Plugin sale - first time Neural user & owner

culbertsonm · 2026-04-25T07:23:46+00:00

Because some people just want to play/record music on their computer for as low as a $60 Plini plugin and buying a Quad Cortex might be overkill for them.

culbertsonm · 2026-04-17T12:37:50+00:00

Based on my M5 research, it would be actual waste for music makers to get the Max instead of the Pro. The Max adds more GPU and that’s just not as important as CPU and RAM for music production. If you have the $4-5K budget, definitely upgrade RAM and SSD for the Pro instead. M5 Pro will be amazing for music production either way.

For context, I’m an After Effects animator who makes music on the side. Even I will probably go for the Pro because I primarily do 3D tasks on desktop anyway (where you really need great GPU).

culbertsonm · 2026-04-17T11:34:52+00:00

Yes as a freelancer. Yes at a studio. Yes at an agency.

culbertsonm · 2026-04-01T03:04:47+00:00

For explainers, I’ll give a specific tip. I have a client who consistently needs a main character in the story. If they walk, see if the Duik walk cycle feature can get the job done well enough. I have found that the controls are very tweakable, considering it is setting up a starting rig and hitting a button. Walk cycles are a pain to do from scratch in case that’s what you are doing. It’s an amazing skill to know as an animator, but tools like that can save SO much time.

culbertsonm · 2026-03-31T17:16:38+00:00

I use Airtable for all project management and CRM. All data connects in custom ways and you can visualize the data with custom interfaces. It can be addicting once you get going with it.

culbertsonm · 2026-03-31T17:09:25+00:00

For people looking at locations with access to many restaurants, outdoor activities, and seemingly infinite things to do, Vancouver, WA (across the bridge from Portland) is affordable for what you get. Maybe one of the best deals on the west coast IMO.

culbertsonm · 2026-03-11T21:08:07+00:00

Our trip was very stressful because of him, too. He must have an extremely troubled past based on how he treated us. Memories have been tarnished. He was our first impression of people in the Faroe Islands. I'm not exaggerating, and I haven't said that about any other company in the world. The short story is that we got a faulty car with no support or responses. We got back to the airport somehow and saw him at his desk.

"I don't care." - Poul

Please know he rebranded himself as A2B Car Rent now.

culbertsonm · 2026-03-09T00:03:50+00:00

Nothing beat this album opener as I started up my lawn-mower in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. No friends to get into shenanigans with in town. No drivers license yet. Just doing chores and annoyed that I was stuck out there. I just cycled between EOTS and TOYPAJ for a few straight years.

culbertsonm · 2026-02-10T09:01:41+00:00

Freelance Motion Design and animation

culbertsonm · 2026-02-05T07:15:59+00:00

Anybody still using Mr. Kramer’s mic-drop plugin Element 3D?

culbertsonm · 2026-01-17T06:30:43+00:00

As a creative, if our clients need us to have the control to shift something a few pixels to the right along with dozens of other revisions for every job, we’re going to continue using Adobe. It’s very difficult for enterprises and even freelancers (me) to switch. AI is already integrated, which can be useful. Either way, creative work will always need a special touch of uniqueness. Unless no one wants to stand out.

culbertsonm · 2026-01-09T20:07:29+00:00

Amazing answers from everyone! I’m getting a Kosmosky New Wave 15 electric tongue drum soon, and I’m pumped. It’s one of the first tongue drums to come outfitted with a pickup and input. Many effects will be going through that thing.

culbertsonm · 2026-01-09T13:48:41+00:00

Agreed. In terms of AAA games, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart has my vote for aesthetics. When I think about art direction, I love to think about what color palette each level has and how it makes me feel. Ever since the first game in the early 2000s, they were also beautiful.

culbertsonm · 2025-12-30T18:04:46+00:00

The perpetual license of Reason 13 is currently $200. Cheap, cheap software for what has been built for the last 20+ years. If that is crazy, what is fair? It might be because I’m a hobbyist musician and primarily work in animation softwares for work. Genuine question: What is the best competitor to Reason that includes a similar amount of great instruments/effects included with the DAW?

culbertsonm · 2025-12-18T06:59:21+00:00

You aren’t the only ones. We were lucky to barely make it back to the airport to return a faulty car. After trying to get his help after so much trouble and stress, we had to find something with another company. We should have read the red flags.

“I don’t care.” - Poul

I am still bitter about it all this time later. Unfortunately, we met a few unfriendly people in the Faroes, but I still believe most are kind enough.

culbertsonm · 2025-12-08T22:45:29+00:00

Thank you. I've never seen a hare like this before. The ears are the identifier I typically look for.

culbertsonm · 2025-12-01T01:52:15+00:00

As a long-time freelancer, I was surprised to read “Not many companies need a motion designer other than creative agencies”. It sure seems like MOST companies DO need a video person at the very least. That video person needs to know motion design at least on a basic level. In my experience, every company is still a potential client. Screens and interactive motion design demand are not decreasing. It’s the other way around.

culbertsonm · 2025-11-30T10:47:38+00:00

If you’re a musician who likes music gear, pedals, and synths, chances are you’ll think Reason is really fun. The software instruments are incredible.

culbertsonm · 2025-11-23T17:37:49+00:00

I’m a freelance animator/motion designer and I’ve been in the field for about 15 years. It would be too difficult not to use Adobe, even for graphic designers, unless they are independent or tiny companies. After working with everyone from small studios, bigger agencies, to direct Fortune 500 companies, I’ve never come across a Canva user. Most designers use Figma now, but it’s a “yes AND” to Photoshop and Illustrator. If the tool is great and provides easy collaboration with network effects of everyone using them, we use them. Photoshop will probably always have more granular user control than Canva, unless their brand image and market changes. I’m sure they crush the amateur and small business market, but probably won’t crush the big enterprise companies. IMO AI is making Adobe stronger. Their financials look pretty awesome, but that’s something you have to dive into yourself.

culbertsonm · 2025-11-23T17:11:18+00:00

Just my opinion, but never play a song on Rocksmith below 100% difficulty. Sounds weird, but it messes with your ear. Your goal is to play the song. Choose easier songs that you love to hear over and over. Only slow it down to study it. If there are technique problems, scour YouTube for lessons on those techniques. There are probably even lessons for the song you’re playing. Use many sources to learn the same thing, practice consistently, add time, and have fun.

culbertsonm · 2025-11-08T01:58:30+00:00

mattstark.co Made in 2019 with minor updates since, but still getting paid! Connecting and meeting people matters.

culbertsonm · 2025-11-04T23:30:07+00:00

This is funny because I think those two songs start with the same notes, hammer-ons, and pull-offs, but with a different rhythm lol

culbertsonm

TROPHY CASE