I stopped buying Synth Hardware - here is why

Please check out my Dark Ambient Channel "Achim van Oyten": / @achimvanoyten
GAS - Gear Acquisition syndrome is something we make fun about. But for me it became a problem. In this video I tell you why it is a problem and what I did against it.
Please let me know your thoughts about GAS as a problem.
If you wanna hear the background track: • Video

[@SoundtrackAudioCom]

100% agree, at the end of the day if you can't make good music with one or two synths, you won't make good music with 10 or 20 synths, GAS can become a talent replacement and talent distraction. Also being limited by your equipment can feed your creativity and create better results, in other words ... more gear doesn't mean better music and it can turn you from a musician into a collector.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

yep - I was quite feeling that collector's thing :) And limitation is a good thing - back in my days as writer we only hat so or so many lines space in the paper. It quite helped to focus and to write better.

[@kvmoore1]

Back in the day, computers only had so much memory. Programmers had to write better more efficient and robust code when developing software for them. As a result, the software was very stable with minimal bugs if any at all. Nowadays, computers have vast amounts of memory and most recent software releases have become riddled with bugs and sometimes unstable. Now that there is almost an unlimited amount of memory available, programmers are not quite as efficient with their code anymore. To relate this to the current topic being discussed, I suppose you could say the amount of memory represents the amount of music gear and the software code represents the music. Also, BEWARE!!!! Software plugins can become an addiction too, just like hardware! At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: "How many eqs, compressors, and soft synths do I really need? This long list of installed plugs are making it more difficult for me to (quickly) find the specific one I'm really looking for, and ihey increase load time when launching the DAW application because they all have to be scanned." The upside to this is software is not as expensive as hardware and some of it is actually free. I'm glad you've cured your G.A.S. When it becomes mentally unhealthy, you know it's a problem. You recognize the problem and you decide to solve it by drawing the line. Your wallet and bank account will thank you as well. Good for you!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

@@kvmoore1 yeaaahhh, working as IT journalist back in the day I cannot confirm, software was very stable. It was ok on my 800XL but my Amiga 500 was a mess. (Yeah, I should have updated some ROM or something...). I think the problem is not so much that there is too much space to work with but that there are so many libraries and dependencies involved. From that perspective 8502 assembler sure was more robust :) I agree with software GAS - but I always was quite reluctant to pack too much software on my computers. Thank you very much for your thoughts :)

[@kvmoore1]

@@martingoldmannmusic You are very welcome.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

true you only need 1-2 good synths and software has the rest. My Virus can do it all in one magic box and good sequencer.

[@jamesdelrogers542]

My biggest problem with acquiring too many pieces is that no one of them gets enough attention Back in the day when I only had a few good pieces to work with I spent hours fantasizing about how to exploit them articulate with them Working with experimental electronic music I find this is where the really ingenious ideas come from and learning the instrument like the back of my hand Too many pieces of gear with too many capabilities leads to Endless noodle It sounds interesting but it's electronic elevator music Only Bye becoming intimate with the instrument and the sounds it makes How it behaves Do creative visions manifest from my subconscious I can literally hear the sounds in my mind and I know exactly how to get to them because I've had a lot of time I know the instrument like the back on my hand We all have our limits and we have to understand what they are

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I hear you. Better to learn some instruments by heart than to stay superficial. Thank you, James.

[@wackenthaljef]

@@martingoldmannmusic Same for me,thanks Martin !

[@goddamnit]

Yeah, I heard that by having restrictions upon yourself, you will actually be able to be more creative, rather than be frozen with analysis paralysis after acquiring complete freedom

[@patriciastewart2537]

This addictive process can apply to EDUCATION, too! I HAVE enough already, why put off WORKING to get that ninth year college, higher Healing Level ?

[@patriciastewart2537]

@@martingoldmannmusic getting a brand new FOUR string ukelele The Waterman recently brought me back to reality, as I CAN already play this well.

[@tinsandwichwithhobomunchie648]

Every musician deals with gas and when you start calling gas gas you're already in the addiction phase I just got sober and lost all my bass and recording gear due to my drug addiction so I'm starting all over with music and if you're addicted to music and music gear it's not the worst thing you can be addicted too cheers and keep making music

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you - you are right. There are worse addictions than GAS. Wishing you all the best!

[@chrisisasavage]

Good for you on getting sober!

[@muzicluvrable]

Good for you and best wishes to you staying sober. And yes you’re right I’m addicted but slowing down a lot.

[@wd25a]

@@martingoldmannmusic Software GAS is a lot cheaper - especially discounted and free stuff. Surge XT is excellent.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

I wish you well on your journey expect the unexpected and dont give up reaching for your goal/s.

[@__teles__]

I was going to buy something and I thought "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do Without". I'm now re-exploring Kronos and Triton for sampling and working on sound design. Getting new synths doesn't get you new sounds, crafting with what you have gets you new sounds.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Re-exploring synths is a great way. I'm trying this currently with my Digitone.

[@CatmanJimbo]

Especially if those kind of do-it-all workstation keyboards are the things you already have, those boards are crazy powerful!

[@user-yq5il5nn3t]

Correct, you. you can try all kinds of analog and digital synth hardware sounds, like a moog, a prophet, or various very old analog and digital synths, but with really beautiful sounds, then sample them and choose which one to play from the keyboard controller or a synth big, like exploring the Kronos, Nord, Kurzweil for example and processing everything you need/want from a couple of those keyboards ( in this point agree with Tele synth),and processing it from an ableton or whatever program you want. like and continue modeling it from / pc / mac that you. want. I understand your question clearly, because I spent years trying to wire all the synth modules via MIDI and it really is a problem, (besides taking up space), today you will see that there are many keyboardists who solve and summarize their entire set with 2 or 3 keyboards, or one or two rack modules and a good computer.....and from that point on, it's where you forget all the "gear" and start thinking about music. and to re-think that a work of art can be made only with a piano.🙂 (I hope I explained myself correctly, sorry my English is not that fluent)

[@rachelar]

"Use it up, wear it out there's nothing else in this world that I care about Now won't you please shit your body down ?" Odyssey (not ARP or Behringer)

[@MapSpawn]

I have never heard this term before, however this sounds like myself when I was a carpenter. I kept wasting my money on new Dewalt cordless tools in hopes of working more efficiently and being able to ask for more money per hour, but I actually got burnt out from working so hard and people just used my tools and didn't bother buying their own. I eventually was able to escape the situation by changing careers, and I pawned all my tools for a huge loss. I simply prayed to God that the tools ended up in the right persons hands. I ended up feeling great relief from this, but I never totally understood the lesson I learned until I saw your video. Thank you! I have yet to purchase my first synthesizer, but I understand to not rush the process and to approach it modestly. I feel more relaxed now having watched this video.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I guess, piling up tools is never that good of an idea :)

[@chasethevioletsun9996]

My antidote to GAS has been acquiring only 1-2 major modules/devices a year, but filling out my collection with things like cheap Doepfer utilities and kits. Its been pretty great, as it forces me to emphasize fundamentals.

[@distant_days_9749]

good advice, i think it becomes a problem when the creative process is halted because of telling yourself i just need that next piece of gear and then i can create my vision, this is just an illusion because there is always something new especially in eurorack. I quit gas and it’s amazing how liberating it feels knowing that the gear i have is all i’m going to have and now i can focus on the fun creative stuff.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep, it is so much easier to be creative with a well known instrument instead of learning a new instrument all the time.

