The "Please experiment!" imperative
As I wrote in an earlier post, I spent a couple of days watching you and Mitchell work at the Magic Shop almost a decade ago. I learned a lot, but mostly came away affirming my own basic mindset: Music is amazing! Songs are putty and can be contorted into many valid shapes! Sound is fun! Wheee!
I have been reading your posts and your repeated imperative "Please experiment!" And it makes me smile. This is pretty much what I learned watching you work: you're just constantly trying things. You're always in the moment. You don't pretend to have The Answer.
However, I am sure you have noticed that a lot of the people who have written you on this forum are seeking formulas, recipes, and maps.
These people want to know precisely which settings you use, what gear you use, how exactly you use it, etc. I am sympathetic. I'm not putting these people down. I was the same way. I remember being younger and coming to the session and hoping to learn exactly the same things. WHAT, SPECIFICALLY, ARE TCHAD BLAKE'S METHODS?!? WHAT GEAR DOES HE USE TO GET THOSE CRAZY SOUNDS!!?! WHERE DO YOU SET THE KNOBS SO THAT MAGIC COMES OUT OF THE SPEAKERS?!? WHAT ARE THE SECRET TRICKS AND HOW CAN I DUPLICATE THEM?!?
I'm not saying that I didn't learn some technical things --- I did --- but mostly I learned a philosophy! What I learned was very profound: there is no method! Tchad Blake is just a guy who has good taste, likes to experiment, and most importantly trusts his own ears!
In my opinion, this is what sets you apart. Most of the engineers in the world do not possess these traits. Most people in this world pursue a formula or a regimen.
Would you agree with this assessment? Would you agree that confidence is essential to being a good engineer?
In my experience, the people whose work excites me the most are the people who have the least fear. This is true for all things: music, art, literature, film, even politics.
Would you agree?