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Post by pt3r on Dec 9, 2021 8:30:53 GMT
December is the ideal moment for the those end of year musings. How has your year been?
Musically mine was quite productive I got at least one release a month, a couple of contributions to compilation albums and learned a few modular tricks along the way. So overall the AE modular has provided plenty of what I was hoping for when I received my first rack end of last year. Listening back to my productions I hear a definite improvement and I will even be that bold as to say that my last release is quite consistent piece of work. For now.
Mentally the year has been a bit of a rollercoaster, my oldest went out to study abroad which is not always that easy. A friend passed away and the whole never-ending cycle of lockdown and release is starting to do a serious number on my mental health. How does the old saying go? What doesn't kill you might eventually make you clinically depressed.
I can't wait for the days to grow longer again, I don't think these dreary dark days are a good inspiration for me, despite what the music might say.
So yes, I would like to hear how your year went and I wish you all a good end of year. stay safe and healthy in body and mind.
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Post by dizzeesatchel on Dec 9, 2021 11:56:31 GMT
Sorry to hear about your friend. It's been a tough couple of years for sure. I normally really like this time of year but it feels a bit hollow at the moment with so much unknown and unpredictable. My ability to focus is absolutely shot at the moment which is not good for music-making or anything else. I've got all this stuff (gear, books, youtube playlists) i really need to sit down and immerse myself in but somehow even when i have free time it's hard to know 'what to do' I've flexed my bank card quite a lot this year, no regrets, but lately i've been feeling dangerously close to that problem of believing that 'the next module/box/whatever will make everything fall into place'. On the one hand, this is not helped by the incredible strides AE has made in 12 months! I think this time last year we'd only just had the first third party modules come out? Now seems like there is something new every week  This is really excellent for the system but it's only two months since i got an empty third row and i'm already worried about it filling up! I think what i really need a more solid understanding of theory. I'm very excited about where things will go in 2022 (wow, we live in the future...) Mentally i am endlessly grateful that we adopted a cat just before covid emerged on the scene. He has absolutely kept me sane throughout |
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Post by lukylutte on Dec 9, 2021 12:36:10 GMT
Definitely some roller coaster years for most of us. Thanks we have AE modular to express ourselves 🥳.
Musically, I almost got a duet project with a trumpet player up and running for background jazz. To bad I got a nerve infection in my arm and couldn't feel couple of fingers for a while. Just needed to stop playing guitar for 6 months so afterwards no energy to start over so we moved on... I did focus on the modular and electronic music during this time. So it's why I finally got a solo project starting with the YouTube channel as motivation goal to realise something at least every couples of weeks. The main goal been to be able to perform a full set in spring 2022. Also now that my hand is better my trumpet player friend invited me to join his newest project a Balkan inspired cover band on bass (bass was my former main instrument for 20y). So all good I'd say✌️
And work well... Same rollercoaster; started the year in a nice work place situated at 1.2klm from home to be fired due to COVID (turnkey projects in cruise ship 😅). But again found something else in underground construction in less than 3 weeks so can't complain 🥳.
Anyways hope everyone is doing well and just realized that whatever is happening it's always gonna work somehow 😅.
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Post by pt3r on Dec 9, 2021 12:37:08 GMT
Indeed, these are such bipolar times, one moment i feel on top of the world and the next thing you know, the news just slaps you in the face with another slice of doom and gloom.
On AE modular level this year has been very dangerous for the wallet, the new modules seem to pop up faster than the time I have to acquire new realestate to put all these new modules #firstworldproblems It is indeed all too easy to give in to the 'this module will fix it all' thoughts. But then I watch some eurorack videos to get inspiration on patching up new techniques on the AEmodular, and most of the times that seems to do the trick.
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Post by lukylutte on Dec 9, 2021 12:40:28 GMT
Mentally i am endlessly grateful that we adopted a cat just before covid emerged on the scene. He has absolutely kept me sane throughout Definitely, related to this. I definitely need to walk my dog daily to stay mentally stable 😬 |
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Post by Gaëtan on Dec 9, 2021 15:11:43 GMT
Mentally i am endlessly grateful that we adopted a cat just before covid emerged on the scene. He has absolutely kept me sane throughout Definitely, related to this. I definitely need to walk my dog daily to stay mentally stable 😬 Man, I really miss my dog. |
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namke
wonkystuff
electronics and sound, what's not to like?!
Posts: 689
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Post by namke on Dec 9, 2021 15:29:52 GMT
What a great idea for a thread, thank you pt3r for starting it! This time of year is never my favourite (I am naturally a warm-weather person I think); I don't think that I really emerged from the last winter so this year has been a bit less enthralling than others. Work didn't help, being assigned to some dysfunctional teams (unfortunately I can't retire yet!). On the up-side, there have been some gig opportunities (although it still feels strange to be going out), which the AE Modular has taken a good part of; and I finally got some more modules out (sorry all for the temptation). It's been great to see other makers come into the market, I hope to increase the wonkystuff module count over the next few months as well. Musically, I have enjoyed the blank-canvas of a fully unpatched AE Modular rack, and managed to 'zone out' patching on occasions, feeling the flow of the electronic vibrations  I must also say that places like this forum and the associated discord server have been havens of sanity and reason; when the mainstream social media platforms get too heavy, this community always provides respite and some rays of light among the clouds - thanks to admin and all the others who are working behind the scenes to maintain these resources for us. To echo that which was said before: Here's wishing you all a good end-of-year, stay safe and remain strong... |
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pol
Wiki Editors
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Post by pol on Dec 9, 2021 19:46:37 GMT
For me 2021 has been great after 2020..... Early 2020 we were selling our house in England when the buyers pulled out as the first signs of Covid were noticed. We had a bridging loan as we had bought in Scotland where you can't back out once your offer is accepted. After much, much, much pain, frustrations, delays, sleepless nights, dealing with total conmen and cheats we managed to sell our house for enough money to pay off the loan and have some left to do some of the works we wanted to do on the new house. During lockdowns my wife & I had to live apart, one in each house due to insurance and other things. Late 2020 managed to resign my old job when the old house finally went, and moved up here as well, needing P/T work to balance the books. Here in late 2021 I have a 3 day a week job in the same village as I live in, we have got to know loads of the neighbours and the house renovations are almost finished; some of it has been bloody hard work by me and the Mrs, but it is work we've wanted to do to improve our lot. We don't have pets but my mental saviour has been the garden, come on leaps and bounds in the 12+ months I've been working on it. Several members of my family have had Covid but thankfully none were hospitalised, let alone died. Musically I actually have a studio again after 2 years without, and try to complete a piece a month but the AE often prevents that as I just patch away, so another improvement on 2020... The dark times are to show you how good the good times are, keep your chins up, and use the emotions to write great music,  |
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Post by maydonpoliris on Dec 11, 2021 5:47:03 GMT
Thanks for being real and sharing. Hope that next year brings a brighter situation and on top of that even more exciting music opportunities.
Breaks my heart daily reading/seeing/hearing the impacts of this unfair contract that no one has signed up for yet everyone in the world is involved in.
Work wise I have been one of the lucky ones.
On the mental health side for me this year has been overall a positive one, discovering the forum sanctuary and focusing on the wonders of Ae and the process of patching and recording has been a real help.
Musically its been a dream come true. I've had the confidence to release 3 albums and also to put tracks up onto compilations is just unbelievable.
The energy I'm feeling towards Ae this year is really cool and its exciting to think what's next.
take care all
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This is really excellent for the system but it's only two months since i got an empty third row and i'm already worried about it filling up! I think what i really need a more solid understanding of theory.
