Well,
What is the objective here? This is the analog section of home recording. I would HOPE
this is where the serious home musicians are hanging out. That's why I hopped on here to learn and maybe even contribute a bit from my experiences as a somewhat successful artist. I say somewhat because it's always relative. This isn't about me.
My point is that if we are going to go analog as we should, then we should proudly carry the flag of quality over quantity. Carry the flag of capturing lighting from a session, rather than trying to "Frankenstein" it...in a digital software program.
No doubt some of the greatest recordings in history were done correctly in the analog age. Why not learn from the tremendous wealth of knowledge that has been left behind by historic record producers that did things THE RIGHT WAY!
Analog doesn't sound warm or fat, it sounds NATURAL. Simple really.
I spent enough time on the other side of the tracks to know I will NEVER record digitally again.
I will say this. My own epiphany came when I got a real stereo system. A good quality audiophile TT, a vintage tube amp that had been professionally restored, and a nice set of high efficiency speakers with horn drivers that give a very quality reproduction of sound. I pretty much had to completely re listen to my entire vinyl collection, take notes, and smack myself on the head about a 100 times with "what the hell was I thinking?
In my mind, as a collective we have made 4 grave mistakes.
1. The move from tube amplification into solid state.
2. The invention of drum machines.
3. The move into digital representation of music.
4. The move to digital editing of sound files.
I could write a book on these topics easily, but I will assume that some of you here know what I am talking about.
Now if you don't have a proper system to listen to music, you might as well skip to the next post. You are not going to understand. But I will say this... how can you really understand how to properly track, or how to properly mix if you have never actually heard what these things are supposed to sound like when performed properly? It's like trying to describe colors to the color blind.
I will argue that the analog recording process if done correctly is far superior, less expensive, more efficient and will produce both better musicians, songs, and record producers. Ultimately better product.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Remember this.
Lack of necessity breeds mediocrity and apathy.
I make a plea to you all here.. do the right thing.
Think of it this way or compare to a painting.
You have the Mona Lisa, and you have a poster of the Mona Lisa.
Sure, it's recognizable.. but essentially the poster is worthless.
Just think about it.
