Thank you so much, sir, for addressing such an important topic! Allow me share my personal journey to show how crucial it is to follow your unique voice, stay true to your style, your way of thinking, and just be yourself. Hope this will inspire people After 10 years of writing music across various genres, trying to fit into label sounds and follow industry standards, in 2018, I decided to let it all go and start creating the music I truly wanted to make. That’s how my new project, Avoure, was born. Some sort of an accumulation of all my experience, allowing me to finally create on my own terms. One of my first releases was a collaboration with Lane 8, and later I received support from major artists like Diplo, Black Coffee, ZHU, and many others. My breakout hit, Aura, was gaining millions of views every month on UA-cam alone. It was a special time when I felt like success was inevitable, but I failed to learn the most important lesson - success came to me when I embraced my true self. Then the pandemic hit, and it forced me to experiment with my sound. I realized how much more I still had to learn, but in doing so, I started to stray from the original purpose behind my project - staying true to myself and creating music that resonated with me. Once again, I found myself chasing labels, comparing myself to other artists. A vicious cycle, right? :) I spent nearly three years running in circles, with none of my new tracks matching the success of my early releases. Then, in 2022, the war hit my country. Russia invaded Ukraine. When I was forced to leave my home and my first studio (maybe forever) I came to a realization: the perfect moment will never come. Either I accept myself as an artist and a person NOW, or I’ll spend my entire life chasing an unattainable ideal. After a series of tragic events, now I know I never want to fall back into that cycle of self-doubt and self-sabotage. All we musicians truly need to be happy is to be ourselves, to do what we love, connect with like-minded people, and share our art with the world. I spent years trying **to fit in**, and success only came when I fully embraced who I was. So, dive deep into who you are, analyze your workflow, and add those unique “spices” that only you need. Make mistakes, stay inspired, meditate, exercise, and value yourself above any external success
Thanks for this beautiful share. I never had millions of listenings and I can only imagine how that would put pressure on you for the next releases. I also relate a lot with the fact that we chase things that are not true to ours original intent, and that always leads to sorrow. I wish the best for you and hope soon the war will be over, its a damn tragedy.
I have a day job, family and kids. But I love music as well. Somewhere down the line, I realised that I could never become a professional in music industry for various reasons. That alone realisation, took away the struggle, the anxiety etc. Now I see the process of making music as an esoteric need, which heal my mind. I play my music to other people, I am opened to their feedback if it helps me become better, but I do not have the pressure to deliver anything. Its my hobby, it makes me feel good.
It was a wake up call for me when my wife said, ‚why do you have a hobby that makes you so miserable?‘ I realised that I needed to stop chasing after things and actually have fun in what I‘m doing
You are speaking truth here. Marketing, ego, acquisition, insecurity are the enemies of creativity. The day I deleted all the gear acquisition apps and my subscriptions to blogs and vlogs pushing gear over results, I found a durable inner peace. And the permission to listen to my own voice after eliminating the marketing noise.
I changed my gear so often, I bought something played with it for a few days, sold it one month later and got something new, It was happening so many times in a year. It was fun but the problem was that I didn't actually used it, I was spending more time looking what to get next than actually playing and learning. Now I'm feeling so connected and comfortable with my instruments, not looking for what to get next but the time I spent with them made me a better player/performer. Knowing your instruments and tools inside out makes you express yourself more. Thank you for this video!
I haven’t seen a video I’ve resonated so well with in a long time. Quick background for me…I’m a dentist, but have always been hobby musician too - and in both my profession and my hobby, I have done exactly as you’ve described. Buying the newest guitars, drum sets, synths, dental equipment (yes, dental equipment is fun and has the same temptation as all our cool music stuff!). Last December I was diagnosed with colon cancer, and my life turned upside down. I sold my practice, and ended up selling most of my music stuff too. All I have left is 1 of each instrument, and my computer. I’ve realized that limitation actually fosters creativity. And letting go of expectations and status has been so freeing. Now I play with the instruments I have, and I’m happy with that. I play for fun and relaxation, and no other reason. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in this video, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, self-reflective and honest. These are qualities that will undoubtedly bring great things your way. 🙂
Hello! Thanks for sharing your experience. Sometimes we learn things the hard way. I hope you are doing great and you fought back that mofo. Thanks for your support!
“Music making is a matter of survival thru the life”. Who else feels this way? I will never be “invited”, I enjoy my perfect-for-me setup, I release my albums no one ever will hear about, I play for myself…. Check, check, check…. “Healing process”, yes, check! 🎉
I do the same. I still get in funks where I wish I could make a living with music, specifically scoring for videos. At the end of the day I started out of love of music when I was a kid and that needs to always be the main reason. I’m not much of a lyric writer, so music is my way of recording memories and getting things off my chest. The music says more to me than any words I can come up with.
@@nickdanielsmusic “Tunography”. There is sequence of personal tunes capturing own life soundtrack, right? Glad you mentioned no-lyrics needed. Cheers!
