Re: the handclap check - I was in a newly built studio recently and the OWNER HIMSELF suddenly started clapping his hands to demonstrate the effectiveness of his treatment (mainly carpeted walls I hasten to add). It unfortunately went Gank! Gank! prompting him to add "Nearly there" before pretty much offering me some time in there tracking rock bands...I said nothing and silently, slowly backed towards the door...
Chicago sounds a bit like Glasgow (i.e. a shade apocalyptic), we're "out of the way" near an airport so the value of copper piping hasn't affected us much yet, but as far as pet hates are concerned:
Yes, the mis-coiling/treatment of leads is always no.1, especially those hard wired to vintage equipment. Why?
All patchbay wiring un-neccessarily cleared (mid-project) because someone "needed a clear mind" when doing something else incredibly simple (ok not difficult to re-patch things but again, why?) There are a couple of things (like the scope) which will always be taking a signal from somewhere. A lead hanging out of something someone else was using yesterday which you won't be using today could be left until the other person has finished with it, couldn't it? A very small thing, but I struggle to understand, to the point of killing.
Use of MY chair.
Watching other people work. I try not to look or listen, it's utter agony.
Talking. Shut up and listen, it's getting done NOW.
"Nice tape machines, have you got P*! T*&%s?"
Un-necessary use of the word "Rolling" especially after initial tracking when the performer can clearly hear the cue. This upsets me (and some performers) tremendously.
Rats. Brown ones. Nibbly ones.
(Sorry) People who plainly cannot sing well enough for the job intended but who insist on an Elton John-esque marathon of comping in the vain hope that you will make wine out of water and then ask about auto tuning later blah blah. No. Everyone around you is in pain.
Money. Shame but everything must have a price it seems, even art(obvious but it affects all recording). I wish I could do more for free/for my friends. I hate charging them, but we wouldn't be there for them otherwise.
Join the Orwellian Hate-In!