[@maccagrabme]

Ebay and the scamdemic nipped it in the bud for me as the prices are now so ridiculous that I lost almost all interest in vintage gear. Still have a bit of GAS for the upcoming polysynths from Behringer though.

[@sethmutchler3280]

This is what I needed to hear! I started thinking of buying synths just “because it’s a good price” regardless of whether I can or should spend that money or if I even really want/need it in my setup! Thanks for the video.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

You are very welcome, Seth :)

[@rachelar]

I just pick em up off the street for free or peanuts, then it's ok

[@juanmico4085]

If we go by what you can do for the price, software will always win, but in the long run I find the overwhelming abundance of possibilities with soft synths is a curse, not a blessing.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Good point. On the other hand synths like a Waldorf Iridium can be pretty overwhelming too :)

[@juanmico4085]

@@martingoldmannmusic Agreed, but I find a hardware box (or module) helps me focus and get to learn it. The software equivalent of G.A.S. is a complete lack of focus as it's so easy and cheap to get new plugins almost on a daily basis.

[@basstradamus1]

Agreed, i completely shut down software synths as i like to interact with hardware and sound difference is noticable.btw i was very against hardware before that :) now preparing to buy ob-6 :)

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Juan - yep I have to stay away from plugins. But that is not a big problem for me, I guess :)

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Kris, I like and use both kind of synths. The good thing is, that I can always take the best out of both worlds :)

[@willswitchcraft]

Word! We live in a mass consumer culture. I too went through this. I've been guying synths quite regularly since the late 70's......Now, I only buy a new synth when I've sold one that I don't use often.....We've become addicted to having the new thing, (and there are so many exciting new things) but historically, it was more about playing, writing and performing with them for many of us, not having to have all these different pieces of gear, with different workflows....which takes time. Great upload. A good perspective for us all......

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you very much for that. The sell one buy one approach is quite a good one. And, yes, I want to concentrate on creating new sounds and not so much on learning new hardware (or software).

[@MrSiwat]

Absolutely true! Vital is my favourite synth. I'm old and have had most of the classics over the years since 1976 and yet now, I just keep it in the computer. My new M1 MacBook pro is so powerful and I can take it anywhere. Right now I'm making music on a beach in Tenerife. It's a great way to work. Thanks for the video.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

A big advantage to softsynths - you can take them anywhere on your notebook. Happy beach composing :)

[@fusionistaaaa]

How is Tenerife? Do you have gigs somewhere?

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

I think there's one aspect that remains overlooked. I think there's one important difference between software and hardware synths, and that's the experience (the playing) with the knobs and sliders. That can be an important part of the playing and creative process. I did use MIDI-learn and used (some of) the knobs and sliders of a MIDI-controller but it's not the same. But apart from that, you are right. GAS is a mainly a void that never will be filled. If it hits, think of JMJ, who said you'd better learn a synth inside out (than get new ones for new sounds?).

[@martingoldmannmusic]

That is definitely a point. I enjoy very much twisting knobs. And I am too lazy to assign MIDI controllers. However my workflow changed from playing "live" for myself to building MIDI tracks.

[@ldandco]

Buy one midi controller with knobs . Use it for all your software synths. There. You now have the "experience" with software synths

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

@@ldandco I do have some. But it's different. 1) you generally only have 8 sliders and 8 knobs, where many synths have (far) more knobs and sliders. 2) the same sliders and knobs on you midi-controller have a different ' meaning' for every soft-synth. And maybe even when working with a certain one, when you want to change. 3) You have to assign them every time or make a selections of which ones you want to use, for the current project/use. In short, it's not the same thing (experience).

[@KoolteethDeBlog]

@@fritsvanzanten3573 check the Novation SL MkIII controller. It can save many midi tables to choose from, 8 of them in each project and automation can be sequenced and saved, too. Btw. I don't think turning knobs and pushing sliders make good music or a better feel for creating good music. And most ppl tweak their hardware recordings in a daw anyways. I mean LFOs aren't bad though they do nothing less then automate any knob or slider movements in a perfect way, are they?

[@isaacshamie9338]

Ableton synths user and used an mpk49 midi-controller for 5 years. Bought my first hardware synth last year, the circuit tracks groovebox, and been loving it, but recently my midi controller broke! I’ve currently been back and forth on if I should get the hardware. I need 61 keys, and yes while most of my work is done or edited in a daw, the tracks showed me how much fun it is to not be reliant on the computer. So I found modal cobalt and argon 8x, really want those , but still have this dread of “buying a digital hardware” synth bc software can do the same.. I think I need to bite the bullet anyway sorry for this long rant ,

[@ashinywolf]

For some reason KZbin decided to recommend this video to me the day after my last big gear purchase arrived in the mail, almost like it knew, haha. But honestly I feel so much of what you discuss in this video, especially the 'making space' / 'gear shuffling' logistics it introduces. So, thanks, I think I saw this whilst right at my peak GAS state, and it is just the thing I needed to hear. Looking forward to watching through the rest of your channel's videos.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Hey thank you for watching (and thanks to KZbin for recommending this video to you ;-) ). Glad, you are here.

[@blotharkheim]

This my introduction to you and it earned a sub. It's all bout just getting the right gear you need and knowing when you've had enough! And software can do everything.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you so much for subscribing. Had quite some problems finding the right gear. Took me a few years to know what I need. And yes - most of it can be covered by software (yet I love tweaking knobs ;-) )

[@tinywires]

I really needed this video. Thank you for putting it out. I got into synthesizers as tools to help me make music. But over the past year, I've sort of transitioned to it being more of a reward or treat like you say. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that, but the joy of rewarding myself is short-lived. It feels great right when I get the gear, but then I end up another machine to learn, to find space for, and to feel bad about if I'm not putting the time into it that it deserves. Like buying a pet on Christmas and then having to take care of it the rest of its life. I don't want my desk to turn into a cluttered trophy case of dusty gear. I want it to be a productive space for making and finishing music. That probably means selling some gear and focusing more on Ableton and soft synths. I never find making music in the box as fun, but the music I get out of it is so much better for the listener.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

You have some really good points there: Focus on the listener, short lived joy and the thing about pets (we have two dogs). I really felt that the former treat from buying a synth turned into something staring at me and asking my "why don't you play with me"?

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

Here's a pro tip from a guy who also deals with this disorder. There is no magic bullet. These pieces (even the Iridium) are only tools. Once I realized this I got rid of everything. Imchose to keep my minimoog. 1 synth. The rest is in the box. I promise NO ONE can tell the difference. Also (unfortunately) the listening public doesn't care. This hurt me when I realized it but so far it has continued to be true. Ppl cant tell if I made a piece using an FS1R and OBXa... or Korg Gadget off my iPad.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yeah, I should remind myself about that: Just tools... But they are so shiny! :)

[@spurv]

Personally, whether or not anyone can tell the difference, is not high on my priorities. I can tell the difference. I use hardware synths for my enjoyment, not for anyone elses.

[@voodoohex72]

Cool have fun doing poly with that minimoog. Do you track in 1 voice at a time for 6 note chords? LOL I think I could tell the difference between 1 voice and 6. Maybe put the minimoog away and get something a bit more versatile? Def would NOT be my desert island synth of choice. To me analog synths are boring except for my Avalon bassline of course. Maybe a modwave or irridium would be my one synths choice. Or waldorf M, PEAK or my opsix damn I just need them all. None for the closet! Anyway to each their own! :)

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

@@voodoohex72 have you ever played a minimoog?

[@aquaticborealis4877]

This is true. One iPad and a bunch of inexpensive music software on a single iPad can basically do everything.

