Should I use my Ears?

[kenjkelly]

I did a search on the answer "Use your ears" and came up with 1167 answers that gave that response. So I thought I'd at least ask the question.. .

OK, seriously, I noticed the "Use your Ears" answer is given most often in the High End subforum and the So Much Gear.. subforum, with a spread among the other sub forums. I expected the "use your ears" answer to be mostly in the Mastering Forum but it wasn't overwhelmingly there. Could that indicate that, in some cases, people are trying to correct room issues by buying better equipment. I.E. they can't hear what they need to hear?

I think it is important for newcomers to the world of small/home studio production, to know that they MUST get the room right first. Then, of course, they can and should use their ears. Without a properly treated room, even with the best near field monitors, hearing what is truely happening is not easy.