Want to reach the next level in your studio? Want a better experience onstage? The number one thing — of many — you can do is improve your skills. “Skills” can mean many things, but today, let’s focus on the gear side of the equation. To work effectively and efficiently and to be able to keep your focus on playing, production, or whatever you need to do, you need to be so familiar with your gear, what it does, and how to use it that it essentially disappears, meaning you don’t have to think about it to use it.
What I’m talking about is learning your gear — truly learning it. Take each piece of your gear or software. Learn as much as you can about it: the features, how it’s meant to be used, and how people are actually using it, which may be different from how the manufacturer envisioned it. Study the manual. Today’s gear and software are capable of so much and have so many features. Few of us really take advantage of all our gear can do.
In my case, I see tons and tons of gear in my job here at Sweetwater, creating demo and educational videos and articles. A big part of my job is constantly and quickly learning a steady stream of new products. After doing this hundreds and hundreds of times, I’ve developed a top- secret process that lets me quickly but thoroughly learn a piece of gear or software. If you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll share . . .
1. Try It
When I get a piece of gear or software, the first thing I do is plug it in or launch it. I see what I can figure out just by trying the product, flipping switches, and turning knobs.
2. Set Your “Sites”
Next, I get online and learn as much as I can. Honestly, my first stop is Sweetwater.com — both the product page and our SweetCare 24/7 online tech support. After I’ve explored there, I go to the manufacturer website. This helps me understand what the product is for and what it can do.
3. Watch Videos
After reading what I can online, I look around for videos on the product to gather even more background info (though, I’m usually creating the very first video to come out).
4. Crack the Books
At this point, I sit down with the manual and put in study time.
5. Explore
Now it’s time to sit down and use the product with the manual in hand, going through the features and settings. If there are presets, then I’ll go through those and study what the preset designer did to get a particular sound or effect.
I know that this sounds like work. And, well, yes, it is work. But it’s also a lot of fun! By the time I’m done, I’m confident I’ve got a good grip on that piece of gear or software. You bought that piece of gear or software for a reason. Thoroughly understanding it is vital if you want to get the most from your investment and move to the Next Level.