[@timlacatena]

Thanks for sharing your story. I landed in a similar place as you. I appreciate hearing this :) these days having a great time using mostly software and some hardware.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

You are very welcome - yeah, I think that kind of hybrid setup works pretty well for me.

[@oystercatcher943]

Glad you realised this. Love the honesty. I’ve just got back into electronic music after a 25 year break! My GAS problem is I’m now overcome by playing with all the amazing free software! I’m not wasting space or money but I am not taking the time to learn in depth so far. This is still dangerous

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you, Adrian. Yep - too much software can become a problem too. I tend to remove plugins after not using them for a while.

[@bubuAudio]

A couple of year ago I sold quite all my gear. It was a long process, but it was worth the necessary time . I felt super free then !! Now, whenever I feel the urgency to buy new stuff, I just procrastinate a couple of weeks and suddenly that urgency disappears !!

[@dylanleroysynth]

Nice video! Absolutely I’m a hardware gear person but I’ve definitely recognized the addiction of getting that next synth. I’m trying to at least only focus on machines that don’t overlap with other pieces in my setup but I find it difficult sticking to that. It doesn’t help being bombarded almost daily with synth “review” videos on KZbin. Space is definitely a factor for me as well. I’m not sure if I’ll quite warm up to soft synths but that’s just me. Maybe one day! 😎

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Watching your videos I see a guy enjoying to play and to perform. I think there is not so much dancing around with soft synths ;-) As for the reviews: Jep - a lot of them triggered me to buy synths. But that is imho not their fault - I was easy to impress.

[@edrosa3485]

Funny I bumped into this while searching for analogue gear... Recently fought bronchitis. Dealt with it for about 3 months and when your sick you remove extraneous activities from your life, which one of them (for me) was music. Getting close to the end of it I was really wanting to create music but dreaded the thought of going into my studio, powering up the synths, mixer, effects box, monitors etc so I forced myself to pull out my iPad, studio headphones power up Garageband and see what happens. In about 4 hours I had a nicely done 1 minute piece of music for my Instagram. Exponentially faster than it would have taken me in the studio. The music, the video editing all one on my iPad. So I decided to spend more time just with software synths and see if it would make sense to sell my hardware setup.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I hope you are fully recovered from your bronchitis. Thanks for sharing your experience and all the best :)

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Dude this video spoke to me on so many levels🙌🏻 GAS can quickly get out of hand and kill the music, the creativity and worse, the joy that this beautiful hobby is all about. Thank you so much for sharing! Best of success with your music and channel my friend✌🏻

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Hey, welcome here my friend. Thank you for your nice comment and all the best. Your channel gave me so much inspiration!

[@25adbond]

Intersting vid mate. I recently sold loads of hardware as I was always buying midi splitters and cables and ran out of space in my 10 channel mixer and it just became time consuming configuring everything. kept just the hydrasynth keyboard (doubles as midi control for bitwig) deluge (for music outside the studio) and minilogue XD (just cant sell it) and with a smaller setup its just less stressful and simple. I still look at new gear but no longer ponder flogging a kidney to get them!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Oh yes, I spent hours connecting my synths to my DAW or with each other. That can be quite frustrating and frustration inhibits my creativity.

[@MoCheez]

@@martingoldmannmusic I bought a 8x8 usb midi interface, plus a Behringer Eurorack mixer with 16 inputs and lots of cables. Each synth now has its own midi in/out and corresponding channel in my DAW. Each synth has its dedicated stereo audio input in the rack mixer. Everything is connected, always and permanently, and life's never been so easy :D Even better : I've finally started getting creative again thanks to hardware synths (and since I've quit using plugins). Frustration came from having to plug/unplug hardware or when cables were missing. Procrastination came from having too many soft synths with endless possibilities. I am now trying to reduce my sonic palette to 5 or 6 "essential" hardware synths/samplers which I know and love. My GAS has developped as a grown up, built on frustration from my younger years, when I was not able to afford my dreams ;-) Today I can hardly move in my home studio, partly because I collect too much stuff, but also because I'm a bit messy. But I kinda like it that way :D

[@alexwestconsulting]

I love stumbling upon a channel I haven't watched before that has a ton of good content. Subbed.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

And I like nice people subscribing. Welcome :)

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Thank you for being open and honest. I recognised I was buying far more than I was creating years ago and actually made a decision to stop as like yourself I had run out of space, coupled with the fact I was a vinyl collector with turntables so you can imagine the amount of room that was absorbed by this. Anyways good for you and happy creativity today and beyond. 😁😁😁👊🏾👍🏾

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you very much - I remember how much space my only 600 vinyls back then needed :)

[@addLADN]

Excellent video Martin. I am exactly where you were now. You have given me something to think about

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Very happy to read that, Adam. Thank you :)

[@MartinKatscan]

"I was planning my living and working space to fit hardware synths".. Damn that rings so true.!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep, it was quite a problem. Still didn't sell any synth but they are sitting on the shelves now. Every now and then I put one of them on my desk :)

[@chrisisasavage]

I've gone the opposite direction. I have a laptop loaded with tons of synths and effects. I love making songs in the DAW, but wanted a way go make music without a computer so I got an old fostex multitrack tape recorder and a few cheap synths and effects. Im trying to avoid GAS even if ive done a little bit of it lately. My laptop is far more capable since I went down the PAS route a couple years ago (Plugin acquisition syndrome). I like sound design so plugins actually make a ton of sense as I have more options to make and manipulate sounds on my laptop than I could ever afford with hardware.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

PAS can be a problem too :) . I guess a good mixture of software and hardware is key. I use to have quite powerful machines since my day job is in video production - there is room for plenty of plugins ;-) (actually I don't own that many)

[@randomchannel323]

Yeah I agree I bought a bunch of VSTs but then realised they were useless because I didn't have the music theory knowledge to create good productions

[@martingoldmannmusic]

A bit of theory is quite helpful. This video by Andrew Huang helped me getting started: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJjEhX-oj6yfoZI

[@micindir4213]

I know it might be off the wall, but here it goes: I'm used to spend most of my income on gear, so I guess I'm guilty of GAS. But once war started, I'm out of the work, as all my gigs got cancelled and making music overall became hard for psychological reasons. So what I did? I'm selling my gear now! I always knew music gear was had a bit of contingecy investment, but at this moment it became very clear it was! It's remarkable, that market for this sort of things still exist within my country, but here we are: those synths bring me bread to my table.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

This puts my "problem" in a whole different light. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best.

[@nimrod7785]

Thank you for the video and sharing your thoughts. We all suffer from GAS. We think that somehow we become a better musician if we buy a new shiny synth. What helped me is forcing myself to use just using one synth for a project to do everything. That way you learn the synth and my creativity comes out focusing on the music instead of the equipment. Zimmer also talked about that is better specializing in a few synths instead of spreading wide.

[@HansyPants184]

Personally, I get the most enjoyable experience from making music in the box with a nice, tidy desk and a controller. I have outboard gear, I have hardware synths, I have pedals, and I have enough I/O to leave it all plugged in. I want to sell it all to build a new computer but I don't, because I feel as though it makes me lose "legitimacy" as an artist in the content age. I feel like we all want hardware because it all looks so romantic and orderly within the frame of our favorite content creators but in reality it's all just a mess of cables off camera for everyone lol.

[@KoolteethDeBlog]

I agree with you! I met ppl who think hardware equals analogue and analogue is best. It is such a hype...

