So I reckon that they both have their merits and down falls. I love the meticulous precision capabilities of a daw but I sometimes hit a point where I spend so much time deep inside the technicalities of a track that I forget about the overall aim, to make some good music. I also like the fact that nothing is set in stone with a daw recording. On the other hand I love the freedom of rythem that comes with a mulritrack tape recorder. I also find I'll spend more time on my chops and working out a structure before recording, it's that fear of not being able to go back so easily that I think can make the creative process more fruitful. BUT then I'll get to a point where I want the editing capabilities again and move back to the daw for a while. I've currently hit a point where after working on a track for a week or so on the daw I realised I hadn't achieved what I wanted at the start, don't you just hate that! So I'm closing down the laptop for a while and heading back to the trusty old tascam. Fuck it, I don't think it matters what gear you use, all methods have their pros and cons , the important thing is to stay creative and not lose sight of the main aim, to make some art.

Peace!

Good thoughts!

I agree with what you've said. Here are my thoughts/ramblings:

I think the infinite abilities of software can be a hinderance because you never feel like you GET there. The more limitations, the more likely you are to STOP and say, OK, this is as good as I can do for now.

I think the best way to have consistent results with creativity is to have seperate goals in terms of your music. I think half of your time, you should spend preparing. Mess with your EQs, mess with compression, load up on samples/ organize samples. Make interesting one shots. PREPARE for being creative. Then, the other part of your time, you should create. Play with the samples you haven't been listening to for 3 hours already.

I think the less time you have to spend setting up when the creative juices really HIT, the better. When I think of my favorite beats that I've made, they have been made very quickly, and the whole process just HAPPENS. On the other hand, when I try to micromanage EVERY sound in a beat and do something too specific, I end up hating it.

I think the only way to make music is when it comes out naturally. If i feel that it feels forced that day, I focus on doing something else that will help me make better music when the time comes.

I think despite what hardware/software you're using, it's important to get a preset or setup that sounds good so you can jump in whenever you feel like it and make something fresh.

On the other hand, tearing apart your whole workflow and doing something different is beneficial too.

@OP:

You're discovering that point where where technique, style and creation merge into the trifecta called The Vanishing Point...where you can see off into the future before you've even begun...

It's a good place to be.