Dumb question but...high production vs. sober production

[lastdon100]

I'm just curious on the answers yall gearslutz will come up with..

Whats the difference in the production/mixes if u smoke some bud compared to not smoking. For some, they claim its major inspiration but i think if u truly love the art their is always inspiration.

Does it alter the perception of sound, coordination and so forth..

Pretty much, has any of you made a track high, then go back later when ur not, and feel the same way about it.. stike

[crabtwins]

i don't get high...much ...as much?....anyway, I just think it depends, I think alot people just say that shit. Like in half-baked when dude was like..."everything is better when your high," but truly is just a self promotion and justification for getting high more. In the end do you really want to rely on a substance to make you funky? If anything you might think of some high isht and it would be dope...i dont know im stoned right now

[phillysoulman]

You cant be serious!!
Sober..of course.

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

You cant be serious!!
Sober..of course.

Yeah. Absolutely for engineering or mixing. On the other hand, I've worked with producers of all genres who do great work stoned. Or maybe a beatmaker wants to zone out and get high to make some music, cool. But if you're at the console getting high, you shouldn't be getting paid. Deeply unprofessional, IMO.

[Synthy08]

I know B. Cox's engineer smokes alot of bud.....they even showed it on one of they're studio blogs....his mixes are insane

[1ManBand]

i think you can relate this to "if your mixes dont sound exciting quiet.. they wont sound exciting loud" ... when i used to get high i loved how everything sounded hahaha. if your mixes sound exciting to a sober person.. they will sound amazing to a person thats BLAZEDDd UP

[goldenlotus]

Originally Posted by Synthy08

I know B. Cox's engineer smokes alot of bud.....they even showed it on one of they're studio blogs....his mixes are insane

Yeah pretty funny scene... Sam's got a big ol' bag of herb!

[musaee]

hurt MY record collection

if that means anything.

and a lot of it was made of heroin!!!!

kinda serious kinda playing

dont mess with that BOY though!

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by musaee

drugs have not hurt MY record collection

if that means anything.

and a lot of it was made of heroin!!!!

Maybe, but if all those cats weren't shooting up, I'll bet your record collection would be a lot bigger...tutt

[tigermuzik]

Over the years i've noticed that the people that smoke up before working, the bottom end is off the chain and the people that hit that tony before working, the top end is top. Just a weird observation. I personally can only write after herbalization, recording/mixing/assisting/beat creation/etc fahgettaboutit!

[termtables]

With anything you do high it takes an amount of practice to get used to it. At first I couldn't even chop a record high, but once you do it enough times it's second nature. I don't smoke anymore but the few times I tried recording and doing it, no good.

[008]

I think bgrotto said it best.

Writing,Recording,Arranging,Beatmaking....

I aint gon lie im always high.

But you dont need to (shouldn't) get high for the [pre,or final] mix or master.

Maybe right after your done
you can have a "higher" listening....?


How bout save 2 versions? haha
-Sober Mix 1
-High-outta-my-face-stoned Mix 2

There are many Artists, in many genres, with many songs about WEED...
...& theyre probably all right.

[ecko72db]

Sober. NO CONTEST.

Drugs are for the weak. (Coming from a former addict of...everything.)

[chriscasino]

Sober for setup/mixing/mastering....

High for Tracking (especially if you're an Engineer and are subjected to the Wackness that is the unfortunate, uninspired Majority now)

High for post-reference mix LISTENING (user-acceptance-session-testing )

Drunk for post-mastering playback (user-acceptance-session-testing ) .....

[James Meeker]

Definitely sober.

By compromising yourself with drink/drugs you open the door for the clients to come back on you if they are unhappy. It opens the door for them hustling you even if they are happy. It could also hurt your reputation if word gets around.

I wouldn't work with anyone with that kind of rep regardless of how their work sounded.

[thisisitmatt]

Originally Posted by lastdon100

I'm just curious on the answers yall gearslutz will come up with..

Whats the difference in the production/mixes if u smoke some bud compared to not smoking. For some, they claim its major inspiration but i think if u truly love the art their is always inspiration.

Does it alter the perception of sound, coordination and so forth..

Pretty much, has any of you made a track high, then go back later when ur not, and feel the same way about it.. stike

i work with a guy that used to work down in florida in a pretty big studio. at the time they were recording Paramore's first album, and he said that the main engineers would get high and do mixes, and then the next day when he would pull them up the engineers would try and say he was bringing up the mixes wrong because they were so bad.

so i'm not sure, i don't plan on messing mine or anyone elses equipment up by doing something stupid :].

