Today I have a simple suggestion for you. One that will help you get the results you want in the studio, put more money in your pocket, and remove some of that insecurity you might be feeling towards recording and mixing.
It’s so easy (and liberating) that I’m surprised more people don’t do it.
My advice?
Stop buying more stuff for your studio!
Via Erich Ferdinand Flickr
We Love Believing The Lie
If you get what I’m sharing today then I will know I’ve helped at least one more person out there.
You see, tomorrow I jump on a plane to California for the annual winter NAMM show – the mecca of all things music gear related. Over 100,000 people will descend upon Anaheim to stroll the long halls of the convention center so they can be the first to check out all the new software and hardware that’s arriving in stores this year.
This entire event embodies our obsession with gear.
The latest audio interfaces, microphones, plugins, monitors, DAWs, and even instruments will all be on display. Each only marginally better (if at all) than last year’s model.
And that’s the funny thing – we all believe the lie that gear (more/better, or less/worse) is the solution to our recording and mixing problems.
And what’s weirder is that we actually WANT to believe this lie.
I can’t even really blame clever marketing or the NAMM show for convincing us that gear is what matters. Deep down in our hearts we want to believe that the difference between a great recording and a bad one is simply money.
Why do we love this myth?
Because it takes the pressure off of US to get better at our craft, and transfers that burden of responsibility onto an inanimate object. One that anyone with enough money (or credit card debt) can have.
What If Gear Wasn’t The Answer?
Believing this lie is sad to me. It robs us of so much joy.
You see – it’s not that I don’t want you (or me) to ever get better recordings. Quite the opposite.
None of those require additional purchases (unless you are starting out of course).
What they DO require, however, is some humility; an honest acknowledgement of where you are skill wise and where you’d like to be.
If you can admit that your gear isn’t what’s holding you back, but rather the problem is you (and me) – then my friend, we can make some serious progress towards getting killer recordings and mixes.
The Two Side Benefits To Not Buying More Gear
And not only will you begin to get better recordings by using what you already own – but two very awesome things happen as a result: you’ll save money and build confidence in your ability.
The obvious benefit to not buying stuff is you get to keep your money. Enough said!
That money can be spent on much better things like paying your rent, getting out of debt, saving for the future, or even investing in some training or education to grow your skills.
The second side benefit, however, is what is more interesting to me.
For the home studio owner who refuses to keep riding the gear acquisition train and instead focuses on using and learning the gear he or she already has, the inevitable result is a growing confidence.
You see if I spend the next 12 months buying a handful of microphones, plugins, and maybe a new preamp – even if I end up getting better recordings, I’ll never really know why. In fact, the only conclusion I’ll be able to draw is that my gear is what helped.
But if on the other end, I refuse to buy a single piece of gear this year and instead commit to doing as many recordings and mixes as I can with the gear I already own, and I get better results as well – the only conclusion I can come to is that I have improved as an engineer.
And that’s where confidence comes from.
Looking back on your past accomplishment and knowing that it was YOU not the gear that made a difference. YOU are actually getting better at this recording and mixing thing.
And that confidence is priceless as it only propels you to do more (and better) work next time – which then increases your confidence some more.
The NAMM Challenge
To me it’s simple cause and effect: stop buying gear you don’t need, use what you have, get better at your craft – you’re recordings WILL improve, you’ll save money and build confidence.
So all that being said, why am I going to the NAMM show?
Not to see the new gear – to see the people.
You see an event like NAMM brings some of the industry’s biggest names to one building. I make the effort to go (i.e. spend my money) in order meet and learn from the world’s best. I know that no amount of gear will give me better recordings like simply learning from those who are better than me will.
That’s why I go – to learn, to grow, to be challenged.
And in that vain, I’d like to issue you a “NAMM” challenge.
Do YOU want to get better recordings this year? Do you want to save money and build confidence in the process?
Can you commit to not buying any new gear for a month? 6 months? A year?
