[GL Respect Due]

Originally Posted by lexxon

i have noticed that most of the gear that hip hop and r&b guys use is not really on the hegh end( mostly borderline) but their has been so much success with use of this gear and traditional setup mpc and 737 and u87 and 002 racks and motif and tritons and ns 10s etc. But guys who do rock and alternative seem to hate this type of gear. explain

Generalizations abound in this quote.

Heres my take it on your questions though:

1. Hip-Hop has always been about the technician more then the tool.

2. Hip-Hop / Rock / Jazz all require different tools.

3. I know plenty of rock / pop guys who sweat Avalon, U87, 002, NS10s. In fact, about 75% of the rock / pop studios i've been into, or know of, own at least one of the aformentioned products. As far as why people here knock some of those brands, some of it is taste, some of it is hype.

My question to you is, what lead you to conclude high end gear is on a decline? From where i'm sitting, theirs more boutique audio designers then ever before.

If I were to blame anyone/thing for a decline in high end gear/productions - i'd start with CPUs, MP3s, etc, before I start blaming a music form.

PS. Before Hip-Hop was wearing a business suite, most Hip-Hop albums were cut at major studios. Platinum Island, Chung King, Hit Factory, etc. No cheap gear in site in those facilities.