It's comforting to hear that someone of your caliber once felt the way I have for years. I often think to myself, "Man, I’m pathetic for feeling this way." Even after so many years of making music and accumulating knowledge, I still don’t feel like I belong in the same category as the artists I admire.
bang on! i quit instagram at the beginning of the year, there were times when i questioned why i was making music...for an audience, for me? I have always cut an esoteric path, but subconsciously these things started to sabotaged me, competing with people who do it for a living, G.A.S. and spending hours and hours editing videos and hitting technical brick walls sucked all the fun and spontaneity out of it. I thought, I don't need this pressure or temptation anymore, I'm content if no one listens to my music, its out there to be found if people want to, but do it for yourself. Its cathartic, meditative, impulsive, keep it fun, keep it real. thank you Oora x
I'm usually not a fan of "motivational" videos, but I enjoyed this one :) Creative success is hard to define… Some musicians never made money or had much of a career, but were discovered after their death…yet they were great musicians and left something very important for many people. Some musicians make "products" and sell well, and that is also okay. Some teach music and never play shows. Others only do it for themselves and actually have fun ;) I guess my point is, that the spectrum of musician is very wide. Find your own place ✌
To find your own place is the key, you are right. I dont see this as a motivational video tho, it does more for me than what I expect would to for others. Saying out loud my struggles has been a great way to find help and a sense of community.
There's so much truth in this. Recently I dropped you a comment because I was facing a similar dilemma as you, about moving out of an island and potentially losing my studio space, just to feel less isolated. It ended up being one of the best decisions of my life, and now it turns out that I'm sharing my studio space with my flatmate and the studio is back up and running again, in the city! Anyway, I accumulate stuff because it's a way to procrastinate on not making actual music. At first it was a way to attract clients, but now it's just clutter. I realize my best songs are the ones were I limited myself to using only one synth and often times it's projects that got done way faster than usual. Simplicity is the key to creativity and fun and flow. Gear is the opposite of that. Thanks for posting!
I can 100 percent relate to every single aspect of your video. It took me 2 years to get all the equipment I have. I wanted to build a hybrid system and I wanted to try and future proof in the hope I wouldn't need anything else in the future and I was hoping to beat my gear acquisition syndrome! When I had finally purchased everything I thought I needed, I sat down in the hope of being creative and I was completely overwhelmed by the size of the learning curve I had created for myself. I feel frozen and paralyzed by the choices and combinations. I ended up having a bit of mental breakdown and I haven't turned any of the equipment on since January. All the equipment is in my living room in the corner and can be seen when watching tv, so I have covered it all up with blankets. It was my dream to achieve the setup that I am fortunate enough to own, but it came at a unforeseen cost. Thank you for sharing your story and your tips and advice.
Speaking for myself - and probably a lot of other people here… you nailed it, dude. We all needed to hear this and recognize the truth you speak in ourselves.
Great video, a lot recognition from my own life, (25y of composition). I’ve just released (on my own label) my first record where I really felt for myself that the music is a success, and I really don’t care what others think about it. I think I have gotten to the point in music making where I realized I’m not going to be popular and play at the coolest festivals, or release on the coolest labels. And then also realizing that I have to satisfy myself with my music, and not hold myself back cus ”I think I’ll make it sound a bit easier” or ”maybe that person (insert some cool person) will like the music more if I make it but more like that”. Of course I’m happy if people like my music, but I now make it because it needs to be composed, as an artwork, not as a product to sell. And not to please others.
Bellissimo video Federico. E' per questo tuo esprimere concetti come quello di questo video che ti seguo e apprezzo più di molti altri che fanno contenuti preconfezionati e sensazionalistici! Anche se a volte so che purtroppo pagano di più, ma il tuo lato artistico è ciò che poi resta davvero.
Thank you so much for these honest words and insights. 🙌👍👍 This puts a mirror in front of myself, hunting also for the next even more exciting piece of gear, instead of learning all the features of the gear I have. 🙈 Or to think: in order to sound like this, I need that tool. Getting lost in a never ending circle. Something that helped me a lot is spending less time on social media and watching only stuff about gear that I already have in order of further learning. That leaves me more time for my own creativity.
This is all excellent advice, especially about the workflow, there is a fine line between frequently improving your workflow and distracting yourself by making unnecessary changes just for the sake of it
I have felt this way on many occasions... in fact, sometimes I still need to work on some of the points you raise. Thanks for your video, it's great for reminding me of what's important.
I get that changing and trying constantly new gear and new setups can be a way to compensate for insecurity and "fuel your imposter syndrome", but a great part of my fascination for this channel is watching you playing and trying new instruments... so I hope you don't stop completely! Even if you don't need a lot of instruments to make music, I can see that you love playing with new things (and we love watching!). Just don't look for the "perfect" studio o setup or anything else....
Very important video and thanks for sharing your personal journey a lot of us struggle with this same issues you spoke about. Glad I found you on the tubes. Take care and thanks again.
I agree with you .. sometimes more gear, more different setups, to much overthinking is keeping us away from the real goal .. making great music.. I found myself so many times in this situation ... :)
Such a great video my friend! 🖤 I’m going through the exact same phase right now and your words feel so at home.. I guess it’s the natural journey of appreciating our own self in the end. It’s so easy to go through all the phases you mentioned before you find your way.. 🙏
When I was 16 year old I had a Juno 6 which I truely loved and played for years and years. What a wonderful, peaceful and fulfilling time that was! My memories really do help me a lot coming back to myself and thinking about the things I really want to accomplish. Stopping the rush and focus on simple, and often, better ideas. So, I feel you, Federico! Enjoyed your video very much, thanks!