Sound off below and let me know if you accept the challenge. I have a feeling you’ll be glad you did.
Do Not Create Another Song Until You Read This Guide
(Price: $17 Free Today)
Discover the 6 Steps for Creating a Radio-Worthy Song From Scratch
My name is Graham Cochrane and I'm the founder of The Recording Revolution, one of the world's most loved audio recording and mixing blogs with over 200,000 readers each month. 
I was definitely on track with this. Until my Presonus FP10 stopped working. Opened it up to see if I could fix it and half of it had melted. Ha!
But that pushed me even further to record more with less gear. I’ve tracked 2 singles, an ep and a full length without replacing it yet. I’m Feeling more confident in my skills. Great stuff.
I really appreciate this article. I am a long time song writer but new to learning the art of doing quality studio work. I am BARELY into this process of learning and growing as an engineer but I keep telling myself (for some reason) that if I get a few more things then I’ll really be legit! More and more it is penetrating my think skull, that I would much rather spend my time (and money) on refining my craft rather than spending my time and money on gear and blogs! I am getting a clue and getting excited about growing as a producer/engineer!
Thank You So Much!
Dean Davis
College Station, Texas
The last piece of gear I bought was a piezo microphone, 5€, four months ago. I’m glad I haven’t bought anything in the meantime, cos my bass guitar dropped dead and I’ll have to buy a new one now. Thank God I’ve saved some money!
Love from London!
Hi Graham , i was wondering wether if update or not my version of reason 7.1 to the 8 version when i read this lines ..and i’m about to accept your challenge, because i think that you ‘re right
I would like to know what do you think of reason and if you have finished your project with it.
Thank you so much for your work
Hope to hear from you soon
Paolo
Just finished it (in Reason 7) and will be releasing it next week. Stay tuned!
I throw down my gauntlet in your general direction Mr Cochrane Sir and accept your challenge! No new gear for 6 months!
Wow, was this article timely for me! For the last several weeks I have been obsessing over a new keyboard that I want to buy. The problem is I do not need it, I cannot afford it, I have nowhere to put it, and I have never learned to fully use the features of my current keyboard. I think that buying gear and musical instruments may be an addiction. The process of researching the new piece, running around to different stores and trying stuff, and imagining pulling the trigger is just fun.
I have another theory. To some of us gear and musical instruments are like art. Even if we do not use them, we still get pleasure in looking at them!
Thanks – you “may” have saved me from a bad purchase.
I love keyboards too! Fantom G is a work of art 🙂 Wait till NAMM is over before you buy, ebay will have great bargains!
Really appreciate your work at The Recording Revolution, Graham. I’m still on a steep learning curve and I accept your challenge – I’ll give it a year!
I’m certainly not going to buy any more gear, and I won’t be buying any mixing plugins (I only use the stock Pro Tools plugins anyway – no point buying any more until I’m 100% confident using the stock ones).
So challenge accepted (almost by default!).
You say all this bro, but when we tune into your videos…you buy a wicked expensive desk and quote ” just for fun” makes no sense and is contradictory to your post here bro..btw love you videos lol
I don’t think he is under any illusion that his desk is going to help him get better recordings.
Anyway a desk is furniture not gear so I don’t think that counts… 🙂
Well… I hope not because I need a new desk chair, I don’t fancy being stood at my studio desk for the next 6 months… 😉
I accept the challenge! (Except from buying a nice new chair.)
He also states in his videos that he has gear he just has just to have, yes does the gear make us any better or more knowledgeable? No it doest..it also doesn’t make us anymore creative..nor do I buy into you have the newest and best gear when it comes out..but I really don’t want here him say this then go out and spend I’m guessing at least 1800.00 on something that clearly isn’t necessary, just for looks or just for fun? Ya ok..better gear does help sorry
You’re hearing what you want to hear. Graham is the real deal – a very open, honest guy who knows his stuff. He’s thought about this, for a long time.
