Blog Comments

I'm no expert on Avid gear...but I remember they were "the it" back in the day, just like Pro-Tools was. But with increased competition, I think people are realizing that one doesn't need proprietary hardware/software anymore.

People seem to prefer "roll your own" solutions in this market. The type of person who would set up his own studio, be it audio or A/V, seems to be a DIYr from the get-go. Seems to apply to all levels, from bedroom studio to million-dollar studio.

This is all speculation on my part, though. I just know that "back in the day", only Pro-Tools and Avid had products that worked and could actually bring you desktop-style audio or A/V workstations. Today, people like us can mix and match.

"I'll take a convertor from column A, a preamp from Column B, VSTs from Columns C and D, and a DAW from Column E. Let me download all the software, and ship the hardware cheaply as possible. That slow transit time gives me more time to get the studio set up before installing the gear myself." Blah blah blah.

Here's a sharp response from Russ Hughes at the Pro Tools Expert Group Blog: An Open Letter To New Avid CEO Louis*Hernandez - Pro Tools Tips, Tricks & More... - Pro Tools Expert Blog

No doubt there are some good manufacturers out there. I tend to agree on the transistor vs tube thing but there are still a few nice tube toys. The Anthony Demaria Labs ADL 670. But like the Fatso, it's designed to emulate gear that already exists.

I've no doubt that there are nice pieces of gear out there but are they the game changers that say the LA3A was? Are there items being produced that use new technology but still impart the perceived "warmth" that the vintage gear does? Basically, are there innovators out there who strive for the higher standard? Can we say that the M2NV will be sought after in the near future?

I hope so. Even then, will there be enough appreciation for boutique quality gear? It seems as though audio quality has gone by the wayside. I find it difficult to listen to the radio. I was appalled to hear songs where the entire mix pumps with the bass beat. I had no Idea that this was intentional. It hurts my ears. Are there enough people who care to make a recording that isn't always "pinning the needle". Are there even musicians who produce music that could take advantage of that kind of quality? These days it seems mostly Screamo, Emo, Hip Hop or Dance. The genres in between are left to compete for scraps.

Fun Blog again Hue, I'll start.

The two you mentioned are right up there but there are many high quality products you didn't mention. I personally don't think analog gear is less pro than the Woodstock generation but I do think there is a bunch of stuff being made that is a waste of money. I actually think analog gear is far better and refined, especially for the new hybrid DAW systems on the rise.

Tube quality, however is something I wonder about. As much as I love it, I'm increasingly growing leery about tube quality consistency or even long term availability. RODE mic as an example was very smart and bought mass amounts of tubes ten years ago so they have years of inventory.

Famous last words. If I only knew what I know now.
12 years ago when I dropped 50 grand into a trendy pro tools system, I had know idea I was going backwards in sound quality. Now that I'm basically finished completing the core my new hybrid system, including listening back to old tapes from the 80's. its really apparent there is a place for analog gear with the digital world.

As an example, the Great River MP-2NV is very cool preamp because you can drive and shape your sound like a tube amp. It will never be effected by the demise of the tube market, should it become obsolete.
The Folcrom is another really cool piece of gear that can be used together with a 2NV, M-2b or other high quality preamps with attitude. I'm sure there are a few more but those two really sound great. These pres aren't cheap but they are right on for this type of summing system. You stem all your tracks out to the Folcrom and use one stereo preamp to shape the sound. Its a brilliant concept and very inexpensive hybrid compared to a big investment like those large consoles back in the day. The MixDream and Dangerous Master are two other vital components that I am so loving. Wow is all I can say.

To help get that big fat analog sound I don't think you need racks of gear if you go with a smart analog summing amp and invest in key components that work well together.

I think we're going to see hybrid improve and grow.

What about your computer? Will you ever get money from having that? What about a movie? Do you ever get money from watching that? What about the mics, the preamps, interfaces, instruments? Is it "rich" to ask people to pay for those even though they will never make money from them? I think it's "rich" to think there is any excuse for stealing the software. Nobody made them decide to do music. If you benefit from it in any way, even if it's solely on personal basis, you should pay for the software.

