Becoming one with Gear part 1

[echo unit]

Anything to add?

[Matthew Murray]

**EDITED**
I posted a reply, originally, but then decided it was a stupid idea to reply to this.

[allencollins]

don't you guys work up there?

[timmcallister]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Everybody poops and everybody dies.

Ahhh... NOW I get it!

[AtlantaPowerPop]

Originally Posted by timmcallister

Ahhh... NOW I get it!

That is the only thing that stuck with me, too.

[heyman]

Being from Greenland... My, what perfect English you have...

how do you translate

*********sayswhat... ?

[mrbobo]

Thanks Echo, I find your posts helpful.

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Whether that be a really expensive Reverb or even a cheap toilet seat thing that does something you like and keeps giving you ideas and helping you to be a creator.

You just gave me an idea. Excuse me for a couple of minutes. I'm feeling "creative".


but yeah, I think there's waaaaaaaaaaay too much emphasis on gear.

Mic preamps especially.

Anyone got any songs?

[David Herbert]

Well said. Good advice. Thanks for taking the time to contribute. David

[The Spark]

Originally Posted by max cooper

Anyone got any songs?

Can I trade them for a 1073?

[timmcallister]

when do we get part 2 ????

I'm itching to read it!!!!

[AtlantaPowerPop]

I can't wait to read it either. I'm waiting on my Germanium to arrive and I'd like to know how to "become one" with the 1/4 input without hurting myself. Echo unit...what kind of lubrication do you use?

[dim light]

I enjoyed reading! I think life is a learning process and you will make all sorts of mistakes before you can keep it simple. I sometimes dream of better gear when I can't get the feeling or sound I'm hunger for.

I agree you need to find good working tools and arrange a good working environment.

Keep posting!

[heyman]

Does anyone own a Woodchipper...?

[Beauarts]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Don't try to live out the good ol days...they are gone and you are bald now and Jenny Williamson married some guy that she met in her senior year at college so you are never going to see her beaver....sorry but move forward.

Yeah, but her daughter is hot!

[aetucker1]

"Listen all the time to yourself after you record yourself and imagine in your mind what adjustments you can make to get the sounds you make on instruments and with gear to kind of breathe by itself like it is it's own living thing belonging to it's own fantastic world you could make your music live inside of and then try to imagine how to create that world with the palette of sounds you are developing and are going to find using the best gear for your needs."

holy moly that is a long sentence...oh wait.....................THAT'S THE BIGGEST RUN ON I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!...................CRAP....................RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!

[echo unit]

Happy that I could make some sense for some folks and entertaining for others.

Part two is in the works. I will try to work on my run-ons. Sorry for that.

For Part three I am thinking of asking you folks to give me a topic to write about that would be of interest to you.

Any suggestions would be wonderful.

[dim light]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Happy that I could make some sense for some folks and entertaining for others.

Part two is in the works. I will try to work on my run-ons. Sorry for that.

For Part three I am thinking of asking you folks to give me a topic to write about that would be of interest to you.

Any suggestions would be wonderful.

I would like to read about analog summing and why it's soo KEWL!

THX!

[AtlantaPowerPop]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Happy that I could make some sense for some folks and entertaining for others.

Is there anyone here that didn't laugh at this?

[David Herbert]

I guess Echo Unit has earned some emnity with his provocative style of posting, but is what he wrote worth cutting to pieces? Seems like the guy is coming from the heart.
Echo Unit: I can't think of a good suggestion for a topic, but can you tell us who the girl in your atavar is? I really hope she isn't a pornstar.
David

[Albert]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

Echo Unit: I can't think of a good suggestion for a topic, but can you tell us who the girl in your atavar is?

Is it Jenny Williamson?

[David Herbert]

Albert, ya little monkey-headed guy, yer right- it is Jenny Williamson!
Albert's little monkey is my second favorite atavar, behind (you guessed it) Echo Unit. Both in one thread? This thread rocks! David

[AtlantaPowerPop]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

I guess Echo Unit has earned some emnity with his provocative style of posting, but is what he wrote worth cutting to pieces?

Yes, it's worth cutting to pieces. Have you read his posts elsewhere? Look up the ones about the new Toft Console and line 6. He's a jerk.

[ArcCirDude]

Actually some good advice, Echo.