Will an expensive SSL desk help me make better records? Duh. Of course. BUT – NOT UNTIL I LEARN MY CRAFT. Graham’s primary audience is the world of recording musicians and budding engineers who are still developing, and you just can’t argue with the fact that recording gear is one of the largest category of used gear on the market because too many of us are buying (literally) into the myth that more/newer/expensive gear will solve our problems.
Put an inexperienced engineer behind the most advanced recording gear, and you won’t get a better result than putting him behind a set of respectable home recording equipment.
The gear doesn’t solve the problem.
Don’t comment to me if your not going read my full statement buddy, I clearly agree with graham for what he is saying, I also watch and read a lot of his tutorials. .well because he is great at what he does..but here’s another example, in that same video about the desk he decided to try out prime acoustics treatment( which he already had auralex) and what is he reasoning? And if you know anything about recording in general correct acoustic treatment is vital! But why spend that much money on something that made a subtle difference in his sound that he’s actually saying not to do here? LIKE I SAID, it does not make you any BETTER CREATIVE OR anymore KNOWLEDGEABLE..so read before you post bro
I think the biggest reason Graham posts stuff like that if because he feels it too. The lie that newer and better gear is the answer is so seductive!
The point is skill before gear. Once better skill (like Graham’s) is achieved then when appropriate, more gear can be purchased as long as it has a clear justifiable reason (like upgrading from a 2 ch. interface to an 8 ch. interface to record drums and multi-tracking).
The point of getting a new desk was for comfort not to try to get better recordings.
The desk purchase literally has not helped my music sound any better 🙂
It was purely for looks and organization (no more cables visible!). I have no delusions that it will help me get better mixes. Cheers.
Big challenge… Let’s do this! I believe with what I have, I can conquer the world… Wish I had these tips earlier in my career… But we can do this. ¡Suénalo!™
Right after I buy a new interface I’ll accept that challenge. But most of the time I’m just trading gear anyway, not buying it. And usually it’s guitar gear not my recording gear. This Akai eie pro has the worst drivers it actually hurts my ability to make music.
Well according to Mr recording revolution it doesn’t…(sarcasm)
So very truthful about buying new equipment.Never bought a mic preamp in my entire 50 year career and never will.Why should I buy a expensive mic preamp when I already have one of the finest classic microphone collections there is.Also my Mackie console is 20 years old.When it comes to reverb my Yamaha REV 7 is still the best.Program #17 echo room sounds like Capitol Records live echo chambers.10 years ago I modified the decay time from 3.2 seconds to 2.5 seconds.Just recently read that Capitol Records modified all their” live” echo chambers to 2.5 LOL.
I just found a mint Tascam HI 8 on Ebay with only 1 hour on the drum head.I just love the sound of these Tascam Hi-8 machines.I think I will have at least 8 of them now.The Hi-8 is so fat and warm just like analog with out all of the expense and troubles with a 24 track 2″ inch tape machine.As you can tell that I am “OLD SCHOOL”. If it ain’t broke don’t fixit.
I definitely feel you Graham this has been on my heart for the last six months. To learn how to use what I have, to get what I need done. I had this discussion with one of my friend who is stuck in this mode of acquiring more gear and always keep talking about it. I had to cut him off because of this matter: Evil communication corrupts good manner. I need to focus on the craft and to constantly have someone keep talking about what they just got is irritating to me when they don’t know how to use it. I believe and touch and agree this strategy will help me become better at my craft.
Thanks for the honest and convictions
Denille AKa Mr.Chiboiborn and B_FLuid
Graham!
We are bred – OK, maybe that’s a little bit over the top. Trained? Conditioned? – to become good little consumers, to salivate over the next meal, experience, toy. It’s only good or bad if that is your value judgement.
I’d have to have considerably more money than I do in order to justify dropping a few grand on a microphone. The value of learning is not monetary, but emotional. And completely…..mostly….. under your control.
Thanks for everything!
