a curiosity about spending money on gear when one's amateur.

[intel]

the way I look at it is: if you enjoy it and can afford it, go for it. I have all kinds of things that I can't even play that I bought because they looked fun. I find things on sale and buy them because you never know what may grab you and change the way you make music. just because you're amateur is no reason to deprive yourself of something that could potentially make you happier, as long as you can afford it.

hell, that's the mentality that left me with 2 harmonicas, a flute, a violin and a drum set: none of which I can actually play.

[smp]

Totally amateur here as well (not just in professional status, but skill as well ).

My hardware consists of one acoustic guitar, one electric guitar (cheap but sounds so nice to my ears) and one guitar fx unit (cheapish but so much fun to play with ). If I'm ever in a situation where worrying about money is no longer an issue, sure I'll pick up a hardware synth or two. It's always nice to have new toys.

When spending money on a hobby (like so many of us do here), it's all about being reasonable. If you struggle to put food on the table every night, perhaps the Virus should stay a dream and stick with the free/cheap plugs and have fun.

The way I do things is put a little bit aside each pay that is purely my little "slush fund". It only grows slowly, but it does grow. If I start lusting after something, I have to wait for my slush fund to grow until I can afford it. You'd be surprised how often the desire goes away before I reach the magic figure. Every now and then though, I get to buy something new The way I see it is, if you've waited and saved for something for a while (I'm talking months and months here, even a year) and you still want it, you've earned the right to splash a bit of cash around for some self-indulgence. I find I love it all the more as well...

-s

[philipc68]

While I'm a *very* amateur guitarist, since finishing uni and starting full-time work I did spend some serious money on guitars and effects, and some other equipment. So far, probably well over $2000, but I'm a cheap bastard so most of my stuff was bought second-hand on ebay. Good deals though - $600 for a USA fender deluxe strat, $420 for a Les Paul Studio, and so on. Ebay can be great for bargain hunting if you're willing to do a bit of digging.

Philip

[BONES]

a) I'm a 100% amateur musician
b) I'll probably always be
c) I don't think I'll ever have the opportunity of playing live
d) I make music just for the sake of it, just for pleasure

If you concentrate on d), you will end up accomplishing c), b) and slowly turn a) the other way around.

That assumes facts not in evidence - maybe he, like many of us, are completely happy with our amateur status. I would never want to do musi cfor a living as it would necessarily involve compromises that I am unwilling to make.

I find cars (especially expensive ones) to be one of mankinds biggest plagues ever

I always knew I didn't like you, I was just unable to put my finger on the reason until now.

origami, most hobbies cost money and only you can determine the value. If you play footy you spend a couple of hundred on clobber every year plus almost the same again on registration fees, etc. I could get around in an old beater but I love driving so I have a half-decent car. If I win lotto I will have a fully decent one. Can you spell S L K!?! Ho wmany people who own a piano or a guitar are more than amateurs? I say go for it, although I virus is more expensive than I could justify.

[fac]

Just go for it. It's just money. You'll make more.

[kritikon]

Hardware is fun, some hardware can sound different to equivalent s/w that's available, and more to the point - some h/w is more playable than s/w.

I've spent tens of thousands on h/w over the years - much of which I now don't use because s/w has superceded it, but some of it still I use, and I don't regret any of it.

Even though now I have no intention of being anything other than amateur (although I've made money from music in the past), I'll still occasionally buy h/w if I know I'll enjoy it. Given the choice between a s/w plugin and a h/w synth that will sound exactly the same as the s/w - I still might buy the h/w synth because I enjoy playing them more...I don't find playing with a mouse much fun usually.

A h/w synth is fun just for you and your own pleasure...that's a good enough reason to buy one.

[Joxer the Mighty]

Yep, as I wrote in another thread, go for it. I remember a few years ago my brother gave me sh*t about spending $800 on a second bass. This coming from a guy that has to own THREE cars at all times. Point is, we all have our hobbies, and there's nothing wrong with indulging every now and then. There are hobbies that are much more expensive than music. I may be slightly partial, but I can't think of a more noble pastime than being involved in the finest of the fine arts: music.

[AndrewSimon]

I find things on sale and buy them because you never know what may grab you and change the way you make music

I disagree with this line of thinking.
You should look around and think what you really need and then go for it no mater how much it costs.

I learned the hard way.
Every time I bought something because it was "such a great deal" I ended up not using it.

For example there was a charity auction for Halion3.
The price was only $110 (brand new shipped from the manufacturer) such a bargain I had to get it.

But guess what , I don't really need a sampler and I don't like Halion (just too complex for my simple needs) so it's just sitting there, I never use it.

Anybody wants to buy it? PM me

[jones-y]

I say, if you're not married, get it while the gettin's good. Get all the HW you want BEFORE you start a family... you can always sneak SW in (just up your cell phone bill for a couple of months

Because, if not, then you'll have to justify it to her too...


















Do I sound bitter?

[jones-y]

I find things on sale and buy them because you never know what may grab you and change the way you make music

I disagree with this line of thinking.
You should look around and think what you really need and then go for it no mater how much it costs.

I learned the hard way.
Every time I bought something because it was "such a great deal" I ended up not using it.

Yeah well try rationalizing that to your wife...
















Do I sound bitter?

[Stupid American Pig]

I often sneak software- I wish there was more downloadable software to buy

[Steven West]

I think it's a 'age realisation' thing really. I know when I was young, I wanted Moog Modulars and Fairlight CMI's and all. Didn't have a clue what I needed them for - just a cool status symbol is all. And I've gone through synths and samplers like toilet paper through the years. But in all honesty - if I couldn't come to KVR ever again, or download or buy another synth... I wouldn't be heart broken. I like what I got, it does what I need. The flashy Viruses and Arturia soft synths - they're pretty and all, but it's not like I couldn't make music WITHOUT these things before - so why get intimidated?

I'm just REALLY selective now about my needs and wants. And am pretty well satisfied with my current crop as is. It's 'alot' - but it's 'not much' either.

[intel]

I learned the hard way.
Every time I bought something because it was "such a great deal" I ended up not using it.

on the contrary, I've bought things that I found cheap and they made an immediate impact on me. I bought a used acoustic because it was cheap, even though I couldn't play acoustic guitar. now I prefer acoustic over electric. I bought a used Dark Star because the price was right, having never touched or heard one. ended up packing away or selling my vintage gear because I found that the Dark Star offered me something that was more fun and had a more unique sound.

even now I'm drooling over a lap steel guitar that I could never possibly put to real use... but its only $70!!!

[vtx]

coming here certainly doesn't curb the desire, a new plug every day, a new upgrade , banners flashin,,,buy me! buy me!
I can't help myself......

[Sascha Franck]

I always knew I didn't like you, I was just unable to put my finger on the reason until now.

You're welcome!
(You're not the first either)

At least an opinion - hard to get these days on the net.