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep romanticism and shiny lights. I love that about my hardware. :) The legitimacy is also an interesting point - it brings me back to a time when music had to be hard labour, sweat and so on. That is another good topic :)

[@orphanfrequencyyeah1742]

I certainly recognize the 'giving yourself a treat' part. I stopped buying hardware synths a while ago and limit myself to the occasional effects pedal (I seem to have much less GAS tendencies with those). These can give a completely new dimension to the hardware synths I already own. I also got Pigments and V-Collection a few years ago for a very nice price after buying a Minibrute 2 (lol), and these are actually more and more my go-to synths. The nice thing with Pigments and V-collection is that you can use them as standalone synths, no need for a DAW. Plugins for DAWs are another GAS-trap I almost fell into. Because many are cheap it is very tempting to buy a lot of them and before you know it you spend as much as on hardware (and at least hardware you can still sell).

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you. Jup - for now I was able to avoid the Plugin rabbithole. (That being said I bought some that were pretty useless for me :) )

[@dorsia6938]

Yeah I'm kind of agreeing with this and also G.A.S can occur in software as well. I have so many plugins I didn't ever end up using because it's so daunting to relearn the different UIs and interfaces. Hell, you could spend years with just one synth like omnisphere, zebra, serum, pigments etc and still not have explored everything. It takes so much experience to know when to use a certain compressor or saturation plugin in all the different variable situations, when you have 10 compressors then you never really discover the hidden intricate features of any one of them.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Good point, yes. Also we tend to forget that most DAWs have really good onboard tools and that we wouldn't need other plugins in many cases. :)

[@colindavis2113]

I feel like I have a bit of this now. Never had the problem before. I was always content with my bass and the few effects that I had. I’ve recently started exploring hardware and have fallen in love with it. I think I’m pretty darn close to having what I need to be set for a long time but I am drooling over some more gear lol. I’m almost there though! You gotta have some hardware to work with. I think both hardware and software are useful in different ways but complementary. I’ve gotta have a plan on when I’m going to stop. I can’t blow all my money!! Good thing if you take care of it and keep the packaging you can sell it and get a chunk of change back.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

That is the good thing: we can sell the hardware without losing too much money.

[@brianreilly6545]

Nice share! Since calming down on gear purchases I have a lot less headaches. It’s madness out there.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you. I felt some kind of relief after deciding not to buy another synth. :)

[@synthshoot1026]

I agree. And the only thing that stopped me from buying more is space, which does go against creativity. One positive side however, is that these things don't loose much price, so you can always sell with good value. It's not like a laptop or a TV where after 5 years, it's already lost half value.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Completely agree - yet I hesitate selling my hardware. Never know if I could need it again. (That is another topic ;-) )

[@djwickit]

I really enjoyed this video. I'd also like to add that Arturia's entire V collection is on sale right now, 28 virtual synths!! It definitely scratched my itch for new toys to play with.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you! :)

[@Keilnoth]

I recently bought the Arturia collection, during the black Friday deal, I now have all the synths I'll ever need. I have just one midi keyboard and a Push 2. But I am always tempted to buy those pretty hardware synths just to turn some knobs.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep - those knobs are calling me all the time :)

[@aftertheendtimes]

Thanks for shareing Mr Goldmann, I am seriously feel some G.A.S creeping up on me too, I am now also set an STOP for buying more gear and synths, ive vill see how it goes =) I am glad you shared this video,..Thanks a lot,..=) Love cheers

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for watching :)

[@MyDeepGuide]

For me it was the Andromeda A6 that banished GAS, completely unexpectedly. All of a sudden, I realized that for my musical needs, since getting it, no new or old synths were that interesting anymore. In my case it was a piece of hardware that filled the musical need I was searching for. For you, it sounds like it was software, which is even better, because that solves so many practical issues :) So yeah, no new (or old) gear purchased in well over a year now, just occasionally selling pieces from my collection, and I'm much happier this way. There are some synths that I will probably never sell, even if I don't use them that often, their specific sound or capability makes me want to keep them, but like you, stored away, so that they can be picked up when the need arises :) Thank you for sharing, this is an important topic, and congrats on making that important step towards greater happiness :)

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Good for you - to find the synth ending all GAS. Sounds like another Holy Grail :)

[@XanderEwald]

GAS can progress from a mild obsession to a serious shopping addiction or compulsive buying disorder. We like to laugh about it, but it can become an existential problem for some of us. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for your thoughtful words.

[@johnsuggs3952]

What the hell are you talking about? Bottom line, we like instruments. Existential Problem....nah. We're a bunch of people who if we have the money and can hide it from our spouses or significant others, we want instruments. My wife went into Guitar Center with me to look at Bass Guitars. She said in the middle of the store, don't you already have 3 bass guitars? What's the point in getting another one. Literally every musicians head turned in the store and looked at her. Was kinda creepy actually. Looked like a scene from star trek when they're on the Borg ship and someone does one thing to many and they all turn and start coming after you. Just chuckled to myself as I looked at the Sterling Music Man StingRay Ray34 Whatever woman. Whaaatever.

[@78thandSynth]

Started 11/21 with moog studio/trio. Justified a number of upgrades and fx along the road to work with guitar rig. Then Matriarch happened yesterday. Points for going demo I believe.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Moog Matriarch is such a wonderful synth :)

[@rayderrich]

I have spent countless hours watching gear reviews, just to see whether some device would reignite my creativity. I sat through hundreds of videos about VST's and there seems to be a new one every day, so I could fill my life with it. I seek help in many 'how to make music' tutorials and 'how to finish a song' lessons. All that time and energy did not go into creating actual music for me and perhaps others to enjoy. Let's all hope you will stick to the promise you made to yourself, and that others like myself learn from this video. Thank you.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you, Rayder - time will tell :)

[@LifeInTheLastFane]

Your openness and honesty is highly relatable and very much appreciated Rayder Rich. Thanks.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Same here. That said, I always end up with Synth1 :)

[@rayderrich]

@@wolfgangdevries127 I have and used Synth1 but that one is definitely too dated for me. Since I purchased Falcon from UVI that has become my go to VST.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

@@rayderrich well, 90% of my reference tracks are from the 90s. But I try to craft my own sound.

[@PacificRimWeb]

I see Martin's point. I went through all this with my guitar playing days. I hope never again fall into the GAS way of thinking. -And, it's hard to get rid of the gear because I think it's somehow connected to my musical ability, -when I don't even use it! Growing into the synth world, I've learned to appreciate my three Korgs (Trinity, Wavestation A/D, and NX5R) and put the rest of my buying towards a faster computer, a small number of plugins, and a good controller. I tend to create more like this. Good video!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you - still haven't sold one piece. However some synths are sitting on the shelves for quite some time now. And I didn't buy new ones (execpt from a Nord Drum 3p ;-) )

[@synthfellow]

Great video and I think many of us can relate to it. My setup as of now lives by the principle “one in one out” GAS is nothing to take lightly upon.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

One in, one out is a good concept. Had a problem with the "out" so far :)

[@synthfellow]

@@martingoldmannmusic It´s often the "out" that is the problem..