I made the mistake of upgrading my DAW to the latest version (and spending a chunk of change). It has taken me a year to get comfortable with it and learn all the new tricks it can do. I really like the new work flow it offers but I still lost a year of writing and recording.
I’m going to buy the firewire cables I need to get my Focusrite interface fixed, but beyond that I think I’ll take you up on the challenge! I only have an sm57, but I suppose I could manage with that. I want to eventually get a better vocal Mic but I could probably hold off!
Hey Andrew,
Where could I get a hold of you at about sm57 Mic talk?
Dude, nothing wrong with getting a decent condenser mic before calling it a day. Graham has a valid point but before you stop buying gear you at least need SOME gear. The 57 is great for some things but a decent condenser is pretty much a need like any other bare bones stock plugin to at least get a job done. Just don’t obsess over it.
Right on the money Graham! I made a similar decision about 2 years ago and it changed everything. Now I challenge myself to go deeper with things like mic placement and using the tone knob on my guitars rather than looking for a plugin or new amp!
I accept your challenge Graham!
I’m actually a producer that doesn’t do any REAL live recordings except for recording strang little sounds (that I use for samples) with my iPhone, but I fall under this same umbrella too! In fact I’m sure a lot of “strictly in the box” producers do.
Besides a mic for voice recording I’ll go the whole year without purchasing a single peace of gear ( in my case PLUG-INS :-p ).
What you said about confidence and growing your skills is so true, I’ve had a tast of this myself the times I denied myself by using what I have now.
I hope this post helps a lot of you talented and gifted ppl out there! It’s sound advise.
Thanks Graham!
Peace.
Challenge(s) accepted! I’m going for 6 months, 2 mics, and 0 plug-ins!
Wow Graham , you hit the nail on the proverbial head with this blog my man. Not only do I have to admit to WANTING to believe the latest greatest whiz bang ( fill in the blank ) product will get me a Grammy. One could also get caught up on the myriad amount of blogs out there where alleged audio “Pro’s” argue over which preamp converter is the Holy Grail of sonic bliss.
Suggesting that you’re not even in the game unless you have this or that. I have personally spent a small fortune on a lot of stuff , of which maybe half I truly understand using the rationale “It’s better to have it and not need it , than need it and not have it”.
I accept your challenge for the duration of 2015. Mainly because it’s sound advice , and partly because that’s how long it’s gonna take to pay off what I’ve purchased over the years.
Peace
I’m in. Graham, I have found your videos quite inspiring, and have discovered real results by putting your workflow suggestions into practice.
I listen to albums I recorded years ago, on “obsolete” gear, and I’m always rewarded by hearing the good job I did on those albums. The earliest was recorded on a Fostex X-15 four-track cassette, which forced me to learn how to do the best I could with minimal equipment. Decades later, I still enjoy listening to those recordings.
The only spending I expect to do this year, is to keep current with the latest release of Cubase. That’s one area I’ll encourage all to spend a few dollars – keeping up-to-date with releases for your DAW will offer you workflow improvements that will turn into hours of saved time.
Once again thank you for the awesome advice Graham. Ever since I started following you (about a year now) and purchased some of your products ( Jump Start Bundle and Rethink Mixing ) I find myself with a lot of plugins that I hardly touch now and although the temptation of buying more of everything is still hunting me I have been able to resist and I am concentrating on learning my DAW better so I can do more. During the last 6 months I have been able to record, Mix and Master a Single Smooth Jazz, and Instrumental Rock Funk EP and a Salsa 36 track Song. All of them have been published and I have received great feedback from my Friends “Clients”. All because of you!!
Thank you again and GOD BLESS!!!