Wise words. I feel very much the same. Comparing oneself to others is truly self sabotaging the joy of our own achievements. An obstacle we make for ourselves making it hard to believe and commit.
What an excellent 13 minutes. So true and inspirational. I guess a lot of us fall for the easy buy/sell scenario and never take the time to think 'Do i really need this'. The answer is probably no. We all have enough. I suppose its a confidence thing, feeling we need that one little extra thing. Thanks for your time and hard work.
One of my favourite quotes comes from the late Kurt Cobain: “wanting to be someone else, is a waste of the person you are”. I think this nearly every single day. I too, suffer from imposter syndrome my friend and I work on it every day too.
That was really wonderful. Thank you. I myself have been stuck in the loop of ‘buy gear - learn gear - rearrange studio - sell gear - create nothing’ for a while now. I’ll be mindful of your observations and I think I can climb out of this and actually make some music again.
Excellent video! You have provided a lot of great words of wisdom here. I’m now in my 50’s and have recently started figuring out what success means to me. Also, I see a lot of people on UA-cam that are really more gear collectors than creators and that is okay! If we want to be creators, always searching for new gear is not normally going to get us where we want to be.
I was a commercial electronic music composer for over 40 yrs. I could speak very well to the “imposter” syndrome. Great post by the way. Highly relevant.
I’m a follower of yours. I appreciate not just what music you create, but the fact that you have a curiosity of its motivations. I asked those same questions over time as well. I’m happy to give any input I can to help anyone….❤
Well said. The best music is often made with just a few instruments, for example your video of the OP-1 with 4 pedals is an excellent example of mastery in limitation. Many UA-camrs’ studios are so crammed with synths they can hardly get into their room to sit down to make music. Pedals are piled on top of each other, eurorack modules are lying outside of the rack like dirty washing on keyboards, every corner is crammed with stuff that probably hasn’t been used a week after it was bought… Get off eBay, stop the urge to find that rare, unknown synth and make music with what you have is the best advice indeed!
I feel playing in a band helped me a lot to be more productive muscally. It makes adifference if your friends rely on your output and you are all in there together
I recognise everything you’re describing. I recently realised I have adhd. Not the physical drive for dopamine but a psychological- always moving on to a new thing, researching, acquiring, learning, getting bored then moving on to a new interest. Luckily they seem circular so not entirely wasted time, but never really mastering anything. Thanks for your very interesting video 🙏🏻
I am in the same place as you are. Thanks you for sharing. I would like to add one point to the solutions list Procrastination is not a good label. Honing is better. If you are working on making something better, how can that be bad? Sometimes things take longer than expected. As long as there is an outcome that is good for you, all is good. ❤
Actually one of the most productive times in my life was just when I started with electronic music and just owned Reason and a DW8000 which I really found on the junkyard! And I now stop watching UA-cam ;-) Thanks Oora, good spirit! Peace! ☮
Imposter Syndrome is most certainly a real thing. It is something that can and for me does, happen. Great that you addressed this for yourself and for us all and great advise. Thank you.
I think building a studio is more about improving workflow. My workflow was just terrible until I invested in desk, patch bay, stands, keyboard tray etc. it makes. Huge difference compared to having everything I. The floor. . It’s not always some kind of procrastination.
wow its very cool of you to bring this up, and state yourself as an imposter. I agree all these negatives can happen and for sure important to just really focus on you as the artist what serves you the most and not because its just a new device you have to get it i have always looked at gear as mainly tools that will give me a certain touch in the music, be it a nasty sounding synth, a synth for ambient sounds etc most of all one just has to go for what pulls them in the most as for looking cool, i could saying owning a Model D 2017 is cool.. but im selling mine. certain pieces are just over-hyped because my Pro One was above the Moog and the Pro One was all i reach for for that vintage flare/touch . That was my personality choosing, as you mention to be yourself. Certain gear comes / certain pieces stay (the main stayers, Pro one, Ob6) but between that, alot of gear can come and go. the ones that you ending up loving the most, stay the most hehe. A staple in my setup was always an MPC Live, as there the fastest machines ive ever came across to develop a song i could never not have that option Anyway thanks for the talk, dig your words. glad you saw the light. cheers
As others have said. The struggle resonates very well. I feel like I am my own judge and I've learned to love the imperfection and I do it only for my own creative outlet, but still I feel the need to own too much gear, too many options, procrastination, too much setup etc etc etc. Love the thoughts on this. Keep it up.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. On my side, it took me 5 years of exploration, buying/selling gear to find what kind of music I wanted to do with electronic instruments and how I wanted to do it. All these explorations led me to a very small setup: LXR-02 into Syntakt into Analog Heat + FX. With that, I'm now both creative and productive. I also don't look at any other gear to buy. I found peace.
Thank you for sharing, I personally spend more time learning new gears than playing music… I think my studio is partly a reflection of my Ego, and an accumulation of possibilities that I am not using on a clever way… Still struggling with the results of how to share and reach more audience with my music, but happy enough when from time to time someone tells me my music helped and changed something to them… so I am trying to control my G.A.S. and to stop remodelling the studio every year… 🤷🏻♂️ and more time for music
I should have said that learning things could be part of feeling successful. I love manuals and learning, and I think I spent most of my life learning stuff. So if that makes you happy, just celebrate it!
