Steve, great thread idea my man! Awesome dude, keep them coming!
I really dig that RVG quote, especially when I see threads like "What magic device should I buy, borrow or steal to make me talented" posted all over the various audio forums. People, do we not have the confidence in ourselves to believe that we can do our own R&D? This is crazy stuff...
Steve, this really amazes me too. I cannot believe how many times I've had discussions with engineers that have more of a problem with which version mic they ended up with when the mic in question is positioned in a way that will never yield a quality result. Then, they complain about how terrible it sounds instead of going out there and moving it one way or another. IMO, in most cases there's a bigger difference when you move a mic (even) a 1/4 inch in the proper direction than the difference between the two different versions of that particular model microphone. Hey, if the mic sounds like crap go out there and move the damn thing instead of blaming the version type you have on hand. Like Fletcher has said many times before -- YMMV.
The same goes with every other device out there. When someone asks you which mic, compressor, limiter, mic pre, et cetera, etc., to use... Just say, "Hey, lets try the one in front of us and if that doesn't work we'll try the one over there. Man, that unit didn't work well on this track but, I believe it may sound awesome on this other track, lets try it." Now we're forming our own opinion on stuff -- What a novel idea.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm also a big gear hound and I too have strong preferences but, I'm always looking to try new things when applicable. And I also like to try what other folks are into or have suggested. If I learn something new today I'm always ahead of the game tomorrow.
I believe it is better to have every device and not need it than to need a device and not have it...
Folks, do we have to use everything we got in the control room whether we need it or not? I love to use up all my patch cords and end up borrowing more from one of my other systems but, it's a building process. And I want to do it one step at a time. Listen, I'm not talking about the seasoned professional that knows what they want. I'm talking about the "Think I know it all" engineers or mixers out there. I've met engineers that want everything patched before they hear anything but, may ask you to decide what to use and then never have time to adjust anything that was patched. They also expect you to fine tune the stuff so it sounds good. I say to myself, "Self that's what the bypass switch is for my friend." If you want it patched and you don't have enough time to make it right, unless there's an understanding between us, don't expect me to get your sound -- just bypass the unit until you have the time to adjust it...
Hey, I'm sure there are some of us that don't mind being the ghost engineer from time to time. It really helps when you dig the engineer.
Well, I smell the coffee; I got to wake up now -- In the end, it's got to sound good. Making it the best it can be should be paramount. That's what we're there for... Right?
Nahh, let's just throw a BBE on it and call it a day.
