Sourcing Inspiration

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Apologies if something similar is already up, had a wee look but couldn't find anything.

I'm wondering how people begin their tracks? What is it that inspires you to open up your DAW and create?

The last track I made (in my sig) I am very happy with, got great feedback on it from people and generally got a buzz. My problem however, is when I open up FL to start a new one I find myself just staring at it wondering what to do, wondering how I've ever managed to make a track before. It seems like I'm doing it for the very first time. Does anyone else get this?
It's frustrating, because generally speaking I am very driven and work really hard on tracks once I get them off the ground. But I'm finding the lack of a spark to trigger an audio adventure quite worrying.

Something I've never had is the ability to visualise tracks in my head before I start them, they always come to life after a bit of messing around, there's never any real plan. I have a notepad I carry around which I use to note things that do inspire or generate some sort of emotional energy within me but I find that translating them into sounds isn't easy.

Hopefully some of you can share some thoughts and help me out and anyone else who may have the same problem Cheers!

[fragments]

Do you have a MIDI keyboard? A set of pads for drums? A knobby hardware synth or one with keys?

DAWs frustrate me to no end because they aren't an instrument (not that I am any kind of accomplished player). I love just flipping on my MicroBrute and twisting knobs or looking for a melody. I'll do the same with a MIDI keyboard if I am in a software mood. DAWs just aren't inspiring for me when its just that blank template and a mouse. That feels so unmusical to me.

I never plan out tracks in my head ahead of time. If someone out there can really "hear" a track in their head and make it happen in a DAW more power to you. But I can't even get close to that.

[nowaysj]

Sounds like you are at the point where you can make a song that you like, but don't yet have your process down, or your identity as an artist.

Just keep making tracks. Keep facing the blank canvas. How you respond to that is who you are. You are the creator, it is your groove.

Where I'm at: Two things are central now to me starting tracks: some vinyl and the sp 404sx. Find a song with bits I like, sample them in the 404, and manipulate. At some point plug in the microkorg for some synthy shit. Record takes into fl. Cut and arrange in there. Trying to do more and more in the 404. I have no professional ambition, I'm just doing what I want to do. If you're talking about professional type tracks. I guess you should just imitate what is happening, bring your production up to that level, then network with A-list professional people, do some shady shit, then stack the cash. Odds are, I don't know, maybe one in a million.

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

i would say games, ghibli and oldschool anime, tv series and stealing ideas from others

[nowaysj]

stealing ideas from others

This is central. If you have a sound identity (puns abound) your stealing will sound like borrowing.

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

yeah i guess thats how genres develope anyways there have to be similarities one or the other way

[hubb]

What part of the process bores you?

There's always a sence of direction when we make stuff, so it might help to pinpoint where it goes wrong now if it didn't before.

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

yeah maybe you need like to switch it up abit

do you own a recording device or a guitar or sth similar?
just record stuff or play the instrument for a while

like you know so you can create a part of the song even before you open the daw you would have your own samples

[leaflet]

I think the thing that drives music producers is the sounds they use and the excitement they have when they use those sounds....so you may need to find sounds that you find exciting before you begin the track.

If you can find sounds that you feel excited about using, for whatever reason, then the track production is going to be fun and really interesting. If you don't think about that first it could be difficult.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

Nowaysj that's a great answer man. It's something I've considered before too which is what makes it more difficult when you find yourself up against it. I'm not particularly fussed about them sounding professional. I care about being able to express myself thouroughly and creatively and when I can't release it all builds up inside which is no good! I'm sure a few other people get what I mean.
Leaflet, I think you nailed it though, this was the problem exactly. I went and grabbed a bunch of free vst's and started messing around with them. Before long I had that excitement back. Melodies and concepts were flying at me and I couldn't get to work quick enough. Actually seems obvious thinking about it now, but thank you for the advice. Been on a huge sample hunt too. After all it is these components that define the product it turns into.