I do agree that more gear or “better” gear is not the answer, and is a distraction. However, I just finished, mixed and mastered another CD. It took 8 months of writing, recording and mixing, and another 6 weeks of production, mastering and finalising. To be honest, I’m not producing my own album for public release again. Why? My mixing and production skills are far better than they were even 3 years ago. But I find that wearing a mixing / mastering and production hat takes away from the songwriting, as I have one ear on production, even as I am writing. In the old days, there was division of labour. And even the bigger artists: one or more people for each stage, one specialised mixer, masterer, arranger. The songwriter or musician could just focus on writing or playing/singing. I had some feedback, that my latest CD is “well-produced garbage”. And you know what? Gear or no gear, obsession with self production has killed my music. Not your fault. But I have realised that it, in my case at least, is no good to be producing my own work for public release.
Don’t get bummed Justin, your “well produced garbage” could be “some ones inspirational listening”. Music is an art, some do not like Pablo Picasso’s art! Discouragement is your worst enemy.
Thanks Freddie for your encouragement 🙂
Hi Graham. Love the site and have learned a lot from it. I have another challenge for myself and anyone else interested. I am going to record at least one tune with the crappiest gear I have. I mean thrift store and radio shack mics, mics hard wired to 1/4 inch, junky guitars and amps, etc. Chances are some of the sounds will be terrible and there is bound to be some noise problems. I want to see how much I can work with it in my old DAW. I am hoping the thing will either have a cool funky, lo-fi vibe, or that I will discover that one of my junk mics happens to have a cool sound that I can use in a regular mix with my good stuff. In any case, dealing with all that should make me work hard, improve my skills, and make me more appreciative and able when I go back to my good stuff. Give it a try guys. That one piece of junk in your closet might just turn out to be a secret weapon that you can use on occasion. Cheers.
John, I did that for years basically because I had nothing BUT crap gear, but now that I have modest I shoot for the moon every time and never look back. You never know when something you record is gonna take off. For me it was Pete Wagula, slide/Blues player that I recorded the last two CD’s for and now its on rotation on syndicated blues radio out of Woodstock NY. Never saw it coming but if I used my crap, it would NEVER be there. Keep mixing brother and Peace!!!
Haven’t bought a piece of recording or mixing gear in over 4 years, and am getting better every day.
Savvy words Graham. Couldnt agree more. I did suffer from this “gear acquisition syndrome”, and I do have a nice set up, but people like me could end up in an insane mental loop whereby you constantly purchase plugs or gear. I have stopped this since I came across your videos, use what I have, and feel better about myself. I do not have to mix a record by Linkin Park and Im not interested either. Carving out good music and production material with little equipment is where true skills shine!
Hi I’m Randy … I’m a gear-aholic and I’ve haven’t used PayPal for six months!
Definitely committed to $0 spending on equipment, books, etc. I have a shelf full of books, a hard drive full of tutorials, and a studio full of usable equipment. I’m channelling all of that time and energy into writing and recording this year. Doing the FAWM in February, and then the 50/90 on July 4. Less intake, more output in 2015.
I’ve bought tons of plugins that I never use. Ironically, I do use a number of free plugins regularly.
I’m guessing that software falls into the category of gear. I’ve had my share of buying hardware, but I also get pulled in to the latest plugins, synths, virtual instruments and sound libraries (maybe I should unsubscribe to their mailing lists?)! There’s a little voice inside me that says, “If you get this, it will inspire you to write more music or make better mixes!” The only thing it’s really done is get me overwhelmed when I sit down to write or mix, because I have so much I don’t know where to start most of the time. It’s funny that I usually grab the stock plugins or the 3rd party ones I’ve been using for years! It’s also funny that I tell people to, “make do with what you have,” while I’m not following my own advice! So, I accept the challenge for 6 months, at least!
Graham I accept your challenge… almost. I bought an 11 rack about six to eight months ago and it came with a copy of Pro Tools 11 which I can’t run because my laptop is too old. The last two months or so I’ve been having a lot of problems with my laptop booting up taking forever and everything else so I’m saving up for a new laptop, but after that I am done. I think that’s my only purchase this year.
