Is it the person behind the equipement?

[HB1978]

I once heard someone say that it is the person behind the equipment and not the equipment that will determine good sounding music. What I mean by good sounding music is that clear pristine quality you hear on commercial CDs; everything is clear and has it placed in the mix. (I hope this isn't too deep for this section). I've been to peoples home studio's who have (and i'm exaggerating when I say this) $20 acoustic treatments to their studios, a computer, an okay condenser mic, a mic pre, a good DAW; basically the absolute necessary stuff just to record, mix, and maybe master a song -- AND it SOUNDS GREAT!!!!!! Me on the other hand, I have all kind of acoustic treatments, compressors, EQ's, DAW's, super computer, high quality mics, more than enough to mix, record, and master. I can not get that clear pristine sound like commercial CDs. I read books, get advice, and still and am still trying to figure it out.

 

[nialldoran]

well obviously you need a dcent mic to capture the orignal sound as close as possible, and a decent pre of some kind, and then good monitors,

after that its about the person behind the desk, because even if you gave the best in the business a horrible muffled recording and monitors that sound like muck, id say there is nothing that can be done, so to an extent its about the equipment the ears hear, then its all about the ears, this is all IMO

 

[grimtraveller]

Is it the person behind the equipement?

Partly. That CD in your player is the result of a combination of factors and how those factors interract. Nothing is down to simply one element.

 

[RAMI]

I have all kind of acoustic treatments, compressors, EQ's, DAW's, super computer, high quality mics, more than enough to mix, record, and master. I can not get that clear pristine sound like commercial CDs. I read books, get advice, and still and am still trying to figure it out.

You answered your own question right there. Having all the greatest gear in the world isn't as important as having someone who knows how to use it, when to use, when NOT to use it, how much to use, etc....Reading books certainly helps, but since there are no formulas or short-cuts to getting a good sound, nothing replaces experience.

Sometimes having too much gear can be a huge part of the problem because it gives someone a false sense of security that they can fix anything in the mixdown stage. The fact is, the most important part of the process is the performance and how it's captured. You'd be surprised at how little difference there is between the raw tracks of a great recording and the finished product. Too many people overlook the importance of all the things that have to happen before you go anywhere near the RECORD button.

 

[HB1978]

We know the first step is recording. I assume if you get a clear, pristine recording the other steps will be easier. The master sounds different from the mix, and the mix sounds different from the recording. How do you know when you have a good recording? (because the initial recording is not going to be as clear and pristine as the final master)

 

[RAMI]

(because the initial recording is not going to be as clear and pristine as the final master)

It should be pretty damn close. You can't enhance something that isn't there to begin with. Like I said:

You'd be surprised at how little difference there is between the raw tracks of a great recording and the finished product.

 

[HB1978]

It should be pretty damn close. You can't enhance something that isn't there to begin with. Like I said:

I didn't know that. That each stage should sound real close to each other. I always thought that each stage was considerably different.

 

[pandamonk]

I didn't know that. That each stage should sound real close to each other. I always thought that each stage was considerably different.

A good recording will make mixing really easy. A good mix will make mastering really easy. So yeah, if you get a good recording it won't need much.

 

[grimtraveller]

The fact is, the most important part of the process is the performance and how it's captured. You'd be surprised at how little difference there is between the raw tracks of a great recording and the finished product. Too many people overlook the importance of all the things that have to happen before you go anywhere near the RECORD button.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This should be standard reading for all that are new to recording and many of us that aren't !

 

[RAMI]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This should be standard reading for all that are new to recording and many of us that aren't !

Thanx Grim. All I have to do now is start taking my own advice.

 

[HB1978]

Thanks for the advice you guys. You guys are great!!! and

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Any recording can sound only as good as the weakest link in the chain. Sometimes two or more weak links can add up. Sometimes one weak link will cover up other weak links.

 

[moresound]

You must become one with your equipment

 

[guitaristic]

Just like most other things in life, there is a fine balance.
I'm with moresound....become one with the equipment lol

 

[grimtraveller]

Thanx Grim. All I have to do now is start taking my own advice.

Same here !

 

[legionserial]

An experienced professional engineer could do a lot more with the average home setup than the average home recordist could do with an expensive studio setup.

The room is also an important factor.

 

[moresound]

Just like most other things in life, there is a fine balance.
I'm with moresound....become one with the equipment lol

And guitaristic, you must practice your wax on and wax off movement.

 

[RAMI]

you must practice your wax on and wax off movement.

If he's anything like me, he wax off all the time.

 

[moresound]

If he's anything like me, he wax off all the time.

If you do that all the time your wax off arm will be bigger and stronger than your wax on arm, throwing off your entire balance with become one with your equipment.

 

[RAMI]

If you do that all the time your wax off arm will be bigger and stronger than your wax on arm, throwing off your entire balance with become one with your equipment.

What if I wax off on my equipment? Then I'm really being one with the gear.