Is it common for newbies to feel like they're not in control?

[mbrendzel]

I'm very new to the hobby of making/recording music. Every 2-3 days, I'll record 8-16 bars as I try to learn the software (LPX, K12, Scaler 2). While the "songs" turn out OK, I feel like I'm not in control. I don't feel like I'm driving a car, rather I have a hand on the rudder of a light boat in choppy waters.

Is this something that is common for people as they learn the software? Is this a feeling that, to some degree, never really goes away? Or, maybe, if I wasn't such an impatient ass who would just take the time to dig into each MIDI note and value, then I wouldn't be experiencing that?

I'm writing not only to get some feedback on that question, but also to partially introduce myself and thank the community for being incredibly helpful to lurkers and archive readers like myself. I'm really excited about this new hobby; when I thought I'd record some guitar, I had no idea what kind of rabbit hole I was jumping into.

[fese]

I think it’s rather normal even for not-newbies after several years. Yeah, you maybe learn to use whatever software better and better, but then there’s the next software, the next instrument, the next topic (mixing, mastering, whatever), it never ends. That of course is also the beauty of it, you’ll never stop learning.
Also, yes, a bit of patience is needed. Not something I’m good at, either, so I totally understand you.
Also, you say you don’t feel “in control”, but look at what you already achieved, you recorded something, and it turns out OK. Good job, I’d say.

[PuerAzaelis]

As a perpetual newbie yes I think that's a very common feeling. There a numerous tricks to learn. As a happy Reaper user I can confidently say that it does get easier however as you learn the ins and outs of the DAW.

[fese]

From a practice point of view, maybe set yourself some specific, but realistic goals of what you want to achieve. And then you focus on that. Like “next week I am going to learn how to do this and that in this specific plugin”. Don’t bother if the resulting piece of music is OK or not, that’s not the point.
(Boy, I should listen to my own advice... )

[SneakyBeats]

I feel like I'm not in control

That's the best part of it

Though when you have skill, you can gently push that freeride to a direction you want.

[Passing Bye]

You aren't in control and wan't be until you can sit down and actually make things you have idea of, not just relying on happy accidents using "hack music theory" plugins like Scaler, but actually playing an instrument and putting that theory in practice, putting all those compositions and ideas into song arrangement format.

Mistake majority of people make these days in the beginning is that they disregard fundamental part, becoming musician, than just going straight to being "producers" and than going nuts learning production and mixing tricks, than just polish some happy accidents and 16 bar loops to oblivion.

My honest advice is to actually pick an instrument and learn music theory on it, than put your knowledge into making actual music with proper arrangements, than mess with production aspect, sound design and all that other stuff.

[cron]

I think feeling in control comes down to finding your workflow, and that can be a long process. Before you've got your own consistent way of doing things, it can feel a little bit like you're trying to squeeze your ideas through a very narrow gap in the software. "I understand these functions, so I use these functions." After a while, once you feel a bit more comfortable, you'll probably find aspects of your chosen software that irritate you and these irritations may point toward the kind of workflow you like. Your synths sound a bit different every time? Maybe you'd do better rendering to audio. You hate fiddling with control curves? Maybe you'd prefer to perform those live... At the moment though, I think sticking with it and seeing where you end up is the best thing you can do.

Welcome to the forum.

[mbrendzel]

From a practice point of view, maybe set yourself some specific, but realistic goals of what you want to achieve. And then you focus on that. Like “next week I am going to learn how to do this and that in this specific plugin”. Don’t bother if the resulting piece of music is OK or not, that’s not the point.
(Boy, I should listen to my own advice... )

That's basically what I've been doing, with the 8-16 bars being a happy byproduct of the learning process. I've been happy with the approach. I'm learning lots and finding interests going in some unexpected directions (e.g., now, I have some interests in synths).

[mbrendzel]

You aren't in control and wan't be until you can sit down and actually make things you have idea of, not just relying on happy accidents using "hack music theory" plugins like Scaler, but actually playing an instrument and putting that theory in practice, putting all those compositions and ideas into song arrangement format....

My honest advice is to actually pick an instrument and learn music theory on it, than put your knowledge into making actual music with proper arrangements, than mess with production aspect, sound design and all that other stuff.

I've been a casual beginner guitarist for a few decades and have some understanding of Music Theory 101. I have, obviously, a lot more control over the stringed instruments that I play/record. But even with those, I'm surprised how adding layers or little grooves start taking things in a very unexepected and unintended direction.

[GRUMP]

You'll just feel like the Controller If you dont't know about all your Options.

Learning to deal with the Complexity is crucial. Focus on relevant Tasks and Workflows and extend if required.

[Passing Bye]

I've been a casual beginner guitarist for a few decades and have some understanding of Music Theory 101. I have, obviously, a lot more control over the stringed instruments that I play/record. But even with those, I'm surprised how adding layers or little grooves start taking things in a very unexepected and unintended direction.

Definitely misunderstood you, taught you were having hard time making out full tracks out of 8-16 bar loops and seeing you are using Scaler...

Don't think I still fully understand what you are trying to say, but having full control over everything doesn't always lead to most interesting music and definitely making interesting music is more like driving a rally, on the other hand making acceptable generic music is more like trying to get from A to B in your car respecting all the rules and regulations, but having control over your vehicle (DAW) is desirable in both cases.

[Michael L]

A lot of people don’t understand that complex software IS affecting your creative process, and you need to recognise this. It is not a simple matter. You can spend all your time learning how each developer programs! Best thing is to pick just one synth or stock DAW and master it for 6-12 months to express your individuality. Skrillex learned Live without a manual & found an unconventional approach; same as Hans Zimmer playing Zebra with his keyboard + faders. Treat a complex software program just like learning a real instrument. Getting your body involved through a midi controller is critical.

[mbrendzel]

I've been a casual beginner guitarist for a few decades and have some understanding of Music Theory 101. I have, obviously, a lot more control over the stringed instruments that I play/record. But even with those, I'm surprised how adding layers or little grooves start taking things in a very unexepected and unintended direction.

... having full control over everything doesn't always lead to most interesting music and definitely making interesting music is more like driving a rally, on the other hand making acceptable generic music is more like trying to get from A to B in your car respecting all the rules and regulations, but having control over your vehicle (DAW) is desirable in both cases.

Interesting and useful perspective.

[clipnotic]

Making "full"music is a mix of many parts and a DAW has thousands of features and one affects another and so on. So today theoretically everybody can do everything. Furthermore there are also millions of plugins and great "AI magic" tools available. And that's very nice for me, but I think that makes it "harder" for newbies to start.

As I started with music over 20 years ago, also many simple features cost much money, because you mostly had to buy expensive hardware. But the advantage at that time was, that I only was able to learn what I could buy and so I could only learn step by step all parts I need for my music. And that experience makes it much easier for me totay, to use many plugins with many features and AI stuff together with control, because I also know all the basics and I understand what that tools are doing. But that doesn't mean to start with hardware today, don't do this!

I think the "best" way for beginners today is, to learn one part after another in a DAW, because every DAW has all features and tools for making "full" music. And step by step you'll get more experience and then you'll understand, how 3rd party plugins can help you and optimize and enhance your workflow.

I have hundreds of plugins since years, but I still buy new ones, if they enhance my worflow or sound. But that's more laziness and not necessary and depends on the money you want spend on your hobby! And I also made tracks only with the DAW and one VST.

[JerGoertz]

To answer the OP's initial question: Yes, this feeling is common to all fields with any significant learning curve.

I think one thing that confuses the issue with computer-based music production, in particular, is that it's so easy to use big pre-fab parts (loops, song templates, song-in-a-keypress presets, etc.) so that you can almost fool yourself into thinking you know more than you do. But then step outside those pre-defined parameters and you might find you know less than you thought. Don't get me wrong, these pre-made components can be very useful, *IF* you study them to understand what makes them work. But recognize the importance of doing so.