[@piercemcintyre1327]

Yo, this is a great video. I would love to see more of them. G A S is more insidious because it almost overlaps and compliments the creative process even while being an iddiction. Still, I am highly encouraged by your statements. I think not buying synths in itself is creative.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep, there is not much creativity in buying things. On the other hand: assembling the right combination of instruments could be a creative act. Thank you :)

[@g3cd]

I'm sitting in front of my computer all day long, I don't want to use more software to make music. I also just use some guitar pedal for effects and a hardware sequencer and I love it. I do store my hardware away when I'm done to free up space again on my desk, but I might buy a different desk with some rackspace to accomodate hardware that's out of the way and still ready to use.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Putting away the synths after playing them is what I do now too. It really helps with a clean desk :)

[@joaoceitil]

The market of gear is a challenge one!! Specially the modular Eurorack boom. Now there are modules that do million thing in such a small space, and IC are getting smaller and smaller. For me it really helps to have a focus. For instance I love the concept of Serge environment, where you have minimal functionality but low level access. This really makes you thinking and get smart while patching. it is really a pleasure when you suddenly tune all the sweet spot and music screams at loud.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Oh yes - I love that "one button one function" approach. Thank you for contributing :)

[@KrisBarton432]

Good for you!!! and great advice. Thank you \m/

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you :)

[@_alexxon]

Indeed. At first I bought a Mother32 as the first synth in my life. I really really enjoyed it. I think because of it’s well created limitations I can do a lot of things with it, and then I feel like it’s not enough. I then bought Moog Grandmother Subsequent 37. Suddenly I feels like I’m not happy anymore, even all my dream are fulfilled. The complexity and the alternative choices makes me sometimes feel lost. So that’s why I just decide to stop here, keep only 3 gears forever. This could be the maximum amount of synth I can have now😂Because it also takes a lot of time to learn them.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Guess this is a good choice to keep 3 synths. I love the Mother-32 :)

[@valdir7426]

replaced my synth gas with eurorack gas. not sure it's an upgrade. still I think long and hard before justifying any new purchase. I want to explore a few things in eurorack but I tell myself it will wait till next year as I have more immediate needs (like a good midi controller).

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I think Synth GAS to Modular GAS is kind of a sidegrade :)

[@neonpop80]

I just started making music last year and I have 5 synths and just ordered a Circuit Tracks. Truth is, I hate looking at my screen and I love playing with physical toys and learning them. I now can play the keys and have incredible fun with it, and have setup some synths together so they all are synced. That's just part of the fun. I tried Vital and hated it. You can any sound with it, that's true, but for a beginner I also needed some parameters. A synth that's built a certain way that has character such as my beloved Reface CS taught me so much by turning the dials and exploring how to sculpt sounds. I don't regret any of it for a second knowing that I've tried my hand on music and the limitlessness of the digital world was so overwhelming it had no beginning or end to enjoy. It was just a big hole with no character or direction.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for your point of view. I agree with that knob turning thing. I really enjoy playing physical synths but most of the time I go with the softsynths. (Might change - then I will pull my Minilogue out of the shelf again :) )

[@mizzoe2809]

I sold a lot of my gear over the past year. I didn’t sell everything of course. In fact I feel like I still have more than I need. But just selling those different synths really cleared a lot of room for me and opened up creativity. I’m not planning on buying anymore either. I know exactly what you mean sir. It became an addiction.

[@theelectronicrat]

Smart and sane approach. I recognize the feeling.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you 😊

[@stuartleighton]

I see what you mean. I can feel myself getting sucked in. I’ve started adding a few more hours to my job to get a little more money to pay for my extravagances. Now I have the Minilogue XD coming this week, that should tame me for a while. However, eventually there will be more stuff advertised and that dopamine hit to chase… Will need to check out Vital myself. I have it but I’ve yet to use it.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Vital really is some fun. And, yes, buying synth hardware can be a slippery slope. :)

[@FluxFreeman]

Thank you, GAS had consumed me and replaced alcoholism, I have gear sitting in the trunk of a BMW (which costs much more in the US) and I have started my life over, I never really learned how to play the keyboard and spent thousands

[@martingoldmannmusic]

All the best for you, mate!

[@JH-pe3ro]

I was already ITB - but I've slimmed it down even more by going to Linux and omitting all the VST plugins. Renoise, my preferred DAW, works on Linux so there's actually very little adjustment in the workflow. There are hundreds of free LV2 plugins that come preinstalled with Linux distributions intended for audio. They don't do the same things that the plugins I had before do, but they do what's necessary without any separate install or licensing troubles. The "collection" is now just samples, loops, and presets, and my spending goes towards buying those and adding more disk storage space. My new setup can be restored just by copying some files. Basically, for me, less "gear", more "references". I have a library of sounds instead of lots of devices that make sounds.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Hm, maybe I should put Linux on one of my old macs and try that. Thank you!

[@YlowX7]

That's a good idea. I used to be obsessed with getting VSTs, and a lot of them I don't use. I don't think I'm going to try linux any time soon, but it's in the back of mind. For now, I think I should sort through my VSTs to delete the ones I never use to simplify things. Also, I used to use Renoise every day until I got Bitwig. I plan to use Renoise for its Redux sampler plugin to use for multisample instruments in Bitwig, but I'm still getting the hang of Bitwig and seeing what the limits are with CPU usage and such. I also got into buying hardware synthes lately, and I was already getting GAS, so it's time for me to stop buying hardware and focus on the keys I play instead. It has also made me lose interest in soft synthes, but I am getting back into using the soft synthes I used to use daily. I'm still cooling down on using too many effects. I lied, I need a bigger midi keyboard so I can more easily learn piano, but I swear that's going to be it besides maybe some monitor speakers. The speakers can wait though.

[@Kkidzz]

STIMMT!!! I'll admit that this is absolutely true with me. My studio has literally become a museum of synths. I have decided to pare down fairly drastically; I want to walk into my spacee and feel calm, not overwhelmed. Alles im ordnung. ;)

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Danke Dir :) We all need space!

[@Noise-Conductor]

If it's not bringing u joy let it go

[@WH3]

I talk a bit about GAS on my 2021 studio tour video, was grappling with it for sure but on the latest update I found the solution, and it has to do with workflow. It's easy to get different bits and pieces without thinking about having them playable and accessible. For sure when it comes to wavetables, samplers and granular we really need to stop and think about software before committing!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you. It took me quite some time to find a workflow that suits my needs. Unfortunately some hardware doesn't fit as well as I thought before ;-)

[@higginsmusic74]

Every synth I possess has or had a function/space. The ones that are put away have stage and road abuse. I keep a current 88 key ROMpler for gigs and then have a curated collection of synths (22 total, synths/samplers/drum machines included) for the studio, designed by specific types of synthesis without much overlap. I also keep a satelite workstation outside of the studio to jam on. My wife calls it my superstation. It evolves and allows me to separately explore the instruments more intimately without as many distractions. All that said, I've never gotten rid of as many synths as I have in the past five years. Besides, with the routing I can pull with my interface, I can just pipe the softsynths to an amp and put a mic on it to get a "live" sound if it's coming out "too sterile".

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Gotta try that routing with my tube amp - guess this should sound interesting. Also I like to record to tape for a little extra warmth/saturation/analog feeling :)

[@e-conrecords4665]

I’ve heard this many times before… fast forward a year or two. “I sold most of my hardware and now I regretfully want it back”.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you. Didn't sell anything yet (except a Volca Beats a year ago). This is not about getting rid of all hardware but about stopping to buy new one.

[@slashnburndotcodotuk]

I feel you Bro'. I have App Shopping Syndrome ...

