I'm just happy Vlado can cut stuff many db below 'Californication'. It's true, the track we were shown was NOT ridiculously slammed by modern standards. I did also think it sounded good. I also think I've had my balls busted by difficult competition enough that I can make a master sound good too- ESPECIALLY if there's a reference which the artist is pointing to, saying 'this sounds AWESOME!'.
I'm still saying 'hey give me a chance, I can do that' even if it seems very tough to do 100%. I didn't post a whoring-for-business example (no point when not invited, no point off an mp3). If I did, under these circumstances, you can bet that I'd start by imitating Vlado and only then tweak things slightly more to my taste...
Perhaps we all do some of that. There's nothing like having a target to aim for- assuming your chain can keep up. My chain's pretty reshapeable so it's down to what I want to do with it really.
If you asked 'would you have done what Vlado did if it was up to you and you had no direction'... ah, THAT'S the catch. When I can claim that I'll be ready to jack up the old rates, right?
in fairness, I'm trying to pick up those instincts as quick as I can.