Great Sound the Product of Great Equipment, or Great Ears??

[statzern]

Building Rome is a band from St. Louis, MO. Although not my particular taste in music, they are very talented. A demo of the single "What are we Fighting For?" was recorded at a local studio, Blinded Black Studios. BBS is basically what you would call a project studio - non-pro equipment (despite what they advertise), non-pro engineer, etc. But they do offer good rates, and definitely have a good mission statement.

The final track was recorded at Sawhorse Studios, also in St. Louis by Jason McEntire - who was recently voted the best studio engineer in St. Louis! I have recorded at Sawhorse and other studios in St. Louis, and definitely agree with the decision - he's the man! And Sawhorse rocks!

SO, my question is: What percentage of the difference between the two tracks (links below) is due to gear, and what percentage is due to ears/experience/intuition?

Sawhorse gear includes virtually anything any slut would ever want - SSL E/G+ 4000 series console, awesome mics, awesome outboard gear, awesome rooms - the works.
BBS boasts ProTools. And some good mics and converters. No special pre's or any other outboard gear noted. A few plug in packs...

Links:
BBS version: Blinded Black Studios(New tunes!!) on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos
Sawhorse Studios version: Building Rome (LivingInANightmare.com) on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

What do you think?

[johnnyc]

i'ld say 80-90% (probably more) is due to the guy pushing the buttons

look at it this way, would you rather hear hilary hahn on a plywood starter violin or me on a stradivarius???

[DarkSky Media]

Great sound requires *both* great ears AND great gear (and a few other things, such as great performance, great song, great room etc). You can't get all the way there without covering all the bases.

I think it's safe to assume that Building Rome would have got a better BBS result if Jason had take over the sessions at Blinded Black. And that they'd have gotten a better BBS result if the BBS engineer had been let loose at Sawhorse. But neither result would have equalled the one they got with both those things aligned - Jason at Sawhorse.

You also need to bear in mind that the very fact of playing in great sounding rooms and working with top gear and a well regarded studio engineer probably inspired the band to ramp up their performances a few notches - and that extra energy was captured by the sessions. It is a whole-of-process result - so it doesn't make a lot of sense to try to sit back afterwards and say which of the elements accounts for the difference. They *all* do IMO.

[la grange]

1/ I would record a great band in a great room anytime,with very little gear. I know it would sound darn good and the result would be way above decent.
2/ Give me a shit band with the best gear, it would sound like a shitty band.
3/ give me the best gear with the best band in the best room and you would have a stellar sounding record.

There is nothing new in the stated above but beside the band, I would go for the room before the sluttiest racks.


Oli

[Ammitsboel]

Your best work is done when you can look past the gear and past the claims that it's only about your skills.

The greater goal is always the most important.
That's whether you fly a glider for fun or a fighter jet on a mission.

[statzern]

Originally Posted by DSM Interactive

I think it's safe to assume that Building Rome would have got a better BBS result if Jason had take over the sessions at Blinded Black. And that they'd have gotten a better BBS result if the BBS engineer had been let loose at Sawhorse. But neither result would have equalled the one they got with both those things aligned - Jason at Sawhorse.

Yeah that's pretty much what I was thinking.... The reason I posted this in the first place is that I'm getting ready to get some new high end gear, but I don't know how "high-end" to go considering my current situation. Basically, I am SO SICK of buying gear that in a relatively short amount of time I outgrow. And of course, once you buy something you're stuck with it! So, I figure the solution is that whenever I need a new piece of gear - I should just get something that will last virtually forever - you know, a classic piece of gear. But since our room isn't done and our mic arsenal is still growing - I wonder if it's really the right time?

This is probably the debate that everyone here goes through with themselves - they have the dough, they need the gear, but is it the right time to pull the trigger? Of course, there's nothing wrong with *saving* LOL

[hernanperez2000]

Great sound without great equipment is very difficult, but great sound without great ears is impossible¡¡¡¡

[trustyjim]

Originally Posted by statzern

And of course, once you buy something you're stuck with it!

Buy used. If a piece isn't doing it for you can sell it for about what you paid for it. This also keeps you from agonizing over wether or not it's the right piece of gear for you without even hearing it, because you know you can get it in your room keep it if it works, or sell if it doesn't and try something else.

It has been my exerience that used but well-maintained high end gear is just as good as new.

[DarkSky Media]

Originally Posted by statzern

Yeah that's pretty much what I was thinking.... The reason I posted this in the first place is that I'm getting ready to get some new high end gear, but I don't know how "high-end" to go considering my current situation. Basically, I am SO SICK of buying gear that in a relatively short amount of time I outgrow. And of course, once you buy something you're stuck with it! So, I figure the solution is that whenever I need a new piece of gear - I should just get something that will last virtually forever - you know, a classic piece of gear. But since our room isn't done and our mic arsenal is still growing - I wonder if it's really the right time?

This is probably the debate that everyone here goes through with themselves - they have the dough, they need the gear, but is it the right time to pull the trigger? Of course, there's nothing wrong with *saving* LOL

To my mind, you are broadly heading in the right direction with these comments. It costs a lot more money in the end (even buying used and selling for the best you can get..) to work your way up through gear at a number of levels. But of course, the ability to buy classic/keeper pieces up front is limited by two important factors, one being the available budget and the other being one's ability to accurately select *the* pieces that will continue to make one smile "virtually forever".

However, within those limits, I think you're absolutely right. Moreover having gear that gives you "room to grow" with your knowledge and skills can be inspiring in itself. Ie when you get to a certain point, serious tools can help to further elevate your game. Hard to quantify, but it can be a factor IMO.