I started making music with trackers some 18 years ago. Later on, I found Cubase SX. You know the classic H20 version. This was the time I was actually making music. Then I found Assign. And then R2R. Then I pretty much stopped making any music. 98 % percent of my time "doing music" I was downloading and testing new software. I completed perhaps one song a year. If even that.

Then something changed two days ago.

I'm not here to blame anyone. I know that the groups have a noble goal. There's nothing wrong with "try before buy" mentality. And I don't feel bitter. There's nothing I can do about the past. But I just want to tell you guys this.

I actually bought my first license for Ableton Live, NI Komplete and some FF plugins.

I must tell you. I got a massive massive sensation of freedom.

No need to check the latest updates and the latest products. Now, I can concentrate on this DAW and these plugins. It's not about Ableton or Kontakt or Fab Filter. It's about having the appreciation for the tools that you are using. And once you've spent money on something you pretty much automatically start appreciation it a lot more.

I know that I may purchase some more plugins later if I have money to spend on them but not having too much money for plugins is in a way good thing. It restricts the amount on different plugins I have. And this leads to more creativity. Mark Zuckerberg uses the same kind of shirt every day so that he can concentrate on other things. Trying to collect all possible plugins and Kontakt libraries leaves you with too many options. This was the problem with me. I was thinking too much. Not actually making music.

So. Most likely not all people that use plugins with no licenses are digital hoarders. But for me collecting plugins was a habit that took a lot of time that could have been spent elsewhere. I guess in a way downloading was also a way to alleviate anxiety or something. Who knows what drives people to do weird things. I know I feel a little bit ashamed of myself. So if you have ever felt that there's something weird about you because you're addicted to downloading music software you're not alone.

However, I just want to let you know that things may get better. I think for me solving other problems in my life also helped me to break the habit and actually make the decision to buy the products I felt I needed the most.

So, in a nutshell. Buying the products that I use, has musically been the best decision of my life so far.

If you've ever struggled with digital hoarding you may try the same thing. But only buy what you really need and buy what you can afford.

P.S.

I'll leave you with this link:

 

...hmm ok, just don't mix your album on shrooms and think it sounds good to humans.

 

Don't worry. I'm mixing for mechanical elves :D
To be honest, I think I have experimented with psychedelics enough.

 

Very good post!

 

i totally agree with you, always checking for new releases updates ect, i also bought ableton, sylenth, viper and avenger, and its true that you make more time to make music and less on what you have or not have, although live was alot of money its nothing since i have been using it since version 7.3, and you do appreciate what you own more, so well done bud.

 

Prolly cheaper to, y'know, just decide to concentrate on learning (ie) a DAW or instrument or fx? Not like you necessarily need to buy, just try (harder)! If the interest isn't there, that's a moar difficult hurdle. Try nuking / cutting back on stuff you haven't used for (ie) 3 months. Eventually you will get to a point where you know ur (fewer) tools better. Profit?

 

personally every project i work on ,i ll write down the plugins i used so the next project i wont use them again
unless i needed certain sound
in that way you will use all you vsts and appreciate them all ,

 

I totally agree on principle, i fear though that "liberation" feeling may be a passing, temporary thing..

 

I think this happens to a certain extent though, regardless of software downloads. The same phenomenon in a different form is chasing guitar tones, upgrading equipment, and so on. There are always parallel interests to music creation which end up ultimately being extraneous to actual musical expression, if you allow your attention and passions to drift.

I think software is just a bottomless pit because it is (generally) free, new versions are released daily, and you feel like you're going to be left behind if you aren't using the latest and greatest. The latest and greatest for other music equipment is at a slower pace because hardware costs money for R&D and manufacturing, plus people are slower to adopt because of the money outlay.

Congratulations to the OP for noticing and re-calibrating his priorities.

 

I would hate to be like Mark Zuckerberg in any way!

 

'digital hearding', interesting concept.

 

I've been using Cubase since version 5 was released. I purchased a hard-copy in box at the local music store. I've been upgrading yearly ever since. I find that i will invest in the plugins and software I use on a daily basis. I also find that I understand how to use those pieces of software inside and out.

It is good to know you can always rely on an quick update when it is available, But I think that when you put some money behind the software you like to use... you also help the developers create better products.. Hopefully....

For myself... I'm a sample hoarder... I have terabytes of loops and one-shot samples.
I would consider that real problem.....

 

In the last 2 years I came to the same conclusion and decided to finally buy the software and plug-ins that I use and I agree it was so liberating. I have more than 2 terrabytes of dvd's loaded with apps, plug-ins and all the kontakt libraries that I could download and try for the last 15 years or so. It is a compulsive and obsessive behavior in response to the ever and faster pace of software and computers evolution. We are also forced by companies to upgrade as they abandon very quickly their past releases. Everybody is caught in this insanity, developers and users alike all in the name of prosperity and big profits. Recently I went back to previous simpler versions of Cubase ( 6.5.5 and 7.5 ) and OS system ( 10.6.8 and 10.7.5 ) as I didn't have any choice, my computer is getting old ( Macpro 2007 ) and no money to buy a new one. At some point I tried Tiamo's fix and upgraded my OS to 10.11, it was a disaster. Tried them all 10.8, 10.9. 10.10 etc..It was ok for a while but then graphic cards starting dying on me. It took me months and years of trying all sort of thing instead of being content with what I had and make music a priority not equipment and technology. Technology can help but it won't make you a better musician, composer or producer. Lessons learned the hard way!!
P.S: I also took my hardware synths out of storage and using them again and must say, they sound great and no computer overload.

 

Brilliant!

 

Excellent points, on the other hand last week I discovered what changed my sound and process and made the album I'm cranking sound better. Granted I did end up spending all my money along the way I know I've found the best process and tools that I was searching for thanks to the possibilities granted by dev's and kind hearted folks alike. We're all right here so believe it or shut-up

 

Last edited: Nov 20, 2018

Interesting story, I went even further trying to use only built-in plugins if possible

 

to the guy who took 15 years to download 2 terrabyte: you`re not doing it right. its more like 100TB, shape up.

i often hear: you cant possibly install and try all that, in your lifetime.
like telling a stamp collector: you cant write/send so many letters. its going to make him think for sure.