Unfortunately, some don't have the luxury of choosing the project or people with whom they wish to work. After a recent project from hell (final details posted soon...), I have decided to limit my projects strictly to professional projects. I'm lucky I have that luxury.

Equipment: Yes, get to know your equipment. I have a lot of equipment and I like to isolate one piece a week and dig down deep into it. Read the manual (again) and really try it out on different things. If I'm focusing on a preamp, for example, I'll take my entire mic cabinet and run it through the pre while recording various instruments. This last bit is VERY important. There was a recent thread bashing the Neumann TL-103. I noticed that most of the people doing the bashing were only using it on voice, and most often their own. Try your mics on a bass, or a conga, or a tambourine...anything that makes a noise usually used in the context of a song. Find out what mic works with what pre on what instrument. That way you are 75% there when the band walks through the door.

I play synths, as well, and will focus on one instrument in the same way. I'll read the manual (again!) and go in and tweak with my ears wide open. "How is this sound built up?", "What happens if I adjust THIS parameter?" Aha!!

Someone posted recently that we should be called "sound sculpters" instead of "sound engineers". Well, get to know your hammer and chisel. And stay organized and focused in your chiseling!!!

This process is part of my ongoing learning/remembering ritual that leads to an improved workflow when I start to create or record. It's analogous to a musician practicing his/her rudiments in order to overcome any technical hangups that may interfere with his/her performance of a piece.


You can read more in my series of books:
"Zen and the Art of Mic Selection"
"Zen and the Art of Preamp Selection"
"Zen and the Art of Cable Selection"
"Zen and the Art of Plugin Tweaking"
"Zen and the Art of Choosing Your Clients"
"Zen and the Art of Getting Paid for your Work"
"Zen and the Art of Getting Over Long-Lost Vagina"
"Zen and the Art of Wondering Why Fletcher is so Rude"
"Zen and the Art of Run-on Sentences"
"Zen and the Art of Bashing a Piece of Equipment you've Never Tried"
"Zen and the Art of Bashing/Praising a Piece of Equipment you have/haven't and Loving/Hating it due to the Name and/or Number of Knobs On/Not On the Front Panel."

Published by BS Forlaget A/S

As always,

[Jack Pettit]

Hey !! I know you, didn't you teach at my high school?

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Albert

Is it Jenny Williamson?

Perhaps its this woman?

[Jim Williams]

Here's a tip that's not all touchy feely babble.

Learn some electronics so you now how these "mystery boxes" work. A Nascar driver knows far more about the innards of his car than most of you know about the stuff you're using. I call it the winning edge.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[ArcCirDude]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

Here's a tip that's not all touchy feely babble.

Learn some electronics so you now how these "mystery boxes" work. A Nascar driver knows far more about the innards of his car than most of you know about the stuff you're using. I call it the winning edge.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

If you are referring to my "Zen and the Art of..." series, Jim, that was my lame attempt at humor. I haven't written any new age books on the use of recording equipment. Or perhaps it referred to the advice that preceeded it. Just trying to make a positive contribution.

I realize you are passionate about us knowing the inner workings of the equipment we use. I myself have a real interest in learning electronics to know about the hows and whys of what makes it all do what it does. I also have an interest in learning Japanese to see how a language based on symbols to express ideas instead of sounds functions. But I just don't have the time.... At this point in my life, at any rate... It IS possible for someone to make excellent art with tools without knowing their inner workings. Is a master carpenter able to repair his power saw if it burns out? I play a pretty good trumpet but am not about to learn the skills needed in order to repair or roll my own. Bob Moog was the first to admit that he couldn't play ("create art with") the intruments that he built, he just knew if it sounded good or bad. Why must we who create the art absolutely know the inner workings of our tools? You'd then be out of business! We need you and your talented breathren to develop and practice your trade so we can develop and practice ours.

You are lucky to have both the skills to build and the skills to use recording equipment. Some of us have chosen slightly different paths....

[Jim Williams]

Here's a shock for you. It's not luck, it's hard work. Nothing comes to those that don't work for it. Self imposed ignorance isn't helpful to anyone. Crack a book tonight instead of the turning on the tube. Start with "Music Engineering" by Harry Olsen. Believe me, it won't hurt you but it might help.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades