G.A.S. control: No buying of instruments till Black Friday?

[Elektronisch]

For women it is shoes and for musicians instruments.

Buying is an investment into the future and therefore unconsciously it feels like I defy death.

In fact for this rewarding system it does not matter what you buy, it matters that you buy.

Test: Do I always use the things I have bought or am I instead looking for the next sale?

I disagree with something. It has nothing to do with being a musician and buying instruments. Musician makes music. I make music, i have alot of collegues (professionals) who make music but they dont have this insane craze of buying things, on a contrary they have few favorite instruments and dont even update them for years. Being a member in KVR what i learned is that alot of people here are not really musicians, but rather synth enthusiasts And buying things that you are not having much use of is not really investment but a money loss

TBH, i'm not sure that "musicians" don't have similar GAS issues, especially when i look at pictures like these:



Rather makes me think that some of the big inspirations actually hail FROM buying stuff. Or at least, that it's something which "keeps the engine running".

But, as you say, we're probably all different in that regard. I don't think i could live with so much stuff catching dust in my plugin folder. Or, worse, with so much hardware keeping dust in the corners of the room. Because THAT really would make me think why i spent so much money in the first place, when it doesn't get any use anyway.

If you would use hardware only these days im sure you would have even bigger collection just look at the situation back then, you could only "open" 1 hardware instrument so its natural you would have more instruments

And muscians also can have GAS issues, especialy when they make a good amount of money so they can buy toys. But really, i wonder how many professional musicians out of 100 would really have GAS

[chk071]

Probably, but, meh... if i'd take a look at the thousands of Euros of unused stuff, i'd get pretty depressed, i'm sure. Already get depressed now with the stuff i don't use.

[Lotuzia]

Fire them and get new staff.

indeed, it's that simple

[wagtunes]

For women it is shoes and for musicians instruments.

Buying is an investment into the future and therefore unconsciously it feels like I defy death.

In fact for this rewarding system it does not matter what you buy, it matters that you buy.

Test: Do I always use the things I have bought or am I instead looking for the next sale?

I disagree with something. It has nothing to do with being a musician and buying instruments. Musician makes music. I make music, i have alot of collegues (professionals) who make music but they dont have this insane craze of buying things, on a contrary they have few favorite instruments and dont even update them for years. Being a member in KVR what i learned is that alot of people here are not really musicians, but rather synth enthusiasts

But you are right, buying something can make you happy but its natural for all people until certain limits.

But whats different with GAS is a the compulsive nature of it. I dont want to offend anyone who has GAS but its a disorder that should be treated like any other psychological disorders instead of being embraced.

Speak for yourself if that description fits you. I've been writing songs for over 40 years. I made 11 new albums of music last year.

I make music. And son of a gun, I buy lots of shit too.

The one has nothing to do with the other.

There are always exceptions Wagtunes

But im curious at your most productive years did you have ability to buy Prophet for 100 USD in hardware instrument shop? or a moog for 50 USD with a snap of a finger? did you had 20 years ago ability to buy a collection of realistic choirs library for 40 dollars?

Believe it or not, my most productive years have been since I went to PC recording.

In 1994, I made the most number of albums I had ever made in a year. It was 7.

In 2017, I made the following CDs.

Titles and Completion Dates

The Dungeon Masters - 02/01/17
No Signal - 02/17/17
A Whole Lotta Country - 02/28/17
80s Squared - 04/03/17
Resisting The Temptation - 04/17/17
Bananas Crackers And Nuts - 05/01/17
Amp It Up - 05/17/17
Sins Of The Father - 07/25/17
Botany Bay - 09/04/17
V Pop - 09/22/17
The Gates Of The Lord - 12/24/17

Back in 1994, I was still working my corporate America job and hated it. I didn't have the time to work on my music the way I would have liked. Now that I'm "retired" I can work on it all day if I choose. I'm taking a couple of month break to finish up a ton of synth libraries for next year. On March 1, 2018, I will begin working on my music again. I may not do 11 CDs this coming year, but I'll do a few. But whatever I do or don't do will have nothing to do with how many VSTs I'm able to buy.

In fact, if anything, not being able to afford to get instruments all the time back in the day might have made me less productive because I wasn't as easily inspired to do things having the same old sounds all the time. Now, I am constantly inspired. In fact, the inspiration never ends. Taking it even further, in 2003 I became so bored with the whole thing that I took 5 years off from writing anything at all.

In fact, I'd say the more stuff I buy, the more it makes me WANT to get to my writing. And it's only because of self discipline right now in needing to finish these 10 libraries that I'm working day and night on that I'm taking the next two months off. Trust me, I'd rather be making music.

Like I said, there is no correlation between how many synths somebody has and how productive they are. Some people will never be productive no matter how many or few synths they have.

[Distorted Horizon]

Only things I "need" or I'm just going to buy is an upgrade to Reason 10 and latest Bitwig.

Then I may invest into some hardware. Nothing too big.. Maybe just microbrute and/or bass station 2 and something second hand.. Saw some old virus for 300€ that may find a new home from my desk Maybe.. Though I'd need a new audio interface.. UR44 perhaps.. Or a mixer.. Mixer would be nice.

[andrew71]

In 1994, I made the most number of albums I had ever made in a year. It was 7.

In 2017, I made the following CDs.

Titles and Completion Dates

The Dungeon Masters - 02/01/17
No Signal - 02/17/17
A Whole Lotta Country - 02/28/17
80s Squared - 04/03/17
Resisting The Temptation - 04/17/17
Bananas Crackers And Nuts - 05/01/17
Amp It Up - 05/17/17
Sins Of The Father - 07/25/17
Botany Bay - 09/04/17
V Pop - 09/22/17
The Gates Of The Lord - 11/24/17

It took me five years to record two albums, although sadly I am still a slave to the machine.

[wagtunes]

In 1994, I made the most number of albums I had ever made in a year. It was 7.

In 2017, I made the following CDs.

Titles and Completion Dates

The Dungeon Masters - 02/01/17
No Signal - 02/17/17
A Whole Lotta Country - 02/28/17
80s Squared - 04/03/17
Resisting The Temptation - 04/17/17
Bananas Crackers And Nuts - 05/01/17
Amp It Up - 05/17/17
Sins Of The Father - 07/25/17
Botany Bay - 09/04/17
V Pop - 09/22/17
The Gates Of The Lord - 11/24/17

It took me five years to record two albums, although sadly I am still a slave to the machine.

Let me let you in a little secret. Somebody I know (no names mentioned) works on a song and then, after it's done (for all practical purposes) will start slaving over it. A little more EQ on the snare. Maybe a little more compression to bring it out more. Some work on the reverb on the synth comp. Some change in the panning on the horns. Then some volume changes. And this goes on and on and on. This person can take a song that is certainly more than good enough and work on it for 2 years OR more.

Me? I do a song. If it sounds good enough to me, it's done. I don't drive myself crazy over it. Life is too short. Nobody's gonna listen to it anyway, let alone like it. If I work for more than 3 or 4 days on one track, that's a lot. When I did my 80s Squared CD which was 32 tracks of 80s Synth Pop style songs, it was the longest I'd ever worked on one CD. It was a month and 3 days. 34 days to do 32 tracks of music. And, IMO, it's one of my best works.

Analysis paralysis. It cripples a lot of people.

I just make music and say the hell with everything else.

[Elektronisch]

For women it is shoes and for musicians instruments.

Buying is an investment into the future and therefore unconsciously it feels like I defy death.

In fact for this rewarding system it does not matter what you buy, it matters that you buy.

Test: Do I always use the things I have bought or am I instead looking for the next sale?

I disagree with something. It has nothing to do with being a musician and buying instruments. Musician makes music. I make music, i have alot of collegues (professionals) who make music but they dont have this insane craze of buying things, on a contrary they have few favorite instruments and dont even update them for years. Being a member in KVR what i learned is that alot of people here are not really musicians, but rather synth enthusiasts

But you are right, buying something can make you happy but its natural for all people until certain limits.

But whats different with GAS is a the compulsive nature of it. I dont want to offend anyone who has GAS but its a disorder that should be treated like any other psychological disorders instead of being embraced.

Speak for yourself if that description fits you. I've been writing songs for over 40 years. I made 11 new albums of music last year.

I make music. And son of a gun, I buy lots of shit too.

The one has nothing to do with the other.

