nave--I understand your point of view and don't take what you say as anything personal. I don't want to intimidate anybody either--quite the opposite. I want to encourage people to work hard on their music, thats all.
Its one thing when somebody has a specific question, like "I'm having trouble getting this mix balanced" or "do you think the arrangement is too busy" or whatever. Posting something half done and asking "what do you think" seems kind of pointless. What I do like seeing is somebody posting their best and getting suggestions--then coming back with something even better. Then the purpose of this forum shines!
I like to hear peoples experiments too, like recording the drums with three mics or using a certain mic technique on an instrument.
I certainly realise that there are people at all different levels of knowledge as far as recording is concerned, and I certainly don't put myself at the top of that pile. I still have lots to learn. I do try and help whenever I can.
There is a difference between lack of knowledge and lack of effort, thats all. I have sometimes spent weeks and months tweaking a mix because sometimes thats what it takes to get a handle on it. The big boys don't whip off a master mix in a half an hour. They work their asses off going into great depth and detail to achieve results. I've seen pros spend six weeks mixing a CD--all day every day in the studio. Assuming that we are all hoping to someday get results that good, we should understand that it takes lots of time and patience to do great work. To me, posting something left unfinished, without a specific purpose, is like saying its not really all that important. Sorry, but that is how I feel.
Understand, I'm not asking for perfection from anyone--just their best effort. Jumpingflash said these are just ideas. If I started posting every idea I had here, there'd be no more bandwidth! The first step in improving is not getting advice. Its giving your best effort to your own work.
I support anybody who does the best they can with what they have, period. The best advice I could give anyone at any stage of development is this: never settle for anything less than your best. Did you write the song rock solid? Are the parts recorded and played to the best of your ability? Did you work on the mix until it was the best you could do. If so, and you are not satisfied, or you just aren't sure, thats the time to come asking for assistance and advice. Cause, at that point, you're paying attention and you are gonna learn something. The only people I have ever seen succeed in music set a standard for themselves and never quit until they had achieved that standard. I think that is good advice for anybody at any level.
Thats just my personal view--and, yes...I get cranky about this stuff sometimes, so feel free to ignore me if you don't agree. Please, I mean to offend no one. I'm out...