In my last post, I talk about my attempt to reset and answer the same 17 Questions that changed Tim Ferris’s Life. Instead of briefly reflecting on each of them, I wanted to dive deep and experience the quandary. With this experiment, I hope that I will be able to change my life as well.
What If I Did the Opposite for 48 Hours?
Tim Ferris’s provocative question, “What if I did the opposite for 48 hours?” is an invitation to break free from routine and challenge ingrained habits. For me, this means stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing writing over the more popular but uncomfortable video content creation. Despite my efforts, I’ve always felt awkward on camera, whereas writing has consistently been highlighted as my strength by those around me.
In a digital age dominated by bite-sized, entertaining video content, choosing to write in-depth blog posts is a radical departure. This isn’t about being contrarian for the sake of it but rather about exploring uncharted territories within myself. Could my path to making a name and career for myself lie in the power of words instead of the fleeting allure of media?
Getting Gud at Music
Reflecting on nearly a decade of using FL Studio, I see a journey marked by perseverance and growth. The early days were a struggle, navigating the complexities of a digital audio workstation (DAW) with little guidance. Today, I not only own a legal copy but have a robust understanding of the timeline, mixer, step sequencer, and piano roll, alongside a myriad of virtual instruments and effects.
However, the more I learn, the more I realize the vast expanse of what I don’t know. My go-to for learning has been YouTube, but the platform is saturated with content that often prioritizes length and entertainment over substance. Many tutorials are poorly constructed, and the removal of the like-to-dislike ratio makes it challenging to gauge the value of the content.
Blast to the Past
A serendipitous Instagram post by LaidbackLuke rekindled my interest in music production forums, a nostalgic nod to a time when forums were the epicenters of knowledge sharing. Icons like Avicii and Martin Garrix started in these digital communities, and I wondered if revisiting this format could be beneficial.
Entering the forums was like stepping back in time. As someone who grew up alongside evolving technology, there was a comforting familiarity in the forum layout. It felt like a tangible connection to the past, a reminder of the early days of my music production journey.
Looptalk User Contest
One standout aspect of these forums was the monthly user contest. It presented an opportunity to gauge my skills and receive feedback. Remixes and edits are my comfort zone, so I decided to dive into an FL Studio demo project. The sense of clarity and cohesion I experienced reminded me of Alan Watts’ description of a state where everything falls into place effortlessly. This project, which began as a personal challenge, culminated in my first post on the Image-Line forums.
I chose this song because it was one of the first FL Studio Demo projects that opened when I first “Acquired” the software. Actually, the first project that I opened was Sometime ft. Veela, but at that point in time I quit for a little bit due to the program’s difficulty. But with the competition before I found that place that Alan Watt’s always talks about. The place where everything feels like it goes together. Before I knew it I had finished the project.
If you’re interested in a detailed walkthrough of this project, let me know; otherwise, I’ll save the time for further exploration. Sharing my work in this community may not yield immediate recognition, but it’s a step toward my dream of opening a set for my favorite DJ, MitiS. Imagining myself behind the decks, feeling the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, brings tears to my eyes. It’s a dream that fuels my motivation, reminding me that even the loftiest goals are worth pursuing.
Learning from Other’s Workflows
One invaluable practice is examining other producers’ FL Studio Project (.flp) files. Observing professional workflows offers insights into naming conventions, dB levels, effects chains, and song structures. This practice is a goldmine for enhancing my production skills, and I plan to share a detailed breakdown of a project file to highlight these learnings.
Finished Visualization
Creating a visualizer for my music is more than a necessity; it’s a passion. Influenced by Fantasia, Edgar Wright, early 2000s music visualizers, and synchronized montages, I strive to create visuals that complement my audio. Utilizing FL Studio’s Native ZGameEditor Visualizer, I’ve repurposed old drawings as assets, adding a personal touch to the final product.
Through this journey, I’ve embraced the opposite, delved into my strengths, and reconnected with a community that values detailed, thoughtful content. This experiment is about changing routines and discovering new pathways and reaffirming old passions.