There are always exceptions Wagtunes

But im curious at your most productive years did you have ability to buy Prophet for 100 USD in hardware instrument shop? or a moog for 50 USD with a snap of a finger? did you had 20 years ago ability to buy a collection of realistic choirs library for 40 dollars?

Believe it or not, my most productive years have been since I went to PC recording.

In 1994, I made the most number of albums I had ever made in a year. It was 7.

In 2017, I made the following CDs.

Titles and Completion Dates

The Dungeon Masters - 02/01/17
No Signal - 02/17/17
A Whole Lotta Country - 02/28/17
80s Squared - 04/03/17
Resisting The Temptation - 04/17/17
Bananas Crackers And Nuts - 05/01/17
Amp It Up - 05/17/17
Sins Of The Father - 07/25/17
Botany Bay - 09/04/17
V Pop - 09/22/17
The Gates Of The Lord - 12/24/17

Back in 1994, I was still working my corporate America job and hated it. I didn't have the time to work on my music the way I would have liked. Now that I'm "retired" I can work on it all day if I choose. I'm taking a couple of month break to finish up a ton of synth libraries for next year. On March 1, 2018, I will begin working on my music again. I may not do 11 CDs this coming year, but I'll do a few. But whatever I do or don't do will have nothing to do with how many VSTs I'm able to buy.

In fact, if anything, not being able to afford to get instruments all the time back in the day might have made me less productive because I wasn't as easily inspired to do things having the same old sounds all the time. Now, I am constantly inspired. In fact, the inspiration never ends. Taking it even further, in 2003 I became so bored with the whole thing that I took 5 years off from writing anything at all.

In fact, I'd say the more stuff I buy, the more it makes me WANT to get to my writing. And it's only because of self discipline right now in needing to finish these 10 libraries that I'm working day and night on that I'm taking the next two months off. Trust me, I'd rather be making music.

Like I said, there is no correlation between how many synths somebody has and how productive they are. Some people will never be productive no matter how many or few synths they have.

You have such a big discography but i dont see any information about Steven Wagenheim in the Discogs.com

Can you link me to your past works and todays works? i am very curious about the quality, because i doubt (hopefuly im wrong) there is much of it if you produce music so fast. Plus i have heard demos of your soundsets

[wagtunes]

@Elektronisch

Quality is in the eye of the beholder. I think a lot of stuff that's "popular" is crap. But my opinion doesn't mean squat, just as somebody's opinion about MY music doesn't mean squat to me. I don't write for other people's enjoyment. I write for my own enjoyment.

And as far as not finding my stuff wherever the heck it is you looked it up, so what? I don't even know how to get my stuff listed anywhere, nor do I care.

You're obviously mistaking me for somebody who gives a crap what other people think of what I do.

[Elektronisch]

@Elektronisch

Quality is in the eye of the beholder. I think a lot of stuff that's "popular" is crap. But my opinion doesn't mean squat, just as somebody's opinion about MY music doesn't mean squat to me. I don't write for other people's enjoyment. I write for my own enjoyment.

And as far as not finding my stuff wherever the heck it is you looked it up, so what? I don't even know how to get my stuff listed anywhere, nor do I care.

You're obviously mistaking me for somebody who gives a crap what other people think of what I do.

Its not about liking or disliking, not what others think about the track, and yes quality can be subjective BUT from the certain level. I also can think a track is crap, but its quality can be very high.

But from what you are saying i see that you think of yourself as a musician a bit too good (also you seem to be quite arrogant because of that). Either way what you think of yourself i leave it to you. Good music leaves a footprint, you make music for so long and there is no footprint of you, so your branging is not really something i can take seriously now. Please Steve, show me something that can speak for itself rather then your words

[martinjuenke]

Trainwreck ahead!

[vurt]

Give your credit and debit cards to your wife/husband/partner.

if he has all 3 im surprised he has the time, money or inclination for music.

[generaldiomedes]

trainwreck ahead ...

I’ve seen this movie before ...

[elxsound]

Give your credit and debit cards to your wife/husband/partner.

if he has all 3 im surprised he has the time, money or inclination for music.

[martinjuenke]

Give your credit and debit cards to your wife/husband/partner.

if he has all 3 im surprised he has the time, money or inclination for music.

Don‘t have credit or debit cards...
I‘m living in a rural landscape in Northern Germany.
We pay with sausages, potatoes and crops.