Wow, that was like listening to the voice inside my head, but actually listening for a change! I was mentally ticking off your five points as you said them....yup, I have them all! So much time looking for the next thing which will break my creative block, the next piece of equipment, the next inspiring artist....yourself included, the next whatever....ending up not learning how to fully use a piece of gear to it's fullest extent. Not even knowing what kind of music I want to make anymore or who to make it for. Then getting bored and going off to play a video game instead, leaving all my hard earned equipment silent and never finishing anything, only to then feel intense guilt for doing the same. The things that go on in our heads have a lot to answer for, and I know it won't be an easy journey to break that mindset. Thank you for this video and giving me a much needed nudge in the right direction....who do I want to make music for? I want to make it for myself. If it resonates with someone else, that's a bonus. 😊
@@OoraMusic perhaps not so much bored with an instrument as having too much choice instead of concentrating on one or two. I lose interest in what I'm working on sometimes. When I start out it's really cool, but then I get distracted. Maybe I over listen to a track or over think it. Perhaps I need to get an idea down quickly and then leave it and come back to it later. Of course, the self doubt sets in and I start thinking I'm no good or have just run out of ideas....all in my head 🙄 So a work in progress. Many thanks for your inspiration to keep going 😊
Thanks! Im suffering of the exacts same symptome... actually im working on fixing some limitation and setting deadline to the projects i enjoy the most
Great video. FWIW you produce some of the most beautiful electronic music I have heard for years. Really, you are no imposter! But the points you make are all absolutely bang on, totally agree with all of it.
The UA-cam algorithm served me this video mixed in with my various searches on the Moog One. It actually throttle me back a bit from making the purchase… Oh, the pain of gear acquisition syndrome.
@@OoraMusic I am a new subscriber, and I look forward to watching more of your videos! And thank you for THIS one - as you were going down the list, I was say "YES" after each of your 5 points...
Wow, this video came to me at such a significant time. I resonate with it so much (unfortunately). I would love to chat with you more about this! Do you offer one on one sessions for this kind of topic. I feel it would be so beneficial to speak with you about my experience of these topics. Thank you for giving a name to and highlighting an important topic so necessary for me to reflect on!
■My first MASTERCLASS is out:
www.rapidflow.shop/products/oora-masterclass
Thank you so much, sir, for addressing such an important topic! Allow me share my personal journey to show how crucial it is to follow your unique voice, stay true to your style, your way of thinking, and just be yourself. Hope this will inspire people
After 10 years of writing music across various genres, trying to fit into label sounds and follow industry standards, in 2018, I decided to let it all go and start creating the music I truly wanted to make. That’s how my new project, Avoure, was born. Some sort of an accumulation of all my experience, allowing me to finally create on my own terms. One of my first releases was a collaboration with Lane 8, and later I received support from major artists like Diplo, Black Coffee, ZHU, and many others. My breakout hit, Aura, was gaining millions of views every month on UA-cam alone.
It was a special time when I felt like success was inevitable, but I failed to learn the most important lesson - success came to me when I embraced my true self.
Then the pandemic hit, and it forced me to experiment with my sound. I realized how much more I still had to learn, but in doing so, I started to stray from the original purpose behind my project - staying true to myself and creating music that resonated with me. Once again, I found myself chasing labels, comparing myself to other artists. A vicious cycle, right? :)
I spent nearly three years running in circles, with none of my new tracks matching the success of my early releases. Then, in 2022, the war hit my country. Russia invaded Ukraine. When I was forced to leave my home and my first studio (maybe forever) I came to a realization: the perfect moment will never come. Either I accept myself as an artist and a person NOW, or I’ll spend my entire life chasing an unattainable ideal.
After a series of tragic events, now I know I never want to fall back into that cycle of self-doubt and self-sabotage. All we musicians truly need to be happy is to be ourselves, to do what we love, connect with like-minded people, and share our art with the world. I spent years trying **to fit in**, and success only came when I fully embraced who I was. So, dive deep into who you are, analyze your workflow, and add those unique “spices” that only you need. Make mistakes, stay inspired, meditate, exercise, and value yourself above any external success
I appreciate your story. Thank you for sharing. 👍🏿💙👊🏿
Thanks for this beautiful share. I never had millions of listenings and I can only imagine how that would put pressure on you for the next releases. I also relate a lot with the fact that we chase things that are not true to ours original intent, and that always leads to sorrow.
I wish the best for you and hope soon the war will be over, its a damn tragedy.
Thanks for sharing your story, it is truly inspirational! 🎶🙌🏻❤️ I wish you all the best! ✨🇺🇦🎶
quiting phone addiction is the real creative super power
man , yes, I'd love that
and of course, stop watching others, start doing your thing
I have a day job, family and kids. But I love music as well. Somewhere down the line, I realised that I could never become a professional in music industry for various reasons. That alone realisation, took away the struggle, the anxiety etc. Now I see the process of making music as an esoteric need, which heal my mind. I play my music to other people, I am opened to their feedback if it helps me become better, but I do not have the pressure to deliver anything. Its my hobby, it makes me feel good.
