To exemplify my own statement, my musical compositions can live in other places other than Renoise.
text editors
Excel (Excel to Renoise)
my hands (muscle memory)
my mind
on paper
in other people’s minds and hands (If I ever humbly reach that level of keep on earth)
R programming language (If I get through the course)
For production, I own Renoise, VST’s, guitar and pedals, laptop, no audio card, gaming headphones, the internet bill for research, and electricity.
Why do I mention this, because of the contrast of free ideas to the economics involved in solidifying those ideas.
How much does your attempt to solidify your ideas cost yearly ? Can you sustain that and maybe grow with it financially ?
I ask these questions in the same line of thought of music for fun and therapy or music for economic profit.
The musician seeking tools must clearly define his or her intentions and plan accordingly.