I have an issue where I spend WAY too much effort and time finding and downloading free effects, samples, and instruments. Way way way too much time. It's rather an "easy" fix by just downloading what I need as I go, but I struggle with the idea that I will miss out on the "perfect" effect, a "magical" sample, or the "perfectly matching" Instrument. Also, if I hear something in my head, searching for it kills the creative process.. I found I had this issue with mixing plugins, but as I built a solid arsenal, I no longer get lost in the weeds with them and no longer download every new one. This issue primarily revolves around production and sound design. So I ask, how much time do yall spend looking for effects for sound design, sounds and samples, and vst instruments?? Is dedicating hours on sourcing new sounds and instruments normal?? Or am I too obsessed? I spend more time sourcing than I do producing. Is this just how it goes? Any tips making this easier other than Splice?(not in my budget.) Any free alternatives to splice? Maybe the issue is that I source free rather than buying larger packs.. anyway, thanks guys👍

So I made a track yesterday and as usual, I put autotune on my vocals (on a slow setting) without really thinking, just to stabilise them like we're shown in the course. But actually, I was listening and there were loads of glitchy artefacts, and instead of trying to mess about with Melodyne to fix the artefacts, I tried the novel approach of removing Autotune altogether and going commando. And to me, it sounds way better. So to tune or not to tune, that is the question. Love to hear your thoughts on this.

Is there anyone making their own drum samples? I am making my own by recording the sound of each drum, each cymbal, each rim shot, hi hats open, closed, each shaker (I have lots of them), each cowbell, rattler, soon to be also a Cabasa, and all the notes on the glockenspiel as well as the double-row chimes. Once done with recording, I'll go through and do all the editing and all that other fun stuff that the samples need. This is gonna be a fun project to do. It's an 8 piece set of DW Concept Maple with all new Evans heads along with a 9 piece set of Zildjian Avedis cymbals and other various percussion instruments. Any suggestions on how to make dis happen? Should I bake in the panning information for each track or should I leave them in mono? What would you do? I'd love to hear your opinion. 🤠

What's the weirdest thing you've ever recorded? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours. Lol 🤣. Mine was flies buzzing around a dog turd. It was for background sound effects at a Halloween party.

I'm new-ish to this community. I'm a guitarist, bassist and singer-songwriter, and I've been a member "only looking in" on occasion since 2023, busy with family matters and other non-music activities to participate regularly until today. So...I'm starting over today. I have a lot of catching up to do to reach my goals and build on my own music, writing, recording and everything else. I am using a MacBook Pro, a Presonus Audiobox USB 96 and StudioOne5 currently. I look forward to learning how to do quality mixes and masters and growing on my convoluted musical odyssey.