Muff's Modules & More

acidbob · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: How to get in inspirational mood?

Hi,

How do you get in a good mood for making music?
And what is your preferred way to start a track and how many days do you normally work on a project?

I have found that a good nights sleep and single beer often boosts my creativity,

Also the idea that i don't have to go to work the next day is a really nice thing.

I often start with a bassline or trying to reach some kind of sound that i know i can work with and add drums later.

If you have any good tips please share.

The Chewbacca Defense

Hainbach · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 8:51 am Post subject:

Here is what I do regularly, as I need to write music on tight schedules often.

I prepare by getting input into my brain - reading, listening to new music, walking into parts of town I have not been before, talking to friends intimately, going to galleries etc.

Long walks, short joggs, a session at the gym help me to hatch an idea. Turning of the phone is helpful. Internet sessions, video games, tv are welcome downtime, but can be a drain if they run on too long.

My best times for creativity are 9:30 to 11:00, 18:30 to 20:30. The rest is mostly spent tweaking/mixing/messing around. The last 10% can be more frustrating then the first 90%.

Sleep is a powerful tool - I develop an idea, work on it in my head and put it to paper/hd the next day. Works perfect everytime.

acidbob · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:11 am Post subject:

larhule · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:17 am Post subject:

listen to the music that made you want to write music. works every time.

acidbob · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:28 am Post subject:

astroschnautzer · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:48 am Post subject:

I just turn on the modular, play with until something interesting comes out and then record that and use that as the "catch"/"thing" of the song, add drums melodies/other stuff on it, very inspirational method for me atleast, start random until you find something , then go unrandom (don't the word for that one , heh smile

) + remember to not think, just do.

defenestration · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 12:15 pm Post subject:

new methods and ways of working, developing new processes and systems is what tends to inspire me - working with self-imposed limitations is helpful, it streamlines creative process and encourages oblique (fresh) strategies

darenager · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject:

Set out to make something in a complete different style.
Sample a loop from a record, build additional parts around it, then throw away the sample.
Mash away randomly at the keys/drum pads, then delete some bits.
Start working at 3am on headphones, work until really tired, go to bed, call in sick, wake up in the afternoon and resume.
Sample one of your older tracks do a remix.
Try using a different input method, like step or a different controller -mini keys, or drum pads, a certain scale or turn your keyboard around or set it vertical and play it that way.

vlk · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:52 am Post subject:

A very mild hangover, wherein things are a bit fuzzy rather than painful, can produce good results.

Free time to work just on music and not think about anything else is important for me.

Also perseverance - fully following through on ideas. I find it very easy to start things with an idea, but then get sick of it through the intense repeated listening that music production often entails - and moving on to something else. Continuing to work on something after that point sometimes feels like work, but if I do, I'm usually really glad that I did.

TestSetRadio · Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 2:25 am Post subject:

for me, it was all about changing my lighting. nothing nukes my creative vibes like fluoro tubes.

well, that and having a tasty, large beer in hand pretty much assures that i will get nothing done but enjoy doing it.

home_listening · Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 3:24 am Post subject:

Low light and I watch old movies constantly when making stuff.

Weed?

ideovideov · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject:

djthopa · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:04 pm Post subject:

Herbs DO help applause

DIVINEAUDIO · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:21 pm Post subject:

Kent · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 12:36 am Post subject:

It really helps to have a template preconfigured in your DAW of choice. Have most of the utility things set up in advance and saved. Have your most used Aux Sends and Returns ready to go with reverbs and delays set up. Maybe a long 'verb, a shorter one and a couple of types of delays.

In your template, you should have a basic drum machine set up with just 3-4 elements. Don't make the initial drum pattern too busy until you have the arrangement developed. The same goes for anything in the track. It is easy to go down the endless tweaking rabbit hole and never finish a track.

richard · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:28 am Post subject:

Don't listen to anything. Don't drink beer, don't smoke weed, don't sleep. Have no ideas whatsoever. Make some tea. Start with a sine wave.

acidbob · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:28 am Post subject:

@Kent.

Hi Kent, everything is ready to go with my setup:

Motu 896 mkIII
Machinedrum
606
Yamaha cs10
SH101
xoxbox
2xmatrix 1000
jomox airbase
and my modular.

Everything is connected and controlled from the machinedrum via philip rees midi thru device.

Recently i have been having lots of fun routing stuff into the computer adding effects like home made bouncing ball delays, pitch shifters and panners.

