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Interface Magazine Column June/July 2023 'Thanks Mind'


Thanks Mind:

You probably know them well, the unhelpful thoughts and feelings that arise when something is exciting or challenging. The negative voice in your head that tells you that you can't do it, that it's not for you, that others can do it better, that you're not technically capable enough, and that you should stick to what you already know and are good at.

Recently, I embarked on a new adventure. After years of working in the box with occasional forays into hardware—only to hardly use it in my productions—I started with Eurorack, or rather 'Eurocrack.' Eurocrack, as in too addictive, where you go down the rabbit hole and there's no turning back.

If this deters people from starting with modular systems, it's understandable. When people at modular events asked me why I hadn't started, I felt I was too busy with work and didn't have the funds to go down that rabbit hole. Yet, in hindsight, my inner voice, my mind, had a significant influence in holding me back from starting.

'I'm not technically proficient enough, I don't grasp the terminology, I know too little about sound synthesis, others can do this better, I'm too old.' Thanks, mind.

Because 'challenging myself' is important to me and with a little push from someone, I eventually started and a whole new world opened up for me. A world of freedom, unlimited possibilities, and creativity, along with dilemmas, tough choices, trial and error, and experimenting. A mix of overwhelm, amazement, and enjoyment. Of doubt and despair but still persisting. Of cautiously jamming with like-minded friends.

Meeting kind, open, and enthusiastic individuals willing to share knowledge and experiences, both online and in person during modular events.

Regarding that one remark, 'are you here by choice or dragged here by someone,' I shrug. He's probably busy with the limiting beliefs in his own head. Thanks, mind.


Dutch version

Je kent ze wel, de niet helpende gedachten en gevoelens die omhoogkomen als iets spannend of moeilijk is. De negatieve stem in je hoofd die tegen je zegt dat je het toch niet kan, dat het niets voor jou is, dat anderen het beter kunnen, dat jij niet technisch genoeg bent en dat je beter kunt blijven doen wat je al kunt en waar je goed in bent.
Recentelijk ben ik een nieuw avontuur aangegaan. 

Na jaren in the box te hebben gewerkt met af en toe een uitstapje naar hardware – om deze vervolgens bijna niet te gebruiken in mijn producties – ben ik begonnen met eurorack, oftewel eurocrack. Eurocrack als in te verslavend, je gaat down the rabbit hole en het hek is van de dam.

Mocht dit mensen weerhouden van het beginnen met modulars, dan is dat begrijpelijk.
Als men mij tijdens mijn bezoeken aan modular events vroeg waarom ik er zelf niet aan begon vond ik dat ik te druk was met mijn werk en dat ik geen geld had om door die rabbit hole te gaan. Toch heeft achteraf gezien mijn innerlijke stem, mijn hoofd, veel invloed gehad op het mezelf weerhouden ermee te beginnen. 

‘Ik ben niet technisch genoeg, ik snap de terminologie niet, ik weet te weinig van geluidsynthese, anderen kunnen dit beter, ik ben te oud’. 
Bedankt hoofd.

Omdat ‘mezelf uitdagen’ belangrijk voor mij is en mede door een klein stimulerend zetje van iemand, ben ik uiteindelijk toch gestart en gaat er een wereld voor me open. 
Van vrijheid, van onbeperkte mogelijkheden en creativiteit en van dilemma’s, lastige keuzes, trial-and- error en experimenteren. Van overweldiging, verbazing en genieten. Van twijfel en wanhoop en toch doorzetten. Van voorzichtig jammen met gelijkgestemde vrienden.
Van het ontmoeten van aardige, open, enthousiaste mensen die bereid zijn om kennis en ervaringen te delen, zowel online als fysiek tijdens modular events.

Over die ene opmerking ‘ben je hier uit vrije wil of ben je door iemand meegesleept’ haal ik mijn schouders op. Waarschijnlijk heeft hij het druk met de beperkende overtuigingen in zijn eigen hoofd.
Bedankt hoofd.



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