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by tigermuzik

and the people that hit that tony before working, the top end is top.

Ah yes. We call this the "cocaine top end". Or, if there are virgin ears in the room, the "SSL top end".

[Tibbon]

Sober- always. You're doing a job. Would you do another job under the influence? No.

If you're a musician writing, that might be a different thing but you're on the clock, trying to be professional, and around expensive gear.

[Relicrecordings]

Only done it a few times, a mix that resulted was terrible. A beat that was made was stupid (literally finished a dope one, 2 puffs...and I turned into an unmotivated ******)

I think most will agree that your hood home studios are great for that sort of thing when the integrity of the product doesn't matter, especially when your customer is high most of the time anyway, however- for those of us who have a huge monthly nut to cover, its best to use your God-given talent or find a new business.

[youngpeluso]

fidelity = sober
vibe = high

for me at least

[Jake Gilla]

Its not a simple yes no question. But honestly I've never noticed a quality difference between making beats stoned or tripped out, and sober (mixes I can understand though).

We do experimental stuff (hip hop sorta) most people in our circles figure you gotta be on something, but the beats (or mixes) are never hurt, or better from being sober.

What I do notice about being high (as someone said about "vibe") is i tend not to stress as much when my computer or gear is tripping, and that i have a better time making the music then when I'm sober.

Personally I'd rather be high most the day, and often am. I figure if your a person that doesnt like to do ish when your high, your probably not gonna benefit being high making beats.


EDIT: One more thing, when it comes down to it, where you probably see a real difference is changing the habits. Enviromental change is the greatest source of creative stimulation, so if you normally produce high, try it sober, or visa versa.
I also agree that if your on the clock you shouldnt on nothing less the people fronting the check are cool with it, just like any other job.

[008]

All you dudes talking about
"reputation" and "its your job" blah blah.....
are forgetting 1 VERY IMPORTANT thing.

This is MUSIC we're talking about!!!

EVERYTHING is subjective.
and its a "art"....(so called)

Its just a big game (a joke) really,
to try and get PAID doing what we love.

THIS STUFF AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE.

And that is PRECISELY the reason why you need to get high.

Artists throughout history have "indulged" themselves.....why?
Because you are creating something new,
something from nothing,
breaking ground, and pushing the sound around downtown....
((man im good.......good and high! haha))

Food for thought:

I have said this before,
but I pretty much HATE music made by people who dont smoke.

Not my fault,
I learned this in retrospect.
I SWEAR. I researched it.
any music i have ever TRULY loved and respected and FELT,
was WEED INFLUENCED at the very least
(i do not imbibe alcohol or other drugs)

I think some people are SCARED of getting high,
and having their Ego stripped away.


I promise you, go research.

ALL THE ICONS ARE/WERE BURNERS.
((the 1's that are undeniably great,universally accepted,etc..))
lets go check the best-selling, highest-achieving, hall-of-fame stats.....

I am not lying,
Sober people make shitty music,
that i (and countless others) do not like, or listen to.
Not up for debate.
((I am entilted to my subjective opinion))

[Flymax]

It's about the artistry not the chemicals

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by 008

All you dudes talking about
"reputation" and "its your job" blah blah.....
are forgetting 1 VERY IMPORTANT thing.

This is MUSIC we're talking about!!!

EVERYTHING is subjective.
and its a "art"....(so called)

Most of that post I disagree with, but to each his own; I'm not gonna tell you that you like music created by non-weed-smokers. However, all "us dudes" talking about our reputations and jobs (why were those in quotes, anyways?) are indeed quite serious, quite artistic, and I for one am of the stance that there's nothing "subjective" about me not getting any work and being unable to afford my bills and mortgage. I'd bet the other professionals out there would agree.

I've got nothing against smoking weed, or any other drugs, really. I've been known to indulge myself, even at the studio. But not when someone was paying me, trusting me, and relying on me to do a great ****ing job to translate their music (their ART) to a piece of tape or section of a hard drive. Hell no, you won't find me getting high on the job, and you're right about one thing: I'm absolutely afraid of getting high, blowing an important gig (which, as far as I'm concerned, is each and every one of them), and yes, having my "ego stripped away". As well as my chance at a future gig.

