George Massenburg,
Quote:"I think you need to look around, Rob. Either of these consoles is a HUGE physical and acoustic footprint that's found nowhere in the real world. There have been efforts to deaden the clangy tin panels (20 years after it was pointed out) and to divert attention from the obvious, which is:
Large consoles at this point in time exist only to flatter the operator and encourage those who stand behind him (particularly record company A&R) to believe their opinions carry more weight for them, and to intimidate all others.
I don't buy it. In fact, I won't buy them anymore."
-George
1.)You say "......found nowhere in the real world."......... . I don't get what you're saying. These consoles exist in many major studios(Conway-LA, AIR-UK, Ocean Way-LA, Hit Factory-NY, Larrabee-LA).
2.)The clangy 'tin' panels I've not noticed(sonically). Not in 'The Tracking' room in Nashville, 'Studio A' at Transcontinental in Orlando,
Starstruck in Nashville, Electric Lady in New York, or any other studio that has SSL 9000J's, or 4000 series consoles. Granted the music I work on is high volume Rap, Rock, R&B, & etc.. But that does'nt matter. I'm always close enough to the console to detect any form of clanginess or rattle. As a matter of fact when ever I first audition a room one of the first things I do is walk aroung the room to see how the room sounds in a variety of positions(including at the extreme sides of the console). So it would be hard for this to escape me because I do 'look around', and listen around as well.
3.)I agree with you that the console occupies a HUGE physical/acoustic footprint in these types of installations but if it's such a problem then why do so many excellent mixes come out of these specified rooms? This footprint is a 'non-issue' to me as an end user due to the fact that the acousticians have apparently solved the bass buildup/combfiltering problem(at least in the rooms I've mentioned, don't know about others) therefore I can't agree with you in this area. Now how much time the acousticians spend in doing CAD designs to get around the console problem I have no idea. But I do know what I've heard, & seen. And the results seem tangible to me.
4.)I agree with you regarding the large console flattery effect(I'm flattered myself). I don't endorse holding the position of use of the console to influence decisions to carry more weight, or intimidate people. I don't encourage those types of situations although they do exist but not if I can have anything to do with it.
5.)I personally can't afford one of these large format consoles but I will employ one in production if the budget permits. Yes things are being done more, & more in the box. But these large format consoles are nowhere near being put into retirement just yet. So I feel that you, & any others that might be ready to put the nails in the coffin for these large format consoles are going to have to hold off for a little bit.
'Rob G.'.
P.S.: Additionally check your email.