There are no real excuses. You may never get the money back on many things in life, that doesn't mean you should steal them. In most things you will lose money. Cars, computers, furniture, these are all going to depreciate so should I steal them instead? They'll never make me any money. Where is the logic in that?

I completely understand this frustration because I am a programmer and would find it very annoying if other people were using my software without paying for it. Still, there are some things you should think about in this area. DAWs and audio editing software are very complex. There is no way that the average person will ever have enough time to digest the complexity of all the user manuals that come with pirated or non-pirated software. That's why they jump on these forums; they want to get quick advice and ideas on what will be useful for them.

Now, I know there are people out there that expect software to be given to them, and that they will be able to go out and make money from the music that they create on it. However, this will not be the case for most musicians. Most musicians (even those who do bother to invest money in software) will not make a cent from their efforts. Infact, many musicians simply give their music away for free.

What I personally advocate is this. Give a percentage of the money you make from music back to the creators of the tools that you use. If you make $10,000 from song sales, make sure you pay for all the DAWs that were used to make the song, and also donate some cash to the creators of the plugins or presets that you have used. But, it's a bit rich to expect someone who never makes a cent from their music to go out and pay $500+ for software when they themselves will never get any of that money back.

I wouldn't shock me to find that these are some of the very same people who complain, gripe, etc., about people stealing their music, or being so frustrated when they don't make their millions of dollars.

right on man. right on...i see what ya mean

I am being judgmental and that is my prerogative. Is it right that a talented violinist who has studied for 20 plus years cannot book a concert much less get a seat in the local orchestra for the lack of performances. It's sad that popularity comes down to promotion and that the music industry is run by accountants.

It's nice to think that art is purely expression. There need not be standards. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there are different styles of music. There are just some things that I don't consider music. We are not robots. So why do you insist that it's ok to listen to robots? If a band: a percussionist, keyboard players, bassist, guitarist, vocalists can make those sounds live, I will appreciate it way more than watching someone spin a record. That's like paying hundreds of dollars to go into a museum full of paint by numbers posters. Sure it's still art to an extent. The "artist" may have taken license enough to make the poster surreal, but he's still sticking to the number pattern and the painting will still look like a horse in front of a barn regardless of what colors he uses.

Yes everyone perceives things in their own way. Yes computers are just tools. But, they are tools that can take us so far away from the humanity in music.

You know what it takes to learn an instrument. Are you satisfied that a person can spend a few hundred dollars on software and in a matter of minutes be slapping beats together. He could create an account on itunes and be selling those within days. This is ok with you? That is all well and fine? For that matter, he doesn't even have to pay for the software. Why? Most people don't. He'll just download the software and post his beats. No musical ability, Using pre-recorded loops.

I'm not an accountant but I downloaded some cracked software. You want to pay me to do your taxes? I can guarantee it will work out fine. The software has a step by step.

That is your world. This is the blight that will eat up the market. Somehow there has to be a return to an appreciation for skill.

I'm not a prude. I used the examples I did because they were extremes. I don't think all new music is bad. There are some great bands out there and some very talented musicians. Then there are the rest of the electronic generators.

On the other hand, there are some really skilled musicians that have no musicality. I'm a shred head but there are some shredders out there that have just forgotten to put emotion into their music. It's not that I don't think they can, it's just that they're so caught up in the technique that they've forgotten to let things flow.

Celebrate the differences. Sure it gives scale to the level of talent out there. However, celebrate the geniuses even more. They are out there being overlooked because it's much easier to be a star when you buy your way into it.

As far as what people take away from it. When you sit and listen to a man on a piano, violin, saxophone, synthesizer who has honed their art through years of practice, you will take something away from it. I guarantee it will move you. Maybe not at first. Maybe at first you will find it boring but eventually, once you have come to comprehend it somewhat, you will wonder how you could have possibly considered much of what you hear on the radio to be music.

all i have to say is Bruno Mars- he's on top at the moment and he's amazing at what he does... Manchester Orchestra- great musicians that have mastered their craft. even My Chemical Romance's new albulm....it's still out there man. just look past the hannah montana's

Your just making excuses. I agree on the fact that it does take more to be on top. It takes more money and more advertising. More money for plastic surgery. More money for gear. More money to buy music from actual musicians who may or may not get proper credit and song writing royalties.

Did you even watch that video? It's a digital Lite Brite. Oh but you're probably too young to remember what that is.

It just happens to have a midi output...via usb of course. It's a toy of the worst order. This is going to go into the books along with a Theremin but even a Theremin requires some understanding of music.


The Tenori-on doesn't even require that. You draw pictures on the Lite Brite and gosh darn it, the program will make it into music. It's magic. You don't even need to draw a picture. You just put random dots and it will make it rhythmic in some way.

Of course, you are entitled to your opinion as am I. If you put DJ Puff n Stuff in a room with say Glenn Gould do you think he could keep up?

In regards to people. People have been fed McDonalds for years. They love it. Doesn't make them any healthier. They don't even realize that healthy food often tastes good. Better than a Big Mac even. Do you think you could convince them to buy a bushel of veggies instead of a Happy Meal? Probably not. In fact I guarantee they would rather go for the instant gratification.

People listen to what's on the radio because they don't know any better. Am I saying that most people are musically stupid? Yes I am. I don't think it's far from the truth. It is the truth.

As far as what people take away from it. When you sit and listen to a man on a piano, violin, saxophone, synthesizer who has honed their art through years of practice, you will take something away from it. I guarantee it will move you. Maybe not at first. Maybe at first you will find it boring but eventually, once you have come to comprehend it somewhat, you will wonder how you could have possibly considered much of what you hear on the radio to be music.

It's one thing to listen to a man with a turntable. It's something else altogether to sit in the presence of a person who has become so intimate with their instrument that it has become an extension of their body.

i hear ya man...but watching that video interview with "little boobs" lol, she's not the most attractive lady either...i'm sure she has more to offer that keep her fans listening and watching. In your recent blogs, i see you're rather insistant that music has become about mere looks and cheap thrills as opposed to the golden days when it was all about supposed talent....
while i'm trying to understand where you're coming from, i have to disagree a little.- and maybe you dont care to hear my opinion, but i would like to maybe offer a different perspective on the matter
you're right that it's becoming easier and easier to create something that resembles music, but i think that makes it a greater challenge/ glory to be the one to come out on top....to be blessed to make a living performing and creating music.
it's not and i dont believe that its ever been about just talent and not looks- it's always been about the experience one takes away from an artist...whether it be more looks or more talent, thats not what matters to the observer/listener...it's about the lasting impression the artist has left on them.
it's about how the listener can relate to the artist...it's about alot of things...ya know- having the "x" factor.

and no matter how many leaps and bounds technology makes with creating music, i believe it still requires great, talented creativity to produce a result thats worthy of success.

embrace the changes! the game might be different today than yesterday, but it will always be about entertainment and what people (listeners) want... it's about the artist's will power and drive....not just "talent"

There was image. There was Alice Cooper, Kiss and the rest of the glam rock crew. I never really appreciated that kind of music. I respect that they had their thing. They had a gimmick but it was not the same. They weren't dressing up because the record companies liked it. That was incidental. The were trying to make a statement. People hated them for their image. As many as the ones that liked them.

Consider so called gangsta rap. Is there really any such thing anymore? It's a facade. The promote a lifestyle that they may or may not have had while they live a luxury life. Not based on their earnings from "gang" related activities but from the sales of shoes and the clothing line that they have set up for themselves.

You don't have to go back far to find some integrity. Look at Metalica's early days. They started the whole shared music thing. That's how they promoted themselves. Free tapes. They didin't rely on a big label to gain their following. By the time they got signed to Elektra they already had a huge following.

Led Zeppelin never had a #1 hit. They didn't even rate with the "rock and roll" community until they had long disbanded. Zeppelin didn't get to where they were by listening to the record companies. They played what they felt was right. Listen to Zep 1 and then listen to In Through the Out Door. There were a ton of people in my school scowling at Zep for "selling out". Now if you listen back you realize how far ahead of their time they were. They added a lot of synth and it was so different than their early music. People hated the change. Then once people got used to it, wow! All of a sudden it's considered one of their best albums ever.

I'm not saying all new music is bad. Consider Jack White. Here's a guy who pushes the limit. The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather. He changes. He grows. Not the greatest musician but a pioneer none the less.

Are there good pop acts? Maybe. Few and far in between.

As far as independents are concerned they just don't make it big. They might get a following but there are no more superstars. Who will remember Sean Paul in a good light ten years from now? There are reasons why people think of Vanilla Ice and cringe. Was he for real? Of course not. He was a corporate puppet.

It used to be that lip syncing was unheard of. Millie Vanillie caused an outrage. They were pioneers! Corporate pioneers. It's not even the singers anymore. People will pay huge money to watch a DJ. What? Yeah. I know people who would call that a concert. They aren't musicians. They don't know any better. But that is worth hundreds of dollars? It's a joke. It's not about talent anymore, it's about gear. When a DJ takes his hands off of the record does the music stop? No, it continues because it was already recorded. When a classical musician takes his hands off of the string, the music stops. He and the music are directly involved. Without him there is no music. However I can slap a piece of vinyl on a turntable and it will continue to play as I do dishes.

The value of years of practice has gone out the window. No one cares anymore. We live in an American Bandstand world. No one wants to hear it unless it's "got a good beat and you can dance to it". As my wife says. "Music is just background noise." . What the hell is wrong with society today when they think that listening to a turntable has as much value as 30 years of practice?

If Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today, he would starve to death because he doesn't know how to use Maya or 3DMax.

If Paganini were around would anyone pay to see him? Maybe. He'd be playing a small club while DJ Suchnsuch Played an arena.

When a band isn't famous, I think people like to support it by buying their CD or what not. When the band gets famous, they 'sell out' but the main thing is that YES, people do buy mp3s.

Think of it this way, how many people actually know how to use torrents? Not very many. If you're not a computer nerd then you can't do it.

So in each family, let's assume only little or big brother knows how to use torrents, and is too lazy to get all the music for the rest of their family. That's a lot of people left to buy mp3s, and there's no other way to get it besides paying for it.

But how can the bands not sell out? Hard to put "professional guitarist" on your resume once your band passes its 15 minutes of fame and is swallowed into the void again. So their choices are either go big or go home.

There has always been image included with the music. But that's with ANY sales in ANY field. When image, price, value, and accessibility meet, then you have a Mustang.

But really, in 1966 the Mustang was the most sold car in one year, ever, I'm pretty sure. That's what I've read. It had the sporty, two door look like a corvette. But it had four seats, so it was accessible. The price could be cheap, but the value of it was in the multiple options that were available.

Ok, so maybe a car isn't the best example, but the point is there is never ONE thing that can sell something. The old rock and roller's didn't like being held back by the man, they had this rebellious music. Unconsciously, THAT was their image. Now it seems fake, played out.

Everything is so based on social media, being connected, etc. that it has driven people apart. You're not hearing from a friend how awesome this band is, you're getting a spam email asking you to 'like' his page.

Anyways, it can't last forever. I feel like we're hitting a brick wall in a lot of areas, and the only way to go forwards soon will be to go backwards. Just get your helmet so you can survive the crash!

Originally Posted by Davedog

Ya shoulda thrown it in....(I might be movin to Montana soon.......)

Gah! Where were you three days ago?

Ya shoulda thrown it in....(I might be movin to Montana soon.......)

Thanks for listening Link. Yeah, I was going for the Barry White groove. I can't get my voice to go that deep though. LOL. All in good fun.

I love the low end groove man, cool job!

Your advice is well taken and greatly appreciated. The guitar is a Godin Freeway Floyd going through a Vox Tonelab. Tweed emulation with a vox wah. The noodling is AC30 with a half cocked wah.

Unfortunately my bass skills are very limited and my guitar noodling is only slightly better than that. I'm more an acoustic player. Mainly nylon string classical, folky type stuff. I like the heavy but I live in an acoustic mindset.

That was much better.
Sounds like a Manfred Man Guitar sound. What wah are you using?

I'd take out more vocal distraction (clutter), get your vocals even more on their own and put a walking Motown bass in that helps it groove . Songs in that tempo 117 or cut time 60's can afford more bass. I think you would have a good start and possibly learn something about your sound not realized.

Hope this helps some.