[@marcochaiwallah811]

i totally feel u in this one. for me the aha moment came, when i realized evry time i had a major plateau in a music project, like i couldnt solve a musical riddle, more like on the song writing/conceptual level i wanted ti fix it by buying a new piece of expensive! gear. covering up creative problems with this allusive promise, never works. sure new gear can inspire us in the phase of exlporation and trying it out, help over plateaus of boredom, but its almost like a religion and for sure an addiction, because its not looking at the root of ge problem: boredom with our approach to making musik, lack of inspiration or vision. "im sure i will finally get to make music i always dreamt of, if i buy this xy machine"... which musician hasnt told himelf that ? sure, the best sounding gear is what we all dream avout, but honestly in most musicians lives, qhen we are young, dont have much money but boast o creativity, flexibility, curiosity, we change the game, invent new genres, stumble upon new things. sure its nice to finally have that fender, or that iridium(i also fell into st trap) but if we spend more time display browsning and learning th instrument then playing, it gets in e way of xreativity. because we need to be free in our head, hert and space.. the older we get, the more we repeat ourselves r get stuck in the past, while a new generation brings definin tings to rhe table. so im telling myself another niceexcuse, if i just able to reduce my gear i can focus. and honeslty its just about sitting down (or standing up) and just f**ib doing it right now with what u have 😂😂😂 i have a truckload full of harware grar i cant emotionally depart from, telling myself i cant move to this or thatcountry or dont tour so much, because i need to finish this album with all the machines waiting my return. thank u for this video, it reminded me !!!!!!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for your thoughts, Marco. Much appreciated!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

(G)AS is not restricted to hardware synths. The same can happen with VSTs and sample packs etc. Once you bought a lot of them you will get option paralysis. I guess the best thing to do is focus on the music instead of the tools used to make it.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I just made a track with Logic Plugins only. Didn't work too bad. But I also have some plugings bought on some kind of sale and never used since then...

[@kquat7899]

Exactly. And cables are a nightmare. Software and a controller or two is all that's required.

[@oiartsun]

This is an important message for musicians/composers/sound designers. I am almost positive that I will get the Iridium, but I have a worry that even that holy grail won't be enough. I look longingly at the Majella Implexus and the UDO Super 6 and wondering, where does this narrative of "need" and _burning_ desire end? At least I am satisfied with my Eurorack setups and can say I consider them essentially complete, and I have made a firm determination not to also branch out into 4U-format Serge, Bugbrand and Buchla. The only reason I can even justify the Iridium is that I currently have no polysynths at all, not counting the Tasty Chips GR-1, and if I prefer the granular on the Iridium (and also get attached to the wavetables on it), I will sell the GR-1. There has to be a logical conclusion where the pursuit of gear reaches a plateau, at least for a multiple-year or decade-long span.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I am not so sure if one ever reaches that plateau. But it could happen: I used to buy too much camera equipment for my day job in video production. But that leveled out and I only buy new gear that I do need. (5 years between the two last cameras is fine...)

[@ryanmoran8366]

Great video! Less is more :) I love gear too and I found eventually that all I was doing was buying and selling gear all the time and losing $$ like crazy! Yet I was barely using the gear I had! Now all I have for hardware is the Behringer Crave, Behringer RD-6 and a nice small Intellijel Eurorack case :) The rest is all digital on my iPad :) Cheers!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you, Ryan - I too try to get the best out of both worlds :)

[@musicexplorations808]

Exactly my thoughts, looping at the iridium....that's why my only digital synth I keep is the system 8, and for analog, I'm quit well covered. So many good software synths, now I have mp midi controller, so the button and knobs story is also covered...

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I still struggle with those midi mapped knobs. Guess I should invest a little more time in it. Thank you for your comment.

[@musicexplorations808]

@@martingoldmannmusic And after a year I must apologize for my hypocrisy, bought the Waldorf Quantum. But I am bettering, I am toning down my hardware synth collection, focus more on space in the studio and vst. But sorry, couldn´t get rid of that thing in my head, and I don´t regret it...hahahaha

[@martingoldmannmusic]

@@musicexplorations808 yeah, we are all sinners - somehow a nord drum 3 snuck into my studio :) And I looooove it to add some percussion flavor to my ambient tracks. You cannot hit software with a drumstick.

[@glueckssilben]

I am a software guy. I love software, and I feel very comfortable with it. I own a hybrid piano and run a software synth on it (Pianoteq). That's an incredible combination as I get the high quality touch from the piano and have software that can constantly get updated (it's amazing). However, after experimenting with some (more general) software synths, I really came to the conclusion that it would facilitate my learning process to buy a hardware synth: the quite integrated user interface helps me with experimenting. I indeed have the Iridium keyboard (which saves space as it contains five engines). I also own a Microfreak which is quite tiny as the name indicates. But, these are together already quite a lot of keyboards. So, I think that's it's a good time to stop. Owning too many things is just a burden, and software is always more flexible.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Good point - I don't want to miss my hardware experience with modular or the Elektron devices. Especially Eurorack helped me to understand the basics. :)

[@patriciastewart2537]

This resonates with my own Gummies, and Box wines "treats"

[@studiocartoonsdeluxe]

nice! My tip is buy what you're attracted to - because you're more likely to use it. I can relate with having a lack of space, I think thats the only thing that can help defeat GAS.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

But I am attracted to so many synths. Ok, only the Iridium at the time. But I also enjoy the space without any synths cluttering my desktop. :)

[@exhumus]

KZbin/Google is clearly listening in on my recent conversations to put you in my suggestions! I recently deleted the eBay app from my phone because the constant GAS had me treading water financially. I fell in love with Arturia's SQ80 V when it came out and ended up buying an ESQ-1 when one became available, and recently sold it when an SQ80 became available here. After testing it what have I discovered? The plugin sounds 99.9% the same as the real thing, and includes additional effects an options the the hardware doesn't have negating the need for additional software or hardware effects external to the patch. The SQ80 is easy and fun to program and it does give me access to a poly aftertouch keyboard, but it was definitely my last purchase for the forseeable future.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you for your comment - for me it all started with VCV rack, the software modular synth. After playing with it for half a year I wanted "the real thing". That is when GAS started. Now I am happy to be back with software and a few hardware synths I like :)

[@dontnormally]

May I ask what is your workflow for drums? Pigments + Vital + ____ (drums?) This was a good video for me to hear! 🧡

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you. I use my DAW (Logic Pro) for drums. Also there is a Digitakt and a MPC One. But I don't do very much percussive stuff.

[@andrewhertzberg6889]

Makes total sense to me. Pigments is amazing and has made me wonder why a home musician needs much more. Almost any sound imaginable can be made there.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

and the UI is really making the synth accessible :)

[@andrewsmcintosh]

Agree re Pigments, both on the range of sounds and manipulation of sounds, and on the user interface. It's the one synth I recommend to others.

[@juxty3102]

A question is the difference in sound quality between a software synth and a hardware synth?

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Oh, this is a discussion which is often led quite emotionally. I am totally fine with soft synths and I don't hear a difference. But that is just me. (I love playing with my analog gear - a lot.)

[@pn078]

I now look at demos of the new tech coming out to inspire me to try to make what I'm hearing with the gear I currently have. You get that endorphin hit of the window shopping and then a second one when you find some technique you'd never tried on something you already have. You might realize that you're making a more flexible and interesting sound than whatever inspired it. I haven't bought anything new in years.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

That is quite good advice. Thank you!

[@SpecialFXMaster1]

I think I have this currently with Elektron hardware. I have a Digitone but I want to get the rest of the Elektron gear, and am slowly realizing not because of musical purposes but the machines just look so aesthetically pleasing for me..

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Oh yes - I bought the Digitakt first and then the Digitone. And I almost bought the Analog Heat. They look so great together. On the other hand, I only use the Digitone regularly. I'm happy that I didn't buy the Heat and I guess I will sell the takt within this year. I just don't use it. But the look so great :)

[@thy.rant.bruteforce]

The thing is that Elektron gear could replace a whole studio. If you want new, make space by swapping or removing old. Accept the change. Everyone is always so worried they'll need it. Hoarding is always caused by some underlying belief that its usefull.