It was a wake up call for me when my wife said, ‚why do you have a hobby that makes you so miserable?‘ I realised that I needed to stop chasing after things and actually have fun in what I‘m doing
wives know better!!! :D
This
You are speaking truth here. Marketing, ego, acquisition, insecurity are the enemies of creativity. The day I deleted all the gear acquisition apps and my subscriptions to blogs and vlogs pushing gear over results, I found a durable inner peace. And the permission to listen to my own voice after eliminating the marketing noise.
Nice to see you are back.
This video.is just an emotional bond woth the audience. You will see everything will go on as usual.
congrats on that, hope to get there soon :)
I changed my gear so often, I bought something played with it for a few days, sold it one month later and got something new, It was happening so many times in a year.
It was fun but the problem was that I didn't actually used it, I was spending more time looking what to get next than actually playing and learning.
Now I'm feeling so connected and comfortable with my instruments, not looking for what to get next but the time I spent with them made me a better player/performer.
Knowing your instruments and tools inside out makes you express yourself more.
Thank you for this video!
my pleasure and good luck with your music
I haven’t seen a video I’ve resonated so well with in a long time. Quick background for me…I’m a dentist, but have always been hobby musician too - and in both my profession and my hobby, I have done exactly as you’ve described. Buying the newest guitars, drum sets, synths, dental equipment (yes, dental equipment is fun and has the same temptation as all our cool music stuff!). Last December I was diagnosed with colon cancer, and my life turned upside down. I sold my practice, and ended up selling most of my music stuff too. All I have left is 1 of each instrument, and my computer. I’ve realized that limitation actually fosters creativity. And letting go of expectations and status has been so freeing. Now I play with the instruments I have, and I’m happy with that. I play for fun and relaxation, and no other reason.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom in this video, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, self-reflective and honest. These are qualities that will undoubtedly bring great things your way. 🙂
Hello! Thanks for sharing your experience. Sometimes we learn things the hard way. I hope you are doing great and you fought back that mofo. Thanks for your support!
“Music making is a matter of survival thru the life”. Who else feels this way?
I will never be “invited”, I enjoy my perfect-for-me setup, I release my albums no one ever will hear about, I play for myself…. Check, check, check….
“Healing process”, yes, check! 🎉
Rock on mate!
I do the same. I still get in funks where I wish I could make a living with music, specifically scoring for videos. At the end of the day I started out of love of music when I was a kid and that needs to always be the main reason. I’m not much of a lyric writer, so music is my way of recording memories and getting things off my chest. The music says more to me than any words I can come up with.
@@nickdanielsmusic “Tunography”. There is sequence of personal tunes capturing own life soundtrack, right? Glad you mentioned no-lyrics needed. Cheers!
It's comforting to hear that someone of your caliber once felt the way I have for years. I often think to myself, "Man, I’m pathetic for feeling this way." Even after so many years of making music and accumulating knowledge, I still don’t feel like I belong in the same category as the artists I admire.
i go through that constantly, to the point that my wife asked me to never say that to ger anymore. i guess is part of what we are as creatives!
bang on! i quit instagram at the beginning of the year, there were times when i questioned why i was making music...for an audience, for me? I have always cut an esoteric path, but subconsciously these things started to sabotaged me, competing with people who do it for a living, G.A.S. and spending hours and hours editing videos and hitting technical brick walls sucked all the fun and spontaneity out of it. I thought, I don't need this pressure or temptation anymore, I'm content if no one listens to my music, its out there to be found if people want to, but do it for yourself. Its cathartic, meditative, impulsive, keep it fun, keep it real. thank you Oora x
I'm usually not a fan of "motivational" videos, but I enjoyed this one :)
Creative success is hard to define…
Some musicians never made money or had much of a career, but were discovered after their death…yet they were great musicians and left something very important for many people.
Some musicians make "products" and sell well, and that is also okay. Some teach music and never play shows. Others only do it for themselves and actually have fun ;)
I guess my point is, that the spectrum of musician is very wide. Find your own place ✌
To find your own place is the key, you are right. I dont see this as a motivational video tho, it does more for me than what I expect would to for others. Saying out loud my struggles has been a great way to find help and a sense of community.
100% agree
There's so much truth in this. Recently I dropped you a comment because I was facing a similar dilemma as you, about moving out of an island and potentially losing my studio space, just to feel less isolated. It ended up being one of the best decisions of my life, and now it turns out that I'm sharing my studio space with my flatmate and the studio is back up and running again, in the city! Anyway, I accumulate stuff because it's a way to procrastinate on not making actual music. At first it was a way to attract clients, but now it's just clutter. I realize my best songs are the ones were I limited myself to using only one synth and often times it's projects that got done way faster than usual. Simplicity is the key to creativity and fun and flow. Gear is the opposite of that. Thanks for posting!
I can 100 percent relate to every single aspect of your video. It took me 2 years to get all the equipment I have. I wanted to build a hybrid system and I wanted to try and future proof in the hope I wouldn't need anything else in the future and I was hoping to beat my gear acquisition syndrome! When I had finally purchased everything I thought I needed, I sat down in the hope of being creative and I was completely overwhelmed by the size of the learning curve I had created for myself. I feel frozen and paralyzed by the choices and combinations.
I ended up having a bit of mental breakdown and I haven't turned any of the equipment on since January.
All the equipment is in my living room in the corner and can be seen when watching tv, so I have covered it all up with blankets. It was my dream to achieve the setup that I am fortunate enough to own, but it came at a unforeseen cost.
