Or a hardware sequencer/arranger.
This is a perennial issue and Iâm sure, a year ago, I was asking a similar question.
Like almost everyone else I came to realise that a computer was probably the best option, but, let me also share what helped me to finish tracks on anythingâŚ
Pick a single piece of gearâŚyou have lots of choiceâŚand focus on developing a process, a work flow if you like, that enables you to create an intro, verse, chorus, middle eight, outro, transitions, blah, blahâŚwhat ever structure you like.
Donât try to make this your magnum opus. Make some really, really simple tracks, doesnât matter if theyâre terrible, music quality isnât the aim hereâŚworking out how to build each part of a track and meld them together into a song is the primary aim.
Keep it really simple to start withâŚthis isnât going on Spotify. Focus on creating something with a beginning, a middle and an end. Congratulations you just finished a track, even if you wouldnât want to share it, it feels good.
Now, with your next track, start adding in more complexity and learn the best approach to doing this on whichever box youâve chosen.
Maybe also try different approaches. If you normally start with an idea and fully develop it from the song start to the song end, try instead deciding on the overall size and structure of your track, map out the basic beginning, middle and end and only then work on the detail of each part.
âProcessâ sounds dull and the opposite of creativity but I think the two go hand in hand like law and chaos!
Good luck :o)
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let me add the mandatory accompanying reference to the previous post:
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Thatâs right
Actually before buying my first Atari ST, I was using a Kawai sequencer i think it was called SQ80
I would also use Octamed on the Amiga but that was a whole different story
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Thanks to everyone for the input on this topic. It really made me rethink the whole process and I actually gave up on the idea of finishing everything on 1 or 2 devices.
As I mentioned, I have two creative spaces - my dedicated place with the synth rig and the couch corner. The synth space is very tight and there is no way to make room for the computer without removing several synths, so I decided that it will be the experimental zone for ambient and more freeform stuff and everything will be recorded into my Tascam Model 12 and finalized on the computer.
For the couch I decided to go with Push 3 and I pulled the trigger today and ordered it. I intend to use it more for the structured stuff that is house, techno, trance and adding some external gear to sample from time to time. Again, I am fine with using it as a sketchpad and putting the final touches on the laptop.
Also, given the amount of gear I got hold of during this year, I donât think I will add anything in 2024, except if Elektron release something very tempting. Also, a lot of stuff went to the sale pile - that is SP-404 mk2, Blofeld, SH-01a, Pittsburgh Taiga, Babyface Pro FS and probably more will follow, as the acquisition of Push 3 burned a hole in my pocketâŚ
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Akai Force