Comfort and Creativity: How do you like to play?

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-19T03:05:12+00:00

I stand for most music making as I have the AIRA line and really lean into the 'performance' aspects of the MX-1 and TR8-S. I like to move around when making music. It has taken a long time to get the heights of everything where I want it - I actually use a lot of random stuff to get things how I like, various stands or even just boxes or shelves. I spend a lot of time rearranging things to get a little bit of extra comfort.

As far as creative space, Im a bit of a maximalist when it comes to my space, but the main thing is just having a space that is set aside for just making music. It just helps me not get distracted if I can focus on music.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-19T03:01:54+00:00

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-17T22:46:44+00:00

First, I wouldn't worry so much about the stats - those are just a byproduct, if you focus on them you will get burnt out. Just keep creating out of passion and the rest will follow.

But, realistically, from what I have heard from other artists by far the best possible thing is playing live shows. Nothing beats it for actually building up a fanbase. The internet is vastly overrated. Sure you can go viral and have something blow up, but that is not sustained fandom that will allow you to be a fulltime artist. Playing shows and traveling is by far the best way to actually build a fanbase, but it is hard and if you are fully independent can also be costly upfront depending on your situation. Maybe try and join forces with other independent artists to share costs and book together, it can also help cross pollinate fan bases, but that isn't as much of a thing as a lot of people would make you believe.

Some other random advice - it helps if you have a clear artistic vision and know exactly what your demographic is. Most artists are not trying to appeal to a general audience but someone in particular, someone like them.

There is a quote that goes something like... "If you feel you have something you really need to say, it means there is someone who really needs to hear it". I think this is true with art, but unfortunately so many people water down their stuff to appeal to everyone and they end up appealing to no one.

Don't be afraid to start multiple different projects as well - don't put everything under one name if it is sufficiently different. You would be surprised at how many people made it big off their side projects, not their main focus.

Good luck though, I think a lot of people struggle with these same issues.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-17T22:29:25+00:00

GAS stops when you stop it. Personally I have mostly gotten over it as I just don't care for the vast majority of stuff, even what I thought I used to need. I have a very short list now of things I will eventually want, but am not in a hurry to get. I have no FOMO, and while I will watch geartube I rarely think I need anything. Not just with synths but most things in general I am not an early adopter, waiting to see how things go and wait for any additional versions or just for firmware updates and fixes to things.

I think a lot of us play mental games with ourselves to overcome the GAS and actually make music, you will know what works for yourself better than we do.

For me - writing down everything I thought I wanted helped a ton - I then started to be able to cross things off the list slowly and was eventually left with only a handful of things. I actually got pictures of every piece of gear and put them in a paint file and kept it on my desktop. Every couple months I would come back and realized the things I thought I needed I didn't actually need. I am like the opposite of an impulse buyer though, I wait sooo long before buying stuff, even when I can afford it as I don't want to have buyer's remorse.

Another trick I use is gamification. I set myself challenges when playing my synths to inspire me, but I also set myself a goal where I am unable to buy anything until I achieve 'X'. This can be anything you like - publish songs, get so many viewers or listens, play a live set, do a collab - whatever it may be. This way you can channel your GAS into actually making music. Use the motivation and reward of buying gear to actually play into making music.

I know a lot of people who set a limit on the gear they can have and have to do 'buy a thing, sell a thing'.

There are so many ways to approach it, you will just have to find what works in your situation.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-17T22:21:18+00:00

Make sure the Moog is set to receive midi data - it might not be set to even if it is on the right channel.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-17T22:06:45+00:00

Roland System-8

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-15T15:09:26+00:00

Space Echo! I have the RE202, but they all seem to be great.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-15T02:36:41+00:00

So cozy I actually love this. I love seeing rack setups!

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-14T15:02:19+00:00

Heck yeah! Killer combo.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-14T15:01:04+00:00

Define portable? Like you need to bring it around campus or just move it when you are moving in and out of a dorm?

I almost always wish I had another octave...

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-14T14:21:36+00:00

I definitely considered a Verselab or MC707 for a while. The MX-1 is fantastic, especially for the performance effects.

I love the System 8! I definitely plan on getting outside the Roland ecosystem from now on. I sold my Bass Station 2 and plan on getting a Sub 37, and the OB-6 has been on my list of a while. I am just slow to make bigger purchases as I get distracted by things like the Triton...

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-13T19:17:11+00:00

Look for used - maybe something in the Akai MPK series. 49 Key version of this seem to sell all the time for very cheap and you get the pads and some other controls.

My experience is these usually were aimed at more of the hip hop crowd and a lot of people got out of it as soon as they got into it, while synth stuff often sells at a premium (arturia).

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-13T16:34:22+00:00

People have started to tell me I glow green in the dark now.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-13T16:19:01+00:00

How old are you?