Thank you for sharing your story and your tips and advice.
Speaking for myself - and probably a lot of other people here… you nailed it, dude. We all needed to hear this and recognize the truth you speak in ourselves.
thanks mate!!
Spot on with everything, and I always love your honesty and introspection. And your music!
thanks!
Bedankt
thanks!
Bring an artist is a process of continual change and reinvention.Most people cant handle this but the art is all that matters.
very true
Thank you making this video. I think we all have to go through those inner struggles before we realize these fundamental ideas. Thank you again.
You are so welcome!
It’s part of the process! 👍🏻 it’s great to have options but important to use them creatively even if just one at a time 😀
So true!
'Celebrate your unique voice, and its impact on others.' - this is now in my Notes. Also, lovely artwork that flank your frame!!
Yay, thank you! the art is from my friend il Cek
@@OoraMusic Oh wow, amazing. Do they have a channel?
Lots of great info here! Thanks Oora.
thanks Liam
Great video, a lot recognition from my own life, (25y of composition). I’ve just released (on my own label) my first record where I really felt for myself that the music is a success, and I really don’t care what others think about it. I think I have gotten to the point in music making where I realized I’m not going to be popular and play at the coolest festivals, or release on the coolest labels. And then also realizing that I have to satisfy myself with my music, and not hold myself back cus ”I think I’ll make it sound a bit easier” or ”maybe that person (insert some cool person) will like the music more if I make it but more like that”. Of course I’m happy if people like my music, but I now make it because it needs to be composed, as an artwork, not as a product to sell. And not to please others.
I love this topic and your openness about it. I have so much respect for this. Many can learn so much from this video :) Thank you Oora!
A musician needs to be brave to make a video like this one. Thanks for sharing!
thanks!!
Bellissimo video Federico. E' per questo tuo esprimere concetti come quello di questo video che ti seguo e apprezzo più di molti altri che fanno contenuti preconfezionati e sensazionalistici! Anche se a volte so che purtroppo pagano di più, ma il tuo lato artistico è ciò che poi resta davvero.
ti ringrazio tanto!
Thank you so much for these honest words and insights. 🙌👍👍
This puts a mirror in front of myself, hunting also for the next even more exciting piece of gear, instead of learning all the features of the gear I have. 🙈
Or to think: in order to sound like this, I need that tool. Getting lost in a never ending circle.
Something that helped me a lot is spending less time on social media and watching only stuff about gear that I already have in order of further learning.
That leaves me more time for my own creativity.
Great video buddy and very important topic, I can definitely relate to that. 💜
I appreciate that Miles
Well I’m glad you are taking a turn, it takes a lot of strength to look deep into yourself behind the shadows and see your real fire light up again
thanks!
This is all excellent advice, especially about the workflow, there is a fine line between frequently improving your workflow and distracting yourself by making unnecessary changes just for the sake of it
thanks!!
I have felt this way on many occasions... in fact, sometimes I still need to work on some of the points you raise. Thanks for your video, it's great for reminding me of what's important.
thanks for watching!
I get that changing and trying constantly new gear and new setups can be a way to compensate for insecurity and "fuel your imposter syndrome", but a great part of my fascination for this channel is watching you playing and trying new instruments... so I hope you don't stop completely!
Even if you don't need a lot of instruments to make music, I can see that you love playing with new things (and we love watching!). Just don't look for the "perfect" studio o setup or anything else....
i will not stop since i love it too much, but i will be more selective!
Hi and thank you for your valuable advice 🙏
Great video. "Be your own judge" is solid advice. A lot of wisdom in this.
thanks!
Yes Yes Yes ,thank you for your wonderful message .It must be a journey to find our own authenticity ,cheers
and yes I've been in the same spot for a while .
thanks 🙏🏻
The struggle is real. Great advise, thank you. x
You're so welcome!
Very important video and thanks for sharing your personal journey a lot of us struggle with this same issues you spoke about. Glad I found you on the tubes. Take care and thanks again.
Your best video so far. Gracias. I do need this help.
thanks mate!
I agree with you .. sometimes more gear, more different setups, to much overthinking is keeping us away from the real goal .. making great music.. I found myself so many times in this situation ... :)
Absolutely!
Thanks for this !!
My pleasure!
Such a great video my friend! 🖤 I’m going through the exact same phase right now and your words feel so at home.. I guess it’s the natural journey of appreciating our own self in the end. It’s so easy to go through all the phases you mentioned before you find your way.. 🙏
You got this! Hope you will come out refreshed and inspired!
When I was 16 year old I had a Juno 6 which I truely loved and played for years and years. What a wonderful, peaceful and fulfilling time that was! My memories really do help me a lot coming back to myself and thinking about the things I really want to accomplish. Stopping the rush and focus on simple, and often, better ideas. So, I feel you, Federico!
Enjoyed your video very much, thanks!
happy to hear that!
Wise words. I feel very much the same. Comparing oneself to others is truly self sabotaging the joy of our own achievements. An obstacle we make for ourselves making it hard to believe and commit.
thanks !
Great discussion. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! Very honest, insightful self-awareness, and all points I resonate with.
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a relief to hear these words that I take as personal encouragement. Thank you for this video ! 🥰
my pleasure!
