying something new, but if this is just about keeping a New Years resolution for the sake of having a New Years resolution then I don't see how that's helpful.

If it's something you need that helps you earn income by making you faster or sound better then go for it.

The point of this will likely differ from person to person. And there will be people such as yourself who don't see the point.

For me, I have various reasons for setting this as a challenge.

1) As someone who doesn't make a penny from music, and who hasn't really been making much music at all, I can no longer justify 'investing' money into it

2) I have bought so many apps, plugs etc, over the years, with most of it never ending up in music projects

There are other reasons...

I posted about the 'potato' dude because I see certain parallels. The idea is not to never eat anything but potatoes again (or never succumb to buying plugs again), but to spend long enough time without doing so to appreciate what we have. I am absolutely confident that surviving an entire year in this manner will cultivate an appreciation that lasts way beyond the end date.

Shopping therapy exists, and I think there's an element to that in some of us, perhaps.

Of course, if you are a professional, or someone who has good reason for everything they buy (and are getting use from it), then this thread is not going to be for you. But others are clearly drawn to it, whatever their personal motivations

Well said. This is why I'm here ...the same reasons.

[Bombadil]

Ok, but the AKG C414-XLII that I ordered a few hours ago doesn't count.

Of course not. I had intended to post this before the year was out, then kinda didn't bother. If you really do wish to challenge yourself, then there is nothing wrong with making the commitment from the first moment you declare it in this thread (as long as it's sometime soon )

Then I'm in*














*guitar strings don't count.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

*guitar strings don't count.

I'd consider strings a necessity, so fill yer boots

[shroom81]

My credit card really want's to be all in here but my head say's otherwise

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

My credit card really want's to be all in here but my head say's otherwise

[foosnark]

You could declare your list, and then promise not to sway from it

it's not so much about saving money (although that will be another positive). The idea is more about being content with what we have, and how sticking with our current plugin folders (Or hardware synths) might allow us more opportunity to explore, and even master them

I was thinking about this yesterday. I've been making a lot of music lately -- basically a track a day -- and my current gear is serving me well. I have enough available voices and variety in hardware alone, plus far more software than I need or use. My little modular is a portal to infinity, and there are worlds to explore even in the stripped-down set of plugins installed on my laptop.

So, my plan for 2017. Long-winded, but I'm writing all this out for my own benefit here Overall, the goal is to have more focus than 2016, which was really The Year I Got Back Into Hardware and just kind of snagged one of everything that was cheap and some of things that weren't.


1. I've already ordered a Bastl Kastle; I'm just waiting for Noise Kitchen to ship it. I expect it'll be a fun partner for the modular stuff, but If I find myself not using it frequently though, it goes bye-bye.

2. Sell hardware that I'm not using much, to get it out of the way. Even a couple of the items I theoretically love but just don't get plugged in much. Aside from the computer, I really just have four essential bits of gear now: MicroBrute, Eurorack skiff, Maschine controller, and audio interface. From where I'm sitting I see a dozen other bits of gear that are basically unnecessary.

3. Buy a Make Noise 0-Coast. It will play well on its own and with the modular and MicroBrute, has an intriguingly different workflow from my other gear, and I'm just overall impressed with the thing like I'm not with most new synths. In the extremely unlikely event it doesn't become a regular participant in my music, it goes.

4. Maschine Jam? If I (A) get my studio decluttered and arranged, (B) it's available at a great price, (C) I go back over reviews and videos again and decide it's worthwhile, given that my workflow is already pretty damned great, and (D) decide absolutely not to add another modular row in 2017 -- then maybe. [Although even just minutes after writing this I'm leaning much more toward "nope".]

5. I may replace the Ataraxic Translatron in my modular with a Kinks, or less likely, a Disting MK 3. AT is a bit redundant with, and more limited than, software I have (and have written). The other two modules would bring some welcome utilities; Kinks simply and simultaneously, and Disting in Swiss-Army-Knife-but-keep-a-cheat-sheet-handy style.

6. If, if I choose to add a second Eurorack row, the focus will be to enhance my existing modular setup with more modulation, control, and processing. I don't need to add more voices. I won't get an additional MIDI->CV interface to facilitate that.