I agree with everything you’re saying though I see it in hockey a lot. Hockey is very gear driven too. Everyone thinks they need the latest $200 stick and the latest skates etc, when the cold hard fact is they need to just practice skating and shooting. Some of the top skaters in my men’s league are wearing the same skates, pants
Exactly right! I have what I need to make very good acoustic guitar recordings and vocals. I could use a new computer but my iPad seems to be fine, with two DAWs. The kids are grown up and I’m about to retire so no more excuses. Thanks for the encouragement Graham. And if you’re still at NAMM on Sunday stop by the center stage inside at 3pm during the Dan Krikorian Band time slot. I would like to say hello before or after the show. Blessings to you and your family.
Hey Graham – well said! – I totally understand what you mean – it truly is about creating great songs and not the so much the gear. When I started out in this field, I always thought, “If I buy one of those $5,000 tube mics or that $3,000 compressor my songs are gonna sound like hits!!
Well, lo and behold, when I bought them and used them, my songs didn’t change!!! DUH!
If you ever hear Bruce Springsteen’s earliest recording called ‘Nebraska’ he recorded the WHOLE ALBUM on a little 4 track TEAC recorder way back in the day and the songs are incredible!
It truly is the song itself that makes the difference.
By the way, are you going to be at a certain booth at the NAMM show? I’m going myself and would like to say HI. Thanks again! -Rafael
Yes master I Commit not to buy more stuff !! Lets mix with no plugins!!!
Honestly, I have purchased so many items these past few year, I can EASILY say I will purchase no more gear for the next year! If I can’t produce music with what I have on-hand at this point, I might as well hang-it-up! I take the pledge!
Great advise that’s why I’m here. Learning the full use of your “stuff” can make a bigger impact on your music then anything else. Learning new things everyday keeps your projects fresh and alive ! Thanks for all you do Graham ! Living in the mountains of Montana there are not many outlets for information. I am just getting started with your program and am very impressed so far ! I really like your easy going style ! Peace .
I agree that more gear is not the answer. In fact, the biggest downside for me to buying new stuff is all the time and productivity lost to researching, buying, installing, updating, testing etc.
I recorded a song on a Roland BR600 (entry level recorder) that was played in a club alongside all the major label releases and it held it’s own just fine.
However, just to add some balance to the topic, I will add that I have never regretted buying really good gear. Only selling it.
Hi Graham … Love your site, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to stay out of this challenge. For the most part, I don’t buy gear with the hopes that it will make me better. I know my skill evolution will determine how good or bad my recordings are. I buy gear because I love playing with the stuff. Life would simply not be any fun if I didn’t have a piece of gear on my dream list. I love to read the catalogs, watch the YouTube unboxings, and then put it on my wish list and dream, dream, dream until the Sweetwater box arrives at my door. Nothing like the fresh smell of a new Sweetwater or Musician’s Friend box on my doorstep. I also think of the many NAMM sponsors who invest in fun stuff for us and spend money to feed our dreams, only to be told we might not buy. I can’t do it to them! What would we do if they packed up and went home. So … no challenge for me … To my wife & kids … PLEASE keep giving me catalog gift cards for my birthday, Christmas, Easter, Father’s Day, etc. etc. etc.
Anyone who has not dealt with Sweetwater is missing out. They are the best customer service company in the world! Totally amazing!
I have to be honest, and say that has not been my experience. Now don’t get me wrong I WANT to like them (and I do), but when I have called and REALLY needed help with something, I have:
A) Been given incorrect information as to a software upgrade, when I had specifically called to make sure we got it right,
B) I wanted to know the difference between 2 different microphones (they couldn’t really tell me).
C) I have been told that the Bass Gig Bag that I received instead of the Guitar Gig Bag that I ordered actually WAS a guitar gig bag, because some of those guitars are “Really Big Bears”. What???? When I sent a picture of said guitar bag with a full size bass fitting perfectly, my Sales Engineer promptly replied “Thanks, that is good to know”. Really????