If you can work - as in, professionally, making money that pays your bills - high, great. But you're a fool living a fantasy if you think that takes anything away from those who choose not to.

[Justice]

Originally Posted by James Meeker

Funny story--when we got our SSL G+ it was from Electric Ladyland. When we opened it up to clean it there was enough cocaine in the bucket to choke Tony Montana!

Nobody quite had the balls to do any of it though, even though chances are it originated from some pretty famous stashes....

Just thought I'd share.

LMAO

Wow you got the Electric Lady SSL G+....

Thats sick man! Lots of great records where made on that board!

Congrats!

From a "Production" Standpoint I smoke a lot but it makes me lazy in beat creation.
Some of the best work I have done was sober.

For me..... Mixing is the only time I smoke or anything, but even then its after I get the gear setup, and the mix pretty close to where I want it.

I cant lie, one of the biggest artist I worked with couldn't stop drinking and smoking in the studio, I watch him spend his budget doing it!

It's sad to say but it helped make the record one of his best. But took a toll on his sanity... and mine.

There isnt a rapper I know that doesnt think smoking makes them better or they need it to get in the "vibe".

R&B not so much!

SO its whatever. Just dont get caught up!

[008]

Originally Posted by bgrotto

Most of that post I disagree with, but to each his own; I'm not gonna tell you that you like music created by non-weed-smokers. However, all "us dudes" talking about our reputations and jobs (why were those in quotes, anyways?)

The same reason you used quotes for "us dudes".
I quoted someone elses words.
JamesMeeker had said "reputation".
I thought someone else had said, "its your job".
Simple,Understand?

To continue with your words:

are indeed quite serious, quite artistic, and I for one am of the stance that there's nothing "subjective" about me not getting any work and being unable to afford my bills and mortgage. I'd bet the other professionals out there would agree.

I've got nothing against smoking weed, or any other drugs, really. I've been known to indulge myself, even at the studio. But not when someone was paying me, trusting me, and relying on me to do a great ****ing job to translate their music (their ART) to a piece of tape or section of a hard drive. Hell no, you won't find me getting high on the job, and you're right about one thing: I'm absolutely afraid of getting high, blowing an important gig (which, as far as I'm concerned, is each and every one of them), and yes, having my "ego stripped away". As well as my chance at a future gig.

If you can work - as in, professionally, making money that pays your bills - high, great. But you're a fool living a fantasy if you think that takes anything away from those who choose not to

Be careful of being too sober, and over-thinking too much,

Music is based on, and directed at HUMAN emotions.

If you start to deliver cold, stale, sterile, uninspired, cookie-cutter mixes,
You're going to lose more clients than if you OD'd on heroin..


a 008 P.S.A.
Hi Kids,"DO NOT TAKE HEROIN, Its stupid."


By the way, I am having trouble with this part,

If you can work - as in, professionally, making money that pays your bills - high, great. But you're a fool living a fantasy if you think that takes anything away from those who choose not to

Were you high when you typed this?
I am and I really don't get it.

If im high ,
and making money professionally ,
why would i be thinking of "those who choose not to" ?

I believe you when you said "I'm absolutely afraid of getting high"

I also believe you are "absolutely afraid" to run those NUMBERS,
and tell me what role weed plays in HIT MUSIC of any genre....

Find me all writers,and MUSICIANS, WITH CREDITS
((without whom... "engineers" are nothing.))


Most guys at this site, make a fuss over:
what kind of sneakers Donald Fagen wore to the studio?>!>!?
or....
How did ______ record ________?

But you are BLATANTLY ignoring the importance of "altered states"


HOW MUCH WEED WAS SMOKED DURING GAUCHO? ......AJA......?

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by Flymax

It's about the artistry not the chemicals

thumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

[Teo Macero]

you Americans crack me up when it comes to drugs.

[Teo Macero]

Originally Posted by ecko72db

Sober. NO CONTEST.

Drugs are for the weak. (Coming from a former addict of...everything.)

it's always the convertees that are the most fanatic against what they used to believe.
I have never did any hard-drugs. I'll smoke the ph balance outta some weed though, but hey.....I'm in Holland

[Touchmaster]

coming up with some rough ideas wrecked is cool as long as you make sure you finish it off in the cold unforgiving light of day.
Im talking about writing/coming up with beats, not mixing, clearly mixing should be done in the cold unforgiving light of day from the get go, otherwise why did you spend loads of money on those cold unforgiving monitors?