What an excellent 13 minutes. So true and inspirational. I guess a lot of us fall for the easy buy/sell scenario and never take the time to think 'Do i really need this'. The answer is probably no.
We all have enough. I suppose its a confidence thing, feeling we need that one little extra thing.
Thanks for your time and hard work.
Thanks for your kind words. And yes, we probably need way less than we buy..
One of my favourite quotes comes from the late Kurt Cobain: “wanting to be someone else, is a waste of the person you are”. I think this nearly every single day. I too, suffer from imposter syndrome my friend and I work on it every day too.
Man, thank you for this. It hits a little harder than expected
Hopefully not that hard! thanks for watching
That was really wonderful. Thank you. I myself have been stuck in the loop of ‘buy gear - learn gear - rearrange studio - sell gear - create nothing’ for a while now. I’ll be mindful of your observations and I think I can climb out of this and actually make some music again.
keep it simple and do music, that's the way :)
Excellent video! You have provided a lot of great words of wisdom here. I’m now in my 50’s and have recently started figuring out what success means to me. Also, I see a lot of people on UA-cam that are really more gear collectors than creators and that is okay! If we want to be creators, always searching for new gear is not normally going to get us where we want to be.
thanks for your kind workds!
100% on everything you said, except obviously, you're a real success and have inspired countless people. Thanks my man :)
thanks for your kindness!
It always feels like your stuff comes from the heart.
thanks for saying that
You are a great role model! This was very honest and super helpful. Keep making great music and videos we love :)
Thank you! Will do!
I was a commercial electronic music composer for over 40 yrs. I could speak very well to the “imposter” syndrome. Great post by the way. Highly relevant.
Would love to know more!
I’m a follower of yours. I appreciate not just what music you create, but the fact that you have a curiosity of its motivations. I asked those same questions over time as well. I’m happy to give any input I can to help anyone….❤
Well said. The best music is often made with just a few instruments, for example your video of the OP-1 with 4 pedals is an excellent example of mastery in limitation. Many UA-camrs’ studios are so crammed with synths they can hardly get into their room to sit down to make music. Pedals are piled on top of each other, eurorack modules are lying outside of the rack like dirty washing on keyboards, every corner is crammed with stuff that probably hasn’t been used a week after it was bought… Get off eBay, stop the urge to find that rare, unknown synth and make music with what you have is the best advice indeed!
thanks for your kind words Ellende
This video is a wonderful reminder, Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank You Federico! Excellent observations and heartfelt delivery here!
Many thanks!
I feel playing in a band helped me a lot to be more productive muscally. It makes adifference if your friends rely on your output and you are all in there together
miss being in a band!!
Needed this one today … love from Detroit
Thanks!!
I recognise everything you’re describing. I recently realised I have adhd. Not the physical drive for dopamine but a psychological- always moving on to a new thing, researching, acquiring, learning, getting bored then moving on to a new interest. Luckily they seem circular so not entirely wasted time, but never really mastering anything. Thanks for your very interesting video 🙏🏻
you are the second person mentioning adhd, maybe i should learn more about it
Great to hear sincerity on YT. Making music is a struggle. It's exhausting but it's a calling, too.
totally true
I am in the same place as you are. Thanks you for sharing.
I would like to add one point to the solutions list
Procrastination is not a good label. Honing is better. If you are working on making something better, how can that be bad? Sometimes things take longer than expected. As long as there is an outcome that is good for you, all is good. ❤
Great tip! love the honing idea
🙏🏼wise words. Good to hear
thanks!
Thank you for this video. Defining your own success is an amazing concept.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great, true experience - many points talking to my self. Thanks for sharing. Appreciate.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is not just a lesson in being a producer. This is a lesson in life.
too kind :)
Actually one of the most productive times in my life was just when I started with electronic music and just owned Reason and a DW8000 which I really found on the junkyard! And I now stop watching UA-cam ;-)
Thanks Oora, good spirit! Peace! ☮
thanks for sharing your experience
💖💖💖💖 Thank you for saying it for me
🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
This touched m deeply❤ . Language from the heart.. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure 😊
Imposter Syndrome is most certainly a real thing. It is something that can and for me does, happen. Great that you addressed this for yourself and for us all and great advise. Thank you.
thanks my friend
This resonates so hard with me, that it actually makes me want to quit because it seems so unavoidable!
the key is not quit, but be kind with ourselves I think!
This is so real! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing these thoughts…you are certainly not alone…most of them resonated with myself…take care
Thank you! You too!
These are the words i needed right now...thanks❤
You are so welcome
Super insightful and valuable video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts so honestly, it's really appreciated.
You're so welcome my friend!
Amazing work. I appreciate the time & effort it took to create. Quite difficult to articulate this type of disscussion into a fairly short video.
Needed this today.
🤟🏼🤟🏼
I think building a studio is more about improving workflow. My workflow was just terrible until I invested in desk, patch bay, stands, keyboard tray etc. it makes. Huge difference compared to having everything I. The floor. . It’s not always some kind of procrastination.
true!!
Thanks for this video man. It translates so much of what I'm feeling right now.
Glad I could help
Awesome video. Thanks for that. It speaks to me directly.
Glad to hear it!
