Masterer wrote on Fri, 20 October 2006 14:26 |
j.hall wrote on Fri, 20 October 2006 12:23 | interesting topic.
i wonder how much this relates to the general decline of the master/apprentice relationship.
runner, intern, assistant........people seem to be skipping these things.
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<edit>Consider this old and overused analogy: There are lots of reasons why becoming a doctor is hard. The years of study, the cost of schooling, and the brutality of residency. One of the results of these trials is that only the most dedicated, stubborn, obsessive and egomaniacal [and in a few cases, talented] will make it. It's a system that culls the weak from the herd. I'm generalizing of course [there are some very bad doctors] but it's a very hostile envoronment for a dilettante. <edit>
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I like the Doctor analogy to learning and finally "graduating" to the first pro level of mastering.
However, taking it one step further, we should also note the innovations that the medical profession can now use to diagnose and heal, as compared to 20 or 30 years ago.
In other words, I mastered my first 1,000 albums with only one outboard compressor and equalizer along with some plug-ins.
Would I give up any of my current fabulous and very carefully selected pieces of gear and simplify my chain? Of course not and neither would any one else who finds their collection useful.
After all, if you have a choice of a tube eq, a precision analog eq and a digital eq, you almost always have the right choice for the job. Sometimes all three, sometimes one or two and occasionally, none. Can you do it if you only have access to one eq? Of course but it might take longer and may not be quite as good. And if we can afford it, why not also have a alternate brand of one or all of the above three classes of eqs. It's up to the engineer to know when to use it and when to hit the bypass switch.
It is always the good engineers that turn out the best mixes and the best masters. And while the gear is definitely less important than the skill, talent and experience of the engineer, to do your very best work, it is important to have quality gear and a good selection of it, especially if you master a wide variety of music.