Music creation should be the sole focus of your studio time
but an unorganised approach can be a heavy downfall. Distractions and
hindrances are everywhere for the computer musician which means that your
studio time can be wasted and your productions will suffer as a result. You
might have top end audio gear, and awesome controller and everything that you
need to create professional sounding tracks, but if things aren't completely
organised then you might not be as productive as you could be.
There are a few things that you should take into
consideration when organising your workspace.
How organised is my computer?
Having an unorganised computer can be a nightmare. When your
desktop’s cluttered with icons and you have hundreds of unnamed project files
it’s more than easy to lose vital data.
Keeping samples, instruments, effects, etc. organised can
make your life a lot easier. Knowing where everything is on your computer will
increase your productivity and make the process of producing music a lot
smoother.
Samples and loops can cause hassle to any computer musician.
When you create your own samples it’s easy to give them vague names that you’ll
forget and then put them in a random folder on your hard drive. The same goes
for purchased sample packs; you've brought it, downloaded it and placed it in a
random place within your documents. Weeks (or even months) later you forget
where it is and have to download it all over again, causing you to have
duplicates on your computer.
Keeping track of everything is important and if you have
quite a large sample collection then it’s really easy to let it get out of
hand. Having a dedicated folder for these samples and loops is highly
recommended. Even if you just take one day off from producing music every now
and then and sorting through your system can make a lot of difference. You will
find that having an organised computer with everything in one place can make
music production more fun.
Is my workspace tidy and clutter free?
The organisation doesn't have to stop with your computer; a
clean and tidy workplace will also help. Keeping your desk and surroundings
clutter free will keep your mind focused on the music. A messy work area can
result in a messy outlook on the projects that you’re working on.
It doesn't take long to have a quick tidy before you start
work. It’s not the most glamorous activity but it will help you in the long
term and a clean studio with give you a positive approach to any tasks that you
are about to undertake.
What am I going to be distracted by?
So far we've talked about keeping things clean and tidy but
there are other things that can get in the way of productivity. The Internet is
an amazing thing and it has opened up a lot of doors for musicians but it can
also take up a lot of your valuable time.
Taking your computer offline during studio sessions can be a
real time saver. It’ll take away the temptation to check social networking
accounts and stop you from falling into that endless void that we know as
YouTube. That time that you spend roaming around the Internet can be put to
good use.
You might justify
yourself by saying that the time that you spend on the Internet is used to seek
out new sounds or plug-ins that will ultimately benefit your future projects.
However, while you’re looking for that new plug-in you could be learning how to
use the one’s that you already own. Spending some quality time with the plug-ins that you already have can
save you both time and money.
There are other things that are likely to distract you as
well. A TV in your studio area can give you that well earned break from
working, but it can also draw you away at times when you’re supposed to be
knuckling down. The same can be said for books, magazines and pretty much
anything else that is likely to draw your attention away from the task at hand.
Keeping your
relaxation space and work space separate can highly benefit your productivity.
Is my studio a comfortable environment?
If you work on music for long periods of time it is
essential both to your health and morale that you are working in a comfortable
environment. The most overlooked thing in any studio is the furniture. A decent
chair and desk can ensure that you’re comfortable when you’re hard at work on
that new track. It will keep your mind focused on your art without that worrying
numb sensation creeping up your back.
And remember: no matter what you’re doing, if you’re working
with computers then it is advised that you take a quick break every now and
then to make sure that you’re not doing any long term damage to your body.
When you sit down at your desk in your studio there should
be one sole focus and that’s music creation. If you haven’t optimised your work
area then you might find that you spend more time tidying, searching and even getting-side
tracked by something completely irrelevant. Don’t let these tasks get in the
way of what truly matters to you: the music.
