Episode 02: Use what you’ve got !
There is so much that has changed over the past 20 years in music, especially in the way music is recorded. No longer do you have to use a million dollar studio to record your songs. Computers and technology has advanced so much so that some of your favorite songs of today have been birthed in someones bedroom, with a computer and a microphone.
As a producer it is quite easy to get in the habit of wanting the latest and greatest piece of gear. But in most cases the newest gear comes along before we even get the chance to learn all the ends and outs of the current gear we own. You will always see promotions and advertisements about some new gadget that is absolutely essential in taking your music to the next level.
Truth is, most of the things that make a song special is in knowing how to do what’s always been done. Foe example, there are hundreds of plugins for reverb out there, but if you don’t understand what reverb is and how to properly apply it to your track, then none of those reverbs will make your music sound better.
Recording real instruments verses using the soft synths within the computer often times become a topic of debate, when in fact it is a matter of preference. There are some very distinct characteristics in a track that has been recorded by a violinist playing their instrument rather than a keyboardist playing the orchestral sounds on the keyboard. Understanding the characteristics that make that instrument so vital is the key to reproducing that sound and feel. Also, how to layer sounds and how to mix the levels of the tracks , are far more important than what type of mixer you used.
The latest digital console, the older analog consoles, or a mouse in your favorite DAW are all capable of given you a great track if you know and understand what to do with them and how to get the most out of them. Sure the newest piece of gear may present a faster workflow if you already know your basics. But it can also slow you down if it dictates an unfamiliar workflow.
By learning how to get the best out of your current equipment, you will begin to develop a workflow that is right for you, making you faster and more proficient in getting you ideas down. Then as you grow, you will be able to choose what new gear will actually compliment your process.
In most cases the newer gear represents presets that quickly get you to where you wanted to go, without you knowing how that path was created. Respectfully your current equipment probably does the same exact thing. The trick is taking the time to learn how to create that path yourself. Sometimes those hours invested in learning your gear could save you thousands of dollars spent on new gear that you probably don’t even need.