[@samplidium]

I was thinking as you, it's true, 149€ VST can do more than my Iridium, but... last week i was expecting to simply change my vst folder organization and now i can't use my software anymore. I lost it from my defect backup USB key! Waiting and waiting for an answer from seller... At least, today, if i push the ON button on my hardware synths, i'm sure i can play on them...

[@martingoldmannmusic]

That is a good point. Sometimes I just grab the Digitone and a pair of headphones :)

[@juancruz-ne6jk]

I am in the same situation. I have a lot of machines that take up all my space and it's a lot of money and you end up getting into some pointless problems. And of course it's nice to have them, but if you're not going to touch them later, because learning to handle some takes a lot of time and hours. It is not worth it for money or for time and space. Before, I would say that Software did not interest me, but with a good midi keyboard and today good software, the money is better spent. also for some things like microtuning it is even better. Do you have some favorite software programs? apart from pigments and vital. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Juan, thank you for writing. Actually Vital, Pigments and the Arturia V Collection are my goto synths. Apart from that I enjoy the Valhalla reverb and delay as well es Fabfilter's Volcano, Saturn and Pro Q.

[@juancruz-ne6jk]

@@martingoldmannmusic Thank you very much. And thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately I do not speak German or English as I am Canarian from Tenerife and I only speak Spanish. But between the Google translator and see the subtitles even if they are in English. I'm learning a little about your videos.

[@diarmidbaillie]

I'm using pigments a lot these days. I'm curious what Vital gives you that Pigments can't. I've not looked into Vital yet.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I like the Wavetable-Designer in Vital. I think they both add up quite well.

[@diarmidbaillie]

@@martingoldmannmusic THanks, I might give it a try. I am wary of 'GAS' even in terms of free software. It's not the physical space or cost, more the sense of 'I have to learn this new thing'. I think getting really intimate with a small range of tools and instruments is better than knowing a larger amount of things at a more superficial level.

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

Right there with you! Congratulations.🎈

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you :)

[@smartbart015]

For me, hardware synths work when they are connected, turned on and most importantly: within reach from the sweetspot. I have a DSI P10, OB6 and Korg Arp Odyssy directly available when I want to use them and hence I use them often. I used to have hardware synths a few meters away (or even unplugged) and then I would never use them. Like others already said, making music with hardware can be more fun than plugins. 10 years ago I made tracks with plugins like Massive, Serum and tons of samples. ITB only. At that time it felt great. Now I rarely use any softsynth VSTi at all because it doesn't inspire me anymore.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

That is my experience too - as soon as a synth is not connected, I rarely use it. On the other hand, I did use my hardware synths less and less in the past months. I am curious: maybe it helps to really get to a decision pulling one certain synth from the shelf, because I really need it for a project. Maybe this will give me more focus on the synth. Time will tell :)

[@bakerbakerbaker305]

I definitely feel what you’re saying like if they aren’t already close by I hardly pay attention to them. In reality one person can only handle so much it is unrealistic to work with so much

[@user-yq5il5nn3t]

Correct, you. you can try all kinds of analog and digital synth hardware sounds, like a moog, a prophet, or various very old analog and digital synths, but with really beautiful sounds, then sample them and choose which one to play from the keyboard controller or a synth big, like exploring the Kronos, Nord, Kurzweil for example and processing everything you need/want from a couple of those keyboards and processing it from an ableton or whatever program you want. like and continue modeling it from / pc / mac that you. want. I understand your question clearly, because I spent years trying to wire all the synth modules via MIDI and it really is a problem, (besides taking up space), today you will see that there are many keyboardists who solve and summarize their entire set with 2 or 3 keyboards, or one or two rack modules and a good computer.....and from that point on, it's where you forget all the "gear" and start thinking about music. and to re-think that a work of art can be made only with a piano.🙂 (I hope I explained myself correctly, sorry my English is not that fluent)

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you so much. Yeah, I focused to much on gear and not enough on music in the last months. :)

[@iroseland]

I got really bad during pandemic. There was nowhere to go, so I filled the void by having packages arrive. Building new eurorack cases to accommodate my increasing eurorack addiction gave me something to do outside of the study/studio. So, having a bit of GAS during pandemic brought back a bit of the joy that was otherwise missing. All of that was nice, but in the end.. I spent my actual music making time learning theory and playing scales. 99% of that was done with a controller and a vst. Which is interesting, as I have loads of hardware, but tend anyways to use a couple of VST's and the Roland cloud for nearly everything. Last year I was making jokes about how my GAS had gotten bad enough that I am now doing construction to accommodate my habit. As I am getting the third floor renovated into a new work from home space and much larger studio space. going from 80 square feet to nearly 1000 square feet. Interestingly enough, despite the more space I am now really just looking at having more space for what I have. ( i may add a full 88 key controller ) The rest is just upgrades to audio interfaces and monitoring so that we can have a band practice up there and record a stem for each part.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Fortunately enough I only have a small room and the rest is occupied by my family :) About hardware and VSTs - I tend to use what is quickly accessible. I have my Korg Minilogue on my desk and found me using it quite often. As soon as I put it back to the shelf I'm sure I will go back to VSTs.

[@Hamfantasy56]

In the VST era, digital sinths are useful only in live enviroment: in your studio a pair of good master keyboards, a PC/Mac filled with good VSTi and 3 or 4 analogs are all you need

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Agreed :)

[@ThomasCorfield]

Nice video, thank you. Let alone the power costs!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yes correct - they eat up some power. Thank you :)

[@christianratajczak3884]

It was Pigments for me too which ended my GAS problem. I have five hardware synths and the rest are software based. I also cancelled my order for Quantum, as between my hardware and software gear I can cover majority what Quantum can do. My credit cards can breathe better since Pigments. Cheers.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thanks for writing - yeah my bank account looks a lot better with not buying new gear. (Bought the Arturia Collection update though - more than enough sound to play with :) )

[@sethleeron]

Thank you for this video , we all need to hear this and admit we all kind of have this GAS syndrome in different levels... For me it's more like having a new clone that is no more factured and limited because of the ship issues worldwide... I'm Proud I didn't buy the TD-3 MO clone because I knew I don't need it now although it's 200€ (not expansive) I had to think about room , and utility. Sometimes vst isn't good enough because you can't tweak knobs but we also have automation so if it's sounds good on a vst we don't have to worry. Sometimes real hardware are necessary. Just to remind a simple question , Do I really need it ?

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yep - I love twisting knobs when jamming. Automation in my DAW is not that much fun ;-) Thanks for your thoughts!

