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Tennis · 16th October 2010

My problem right now with the idea of options is why would one need those options beyond having it sound the way it needs to. Saying that you need options says to me that you don't have a clear idea of what you want. It says to me that you are going to wait and see how things shape out and then try and make the best of it with what you got, hoping that you have something that will work, out of the options you've given yourself.

Clearly, if you are tracking things separately, first drums, then bass, etc, then you are obviously always going to be in the position of having to wait and see how things end up as each instrument is added in.

My point is, what if you went ahead and did not allow yourself options. No options. Just get it (bass drum, snare, guitar, etc) sounding incredibly amazing when you are tracking. So that everything builds on to what you have, and adds greatness to it. For example, you would find yourself saying "wow those drums sound so great, and now with that bass the way we have it, it fits together so right." In that situation, you should not be thinking "ok but lets also try a different mic or position just so we have that option during mixing." Furthermore, what position would you be in, if you were suggesting another option, just in case you need it. I doubt one would have it right anyways if you are still thinking you need other options.

I guess the moral of the story is that there is only one perfect sound, and it is better to find it before hitting record, than to give yourself options and hope you can find it later. And, if you have found that sound, wouldn't options just be useless and time consuming anyways? Maybe the real problem would be that one can't recognize when one does have it right. If you are done sound checking and you are about to start tracking and in the back of our mind you are thinking "maybe I should add a different option", shouldn't that be a red flag that you may not have it right to begin with.

I don't want to try to sound mean or anything, I just really want to have a thoughtful discussion and see what we can hash out thumbsup. Thoughts?

16th October 2010	#21
Tennis Gear nut Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 134 Thread Starter	options good? or options bad :( My problem right now with the idea of options is why would one need those options beyond having it sound the way it needs to. Saying that you need options says to me that you don't have a clear idea of what you want. It says to me that you are going to wait and see how things shape out and then try and make the best of it with what you got, hoping that you have something that will work, out of the options you've given yourself. Clearly, if you are tracking things separately, first drums, then bass, etc, then you are obviously always going to be in the position of having to wait and see how things end up as each instrument is added in. My point is, what if you went ahead and did not allow yourself options. No options. Just get it (bass drum, snare, guitar, etc) sounding incredibly amazing when you are tracking. So that everything builds on to what you have, and adds greatness to it. For example, you would find yourself saying "wow those drums sound so great, and now with that bass the way we have it, it fits together so right." In that situation, you should not be thinking "ok but lets also try a different mic or position just so we have that option during mixing." Furthermore, what position would you be in, if you were suggesting another option, just in case you need it. I doubt one would have it right anyways if you are still thinking you need other options. I guess the moral of the story is that there is only one perfect sound, and it is better to find it before hitting record, than to give yourself options and hope you can find it later. And, if you have found that sound, wouldn't options just be useless and time consuming anyways? Maybe the real problem would be that one can't recognize when one does have it right. If you are done sound checking and you are about to start tracking and in the back of our mind you are thinking "maybe I should add a different option", shouldn't that be a red flag that you may not have it right to begin with. I don't want to try to sound mean or anything, I just really want to have a thoughtful discussion and see what we can hash out thumbsup. Thoughts?