7. Other than the above, I'm not buying, trading for, or kickstarter-pledging any other desktop synths, keyboard synths, sound toys, drums, or acoustic or electric instruments. This excludes necessary accessories, and any gear needed for live performance. (I've been offered a gig, but I am leaning toward no.))

8. I intend to not buy any software instruments or sample packs. I won't beat myself up if I give in to something, but I really don't need anything new. I remind myself that the coolest stuff, not long after I've bought it, still usually winds up not really being necessary or used all that much.

9. I am going to resist effects plugins. I make no promises here, but I will have a serious think about how much the plugin will get used. Even cheap ones. Maybe especially cheap ones since those are so easy to consume and forget like popcorn.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

You could declare your list, and then promise not to sway from it

it's not so much about saving money (although that will be another positive). The idea is more about being content with what we have, and how sticking with our current plugin folders (Or hardware synths) might allow us more opportunity to explore, and even master them

I was thinking about this yesterday. I've been making a lot of music lately -- basically a track a day -- and my current gear is serving me well. I have enough available voices and variety in hardware alone, plus far more software than I need or use. My little modular is a portal to infinity, and there are worlds to explore even in the stripped-down set of plugins installed on my laptop.

So, my plan for 2017. Long-winded, but I'm writing all this out for my own benefit here Overall, the goal is to have more focus than 2016, which was really The Year I Got Back Into Hardware and just kind of snagged one of everything that was cheap and some of things that weren't.


1. I've already ordered a Bastl Kastle; I'm just waiting for Noise Kitchen to ship it. I expect it'll be a fun partner for the modular stuff, but If I find myself not using it frequently though, it goes bye-bye.

2. Sell hardware that I'm not using much, to get it out of the way. Even a couple of the items I theoretically love but just don't get plugged in much. Aside from the computer, I really just have four essential bits of gear now: MicroBrute, Eurorack skiff, Maschine controller, and audio interface. From where I'm sitting I see a dozen other bits of gear that are basically unnecessary.

3. Buy a Make Noise 0-Coast. It will play well on its own and with the modular and MicroBrute, has an intriguingly different workflow from my other gear, and I'm just overall impressed with the thing like I'm not with most new synths. In the extremely unlikely event it doesn't become a regular participant in my music, it goes.

4. Maschine Jam? If I (A) get my studio decluttered and arranged, (B) it's available at a great price, (C) I go back over reviews and videos again and decide it's worthwhile, given that my workflow is already pretty damned great, and (D) decide absolutely not to add another modular row in 2017 -- then maybe.

5. I may replace the Ataraxic Translatron in my modular with a Kinks, or less likely, a Disting MK 3. AT is a bit redundant with, and more limited than, software I have (and have written). The other two modules would bring some welcome utilities; Kinks simply and simultaneously, and Disting in Swiss-Army-Knife-but-keep-a-cheat-sheet-handy style.

6. If, if I choose to add a second Eurorack row, the focus will be to enhance my existing modular setup with more modulation, control, and processing. I don't need to add more voices. I won't get an additional MIDI->CV interface to facilitate that.

7. Other than the above, I'm not buying, trading for, or kickstarter-pledging any other desktop synths, keyboard synths, sound toys, drums, or acoustic or electric instruments. This excludes necessary accessories, and any gear needed for live performance. (I've been offered a gig, but I am leaning toward no.))

8. I intend to not buy any software instruments or sample packs. I won't beat myself up if I give in to something, but I really don't need anything new. I remind myself that the coolest stuff, not long after I've bought it, still usually winds up not really being necessary or used all that much.

9. I am going to resist effects plugins. I make no promises here, but I will have a serious think about how much the plugin will get used. Even cheap ones. Maybe especially cheap ones since those are so easy to consume and forget like popcorn.

Hey man! I must apologise. Although I did say to declare a list etc, it's clear this whole thing is just gonna run away from the original intent

I would like to bring it back to focus.

What you have written is not wasted, as it would definitely be a better fit on the '2017 wishlist' thread. This is going back to it's roots - "Read my lips! No new gear in 2017"

I'd like to put it to those who are committed to this if they think having a wildcard would be a good idea, perhaps to cover a little treat for a birthday etc.

Thoughts??