[@frankliebe]

thank you for your video. I am in the GAS too and I know about it since end of last year(2021"...yes, hello I'am frank and having GAS..I am buring for new/old shiny/funny gear to create new sounds and music"). so I filter my "needs" to aquire not more than I can handle it. Space is an very important thing. in the past I aquired too much hardware to use it. now I am build up my studio in an co-location beside my house to have an dedicated place to put all that hardware in and being able to play with it. having an space and place for music is the most important thing I think! music and creativity can only can happen when the place having enough space for the stuff(hardware) AND the human(s) which are wants to play. so obey about your bank account-saldo to going not in an financially crash AND let the space you have not being become to smal around you. you need space to move. music needs space to move (like dancing)...if you are compressed by your space your creativity will be around zero. keep an - better two - eyes on it! best regards, Frank Liebe

[@nujuat]

I just got my first synth module (jx08) for my birthday and I can see how it would get additive

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Seems like a nice little machine. But, yeah, it is a slippery slope :)

[@legitt6093]

I've been on and off at odds of buying a Sequential REV2 since Jexus uploaded his first demo of the synth (almost 7 months now). I feel I've wasted so much time to convince myself I don't need one and held up until now. Every now and then there is a video that pops up in KZbin that reignites the urge to buy it. However, I feel like I won't have time to use it at its fullest, and for the asking price it is a bit out of my comfort zone to acquire. I already have a Hydrasynth (keyboard), a MicroKORG, and a few cheaper synths, but I do not (yet) have an analog poly. I'm not entirely sure I need one (probably not), but the thought of not having one sometimes makes me anxious. I like the sound of the REV2 the most out of what's currently available on the market, although it doesn't quite reach a "dream synth" status. Maybe I'll wait for the classic Behringer analog polysynth clones to come to the market, and then I'll decide if I'll pursue buying one. Other than that, I think I'm good with what I have.

[@danforesman2627]

@ghost mall LOL

[@danforesman2627]

@ghost mall so much for GAS resistance...

[@cristianruiz2509]

Lo sospeché desde un principio , señor está usted en lo cierto ! absolutamente real , y el consumismo es terrible !!!

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you :) I think a little consumerism here and there is ok. But too much is not helpful.

[@wd25a]

Add Surge XT to your list of software. Doesn't matter what classic hardware or top end software.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Gonna look at Surge - thank you 😊

[@xadovitch6630]

Beware of plugin addiction 😉

[@Rulon-bo1ig]

I feel you! I was doing the same thing with hardware samplers, definitely didn’t make better, made me worse because I spent more time learning the things and noodling on them than practicing keyboard. Waste of time and money! When you have lots of gear, you put pressure on yourself I find. Why haven’t I put something worthwhile out?… Now I just use logic X, midi keyboard and iPad, no pressure on myself anymore, I free’d myself. Lots of us have been there man 😅

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Yeah, it absolutely is less pressure. Still I hear my Digitone whining on the shelf. Should sell it.

[@PolarityMusic]

you will buy another one. i can see it in your eyes :D

[@martingoldmannmusic]

maybe some day - but I need a bigger room first ;-)

[@ronaldwild]

I can see it too ;)

[@ronaldwild]

But Martín, I can hear you! My problem is that all those machines don't really help my creativity. The opposite is the case ... so, what to do? Just one more synth... Hydrasynth Deluxe and I am done 🤪

[@martingoldmannmusic]

I can understand that. For me usability is the number one factor for getting creative. As soon as I understand a synth I can work with it. Thats why I like Vital and Pigments. (And my Mother-32 and the Digitone. Still trying to truly understand the OP-1 ;-) )

[@Wagoo]

@@martingoldmannmusic you have tons of wall space behind you. Space is not an issue. Get some proper THIN 45U 19" network racks and fill them with synths. Iridium would do nicely. Why not add Q and XT racks too?

[@010203109]

I have an issue with GAS on software, I think. I'm quite new to production and stumble onto plugins all the time through major sales and the chatter about them on forums, and I go see what others are saying about this or that and then maybe I bite on the sale price. Compared to what people spend on gear I've probably spent very little, but it's still wasteful and doesn't help my creativity having a clogged plugin folder. So I'm tamping down on it some. But I don't regret getting things like V Collection 8 and Pigments certainly. Right now as I start looking at hardware synths I plan to keep my experience with plugins in mind though. I'm looking at maybe something like a Hydrasynth Deluxe to add some hardware into the mix and avoiding anything else for now. That in particular because the 73 key polyphonic aftertouch keybed and ribbon strip offer expressive controls most midi controllers don't to really enjoy playing synths when not strictly programming sequences for a track. It's also something deep and powerful that I can just turn on by itself and just focus on a synth instead of having the distractions of a computer going on. And over the course of the few weeks I've been considering this purchase, it's occurred to me that this is an advantage of hardware synths. At least, the ones that are fully equipped with keys or pads to be played entirely by themselves. It can be easier to focus thing working on my computer with synths hosted in a DAW, and probably a browser with a few tabs open behind that and email alerts and so on. It can be too easy to get sidetracked for me sometimes.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

These are two good points: There is GAS for plugins too (had my share of pretty useless plugins I bought, because they were on sale). And hardware of course has advantages. I like playing with my Digitone and headphones only.

[@alexsolos]

This GAS issue is so true and common and hard to get on by. What’s worse is that it can be replaced by GAS of software synths and plug-ins just as easy. Finding what works for you, either a few pieces of hardware or some plug-ins, and sticking to them to their full potential before acquiring something else is a real challenge with so many options out there, but something that the most dedicated musicians will always say: focus on your sound and master your instrument. This is how you battle GAS of either form.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Maybe getting a guitar helped me. Learning that from scratch is very satisfying and lets me appreciate my synths as (for me) more easy to use tools. Thank you for your comment.

[@kenswanson1093]

Just came aware of you now, Martin. Thanks for sharing, your experiences. "New & Shiny" .. when looking at some musical things that I have a fondness for (sparing you the exact, boring details) there's this little person that sits on my shoulder, and tells me that piece of gear, or instrument will change everything for me. Sounds like that has happened to you, too .. My theory is that most newly designed electronic gear, mostly is repackaging tools, that people like Moog, Buchla, and others, perhaps, developed some long while ago. Some of it appears to be very good, and pretty well thought out, .. to the point that we can't resist not being without one. .. :) I do own some "classic" synth gear, a Roland D-50, for example .. and have combined with some new modular synths, too. Even, just the old gear that I have .. I've never mastered those .. and yet, I'm adding to my incomplete knowledge, with the addition of a few recent synth modules .. But, .. I think I am making progress, in how to use this gear, in genera, both old & new. For sure, I don't waste as much time, trying to figure out the basics, .. like I used to. It is still slow going, at times, though. And, sort of like you .. I'm not a vulnerable to new music gadget advertisements, as I used to be.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you Ken. Exactly this little person is sitting on my shoulder too. I hear a online concert by Martin Stürtzer recently an I just wanted to have that Iridium. But what I would really need are his skills and his experience :) This is my plan too: Really learning about my synths (software and hardware) use them properly :)

[@kenswanson1093]

@@martingoldmannmusic Yes, .. this Iridium .. does look pretty powerful, .. my first look was when you mentioned it. I'm assuming you've got the Waldorf, .. not the Strymon Iridium, eh? I'm listening to Waldorf's own promo sample video, as I'm typing .. yup, very nice. Somebody mentioned, .. the difference in people's music, .. the standout thing is their tastes that comes out, in their music. It will interesting to see what you come up with.

[@titovalasques]

The acquisition of more stuff is a pervasive problem throughout the planet and isn’t confined to just musicians buying hardware alone. I’m notorious for buying plug-ins I might use once and never use again only to have anxiety over all the choices every time I produce something. Less is actually more and putting limitations on your creativity will always make you more productive in my opinion. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m struggling to minimise my life in every facet but I know it always makes you happier in the end.

[@jakobole]

Exactly. When I get GAS, I tell myself that after 3 weeks it isn't new anymore. I will only buy something now if it's something I've wanted for years. The last thing I bought was a Lexicon PCM-81, but that can also do stuff that's hard to come by in the box, and the price was right. Apart from that, I don't really need more gear. // Jakob, Sonic Peak Studio, Copenhagen.

[@martingoldmannmusic]

Thank you, Jakob. Unfortunately my GAS has a quite long breath - I can tell myself for months that I need a certain synth ;-)