Creative Constraints: What to do when you're uninspired

Check out Andrew's 3 module challenge here: • Making music without h...
In this video I describe one of my fundamental beliefs about creating: the usefulness of creative constraints. This is my go-to method of getting out of a creative rut, or sparking something interesting when I'm feeling uninspired. I then demonstrate an example of creative constraints in the form of a 3 module challenge, which starts at 08:41. Enjoy!
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∿ M o d u l e s u s e d ∿
∿ Basimilus Iteritas Alter by Noise Engineering
∿ Maths by Make Noise
∿ Clouds by Mutable Instruments
∿ uJack and Buff Mult by Intellijel
∿ StrongPWR by Konstant Lab
∿ Travel case prototype by me
∿ L i n k s ∿
∿ PATREON: / whitenoises
∿ BANDCAMP: gregwht.bandcamp.com
∿ INSTAGRAM: @gregwht
∿ MODULAR GRID: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/v...
∿ TWITTER: @gregwht
∿ WHITE NOISES WEBSITE: www.whitenoises.co.uk
∿ PERSONAL WEBSITE: gregory-white.co.uk

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Liked at "difficult to make something if I have a lot of options". Glad to see others have similar difficulties.

[@b_r_i_z_z_y]

This is gold advice, my favourite way to learn modules is to put them in my smaller skiff case and watch videos like yours about said modules, that gets the inspiration going, cheers!!

[@jackelliott2542]

This is rad!! I came here from Andrew's video for Modular Synths, and ended up getting super inspired! Nice video, man!

[@simondanielssonmusic]

That stroke on the canvas metaphor you explained at the beginning of the video is the most inspiring thing I've heard the entire year.

[@Rhapsodyinnoise]

Really good points on why someone would be interested in hardware instead of software. I really enjoy when people talk about both without being narrow-minded about one of the two.

[@erikb.8125]

I find that the "first mark" problem applies to building a modular system as well, I think that's why semi modulars and pre-built systems are becoming more popular

[@endlessmode7823]

Got here from Andrew's video, very cool! It was a nice jumping in point for someone new to your channel and the results were solid. :)

[@607]

I compose most of my music on/for Atari ST, so that's a constraint right of the bat. At the same time, it's really nice to be able to program my instruments, instead of having to find free downloads on the internet (which I still have to do for drum samples, sometimes). But sometimes it is very fun and useful to do something else than a completely free composition. For example, when I compose freely, I might input some parameters and think 'Yeah, this sounds fine'. Usually I'll fiddle with it some more, but I might arrive to the same instruments regularly. Because of that, I sometimes do a cover of an existing piece of music, a more traditional one, with real instruments, and vocals. This is an exercise for arranging music by ear, which is very useful, but it's also a way to force myself to actually know what I'm doing, instead of just inputting some parameters until it sounds nice. Because I don't want an instrument that sounds nice on its own, I want an instrument that makes sense in the context of the song I'm covering, and captures a bit of the same spirit, if possible. I have currently also got another musical experiment in the works: the hairdresser's I go to has got a doorbell that is out of tune. I am trying to compose a tune around that out of tune doorbell. It's really challenging, because usually I try to make melodies that are in tune and sound pleasing, but if the main motif is out of tune, that isn't really possible. :P So yeah, such things are very educational, and fun too. :)

[@TheCamillion]

Great video!! You’re channel got me interested in modular synths, and while I haven’t been able to experiment with it myself yet, I found that I could apply all of what you said to my writing! I find that I do write better and more original content when I’ve given myself challenges or constraints, and I find it fascinating how similar experiences are across so many different creative platforms ☺️

[@MODCAF]

Just the video I needed for my modular adventures! :) Cheers!