Thanks for all the feedback. I tend to be kind of a dictator when making music, i want to control all parameters possible. good advice made me experiment a lot more

evs · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:45 am Post subject:

this works sometimes for me very well:
when you come home and feel tired and don´t want to make music after having a hard tme at your work or you don´t feel inspired at all, just turn your equipment on, and play.
don´t force yourself to make something great. just play.

i think if you let things happen, the best things will come.

confusional · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:59 am Post subject:

rico loverde · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:44 am Post subject:

Work has a dramatic impact on me. Im generally exhausted when I get home. I often find myself mentally in the mood but physically Im just beat. So for me I try to do it when Ive had a day off or am feeling well rested.

I also find watching some of the talented individuals videos on muffs can really get me going. Generally they spark an idea or make me want to try a patch Ive never thought of which can lead to hours of wiggling. I usually keep my DAW open and record ready so when inspiration hits I can just hit record and go...

Just me · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:23 am Post subject:

Get angry. Break up with your SO. Stub your toe. Nothing gets my creativity up like a nice raving lunacy attack.
Then, do some yoga or meditation and get obe with the universe and finish/polish it up.

dogoftears

Oldstench · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't know. I have no inspiration. Watching this thread intently. eyes...

steampoweredsequencer · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject:

start with some coffee or tea.

know your methods.
eliminate distractions.
set out on a specific task.

when you find you're stumped, leave the room, take a walk, come back and evaluate. (note i said evaluate and NOT erase.)

repeat when necessary.

thetwlo · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

great thread!
no advice, but thanks! Danke! I found the most inspiration AFTER working new jobs and being stressed. Weird but, without a job isn't so great. =BLOCK/ need a job.

spinach_pizza · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject:

Don't wait for inspiration, just get to work! thumbs up

b3nsf · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:32 am Post subject:

I like the idea of starting with pads and ambient sounds then bass, adding the beats later or last for the slammin beats, EXCEPT: if your working with chopped breaks, I would sequence that first, then the pads and ambiance, then the bass line... and put a Donken beat on top of the breaks! BOOM! thumbs up

folkroom · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:21 pm Post subject:

haven · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:19 am Post subject:

I became the most productive when I stopped waiting for inspiration. No more help from substances or emotional conditions. Just remove obstacles both real and imagined and get to work.

Like any other type of creativity music thrives within structure. I don't mean compositional structure, which is certainly important, I mean a structure to the creative process. Find out which process works for you to get songs done, stick to that process and refine it as time goes on.

This is what has been working for me. I used to make music through improvisation, group jam sessions and vaguely structured live performances. I still use lots of improv, but now I record it and have a clear idea of how I will get to the end goal. My goal is finished songs. They don't have to be perfect, but they need to be done so I can move on to making more songs. I feel that I only improve by completing songs and then learning from the mistakes.

Another good tip is be objective. If it sucks stop trying to fix it and make something else.

that all said I am the most inspired after a good mind bending movie or while reading a book of science fiction. I think you should never rely on inspiration to be creative. If you do that you become a slave to outside forces to feed your art. Think of inspiration as a bonus, not a requirement.

esager · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:40 am Post subject:

Here's a few tricks that work for me:

1. Make time for reading a good book in your life, this usually creates different moods that can spark creativity.

2. Limit yourself to making a track with only a few pieces of your gear. having someone else come in your workspace and pick the gear for you is another strategy. As a bonus side effect, I found that if I have my girlfriend do this or even give me a 'theme' to write about, she feels like she's involved and will be more tolerable of the racket I make for hours afterward :-).

3. Go for a walk by yourself and focus on thinking about the sounds you are going to make when you get back.

4. Soundcloud. Soundcloud is a great tool. Pick a group or two and become an active listener, as you get to know other users, your creativity can feed off other people's creativity. The positive and negative feedback you'll get from putting your tracks up online can be inspirational as well.

5. Drawing your tracks out on paper can work wonders too. Everything from patch settings, arrangements, scribbles, maps, storyboards, notes, just the act of writing stuff related to your project can be helpful in spawning great ideas.

6. Deadlines. Working on a track against the clock and produce some pretty rad stuff sometimes. Pressure and stress isn't always an inspiration killer for me. Making a track for a special occasion coming down the calendar can be quite motivating. To get used to this, I suggest starting small if you aren't used to finishing tracks to deadlines. For instance, promise yourself you'll have a bassline by the end of the day, a lead the next, etc. Basically work to a schedule and then make it gradually harder on yourself.

7. Take a break. Sometimes, after working on a track that's going no where I'll leave it and miraculously it will mature in the DAW on it's own. This phenomena fascinates me.

evs · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:57 pm Post subject:

limpmeat · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:28 pm Post subject:

After reading about floatation tanks elsewhere on Muff's, I had a look and found that there is a place near my house. Next weekend I am going to try it, followed by a day in the studio.