This is 💯 me. Thank you, because this resonates. You have a new subscriber. 👍🏿💙👊🏿
Thanks for subbing!
wow its very cool of you to bring this up, and state yourself as an imposter. I agree all these negatives can happen and for sure important to just really focus on you as the artist what serves you the most and not because its just a new device you have to get it
i have always looked at gear as mainly tools that will give me a certain touch in the music, be it a nasty sounding synth, a synth for ambient sounds etc most of all one just has to go for what pulls them in the most
as for looking cool, i could saying owning a Model D 2017 is cool.. but im selling mine. certain pieces are just over-hyped because my Pro One was above the Moog and the Pro One was all i reach for for that vintage flare/touch .
That was my personality choosing, as you mention to be yourself.
Certain gear comes / certain pieces stay (the main stayers, Pro one, Ob6) but between that, alot of gear can come and go.
the ones that you ending up loving the most, stay the most hehe.
A staple in my setup was always an MPC Live, as there the fastest machines ive ever came across to develop a song
i could never not have that option
Anyway thanks for the talk, dig your words. glad you saw the light. cheers
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! And yes, there are always the few pieces that stays.. the rest is just, literally , noise.
Such an important issue and really resonated with me. Very eloquently spoken. Music production youtube often just fuels what you were talking about.
im guilty of sponsoring that mentality, and that; what I have to change
As others have said. The struggle resonates very well. I feel like I am my own judge and I've learned to love the imperfection and I do it only for my own creative outlet, but still I feel the need to own too much gear, too many options, procrastination, too much setup etc etc etc. Love the thoughts on this. Keep it up.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. On my side, it took me 5 years of exploration, buying/selling gear to find what kind of music I wanted to do with electronic instruments and how I wanted to do it. All these explorations led me to a very small setup: LXR-02 into Syntakt into Analog Heat + FX.
With that, I'm now both creative and productive. I also don't look at any other gear to buy. I found peace.
that sounds like a great setup !
Thank you for sharing, I personally spend more time learning new gears than playing music… I think my studio is partly a reflection of my Ego, and an accumulation of possibilities that I am not using on a clever way… Still struggling with the results of how to share and reach more audience with my music, but happy enough when from time to time someone tells me my music helped and changed something to them… so I am trying to control my G.A.S. and to stop remodelling the studio every year… 🤷🏻♂️ and more time for music
I should have said that learning things could be part of feeling successful. I love manuals and learning, and I think I spent most of my life learning stuff. So if that makes you happy, just celebrate it!
Wow, that was like listening to the voice inside my head, but actually listening for a change! I was mentally ticking off your five points as you said them....yup, I have them all!
So much time looking for the next thing which will break my creative block, the next piece of equipment, the next inspiring artist....yourself included, the next whatever....ending up not learning how to fully use a piece of gear to it's fullest extent. Not even knowing what kind of music I want to make anymore or who to make it for. Then getting bored and going off to play a video game instead, leaving all my hard earned equipment silent and never finishing anything, only to then feel intense guilt for doing the same.
The things that go on in our heads have a lot to answer for, and I know it won't be an easy journey to break that mindset. Thank you for this video and giving me a much needed nudge in the right direction....who do I want to make music for? I want to make it for myself. If it resonates with someone else, that's a bonus. 😊
yeah I relate. Funnily enough, I never get bored of the instruments I really love
@@OoraMusic perhaps not so much bored with an instrument as having too much choice instead of concentrating on one or two.
I lose interest in what I'm working on sometimes. When I start out it's really cool, but then I get distracted. Maybe I over listen to a track or over think it. Perhaps I need to get an idea down quickly and then leave it and come back to it later. Of course, the self doubt sets in and I start thinking I'm no good or have just run out of ideas....all in my head 🙄 So a work in progress.
Many thanks for your inspiration to keep going 😊
Thanks! Im suffering of the exacts same symptome... actually im working on fixing some limitation and setting deadline to the projects i enjoy the most
good plan!
Thanks for the reminder!
:)
Great video. FWIW you produce some of the most beautiful electronic music I have heard for years. Really, you are no imposter! But the points you make are all absolutely bang on, totally agree with all of it.
thanks for your kind words
subscribed brother, this subject matter and approach is right up my street, thank you
Thanks for the sub!
The UA-cam algorithm served me this video mixed in with my various searches on the Moog One. It actually throttle me back a bit from making the purchase… Oh, the pain of gear acquisition syndrome.
ahah i hear you brother
@@OoraMusic I am a new subscriber, and I look forward to watching more of your videos! And thank you for THIS one - as you were going down the list, I was say "YES" after each of your 5 points...
Thanx for this (in most people) unusual honesty! This is EXACTLY how I feel👊🙂
thanks for watching erik
Wow, this video came to me at such a significant time. I resonate with it so much (unfortunately). I would love to chat with you more about this! Do you offer one on one sessions for this kind of topic. I feel it would be so beneficial to speak with you about my experience of these topics. Thank you for giving a name to and highlighting an important topic so necessary for me to reflect on!
Great insights and realities that we should all deal with. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I love this. Thank you. It was just what I needed to hear today. I love your channel.😊
You are so welcome
I like this channel because fuels my gear acquisition syndrome
ahahah im a contradiction man
Love this, thank you ❤
thanks
Great video. Thank you so much for such an honest take.
My pleasure!