No New Purchases Until BF 2021

[foosnark]

Or a compromise: sell stuff to buy more stuff. Like recycling or some metaphor for easing the GAS by making more room or summat

This is what I've done with hardware for the last 4 years and it worked for me for a while. But I've reached the point where I just want to stop chasing the next cool piece of gear and settle down with what I have.

I like the current state of my modular synth, the three desktop synths I have, and the set of software I have. I like the workflow, and I like the music I'm making with it. Why keep selling/trading gear that I like to get something new, except out of habit? It's started to feel like I'm second-guessing myself.

(All this gear trading hasn't hurt my creative output any, but in the long term I don't think it helps beyond a certain point either. And it doesn't feel good to do it anymore.)

So my plan for 2021 is:

-- don't sell/trade anything until at least May 1.
-- sell/trade a MAXIMUM of 3 Eurorack modules in 2021, and don't buy more than what will fit in my current cases.
-- don't buy any hardware synths or FX in 2021.
-- for software: I'm not going to set hard limits, but for each item I buy, I need to double-check with myself that I'm not just trying to scratch some consumerist itch.

[10bd01]

Hold on a second, though. What if there is a mid-year no-brainer that is even better than a company's typical BF offering? And it's one you've been waiting for, and not on your exception list?

Can you possibly withstand such an onslaught?

[ATS]

I want to do this but I don't REALLY want to do this. That is why I am not doing it.

[goldenanalog]

Just bought MOK's brand-spanking new Filtryg for $34 (Will be $49 after introduction)! MOK is one of those beautiful little companies that are a pleasure to support - that's why I'll throw a couple of dollars out there for softs such as Filtryg every now and again.

It's pretty easy not to spend any real money until the next big thing: I've learned to save for when the big ticket upgrades go on sale for many $$$ less then normal (as an example: I want to get the next version of Ableton's Suite (11) but right now it's 20% off - not enough to get it as a preorder - a 40 something dollar discount on a bigger package is generally nothing. I can wait. And get this: if I can wait until version 11's near EOL before I buy - I'll likely get it at a decent discount AND the next version for free due to the grace period)

There's nothing wrong with promising yourself not do something if it probably will hinder you in some way; but I would argue that it's far better to use discipline and exercise restraint: and PLAN purchases in advance. PLAN. And not waste money on the small stuff: the "Suite" or "Giant Bundle" package is usually a far better deal then the one-off, generally speaking. Unless I'm needing a specific thing for an immediate project: I won't buy.

But I will buy a one-off if it's specifically to support a small brilliant company like MOK.

[Michael L]

It's a New Year so time again for
I promise I will not buy more gear: HaRd MoDe
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=476776

[Hewitt Huntwork]

Just bought MOK's brand-spanking new Filtryg for $34 (Will be $49 after introduction)! MOK is one of those beautiful little companies that are a pleasure to support - that's why I'll throw a couple of dollars out there for softs such as Filtryg every now and again.

...

But I will buy a one-off if it's specifically to support a small brilliant company like MOK.

I forgot to mention that I'm becoming very fond of Klevgrand. It's possible they'll go on my exceptions list.

[Hewitt Huntwork]

I also forgot to mention that I've Kickstarted Off Grid and Chordmonger so that's 2 MIDI controllers that will arrive without me having to "buy gear" in 2021. I also took advantage of Boz's upcoming snap/stomp bundle with El Clappo so that'll be arriving in my no-gear year as well.

[goldenanalog]

It's a New Year so time again for
I promise I will not buy more gear: HaRd MoDe
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=476776

<snip>

[PatchAdamz]

Good luck!

I already know I have the will power of a slug....

+1
Thats why I never make these resolutions.

[mabian]

One very important thing, at least for me, is that I already own many plugins I never had the chance to deep dive and dig though they quite deserve it.
I am often following sales and leverage them to get stuff I'm interested, to discover that then, even now in this mad pandemic time, I haven't yet studied and used at even half their potentials some things I got months and years earlier (some Komplete 12 plugins, just to mention one single case...).
So, each time I'm tempted by a new offer, I then look back at what I have and find new toys I can already play with.
I got NI Skanner XT, Razor, Replika XT and Rise and Hit 2nd hand also, and each of them is a real beast that with some care can deliver amazing sounds.
There are hidden jewels in the Kontakt Factory library (and RetroMachines as well)
Other examples, even cheaper/est? Surge, Tyrell N6, Vital, Pendulate, Spitfire Labs and BBC Discovery Orchestra.
This is very serious stuff, each of them is a gem and would take ages to master... and I even have more already in my bag (read... plugin folder).

So, even though I understand the need for new stuff and to move economy, I also try to balance with the results of my previous plugins trade gathering...

- Mario

[vurt]

waitaminute?!?!
you people only have one black friday per year?
i do one a month, spread the excitement over the year

[foosnark]

you people only have one black friday per year?

Lots of Bandcamp Fridays per year though...

[vurt]

you people only have one black friday per year?

Lots of Bandcamp Fridays per year though...

this one time at bandcamp...

[Michael L]

I do let GAS substitute for progress when progress feels difficult to make.

find your workFlow...

[SneakyBeats]

Synthmaster 3 update will be most probably the only piece of software I'll be buying this year. And POSSIBLY Reason if v12 comes out this year.