Unnecessarily Complex… and Worth It

“Unnecessarily complex” are two words I kept thinking about while editing this video series.
And then I’d remember how much fun I had experimenting, rewiring, testing ideas, and watching the studio slowly take shape. Knowing what my studio looks like now—almost finished—I can honestly say the process was worth it.

That said, I’m also very aware that parts of my setup could be simpler… and probably should be simpler. That may well be my focus heading into 2026.

The Appeal of an “Instant-On” Studio

From the beginning, my goal was to build an instant-on studio—a synth studio where everything is connected and ready to go at the flip of a power switch. No digging behind gear, no repatching, no setup rituals. Power on and create.

The reality is that this type of studio naturally becomes complex:

• More gear means more cables
  
• More cables mean more routing challenges
  
• More routing means more things that can go wrong
  

At times, the complexity can feel overwhelming. There are moments when you genuinely wish for something much simpler.

Is Simpler Better?

Honestly, I don’t think “simpler” is better—it’s just different.

There are many solid reasons someone might choose a simpler setup:

• Cost – fewer devices mean less financial strain
  
• Space – small rooms benefit from minimal setups
  
• Focus – it’s easier to concentrate on one instrument than ten
  
• Reliability – fewer components mean fewer failure points
  

And the list goes on:

• Less clutter
  
• Fewer firmware updates
  
• Fewer repairs
  
• Less option paralysis
  
• A deeper relationship with the gear you do have
  

When something breaks in a minimal setup, the impact is often limited. In a large studio, one failure can trigger a domino effect. If a computer goes down, many studios grind to a halt. Add USB hubs, MIDI interfaces, mixers, submixers, and patchbays, and the potential points of failure multiply quickly.

There’s something undeniably appealing about a setup with one synth—or a synth and a drum machine. It offers clarity, calm, and often a deeper creative focus.

So Why Go Big?

For me, the answer is simple: I love music technology.

I enjoy:

• Connecting gear
  
• Designing signal flow
  
• Exploring options
  
• Learning how systems interact
  

Once you understand your way around a larger setup, it can feel incredibly inspiring and energizing. The abundance of possibilities becomes a creative tool in itself. For some people, the look and feel of a larger studio is motivating. For others, the constant learning keeps their curiosity alive.

A larger studio isn’t about efficiency alone—it’s about enjoyment.

No Right or Wrong Answer

There are excellent reasons to embrace minimalism. There are equally valid reasons to expand and explore complexity. Everyone’s preferences are different, and neither approach is inherently better.

What matters is that your studio:

• Fits your space
  
• Matches your workflow
  
• Supports your creativity
  
• Brings you enjoyment
  

As I move forward, I’ll likely simplify parts of my setup—not because the complexity was a mistake, but because experience has shown me where simplicity might serve me better.

If you’re designing or redesigning your own home studio, these are just some perspectives to consider. Whether you lean minimalist or maximalist, the right studio is ultimately the one that works for you.