My 3 rules for buying instruments and studio equipment 

The plugin I am using in the end jam: apps.apple.com/us/app/gauss-field-looper/id1530684073

Hainbach: the Marie Kondo of electronics

Please share your 3 rules of buying knit sweaters. My sweater game needs an upleveling.

I had to restart this video, because halfway I realized that I am no longer listening to what you're saying, but vibing to music in the background.

Leave it to Hainbach to turn the cutest little instrument of all time into a creepy droning background sound evocative of an abandoned medical facility... :-)

My personal first rule is: buy then never use

Hearing you talk about Prodesse et delectare is exactly what I needed to hear right now. Also, I literally spent $750 on a piece of gear while watching this video. But it was a well thought out purchase, I promise!

It's good to BE back. Good to be anywhere.

wonderful video

This idea of a palette of colors has been my guiding principle after my first two synthesizers, a Moog Liberation and Opus 3 in the early eighties. Over the intervening years I've made it a point to avoid duplicating synthesis types by finding the best examples of whatever type I could afford (FM, subtractive, wavetable, rompler, etc.). Referring back again to the 80's, some compared FM and phase distortion as producing similar timbres but their differing approaches to sound synthesis led to different timbres when programming either. That same approach to purchasing synthesizers continues today. Even when putting together a small , relatively inexpensive, pedalboard of micro synths I chose options that would avoid unwanted duplication in programming or timbres; FM, physical modeling, additive semi-modular, subtractive synthesis, and sampling make for a small but sonically versatile color palette and range of programming approaches. The piece of music at the end is wonderful, btw.

My 3 rules for surviving isolation during a global pandemic 1. Stock up on various teas and coffee. Cheap green is nice for general drinking and warmth. Sometimes a supply of emergency Earl Grey is necessary. 2. Surround self in soft things. Soft blankets, soft sweaters, any soft of plush things (occasionally they have adorable faces), soft dog. Pet the dog a lot. 3. Wait until next Hainbach video. It'll surely uplift your spirits. In the meantime if needed, listen to some SPFDJ or wander around bandcamp looking for hidden gems. Rinse and repeat.

Hainbach, I’m very happy to see a more personal side of you in this video. And it sounds like you are doing very well. I just like how I can connect with you in a video like this! Great job!

Love listening to your talking as much as your music x thank you for the great content hainbach

It just keeps getting better!

thank you, hainbaaaach!! it's always a real pleasure.

That James at the end was great! Wonderful topic. I will keep these in mind when looking at a new purchase.

Thank you for sharing these insights! As a human that has NO musical training, skills nor experience I've been drawn to your, Sam's and Alex's channels, each providing such a rich source of inspiration and entertainment. Young and inspiring musicians can take a dive into your videos and get that nudge in the right direction with sound advice from a talented and professional host. Well done!

you are such a great teacher, Professor Hainbach.

I needed this! Reminds me of mari kondo's book on the art of tidying up. Should've been obvious to me to apply the same rules to my gear. This was the electricity i needed to connect those synapses! Thanks!

The final performance was impressive! Thanks for all the advices, sir Hainbach.

Happy to hear it addressed directly, that resale value is a consideration. Those are my only two rules, does this something I can't already do & could I sell it if / when I decide to. Always a joy to see your approach.

Would love to hear an Otamatone choir!

Awesome video! Nice to know how others pick up their gear. That jam at the end was nuts!👏🏼👏🏼

For someone just getting into electronic music, the choice of equipment to buy can be overwhelming. Perhaps the best approach is to first imagine the kind of music and sounds you want to create, then research the type of gear and studio set up that can help you achieve those sounds, textures, etc. This particular YT channel has really helped me gain insight into the sonic possibilities various electronic music equipment, with sufficient experimentation, can offer.

These tips were so great and fantastic Hainbach, Thank You so much! I especially like the one about the colors on the palette : )

I love your metaphor about color and pallet!

I agree with you MR Hainbach, i also love to play Darkest Dungeon.

Inspiration sparked by a different workflow or different sounds can be a good reason in itself to get something new, but the main reason many people buy gear is they think they can do something with it they are not able to accomplish with what they already have. In essence they think it will make their music better because something is missing, not because something new will provide different possibilities to the great ones they already have. If that is the case, what is usually missing is putting the time in to use what they already have to the full, or getting better at working with rhythm, melodies, harmonies, chord progressions, combining musical textures etc, and no amount of gear can solve that problem. Still many will keep buying and selling and never settling on something for long because they are trying to fill that void and blaming their gear for their music not being good or for not giving them the enjoyment they think they would have if only they had that new synth they just saw on RU-vid. It can be almost an addicition, a want, not a need, or an effect of that constant anxiety that many suffer from in a world too full of options that what you have chosen isn't the best choice. The colour analogy works, but an artist would mix colours to make other colours and technically won't need more than a handful to create almost any colour, so perhaps it also works as an analogy in the sense that once you know how to use what you have to its full potential, you are able to create more sounds than you previously thought possible, and better music. Then again, once you know the colours you have really well, you discover subtle differences in how they mix, in their opacity or transparency, in their viscosity, and only then should you add new ones so you can appreciate the subtleties of what new things they bring to your palette.

At the start of this year I cam across a video which kind of set me off down a path that had been neglected for many years and has informed my choices on instrument purchasing. The aim was to be able to play live, and the first 2 rules that you have certainly apply. They must bring joy, and they must bring something to a sonic palette which I can fit into a laptop bag however... Rule number 3 is right out. If I'm going to end up lugging this gear around to play live (which is my ultimate aim) I don't want it to be too expensive to replace if something goes wrong with it.

Great advice and nice jam

Thank you, Hainbach, those are good rules. And I like that piece you play at the end. As it happens, I recently began considering selling some gear, and for me right now, this poses a bit of a dilemma -- largely because I did not studiously follow Rule #3. The gear with which I can most easily part company would have to be sold at a loss, but the gear with which I could get the most money by selling it is the gear with which I would never want to part company. Live and learn!

I totally agree on the palette criterion. It's how I built my own studio. And I'm constantly re-checking for sonic overlap after adding things.

Wise words. Since 30 years I have looked for the un-discovered gems and they have all kept their value or gone up which is a bonus, but more importantly they sounded better than anything I could afford new. Buy quality and do some digging to find what might inspire YOU.

Thanks for the insight. All the best from Linz.

I started with Elektron gear and Make Noise o-coast after a laptop with Ableton. Then went deep into modular/Eurorack. Modular is very expensive but tons of fun. Never can stop growing either with zillions of modules. Hope synth shops open up again soon so I can try out new gear before buying it first.

love the color analogy. Such a fun video :)

Joy....absolutely!

Sometimes I feel you're in the twilight zone of 'I need more joy and I need it now' when I look at the vintage, old, rare and ancient gear you've collected. Fortunately it sometimes leads to very cool VST's so we can all share your addiction and you don't have to carry that heavy weight all by yourself. By the way, these piano mics are very good!

I have similar rules and I also needed them cause I went through a time of GAS in which I bought stuff I knew I wasn't going to use and couldn't resell at a good price... Luckily i've learned from those mistakes.

Your videos have provided me with so much joy and inspiration. Also I love that you mentioned G.A.S 😝

Hi. I like your video. Your videos are very inspirational. I notice that anything can become an instrument. Thank you for your videos. I learned a lot.

1 : Will i be able to do more things, or can i still do the same things? 2: Is it fun? if not does it enhance the fun of existing gear?

i agree particularly with the second rule and would add that it should be a sound that us useful in the type of music you make. every music has a color palete, so if it's something that doesnt fit or please your ear, best to skip it.

I love these rules. In addition to the resale value one, which I also practice, my main rules are: 1) What do I want to do, creatively? and 2) How will this new thing help me do it in a different way that the stuff I already have? If i have good answers for those 2 questions and the tool will hold its resale value, that’s a pretty high probability of success!

Love love love!!!!! I want to get one of these freaky note-synth beasts for my daughter. She is not music producer, but the stylophone already makes her laugh with every note.

Interesting thoughts, fun/joy is certainly of a great importance to me too. Another, for me, that is now very important is simplicity. I do not necessarily mean by that a simple instrument or piece of gear but will it integrate simply in whatever process or creation in which I will use it. It has at least to not complicate things!

Hainbach, I love that you're the GERMANEST guy ever.

I'd love a video exploring the different methods/philosophies of studio input, layout, and instrument cohesion. Most info out there is focused on "Guitar+Mic". Looking for info on input sources, amplification, cabling upstream/downstream, DAW options, etc. for the sound artists that aren't singers or guitarists. Thanks!

Hainbach with an Otamatone made my day

0:16 👍 one of my favourite ones, with the Gakken sx-150 and a few other ThinkGeek cool sound gadgets (mainly wearable drum and air guitars)

I take my time buying plugins... That's my golden rule, then I watch this kind of videos for research and take notes & ideas.

ayyy telefunken shout out. A bunch of my buddies work there. I go to their Christmas party every year lol

My rule is "never settle for less" even if I end up having to save for longer and having to do without. I learnt that lesson when I didn't wait for a Roland U220 (lots of mojo and inspiring and exciting sounds) and instead settled for an E-mu Proteus/1 (yawn). I have kept the Proteus as a reminder of the mistake of having spent my money thereby making the U220 unattainable.

The end jam gave me an inspiration to tune beard trimmers

You are the best

@3:23 That laugh was just too pure for this world

This is a Tomita-con. Reminds me of Tomitas Moog 55 when he creates vocal-esq dialogs in many of his albums. Viele Grüße 🎉

the Fundamental vst ticks all the boxes for me. maybe not rule three but ok. such a wonderful instrument and great add to my palette, it quickly became my favourite instrument once i got it, thanks!

Man I should subscribe to Hainbach. Oh wait, I AM subscribed to Hainbach. Nice!

Danke 👍🏼

resale value rule is smart, especially if you buy esoteric equipment that IMMEDIATELY gets very sought after...because of one's own youtube channel ;)

I forwarded your video to Tosa-shyachyo from MaywaDenki. I’m sure he will get a kick out of it. Running the otamatone through a modular is always a good source of laughs.

The buy it now joy button... That is why I have a huge e-mu collection now..

gear purchasing isnt a set in stone action. plus all gear is different in peoples hands. also, its usually not one piece of gear that makes a difference but rather multiple pieces of gear and how u play them together. setting up a home studio this year i think im already on my third version. constantly changing and moving

Love the video! But I decided a few years ago to never sell anything again. Lol. Every synth or gear I’ve sold I still regret.

I have 4 rules for taking gigs that are very similar! I think I can also apply them to buying gear. If three out of the 4 rules are met, I take the gig/buy the thing. They are: 1. Money (how much does it cost/how much am I getting paid?) 2. Will it advance my career in some way? 3. Will I learn anything? 4. Will I have fun?

Beautiful icelandic sweater!

I'm a photographer primarily, but I also make music, so that's GAS central all around! I have the rule that I never sell anything, so if I buy it, I better use it, or else it'll just sit there making me feel guilty. And since space is a huge problem here, it also restricts what I can buy in general. Sooner or later all my cameras, instruments and pedals get used and they often have two or three lives. Sometimes they sit around unused for years and then suddenly I have an idea and I use them all the time. Nothing worse than pining for something that you had years ago but decided to sell and now costs 5 times as much. Imho the buy+resell loop that a lot of people go through with old synths and cameras is actually what has made prices go up like crazy in recent years.

I remember another rule I heard some time ago by Adrian Utley (Portishead). If he didn't use some device in a year, he had to sell it.

It pleases me greatly that you're into Darkest Dungeon. I got back I to again recently. Still never beat the final dungeon itself, but I'm getting there. Also, the production done on the drums on the soundtrack I find really satisfying. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the score in general too.

Now I want to see Hainbach latin dancing

That's easy. The best synth for you is the next one you want after receiving the current one that you wanted last month. It's vicious.

To be fair, you could take song inspiration from moments or characters or story beats in darkest dungeon!

My favorite part of this video is how I need to buy one of those now

Love this video! Is that the Otamatone deluxe or regular model?

I am planning on using the KORG volca beats to make fun beats

Darkest Dungeon is so great!

And that’s it...I just got you looper, which is something I was looking for since a long time, recorded la la la la la and..wow...I can really do whatever I want with that sample..I love the possibility to change speed and direction with a sequence...definitely love it...how do you implement it in your daw to have more instances, forgive my ignorance? (I shouldn’t be here anyway, got work to do lol)

Sounds like your friend was just looking for an excuse to buy more modular. My wife and I sometimes have those types of "conversations". Haha

My 3 rules: 1. Is it a sampler? If yes, buy it. 2. If a new thing comes out, wait a year and see if a version 2 is announced. 3. Use iPad to make most of my music. Buy any app that is less than $10 and looks pretty cool.

The palette argument makes sens in a way, but I can't help thinking of producer Todd Terje who got his break through with a track made with just an ARP2600. Sometimes, carefully chosen strict limitations are a springboard to musical depth.

I was coincidentally checking out the otomaton, and considering if it can be used as a ribbon controller for CV equipment. Have you tried that?

How i see it: It takes time to learn how to use a new instrument. To buy new stuff is easy, and can feel good. But everything else takes time, from opening the box, making room for the piece, learning how to use and master it or sell it. Even when not in use the gear will still take some processing power from my head, and create guilty feelings for not using it. So what i do is i limit my options. I have decided to only own one synth with a big keybed. One small synth (minilogue) and one 104hp modular case. I can freely exchange some part with something new, but it have to replace something i already own. For plug-ins i use the same concept, one plug-in console emulation of high quality, one DAW etc. And i try to avoid buying boundles, to not become overwhelmed with options. For me, the restraints makes me using what i have more often, and makes me appreciate my choices. I am not working as a musician so for me with my limited time and resources as an enthusiast it makes sense.

Someone cut out and edit from 3:22 to 3:28 it soothes my brain please

"it's a VERY analogue filter" made me laugh

How on *earth* did you manage to make an Otamatone sound *good?* Also I do need to follow this advice more I think, honestly.

Knowing that you still play video games as an adult man with two kids gives me hope that I'll never really stop playing video games ❤ ( also what's your favorite game ost? Mine's either Celeste or silent hill 2)

Playing guitar and modular synths is way better than video games even though I grew up as a computer gamer.

We need a group of these things using wigs and singing Mahna Mahna.

How do you feel about people sampling your videos? I really love the color palette comparison and would love to try to work it into a song at some point!!

Hi Hainbach! Can u spell please the Mics that are as good as Neumann's?

Good thoughts. I'm still asking myself do I really need the SYNTRX and then how it will hold it's value and working order for years to come.

Some people I know ask me if Tangerine Dream is music...... I should play your jam to them!

Early Gang!, I know its going to be a good day when I see you pop up in my notifications :~)

I'm planning on buying an OP-Z soon for its sequencing and looping capabilities, not only will it help my studio workflow, but it will be a great tool for live performances as well.

smoke on the water, that was funny

Does the Otamatone have a pitch quantize (fret) capability ?

I had a laugh when you talked about learning Latin. Did you have to do the kleines Latinum or the großes Latinum?

I only buy gear if it solves any of my tasks or problems, regarding to music

The answer is buy them both, buy them all.