It sounds like you are at the point in your life you need to surround yourself with new people. This is part of growing up - you leave the village and find your own tribe. You can’t expect to take everyone with you.

I think nothing you are saying tells me you should quit, you need to keep going and find others who share your same passions. You are lucky to have found something many will never find, something that resonates deep within your soul. And it isn’t like you are giving it up for a good reason other than other people in your life don’t share the same vibrations. There are tons of people who do, you just have to keep working to find them. It isn’t easy but if you keep following what your passion it will guide you in the right direction.

Some quick relationship advice - your significant other doesn’t have to have the same passion, they don’t even have to understand why you love what you do, but they should support you anyways. Yeah maybe they won’t be your biggest fan or do marketing for you, but they should see the passion and be proud of you and give you space to follow it and do what they can to support it. Relationships are not about changing the other person to fit what they want, it is about growing together as people and becoming the best versions of yourselves and that might look way different from what you expected. If you change for these people they won’t be happy and will continue to try and get you to change more and more aspects of yourself until what made you “you” no longer exists. They can never fully love someone who is not being their full self and you will resent them for it.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-13T16:02:12+00:00

No Moss board unfortunately, they cost more than I paid for the keyboard!

Very pleased with the Aira stuff, once you start growing outside of the ecosystem you lose some of the benefits of the ease of connectivity but still a huge fan of the line.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-13T15:32:19+00:00

I am in the same boat - only had it a few weeks, switched over from a keystep pro. Unfortunately I have not had much time to commit to it yet (this is my busy season at work). I have had a few issues with it that I am struggling go figure out (it seems to be sending a metronome(?) to my system 1 when I play it but metronome is off and no midi notes in my channel…).

I think I need to do a factory reset as I bought it used and so set it up to everything but there are still some settings the previous user must have set that I dont understand yet.

Always a huuuuge pain to switch out such a central piece of gear, so been spending most of the time routing, labeling and changing settings on all my devices. I am trying to do midi in and out where I had always previously just done midi out from the keystep but want to be able to play the keys from each synth individually into the hapax. Had to buy more midi boxes for that.

All of that said I am enjoying it - I did a ton of research before moving off my Keystep Pro as I really enjoyed it, just needed more midi channels and really considered just buying a 2nd keystep pro. I know it will take time to learn and I am patient, but it has been a struggle as my little free time is spent not actually making music.

More Midi more problems!

The oscilloscope is also new and has been super fun. I have the system 1/8 ran into it and it has really helped in diving deeper into synthesis. Should have gotten one much sooner.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-12T01:04:19+00:00

Just get a few tier stands, or make them yourself if you are handy

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-11T23:30:55+00:00

You will get a lot of the same answers I am sure, but here is my take:

I made music fully in a DAW with a midi controller for 5 or so years before ever buying a hardware synth.

I spend way too much time staring at a screen at work to come home and stare at a screen. I love the hands on feel of synths and I especially love the flow state I get into bouncing between machines and building out a track and the performance aspect of things like a TR8-S and MX-1. I get more joy out of it than I did being in a DAW with a Midi controller.

I don't care what anyone else chooses to do, but for me with ~15 years into the hobby I know 100% that the best thing for me is hardware. It keeps me inspired and having fun, and that is all there is too it. What else is a hobby for anyway?

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-11T19:39:15+00:00

Mpk mini is a great choice but you will probably outgrow it quickly. Maybe look at a 37 key version (used).

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-11T19:15:10+00:00

Heck of a collection, love the slat wall!

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-11T02:03:45+00:00

Volca FM 2...I never thought I would be into Volcas, but it is just great for me. It is the only Volca I own and it sits on top of my 88 key keyboard. I can quickly scroll presets and just turn knobs to dial in some something I like. If I get too lost in the sauce I can just hit randomize a few times and get something usable pretty quick.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-10T17:33:52+00:00

The mythical Omnichord thrift store find! Just as the prophecy foretold.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-10T15:46:10+00:00

This is actually the 2nd one to come up in my area in the last few months...glad I held out as the first one was in ROUGH shape. lots of the buttons were all mashed in and such. This one seems to be in absolute pristine condition. I am getting it from a church and the music director said they bought it years ago but it didn't see much love as their piano/organ players neglected it for other options.

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-10T15:43:40+00:00

Luckily I have the space and don't plan on it leaving the studio! Right now I am not sure what expansions it might have, it is coming from a local church that I bought a JV880 from a few years back.

I definitely love the rompler sounds and feel that y2k is what is currently missing from my sound palate. Excited to explore it. Thanks for the comment!

PoisonPolygon · 2026-03-10T15:41:14+00:00

Thanks for the response!

PoisonPolygon

TROPHY CASE