I will report back. If i don't lose my mind or freak out.

phesago · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject:

Not that you guys would care much about my intuitive developements, but here are a few things I do to help with my flow:

1. get a good sweat going. A good exercise generallys helps if i am feeling "meh" or unmotivated

2. coffee/wine, but not too much of either

3. Sex, but getting the wife to agree to "service" me and then let me go to the studio is hard to do. So unfortunately, this rarely happens.

4. Listening to random music and trying to recreate the sequences in my head. Sounds weird but I stumble onto great things b/c of it

5. Sometimes I begin a studio session with creatign a random patch on one of my synths, and go from there. Most of the time I dont even use the patch, or delete it.

hydroameca · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:53 pm Post subject:

Good Tips

A bit of hash usually helps me. Listening to a particularly inspiring person is good, too, some times I end up finding a gold sample as well!

chinard · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:57 pm Post subject:

the best for inspiration?

weed.

the worst for not actually getting anything productive done because its too much effort to hit record?

weed.

Michaud · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:24 pm Post subject:

No weed while you compose. It seems like it helps to have ideas, but it is defenitely not helping productivity.

Close the browser. No facebook!!!

Make sport!

Have a clean environment! Let it get messy, but start in a clean environment!

Assiduity. Have a few places in your schedule where you only make music.
Respect the schedule.

Allow yourself to waste some time.

Don't be too serious!

dude · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:55 pm Post subject:

i work best with a preconceived concept in mind. like an album or collection of tunes/sounds. it helps me to lay down guidelines so i don't have to search too long/deep/wide for the right method. once the bedrock is settled then further experimentation happens but to start it must be clear and simple. i also work best with a partner to exchange energy with. i need large expanses of time to get deep. a room where i can comfortably make sound without pissing others off. i get really creatively up tight when i am concerned about my sound not 'being welcome' for some reason. i don't do drugs/drink or anything like that. meditation can help. having the right tools is key too. but that could be ANYTHING. this thread excites me because i suspect when i graduate and get a job i will be spending a lot of time recording.

Michaud · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:36 pm Post subject:

Salvatore Dali had a special technique.

He was sitting on a couch holding a spoon in the air. Then he was meditating. After a while, when the spoon fell, he had an idea, and start working on it.

eep! · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject:

Turn 'em on and start twisting and always be ready to record.

roqeja · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 5:17 pm Post subject:

rules for practicing one's art

1. Take a break to go for a run or walk or trip to the gym.
2. Abstain from booze and weed while producing art.
3. Indulge in booze and weed while enjoying art.
4. Take something that doesn't work and keep fucking with it until you pass out.

+1 for not taking yourself too seriously.

shuchoco · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:41 pm Post subject:

take what you've made so far. chop it up randomly. shuffle things around randomly. reverse parts of it maybe.
listen back.

i also find listening to the track from another room (like while taking a piss or shit) can sometimes help me hear something new.

pay attention to what time(s) of day creativity comes easiest to you. focus on working during those times and don't force yourself to work during times when your brain doesn't work. ... although, sometimes forcing yourself to work when you aren't feeling it can yield interesting results too.

i disagree with the above statement about never relying on inspiration. inspiration is just a side effect of your brain being in a certain mode. if you can find ways to trick your brain into that mode then you're "inspired". it's better if you can just always make shit, no matter how you feel -- and it it's your job to make music for film and TV you better know how to get in the mood -- but there's nothing wrong with using "inspiration" to your advantage.
the best stuff i've made has come effortlessly, the worst stuff is usually the stuff i forced out.

everyone's different though. there is no one true path... blah blah. wank

skipperdean · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:39 am Post subject:

oblique strategies

waifl · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:39 am Post subject:

When I'm feeling super goofy, sometimes I like to play the WWSD (stockhausen, that is) game:

http://www.sonoloco.com/rev/stockhausen/14.html#Anchor2

rinta · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:26 am Post subject:

I never sit down when playing or sequencing instruments, except for mixing...

filmersam · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:35 pm Post subject:

I tend to get tired of focusing on one project for periods of time - if i get tired of the modular/electronics i'll focus on guitar, then vice versa.
It keeps things fresh it seems.

electrik noize · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject:

I most often start a track by sitting at the piano. Trying out chords and
various little motif's and melodies and whatnot. I'll write down the chord
progression in a sketch book along with the bpm and time signature so that
I don't forget it.

Then I'll put it away, come back to it a few days/weeks later, put it away
again, etc. After the idea has gelled enough for me at the piano, I'll start
trying to determine what instrument or synth should play which part.

When I get into the studio I at least have a good general direction and
mood to build off of, instead of starting completely from scratch.

carlfunken · Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 3:48 pm Post subject: