[crackmontage]

I also want to say that stuff doesn't really sound more awesome when I smoke weed anymore. That feeling died with enjoying watching cartoons in reverse to Aphex. But the sounds in my head become WAY cooler.

[Syncopate Life]

If you're MIXING it's terrible. Your senses get heightened/altered as hell and you (I) end up spending an hour tweaking an instance of operator to kingdom come, only to have it tweaked differently again when you listen to it after coming down. Basically it's like mixing on some beats by dre. They're good for listening but not so much for mixing.

When COMPOSING I say hell go for it, many people feel the riddim so much more with mary in their system and that can yield great results when composing. I've never tried composing under the influence, I went straight to mixing because that was the point I was at in the song I was working on, this is just on my assumption.

Basically I generally don't do a lot of producing in general on pot because I generally dont smoke a lot of pot anymore.

[czarben]

I guess it really depends on the person. I love playing my kaossilator pro like this

[MastaRyte]

Originally Posted by czarben

I guess it really depends on the person. I love playing my kaossilator pro like this

I have one that i run through a couple Kaoss Pads, can either get really good or really messy under the influence

[Yanisaxaddict]

I find once you have opened doors under the influence, it's very easy to re-open them without having to use anything other than pure inspiration.. Actually, I find meditation before production a valuable asset.. It clears your mind and helps me focus.. Each to their own I guess..

[mr.Qaobab]

Just No. I`ve smoked a lot of stuff in my life and it just enormously slows down your progress as an artist. It is fun but in larger scale of things it only hurts you. When you`re high you are not "real you" so to speak. So it all comes down how much you want to express this "real you". And this expression involves not only fun and joy but also a lot of creative suffering. There are no highs without lows. This is something I know is true for myself, maybe it doesn`t apply to everyone.

[Yanisaxaddict]

Originally Posted by mr.Qaobab

Just No. I`ve smoked a lot of stuff in my life and it just enormously slows down your progress as an artist. It is fun but in larger scale of things it only hurts you. When you`re high you are not "real you" so to speak. So it all comes down how much you want to express this "real you". And this expression involves not only fun and joy but also a lot of creative suffering. There are no highs without lows. This is something I know is true for myself, maybe it doesn`t apply to everyone.

That's a great way of putting it dude, I have had a similar life experience and I totally agree !!

[I/O_Madness]

My experience with psychedelics cleared my clouded mental state and allowed myself to focus upon what I wanted to pursue in my life. It allowed me to see that there all the people in your life, in this universe, all rely on you, and that you are never really alone. It allowed me to see the beauty of being. It showed me what life could be, and gave me hope.

Maybe I didn't need to take psychedelics to realize that, but that's just what happened.

Never do I regret the places I have been, the people I have met, be they good or bad, or the choices I've made, for these people, places and choices are what made me who I am. I won't pretend to be something I'm not. It's just who I am. Take it or leave it. You've had your own people, places and events in your life. You haven't lived my life. You live yours. I couldn't live your life, nor could you live mine. So what do we do? We accept each other, and marvel at the amazing world around us.

[SomaaaMusic]

Originally Posted by mr.Qaobab

Just No. I`ve smoked a lot of stuff in my life and it just enormously slows down your progress as an artist. It is fun but in larger scale of things it only hurts you. When you`re high you are not "real you" so to speak. So it all comes down how much you want to express this "real you". And this expression involves not only fun and joy but also a lot of creative suffering. There are no highs without lows. This is something I know is true for myself, maybe it doesn`t apply to everyone.

The first time I tried smoking and making music is was horrible. It was definitely some indica that just makes me lose focus and feel sleepy. I remember loving what I made at the time but then the next day it sounded horrible. Needless to say I stopped smoking and making music for a while.

Now I've been making music for 6 years and have made entire albums while smoking. (Only during the creative process though, not when mixing or mastering). I also became more educated on the type of bud I was smoking. A nice sativa can definitely get my creative juices flowing because its more of a relaxing, creative, and focused high.

I feel that not only was it the type of bud I smoked but also my knowledge of my DAW and other creative processes. I know Ableton Live in and out, high or sober and I feel it no longer hinders my ability to focus and create music.

You say you become less 'real' but I have to totally disagree. I feel like when I smoke it brings out my emotions and lets me see life in a childlike fashion. It's more of a pure me with pure creativity. I care less what others think and just to what I love.

That being said, I don't rely on smoking to make music. I use it as an occasional enhancer and I have no regrets. If it doesn't work the same way for you I can respect that.

[Diskonekted]

I've just started smoking back recently. I didn't smoke for a long time. I love making stuff under the influence. Stuff just happens. The key here in my opinion is moderation! I've been doing music sober for years and its ok too. So I've tried both.

