Summer Notes: Inspiration, Exploration, and a Little Bit of Studio Chaos

By Kevin Manthei

Ah, summer. The season of open windows, longer days, slower mornings -and a perfect excuse to shake things up creatively.

As composers and creators, it’s easy to stay glued to our desks, juggling cue deadlines, plugin updates, and ever-expanding sample libraries. But summer offers a unique kind of freedom-the kind that begs us to step outside, recharge, and maybe even rethink how we approach our work.

Here are a few ways to make the most of the season—not just in life, but in your music too.

1. Take Real Vacations (Yes, Plural)

Visit old friends. Road-trip to somewhere new. Catch up with family. Stare at mountains. Jump in lakes. Do anything that breaks your usual rhythm.

Time away from the DAW is often the best way to refill your creative tank. New places = new sounds = new inspiration. Don’t be surprised if the melody for your next trailer cue hits while you're standing in line for ice cream.

2. Embrace the Lazy Months… Productively

Summer’s slower pace can be your secret weapon. With fewer sessions and emails, take time to focus on what often gets neglected:

• Back up and organize your music files

• Label those cryptic “FINAL_final_03.wav” stems

• Clean out your sample drive

• Give your studio a mid-year refresh

Even 30 minutes of studio cleanup can clear mental clutter and help you hit the fall running.

3. Purge (and Upgrade) Your Gear

Let’s be real—some of that gear hasn’t been touched in years. If it's collecting dust, it might be time to let it go. Declutter your space and maybe trade up for something that actually inspires you.

Bonus: you'll probably rediscover a synth or pedal you forgot you owned.

4. Make Time for Non-Music Adventures

Block out a day each week for hobbies, family outings, or solo adventures. Hit the beach, hike a trail, visit that weird antique store downtown. These little detours often lead to unexpected creative sparks.

You’re not stepping away from your work—you’re feeding it.

5. Relearn Your Sample Libraries

We’re all guilty of it: chasing new sounds and ignoring the gems we already have. This summer, revisit your older sample libraries. Load up those quirky pianos, forgotten textures, and dusty percussion kits.

Do a blind "taste test"—which libraries still feel fresh? Which ones surprised you? You might find new uses for old tools… or realize where the holes are in your current setup.

And yes, if that means grabbing a new library to fill a gap—go for it. I personally love tying each new project to a new sample library. It gives the work a new identity and helps the music feel alive and inspired.

(Triumph Audio has a few great ones, by the way. Just saying.)

6. Explore Musically

Summer isn’t just for travel—explore musically too. Write in a style that’s completely new to you. Start a solo project that’s just for fun. Try scoring a short film or animation that’s outside your usual genre.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of music haven’t I made yet?

• Where do I feel creatively stuck?

• What’s a new direction I’ve been scared to try?

Use summer’s looseness to push yourself. There's no wrong turn when you're exploring.

Final Thought

Summer is a creative playground—if you let it be. Whether you're on the road, deep in a folder full of forgotten samples, or staring at a blank DAW screen in flip-flops, use this time to grow, to reset, and to fall in love with your craft all over again.

Happy composing—and don’t forget to reapply that SPF.

—

Want to explore some new sounds this summer? Browse the Triumph Audio collection and find your next spark.