[@alekstedstone9634]

This really resonated with me! If I'm stuck I like to take my Korg Volca Beats and take one half of the stereo out through effects pedals, and record the other half clean, then jam different patterns while tweaking the effects parameters. Found some really gritty self oscillating tones in my digital delay that wouldn't really work on guitar, turning the level and the feedback right up then tweaking the delay time in the few millisecond range - a bit like your way of making a filter self-oscillate to add a voice. Ironically this video makes me want to get into modular synthesis and add to my collection of noise toys!

[@kleeo1991]

1:50 So so true. For this reason for now I only use my Korg Minilogue for synths. This prevents me from tweaking the knobs afterwards. What has been recorded straight into the DAW remains there and I have to deal with it

[@TheGunRanger]

Nice on 10,00 subs!!!

[@doak1694]

love your thinking, my music is limited always just to keep me sain and uncluttered. My title track on my page is just a Monomachine, Machinedrum and Zoom Sampletrack and the sound sounds deep and full. Not quite the same as the Elektrons have multilayers but I did not use them all in ether machine. Keep up the good work

[@apparently_sonam]

Totally relate with personality type. I too, love modular for that selective approach! ps you went to UoA?!

[@mikeexits]

I find I best make music when I just make random sounds until something sounds cool, make it more rhythmic and/or harmonic, add something that goes well with it, etc. and before I know it, a song that created itself organically sits before me. This is how maybe 95% of all of my songs are made.

[@bewildergoose]

SONIC ARTS ENSEMBLE REPRESENT!

[@WhiteNoises]

📢📢📢

[@edoardofacciotto7261]

In wich University have you studied? Can you tell me a bit more about what music technology is?

[@ArielBissett]

cutie.

[@phir9255]

Hello White Noises What is your opinion on virtual modular software like Reaktor and VCV Rack?

[@WhiteNoises]

They're great! I have been meaning to learn Reaktor properly for ages

[@James-uw6ym]

after playing around with vcv rack for a week, i felt like i wanted to create something but i couldnt seem to harness that creativity, this idea really helped me so here's my own 3 module challenge kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaSqqGOln9qHa5Y

[@WhiteNoises]

Nice work! Very chill 🍃 Glad the video helped!

[@ianmccarty7309]

HA i was tweakin the knobs all day . i too get lost. thanks for the video *synth nobs* there's lots of knobs. i feel like a knob. take care!

[@tcampbell1314]

So i dont have any modular gear, but i did a cool thing ages ago in ableton where i limited myself to just 4 instances of Analog. No effects, No Plugins, just them. Fuck me do i know analog like the back of my hand now! Heres a..... link.... if anyone cares.... soundcloud.com/tomcampbellmusic/lament-for-4-analogs (hashtag shameless plug)

[@VinnieLeeStudio]

The music sounds great!

[@tcampbell1314]

MY PLUG WORKED

[@thewolfin]

chiptune

[@flourfree2K]

"...excluding utility modules ..." Then, it's no longer 3 modules at all!! If I can use 15 "utility" modules AND 3 "non utility" modulues, then it's 18 modules. The so called "3 modules challenge" shold be more restrictive and include "utility modules" in the count. Or it's a kidding. But then it would be nearly impossible to make any senseful patch. Therefore, the challenge should be changed to something like "the SIX modules challenge (including utilities)"

[@JureJerebic]

Neither of you self patched the Maths, which brings out a whole new level of options

[@apparently_sonam]

Look again. Andrew did......

[@flourfree2K]

I'm sick of DIGITAL (microprocessor based) modules which do everything by themselves. So, here's another challenge: "STAY ANALOG" (as much as you can)! Meaning choosing ANALOG LFOs and VCOs (Doepfer-style, to be clear), Noise, S&H, ADSRs, VCAs, Mixers, Ring Modulators, .... OK, sequential switches and clock dividers or multipliers are something in between analog and digital, but can be accepted, since they don't use microprocessors, just simple logic chips. Even Branches (dual coin flip), although based on a cheap microprocessor, will be allowed (some randomness is necessary other thanthe classical Noise + S&H). This challenge can be combined with the other one, to restrict the field even more.