Another Gear Counseling Thread

karwa · 2015-01-22T14:04:45.000Z

Hey,
I need some advice on my next purchase.
Here’s my setup as of now:

Ableton + Push - Still very fond of it even though I pretty much only use it for arranging and effects. Still uncertain about the push.

Rytm - Love it. Will keep it for the next 27374 years.

Cyclone TT-303 - Kind of a one trick pony. Though it knows how to do that one trick very well. Will sell it though.

Yamaha PSR-36: This is just awesome. 80’s FM Synth that can be had for less than 60€. Never selling it.

I sample to ableton and arrange there.
I’m very unsure of what to do next. This setup actually works pretty well but still…y’know

There’s a few options I can think of:

Get an Octatrack: Love everything I’ve heard about it. Especially the sampling side of it. A few things about it have me hesitant though. For one it seems like a pretty decisive step away from ableton which would also mean completely restructuring my workflow (or has anybody got them working together?). Also I have started recording my voice and guitars more and more. I’m not sure wether the OT goes well with that. Also I already find it hard to handle the rytm, the OT seems like double trouble here.

Start a modular: Awesome as well. Seems like a huge rabbit hole though. Not sure wether I’m ready to take that dive.

Get Studio Headphones: Probably the most responsible choice. But meh.

Get a synth: Something like an MS-20.

So I guess tl;dr my real question is wether an octatrack makes sense or if not, what other things you suggest.

Cheers and thanks in advance!

PeterHanes · 2015-01-22T15:24:50.000Z

""karwa"":

…

I’m very unsure of what to do next. This setup actually works pretty well

…

Then you are ahead of 99 % of people (me included) who post on forums like this.

Buy nothing unless your music actually needs to improve by using it.

You pay for new gear in terms of time (learning it and disruption to working practice) as well as money.

Spend the money on rent, healthier food, interesting travel, practical education, or other forms of gratification.

karwa · 2015-01-23T08:21:26.000Z

Thanks good advice indeed and also thats what my conscience tells me. I guess it’s the GAS speaking.

ill get a tattoo instead

SB-SIX · 2015-01-23T10:27:45.000Z

More gear = more problems. If you’re happy, don’t change it. Only add what you miss badly.

You could use the octatrack to mangle samples in there, and then record them as audio in ableton for further processing. Some ppl even use it to sequence ableton but I think you’ve got that covered with push.

The OT for alot of people is the brain of their computerless setup, it replaces their laptop in livesets. So when sticking with ableton/push, alot of the OT’s functionality becomes obsolete imho.

bluewolfse7en · 2015-01-23T11:07:02.000Z

[quote=“” karwa""]
Thanks good advice indeed and also thats what my conscience tells me. I guess it’s the GAS speaking.

ill get a tattoo instead
[/quote]

Get a tattoo of a modular!
It’s cheaper, it won’t break down, it’s with you always & most importantly there’s no down time learning how to use it.
Win win situation