D) I recently inquired, asking what the correct RAM card would be to upgrade my Sweetwater Creation Station (looking for 4GB or 8GB card), and the response I received was “it was originally 4GB”. So I emailed back as clearly and succinctly as possible restated my question, and I did get a reply back – “I’m looking into it, will get back to you soon”. (ok fine) But yes, you guessed it, I’m still waiting to hear back.
So yeah, if I order something, they ship it out right away, and it’s USUALLY correct, but when I have needed exceptional service, or expert advice, I can’t honestly say that I have received it.
And no, I don’t say this to bag on them, I guess I just want the exceptional service that they promise.
Hi Graham
Last year I recorded two progressive rock albums at home and in February this year I will start on the third. I want this album to sound better than the last two but I will be using exactly the same DAW, the same two microphones into the same interface and the same plug ins. The only thing different will be ME and the challenge to make better recording and mixing decisions using the information that I have learnt, most of which has come from your site.
But Graham I have just bought a fab new desk with masses of empty rack space. I need to fill those gaps to make up for the emptiness of my existence (ha ha), and the avid eleven looks too cool to not have. Btw I mostly agree with you. Keep up the great work & I am really chuffed that I found your site.
Thanks Graham, I like your outlook on simplicity. I agree that buying gear over and over again will not solve the issues any mix engineer will face. That being said I do believe that you need some good quality pre’s and good instruments that are in working order and sound sweet. Aa couple of mics, some go to plug ins, yes, these are needed. But no, that new interface or that new drum machine that’s only slightly better than the one I have, No! It will not make the difference. Is this your whole point Graham?
Thanks, Mike
This caught me at a bad time. I’m moving out partway through the year and as such I need to get gear for my personal studio, seeing as my parents own all the gear at my place. However, it’ll only be stuff like monitors (which I don’t have) and cabling. Then no more gear!
I’m in.
LEss than a week ago, I purchased my last plugin for hopefully a year. I needed a de-esser, and now that I have it, I dont need anything to upgrade. MY studio has more than enough, and more in it right now than the gear used to make dozens of number one hit records.
I have no more excuses.
Clothes maketh the man: Gear maketh the engineer.
Clients believe the ‘lie’ too.
If your studio has the gear, you can sell them the ‘lie’ that you know what you’re doing.
If you want to make money from people, you have to convince them you’re good.
Gear. Brand Names. Easier than selling skills. Easier than learning – what a waste of time.
Buy and lie, my friends. You’ll be a better engineer. Trust me. Would I lie?
I think it would be awesome if I could produce at the same speed I use to buy things; in the last three months I’ve “invested” around US$ 4,000, and even when I’ve seen a true improvement in the quality of my mixes I really think I need to stop buying gear. I feel an undescribable satisfaction buying, that would be hard to resist. But I’ll do my very best. Thanks Graham.
I’m 65 years old, retired, on a fixed income, and can not afford any new expensive gear. I’ve been recording and mixing since 1982 and have a passion for the art. There is not much in my area as far as paying clients so I make an effort to record my self on original compositions, and record some cover tunes from time to time. I recently discovered how to cure sticky tape syndrome, and have archived some of the tunes I recorded on my 80-8 Tascam. I’m having a blast remixing them. I said that to say this, Graham, you are absolutely right, Just hone your skills on the gear you have. Just like anything, striving for continuous improvement is the key to success. stellar gear is nice, but not necessary to get good mixes and be creative.
Dear Graham, Because of you and your excellent blog, I went back to school ( at 55, its really tough) and 1st thing I’m hit with, the requirements, Mac, Pro tools 11, portable indestructible hard drive, 64gig indestructible HD card, 64 gig USB3 stick, UA I/O with certain plugins (SSL pack). and more, much more. Now… 6 months into it I understand, Use Good mics, with Good gear, with Good acoustics, and a Good performance, ( I’m missing some, but you’ve heard it all before anyway). Point I’m making is once I got the basic stuff that my teacher is teaching, I will not feel the need to purchase another piece of gear because I will have the industry standards and as he says,’ only let Good touch your hands and you will have the confidence in your mixes’. Right now my mixes sound better then the last 30 years of trying on my own.
