u/YBmoonchild

I’m new to production. 7 months in. The amount of unsolicited advice is insane. It’s worse than the art scene by far (I oil paint). I’m well versed in painting, but new to music. So if someone tells me something about a painting I don’t think much of it, I trust myself. With music it’s hard not to take what ppl say seriously and then overthink it.

The worst is when people give advice as if you have the same struggles in producing that they do. I absolutely will have my own struggles, I get that, but I don’t need people telling me I have to struggle through the “painful” parts, or that I shouldn’t take a break, or that I need to practice what I learn. I don’t find any part “painful” (yet). I absolutely DO need to take breaks because I’ve been hyperfocused on this hobby since the start of this year. I am not sleeping enough, or taking care of myself, I am obsessed with this. I spend the equivalent of a part time job on this on top of a full time job. I need to learn to step away. Idk if ppl think I’m bragging to say that. It’s not, it’s my reality. I struggle to take breaks when I like something a lot. I get constant dopamine from learning this. I have an addictive personality and a mood disorder, this hits on the same part of my brain that drugs do. I absolutely need boundaries and time limits for myself.

I don’t need someone to give me tips on how to stay motivated. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m obsessed, not even motivated or determined, just genuinely obsessed. I’ve never loved a hobby more, I’ve never had anything that gets rid of my anxiety the way this does and calms my brain down. I’ve also never had something be so addicting. I can’t stay away. I think about it constantly. I love learning every part. I love learning music theory, physics of sound, literally all of it. I don’t need someone to tell me I’m over thinking it when I explain that I’m making a certain type of melody with a certain structure and tension and release points just cuz maybe they don’t do that. Or because I haven’t mastered doing it yet. I don’t need someone telling me anything at all.

This is my fault, for sharing my music. Even if I don’t ask for advice ppl are quick to give it. It comes from a good place. I’m not angry. I’m just frustrated and really protective of my creativity. I don’t want peoples struggles spoken over me because they aren’t true for me. I’ll have my own issues to overcome. I know I have a lot to learn and I’m okay with experimenting the majority of the time and finding my own path and enjoying the journey.

I started producing 4 months ago. I expected to be into it heavy for a couple weeks and then drop it. But I didn’t. I’ve been quite literally obsessed since starting.

It’s a perfect combination of being challenged- problem solving- instant gratification- frustration- desire to solve the problem and repeat.

I have never found a hobby so all- consuming. I’ve been painting for years, that hobby has natural limits built it- the paint needs time to dry. I have to step away. With this I don’t. I could do this for hours and hours and I thought only maybe 10 minutes went by.

Admittedly, I’m a bit embarrassed. I’m 34 and I have real life to deal with. It’s become an escape from reality. All the BS of life is easier to deal with because I have this spark ignited in me. Maybe it’s just thrown me into mania? I don’t know.

Has anyone else dealt with this? How long did that obsession last? What are you doing with music now? This is a hobby for me, I don’t see it ever becoming more.

I just don’t know how to justify being so wrapped up in this at my age, except that it’s healing parts of me that nothing else has ever been able to touch. If anything the things I’m making, the field recordings I’m capturing are a snippet in time that one day will mean a lot to me I’m sure. Or maybe I’ll just be hella embarrassed of my music phase mid life crisis lol.

Looking for recommendations on a decent field recorder. I’d like to spend less than $500 if possible.

My plan is to spend the summer outside with my dogs so I figured I might as well record some sounds and build up a sound bank for myself while enjoying the nice weather- so it would need to be durable enough to be outside quite a bit.