I recently purchased a new laptop for use primarily as the focal point of my modest home studio. Rather than simply port over every DAW, plugin and sample library I have installed on my current hard drive – one of the perks of the job is that I’ve amassed quite a collection – I thought I’d take some time to carefully assess what I actually wanted or needed. It occurred to me that I find myself far more creatively inspired when I have fewer tools to work with.
It’s a real first world problem, I know, but when you have access to numerous ‘power synth’ plugins each capable of generating a near endless variety of sounds, deciding what you actually want to do is often the biggest roadblock you can face. Increasingly I find myself most creative when restricted to a limited selection of tools, or instruments with relatively rudimentary sound engines.
I love, for example, trying to wring as many sounds as possible out of a single oscillator synth and a few simple effects pedals. Or attempting to sequence a full track using a single groovebox or sampler.
This is hardly something unique to me – these pages have been graced on countless occasions by far more capable musicians than myself espousing the virtues of working to limitations. It’s not an approach that suits everyone either. I’ve met numerous musicians, sound designers and producers who are at their best surrounded by a huge selection of synths, or patching together a mammoth wall of modules. Some musicians are just capable of knowing exactly what they want to make, and set about doing so with the tools at their disposal.
I guess it comes down to just doing whatever inspires you.

SI TRUSS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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