When mixing and mastering or doing serious stuff... even djing however I'm ALWAYS sober.
Can't do music when I'm drunk tho. Even after a bear I can't get into it. :p

[Diskonekted]

Originally Posted by I/O_Madness

My experience with psychedelics cleared my clouded mental state and allowed myself to focus upon what I wanted to pursue in my life.

Nice man!
I had great experiences too. Similar stuff. You have to be ready for stuff and let it go. Remember it's all good. And you have to know what you're doing anyways...

[Bucky TNP]

You hippies dont know good music-making drugs, step it up

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[surgeongeneral]

Holy fuck, that's a great gif.

[Yanisaxaddict]

Music is good even when you have bad drugs

[hardboiled777]

Interesting to hear peoples' opinions on drugs and music since I dont' use any drugs or alcohol when producing. Your all bad influences and make me want to do every drug under the book to see what happens now

[tungsten]

Oh man, a favorite topic of mine...
For me, different mental states (including sobriety)* lead to different kinds of creativity, but it's more a case of focus, rather than greater or lesser creativity. Motivation is something that oscillates wildly depending on state, so I do think sobriety provides a clear edge in terms of productivity.

Sober: overall balance of focus. The default, settled mind. I try to think about mix and how I'll be tuning and tweaking everything. Generally accessible results.

Depressed: Bass and ambience. I've worked the most in this state, and have primarily worked on soundscapes and concept pieces.

Stimulated: BEATS. FFAASSTT DDRRUUMMSS!!

Psychedelized: Theory and analysis, no real composition done. The psychedelic state has permanently changed (expanded) my tastes in music. I now have a taste for texture and syncopation, and I try to place genres and aesthetics when I hear them, where I never used to.

*all states reached through readily available and legal mediums I assure you I can assure you of that for sure.

Originally Posted by Bucky TNP

gif

THIS IS BUMPING / GOTTA SPIN FASTER

[Crude_beats]

Originally Posted by hardboiled777

Interesting to hear peoples' opinions on drugs and music since I dont' use any drugs or alcohol when producing. Your all bad influences and make me want to do every drug under the book to see what happens now

Put it this way then. For anyone who did drugs they can never know how they would have developed their music if they would have been clean instead. Sure it took a different turn on drugs but could it have been an even better turn if you were clean? Also drugs make you care less and doubt less while that might be a nice thing to reach for short term, and it will maybe impact the music positively short term, you really want to develop those skills without.

Like I gotta relearn my confidence in singing all over cause without drugs I do not have confidence in it. While surely it doesn't sound worse now. However I think I gained confidence in breaking the rules. If the end result was + or - I can't tell.

Also when you are at the point when you watch cartoons in reverse (as someone said) to get entertained I think you need to evaluate how your "taste" has changed for the worse due to said drug.

[I/O_Madness]

Originally Posted by Crude_beats

Put it this way then. For anyone who did drugs they can never know how they would have developed their music if they would have been clean instead. Sure it took a different turn on drugs but could it have been an even better turn if you were clean? Also drugs make you care less and doubt less while that might be a nice thing to reach for short term, and it will maybe impact the music positively short term, you really want to develop those skills without.

If you don't let the drugs govern your life, or get in the way of your music...

There's many things people use to achieve their goals. Financial assistance, a refreshing meal, help from friends... There's nothing wrong with using something to help you do something you want to do. If you don't let it consume you, then it's alright.

[tungsten]

Originally Posted by Crude_beats

Put it this way then. For anyone who did drugs they can never know how they would have developed their music if they would have been clean instead. Sure it took a different turn on drugs but could it have been an even better turn if you were clean? Also drugs make you care less and doubt less while that might be a nice thing to reach for short term, and it will maybe impact the music positively short term, you really want to develop those skills without.

Like I gotta relearn my confidence in singing all over cause without drugs I do not have confidence in it. While surely it doesn't sound worse now. However I think I gained confidence in breaking the rules. If the end result was + or - I can't tell.

Also when you are at the point when you watch cartoons in reverse (as someone said) to get entertained I think you need to evaluate how your "taste" has changed for the worse due to said drug.

I think this is an important insight. When you get used to an altered view of reality, you can lose sight of your unmodified self, and your tastes, interests, and opinions can become skewed.
If you do use drugs for inspiration, insight, or anything else, it's important to understand what you're doing, if it's safe for you, and to practice moderation. Make sure you always know who you are and what you want first and foremost. You could wake up from a numb daze 30 years from now and realize you don't even like your own music sober.

[RFJ]

Originally Posted by Crude_beats

Put it this way then. For anyone who did drugs they can never know how they would have developed their music if they would have been clean instead. Sure it took a different turn on drugs but could it have been an even better turn if you were clean?

As related to this question I almost immediately got better when I got clean and have been improving exponentially ever since. That's not to say I make the best shit on the block or anything, but I'm much better than I was before and I see improvement in each track I make.