I’m not a string player by any means, but I can pull up a string library – say Stradivari Cello – and create a cello section in my track.
With such a large range of realistic-sounding sampled instruments, I’m able to create something and translate ideas pretty easily. Even piano, which is something I do play but don’t have the resources to record, becomes easier to bring into my productions.
I think increased ability to experiment is also something that comes with modern production tools, which can help in furthering idea development.
The one way in which I think these tools may not help with creating honest music is that it’s really easy to get distracted and go down routes that may not be the truest to oneself. There are so many possibilities at artists’ fingertips right now, and it’s easy to get lost in them.
Occasionally, I’ll have an idea that I record into my DAW. Soon afterwards, I find myself scrolling through endless libraries or presets, or learning how a new tool works. This can get me increasingly farther away from my original idea. It’s a double-edged sword, and it takes discipline to know how to use these tools to your advantage.
