How do YOU stay productive?

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

Sometimes limitations can be freeing...

Another way of saying less is more? There is also the upside that really learning a few tools completely is usually better than having many instruments but only a passing knowledge of any.

Pretty much. As I've learned the Fantom X, I find myself actually *gasp* programming new sounds on it, instead of being the preset ho I was with all my VSTi.

For me, it's *soooooo* much easier to focus on one instrument instead of trying to learn Rhino2, Wusikstation, z3ta, etc. etc. all at once. I just entered mental meltdown mode whenever I tried!

My ex-wife (a pro sound designer and audio engineer) told me that'd happen, but noooooo, I had to be Mr. Smart Loach and try anyway..

Once I master the Fantom X, I'll get something else, but that's going to be a while!

[Hunter]

Getting rid of the internet was the best thing I've done regarding productivity. Suddenly loads of time to do music and a real drive to get it done. Also the compelte shiteness on UK tv means I only watch the news these days and the odd bit of comedy, ergo more time for music still Since 3 months of not having the tinternet I've got the foundations of a demo cd layed down whereas before I was fannying around looking at the net instead of Sonar.

Also giving up weed has made my creativity and productivity increase massively too. Evil green stuff

[hello1234]

Man, it's rough.

Little things are what hold me up, little bitty things that either can't be done with a current setup/or (and this is most probable) not knowing what to do.

So then, you keep trying to find a solution, right? So it's countless hours....sessions.......whatever trying to figure out a workaround or learn somthing. And the next thing ya know.......you still don't have it done!

I have downgraded some expectations lately. Like using loops/drumcore instead of bfd/battery/etc. I just cannot get midi drums to work.........I CAN'T DO IT. I admit it. Maybe after a break from it I can learn it a bit more.

Anyways.......it is/has been a problem

[bduffy]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0786881 ... eader-link

[jones-y]

Put a huge goal in front of you, and break it down into daily/weekly bite-sized pieces. If you loaf off, you'll feel bad about it tomorrow, not in six months.

And as you achieve your interim targets, you'll find your motivation skyrockets.

[herodotus]

My problem is that I just have so much to do that I will never have time to get it all done.

I try to prioritize.

I make myself practice drums every day.

I make lists of songs that need work and of what they need, and cross them off as I finish them. I make myself work on that every day.

I make myself work on forthcoming loop collections every day.

I struggle with making my new website.

This is where trouble begins, because the goal is much harder to define. So I leave that until after I have practiced, and worked on the song list, and worked on making loops and whatnot. Unfortunately, sleeping time has been where most of the cuts have taken place, which can be kind of bad for you, I hear.

[eduardo_b]

When I edit other people's writing, one of the main tasks is to remove excessive words and tighten sentences and paragraphs. Good writing is tight and clean.

I would mostly agree with this, except to say that it should be only as tight and clean as the thing can bear. Embellished or sloppy art has its place, elegance is the goal (which is: as refined as you can make it, but not a bit more).

You mean keeping the author's voice I assume. Yes, that does matter, but I'm talking about non-fiction, so clarity and readability are just as important. Otherwise the reader won't stick with it, and the whole message is essentially lost.

Music can be the same in that accessibiity will keep the interest of listeners who might otherwise fade into distracted land. Of course, this brings up the question of who one's music is for. If it's not shared, does it still matter, or does it only matter if the creator is satisfied with it.

[mckenic]

Constant masturbation...

... seriously I dont have a G/F and I have X2 the time I had before.

You asked!

Dave

[clueless]

"productive"

[Martin E]

Honestly, creativity is a complete mystery to me. In 2004 I wrote one song and in June of this year I wrote 6 songs on the trot. I have no clue whatsoever.

I always know immediately if an idea is going somewhere or not. I hate spending time on ideas when you feel it's not going to be worthwhile to continue. So I might have a lot of ideas every month but just a very small amount of those will make as a finished song.

[Thoth93]

I've recently gotten deeply in to this whole electronic music thing (not that I wasn't in my own small way into it before). But I finally have the resources to get some of the tools I really, really want -- hosts, commercial VSTis, that sort of thing. So it's all new and wondrous to me.

I've considered setting a goal of writing a piece of new music every week for a year. It doesn't have to be great music, it just needs to be music. Maybe this is too ambitious, and obviously if I go on vacation or whatever it may not happen. But I think it would be an interesting personal challenge.

[eduardo_b]

I've recently gotten deeply in to this whole electronic music thing (not that I wasn't in my own small way into it before). But I finally have the resources to get some of the tools I really, really want -- hosts, commercial VSTis, that sort of thing. So it's all new and wondrous to me.

That's really what it's all about, at least to me. A personal journey that technology has made possible. I used to listen to prog rock groups and think how great it would be to have access to synths. And now I do. We are fortunate to have a medium in which technology and creativity exist together. Productivity is the ability to find ourselves within this technology. I may never be a Rick Wakeman, but now I have access to the sound sources that he did.

[Ildon]

You just have to force yourself to sit down at your keyboard, guitar, computer, whatever, and make music. If you just let it all flow, you're bound to get into it as you continue.

That's how it is for me, anyway.

[TotcProductions]

How does totc stay productive??? .....Hooray for beer!!!

peace!

[mandolarian]

Productive???
Fiber. Lots of fiber.

And the new Day-Stretcher VST effect is a big help, when you have to squeeze 36 hours in a day.