When I started posting music online altogether in 2010, all I had was Audacity and a phone mic -- which, at the time, recorded in really horrible-sounding .3gp files. I didn't understand the need for a studio, or even the idea of making music the way I do now.

When I started posting music on Newgrounds in 2011, I had nothing but a laptop and an integrated PC mic. I also had the demo version of FL Studio, only for it to become the Signature Bundle by the grace of a friend.

I remember posting this picture in early 2013 when I had a few more belongings to my name, notably a bodhrán and a set of bells.

I was still browsing the "Show NG your instrument" thread and I decided to share what I had -- and I couldn't deny that it felt like so little. Regardless, this was a time when songs like Terre des Hommes Libres and Journey to Stonyhurst were churned out, and it proved to be a bit of an uplift compared to what I previously had.

Someone did tell me on the forums that he trusted that as time passed I would have access to better instruments and gear in general, and be able to churn out better stuff. I didn't see how it would happen, nor did I imagine it happening, but I trusted it would. In the interim, I tried to make do with what little I had.

Somewhere along the line the HP in the picture above gave up the ghost, and I wound up with a rickety, eight-year-old Acer laptop with missing keys, broken screen hinges and a Celeron processor. It was, quite literally, falling apart. But from it came Sleep Wrapped in Love and Chant de l'Éveil -- the latter was my audition for this year's Newgrounds Audio Deatmhatch (NGADM). While I am glad the song got attention for having improved production quality compared to works from previous years, I still look back and wonder how on earth I ever actually had the patience to finish it.

A year and a half later (since the picture above)...

With help from people here and there -- my friends, and most especially my fiancé, I have now progressed to this. Much of the description of my hardware can be found here.

Again, I never imagined that I would come to this stage. It happened, bit by bit, with a lot of help from friends along the way.

I really want to thank every single one of my friends who has helped me get to this point, be it in getting hardware or software, or teaching me mixing tips, or giving me recommendations for certain types of configurations, etc., etc. (you know who you are). Some of them may perhaps never read this.

This post is for all of you musicians who are starting out, or who have been doing your craft for a long time but feel you have been stagnating in some way, shape or form.

A lot of us don't start out with a full array of gear. Even with an old, dilapidated computer, you can do great things. Still, there may be times where you feel small and/or intimidated, or even wondering how you may get from point A to point B in your musical journey. But trust in your friends, and trust in God -- in the right time, and with the help of Providence and your friends, things do improve, and you can reach greater heights. There is hope for every musician, and I mean every musician.

* * *

The NGADM Round 2 piece is coming along okay, and is now at its final length. I have recording, instrument layering and mixing left to do. The structure of it is done. I am also writing an accompanying story for this piece, for those among you who would like to read something while the piece is playing. We have till this coming Monday, and I've got to chip at it where I can.

Once again, all the best to everyone taking part.

I also extend my best wishes to those who are taking part in the final round of the NG Audio Underdogs Contest (NGAUC). You have done well to come this far, and I look forward to listening and judging when it is time for me to do so.