28 Jan
2006
28 Jan
'06
10:36 a.m.
On Saturday 28 January 2006 13:08, Michael T D Nelson was like:
Yes, and the engineer can always place them a foot away from the microphone
with a bullet-proof pop-shield. ;)
Having read the further responses. I don't think I'm really in any
disagreement with the general point. The less you mess, the better.
Hi Tim,
I'm partly continuing this out of a desire to explore what I think. I
don't necessarily disagree with you. What I *really* appreciate in music
is an awesome combination of ability and expression.
I realise that some wonderful recordings come from musicians at each end
of the technique/emotion spectrum.
tim hall wrote:
Sure.
On Friday 27 January 2006 10:07, Michael T D
Nelson was like:
Of course. But surely, the better the control that the musician has over
every aspect of his performance, the better he can communicate what he
chooses to? In general, I can't help but feel that if the
engineer always needs to
compress a acoustic recording, then the musician should really learn how
to control the dynamics of his performance better.
That really is a moot point.
I'm of the opinion that once behind the microphone, it's the musician's
job to perform their part with all their heart and soul. Having to pull
your punches
because the technology can't handle your dynamic range does not
necessarily produce good results,
No, but he can learn to step back from the microphone during loud
passages, etc. and anyway,
that's the engineer's job, surely?
Well, partly. But the engineer can only fix so much. The engineer's job
is much easier if the musician learns to contribute to getting a good
recording.
Too much control on the part of the performer
tends to lead to sterile
recordings IMO. I like rattle and hum, I enjoy the effect of pushing
certain bits of technology beyond their factory specs (mostly in the
analogue realm, it has to be said). I like to hear the squeaky chain on a
bass drum pedal.
Funnily enough, me too.
For me, too many studios are, like hospitals,
airless pits where music
goes to die.
Which is exactly why I like to keep the music *alive*, by not
over-producing it. :o) Regards,
Michael
PS Glastonbury's a lovely town, isn't it? I went round the abbey last
year - it's stunning. (I'm from a village in North Devon myself, about
to go home for a couple of weeks.)
Look me up if you're passing through.
--
cheers,
tim hall
http://glastonburymusic.org.uk/tim