Workflow
"building a narrative"
This past summer, I spent a lot of time focusing on workflow changes like adding a patchbay to free up inputs and make using the variety of external inputs on my gear more purposeful, an APC40 to help hide the fact I'm using a computer to record (keep me off the keyboard and mouse), binding CCs to hardware MIDI, building new templates to support new workflows (with a focus on MIDI and not on audio), and other workflow similar changes. I feel as though this was a defense mechanism for not wanting to create anything since these studio activities were readily attainable and achieveable. As I was knocking out these studio todos, I came across a post a friend posted on LinkedIn (the only form of social media I dabble in other than Reddit) the importance of documenting the creative process which really resonated with me and made me want to start making more of an intentional effort in documenting my process.
Document
Through the years, I've kept moleskin notebooks to document my music making process (e.g. keep notes, sketch out midi/audio ins/outs, categorize workflows etc), some giving bread crumbs of my overall workflow/process at the time.
2014 / 2015 ?
connectings the dots
and more dots
so many dots
bread crumbs
the idiosyncracies of gear
chords
notes on notes on notes
CCs ftw!
compression settings and then some
CC for you and CC for you and CC for you
Hopefully, this blog will be a stronger vehicle in keeping track of the things I do, or don't do, than the moleskin examples above helping to build a narrative around the things I make, bringing an awareness of what I do and why; giving clues on where/how to improve.
Rinse and Repeat
More than anything, I want my process to be enjoyable. Maybe it's cleaning the garage, interviewing for a job, or painting, we all have a process; whether it's consistent, effective and/or we enjoy it is another question.