Buying more expensive and better gear will not make you better at it. I not even going to tell you what the hobby is because this applies to so many of them. If you can do your hobby with the gear you have and you think “oh man I wish I had that, I could do awesome things” - it’s only worth it if you spend a whole lot of time on your hobby. If you’re like me and you only spend a couple hours a week or month on your hobby, it’s usually not worth it. Unless it’s something that let’s you do stuff faster. Because then you can do more in the few hours you have. I’m sure there are other exceptions to the rule, but in general, before you buy some shit, think to yourself “Do I really need this? Or do I just want it?”
I’m into playing guitar, bass and electronic music production, and IMO while there is definitely a “collecting instead of practicing/writing” issue to look out for, the right gear makes a pretty big difference. e.g. you do need a guitar with a good neck (not warped, good frets), you do need a guitar that’s not too heavy for you, you do need software (or hardware, if that’s your thing) with a workflow that works for you.
Currently struggling with the software part. Could well be that I’m just in a hole in general, but I was definitely more productive when I was making Game Boy chiptune with a simple tracker than I am with standard DAWs. At the same time, I’m very reluctant to enter into the rabbit hole of groove boxes, hardware sequencers etc.
Oh for sure, completely agree with all of that, but there is a point of diminishing returns. Like you definitely need functional equipment. And it’s nice to have nicer equipment. But buying yet another guitar doesn’t make you better at the guitar, and you can probably get better by practicing more often with what you have.
Don’t get me started on music software. I could spend $10,000 a week on plugins that I would never use because they all look so awesome.
Sequencing on something like LSDJ is great because you are locked into this tiny little ecosystem and you have to get creative.
Sequencing on something like LSDJ is great because you are locked into this tiny little ecosystem and you have to get creative.
This exactly. When I use a standard DAW, I spend SO much time searching for (or making) samples, synth patches, tweaking effects to usually little effect, while the constraints of LSDj force me to have a relatively consistent sound from the get-go and into actually making music. Unfortunately, it’s hard to translate that into something that isn’t chiptune or some other genre that I don’t particularly care for right now like rock.
Not sure what hobby this is, but honestly it goes for almost every one of my hobbies. Especially photography. I could probably just get good with my Canon EOS 40D for digital and my Canon EOS 300 for analog photography. But collecting new gear is so satisfying. There’s always something new to improve. “If only I had X, then I could really do Y well”. Though I at least feel like I’ve somewhat contained myself. I haven’t bought any new camera or lens that was more than like 500 bucks, and honestly with what I have now I don’t really feel the need to upgrade.
This does NOT go for watercolor painting! While you certainly dont need a lot of colors and brushes. The quality of both is paramount for progress and a decent outcome! Paper is even worse. You need a lot and of the expensive stuff. Acrylic paintig is not as bad but still…
Buying more expensive and better gear will not make you better at it. I not even going to tell you what the hobby is because this applies to so many of them. If you can do your hobby with the gear you have and you think “oh man I wish I had that, I could do awesome things” - it’s only worth it if you spend a whole lot of time on your hobby. If you’re like me and you only spend a couple hours a week or month on your hobby, it’s usually not worth it. Unless it’s something that let’s you do stuff faster. Because then you can do more in the few hours you have. I’m sure there are other exceptions to the rule, but in general, before you buy some shit, think to yourself “Do I really need this? Or do I just want it?”
Is your hobby guitar lol i’m curious
It is not, but it’s music related. But I also have outdoors hobbies. And electronics hobbies.
I’m into playing guitar, bass and electronic music production, and IMO while there is definitely a “collecting instead of practicing/writing” issue to look out for, the right gear makes a pretty big difference. e.g. you do need a guitar with a good neck (not warped, good frets), you do need a guitar that’s not too heavy for you, you do need software (or hardware, if that’s your thing) with a workflow that works for you.
Currently struggling with the software part. Could well be that I’m just in a hole in general, but I was definitely more productive when I was making Game Boy chiptune with a simple tracker than I am with standard DAWs. At the same time, I’m very reluctant to enter into the rabbit hole of groove boxes, hardware sequencers etc.
Oh for sure, completely agree with all of that, but there is a point of diminishing returns. Like you definitely need functional equipment. And it’s nice to have nicer equipment. But buying yet another guitar doesn’t make you better at the guitar, and you can probably get better by practicing more often with what you have.
Don’t get me started on music software. I could spend $10,000 a week on plugins that I would never use because they all look so awesome.
Sequencing on something like LSDJ is great because you are locked into this tiny little ecosystem and you have to get creative.
Definitely, just thought it needed clarification.
This exactly. When I use a standard DAW, I spend SO much time searching for (or making) samples, synth patches, tweaking effects to usually little effect, while the constraints of LSDj force me to have a relatively consistent sound from the get-go and into actually making music. Unfortunately, it’s hard to translate that into something that isn’t chiptune or some other genre that I don’t particularly care for right now like rock.
“Meh, I’ll upgrade the server RAM when I need it, zswap is working fine” <- clueless idiot from last year
Definitely applies to climbing. Technically more expensive shoes may help with certain climbs, it certainly won’t help a beginner.
Not sure what hobby this is, but honestly it goes for almost every one of my hobbies. Especially photography. I could probably just get good with my Canon EOS 40D for digital and my Canon EOS 300 for analog photography. But collecting new gear is so satisfying. There’s always something new to improve. “If only I had X, then I could really do Y well”. Though I at least feel like I’ve somewhat contained myself. I haven’t bought any new camera or lens that was more than like 500 bucks, and honestly with what I have now I don’t really feel the need to upgrade.
This does NOT go for watercolor painting! While you certainly dont need a lot of colors and brushes. The quality of both is paramount for progress and a decent outcome! Paper is even worse. You need a lot and of the expensive stuff. Acrylic paintig is not as bad but still…