What's the difference?
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Posted on Sep 10, 2009 09:13 am
Adam Mutschler
Abomb Muchbaby
Member Since: Jul 02, 2009
I hope this doesn't sound stupid to anyone, but I can't for the life of me figure out why there is such a big gap between a modern commercial recording and what I can produce. Just curious, is it the software? The equipment? The engineers? Producers? Do they just process the hell out of it until it sounds perfect? Or is it perhaps a combination of all these things?
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HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Sep 10, 2009 09:57 am Quote:
Just curious, is it the software? The equipment? The engineers? Producers? Do they just process the hell out of it until it sounds perfect? Or is it perhaps a combination of all these things?
You have to remember that whatever they're doing to the song, they're usually doing with top of the line mics, pres, processing, engineers, walruses, and producers. That's why they get SUCH a pristine sound.
It is possible to get close to it with a home studio, but most of the efforts fall short right out of the gate, by using a budget front-end.(mics, pres, converters, etc...)
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Sep 10, 2009 10:16 am pre's and converters man, top of the line.
apart from the pre requisites consisting of,
top of the wasser amps, gits, strings picks, basses, drum kits, heads, mics, leads, treated rooms mic placments, engineers, well you get the picture.
exactly what Hue just said really.
im researching better converters right now.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Sep 10, 2009 10:33 am Also, I must add... as far as one can go being 'self-taught' in this field, there really is no substitute for someone who's tested all the physical boundries, and fact-based-formulas, whispering in your ear to push the right button, at the right time. The engineers, and producers of major labels understand why they do what they do, mostly in part, due to there exposeur they have to this most-peculiar art of mixing sound waves into a sterio field.
In other werds... theys is edumacated mo-fos!
IndellableMusic AfficionadoMember
Since: Aug 12, 2008
Sep 10, 2009 01:20 pm Sorry, but whats a converter? As in analogue to digital converter?
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Sep 10, 2009 01:38 pm Yep, turns a sine wave (AC signal) to a digital stream (Bits and Bytes)
Then you need converter to turn Digital back to analog, so you can hear it.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 10, 2009 10:02 pm Hey Adam, there are a lot of reasons that could be making the difference. you did touch on a couple very big issues. The years of experience behind the gear is the biggest part of it.
I'm not saying higher end hear doesn't help, because it does. But to be honest I know many engineer's who can make a great recording with minimal equipment. I know I've been in that boat, and still find myself in it from time to time. Its really a matter of learning what the gear or room can and cannot do.
Have a listen to a song in my profile called a:drive. That was done with absolute minimal gear in a bungalow we used to live in. Its really a matter of finding what the gear and space will allow and spending time moving things around to find that sweet spot to get the track as close to perfect to start with. Then the art of mixing comes in, and that is years of doing it behind that part.
I must admit though that I have met some that simply came by it naturally. They just stepped in it and worked things out with no real effort.
Sep 10, 2009 10:04 pm Quote:
Just curious, is it the software? The equipment? The engineers? Producers? Do they just process the hell out of it until it sounds perfect? Or is it perhaps a combination of all these things?
90% of almost every "great" recording is simply capturing a "great" core and not screwing it up.
It's all about the core sound.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Sep 10, 2009 10:35 pm The most expensive gear doesn't mean anything unless you know how to use it. Which brings up another point, just because it is expensive does not guarantee a great recording. I guess it really is a combination of everything.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 10, 2009 10:57 pm Although MythBusters did prove you can polish a turd.
Sep 11, 2009 08:57 am I guess that it does make good sense that equipment and experience are the key. I guess I am just surprised at the drastic gap that lies between my stuff and that stuff. I do think that with more experience and a little better equipment it might be a different story. And noise, that recording sounds awesome man. I'm sure that has a lot to do with experience again though...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Sep 11, 2009 05:53 pm Adam, that is a very low fi recording as well. But in a good way I guess. It was done with very minimal low budget gear, the sound card was an old Midiman which became M-Audio card called the D-Man. It was the next step above a Sound Blaster back in 1998.
But your ears will eventually get you what you want. It does take a good monitoring system as well to help with getting it to a final stage.
