Re: [ARSCLIST] Not using headphones

[steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Fine" <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Back when musicians were, well, musicians instead of posers and "idols",
good playing was all that
> was necessary to "punch through." And just to make clear -- I do not think
good musicianship died
> with the dawn of rock, not at all. But I think much modern music relies on
musically-retarded
> devices like click tracks (no need to have any inherent rhythm), loops (no
need to be able to play
> anything right more than once), pitch correction (no need to have any idea
of key or tone) and walls
> of noise (best to hide a terrible tone, uninspired riffs or horrid
"singing"). Then apply modern
> awful recording techniques and "super-loud" distorted/clipped mastering
and the result is basically
> ear-sewage.
>
Out of that list, the only thing I wish I had used was a "click track"...
and that because I used to work with a drummer who had no "inherent
rhythm"...you counted a song in, and then waited to see what rhythm
he played! However, the only recording of that band came out quite
well...I think I've described the "live off the floor" method we used.

My more recent effort, recorded 1999/2000 here in Oshawa, was badly
marred by an off-speed reel-to-reel machine. It was a combination of
live musicians (guitar, keyboard and myself on harmonica and vocals)
and MIDI (the rhythm section). When the r-2-r speed varied, the live
portion went off pitch, but the MIDI didn't; we listened to the
result and accused the poor guitarist of being out of tune! The
fellow whose studio we were using managed to improve, but not
fully correct, the final issued recording...

Steven C. Barr