Graham,
Summer of 2008, I didn’t have a laptop or desktop computer that could record, so I did sound on sound recording using my CD Player. It had RCA in so it could record from many sources. I planned out my songs, recorded the Drum Sequences first (1 CD). Played the CD back through my mixer while playing the Rhythm Guitar part (2 CD’s). Added Bass (3 CD’s). Added Lead Guitar (4 CD’s). Lead Vocals (5 CD’s) and then Harmony (6 CD’s)…….For Each song. I still listen to those disks and it taught me that with a bare minimum of gear, I could record anything in pieces if I had the entire arrangement down in advance.
Thanks for these tips
Josh
I’m such a sucker for buying new gear, mainly mics and preamps. I don’t think that one single piece of gear that I buy is a “magic bullet” as such, but rather a different sonic palette that I can use on a certain source (or sources); in essence, “EQing” with a coloured preamp or certain type of mic to yield a particular result before I even start mixing.
For me, I’d like to think that it’s not so much that I need more gear, but rather buying interesting pieces of equipment that will produce a certain result that’s different to what I currently have (this is especially the case with preamps, I find). This doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive gear, in fact a lot of the equipment I buy is between the cheap and moderately-priced range.
Challenge accepted!
I need to realize and internalize the following:
I’ve got good gear that I need to learn a lot more about!
I can produce recordings that are radio/CD worthy if I improve my skills daily.
The better I get, the better my equipment will work.
I need more experience to better comprehend what any new stuff will do for me.
Thanks for all you do! I’m getting better because of the blog and the interchange!
Thanx again Graham for epic inspiration.. I got a great home – studio.. But the gear addict within always want to get more stuff.. Would it be fun to have a new toy ? Ye sure.. But do I need it ? No..
I’ll probably have more excitement in doing the challenge that buying more gear.. For one year ? … Yeah !! Let’s do it 🙂
Peace
I will really try not to buy new expensive gear this year. I’ve spent a lot over the past few years to get my studio the way i want, but like Graham says, its best to know your gear inside and out. So i’ll take the time to really know every piece of my gear. That said, i am going to NAMM this week for the networking (a bit to see whats new, but thats less of a priority).
Graham, Hope to see you at NAMM this year!
You know, Graham, I was skeptically of your minimalist mentality for the longest time. I have been following the Recording Revolution since you released “5 Minutes to a Better Mix: Part II.” I found it so insightful that I went back and watched the first series, and of course all of the other tips that you have come out with since then.
Even still, I was not buying all of your hype about not needing more gear! I was a plug-in fanboy for a long time, and one day, I decided to give your theory a shot. I normally mix on Logic, and so I decided that I was not going to use anything but the stock plugins; no third party compressors, EQs, all-in-one, magic-touch plugins. I have to say… Now that I know how to use the most basic plugins, I am turning out the best mixes ever! I surprise myself every time! I don’t say that to toot my horn, but just to confirm that you are right! Knowing how to use what you have is infinitely more powerful than trying to cover the problem with more software, a more powerful computer, “better” preamps, more expensive mics, etc. It took me a while to buy in, but I am finally sold!
Love it!
So I come home after buying some new gear for the studio.
My wife says “what do you need that for?”
I come back with “”I don’t NEED it … I WANT it”.
Life’s a balance between needs and wants, but I recon’ it’s time to get back in balance.
Thanks for the nudge Graham.
Graham,
Another nugget of wisdom from Mr. Cochrane! I have been building my studio gear list for a few years and it’s time to say no to eBay, no to the Musicians Friend “Stupid Deal of the Day”, no to the Sweetwater “Deal Zone” and no to the Waves “Weekend Specials”! Don’t get me wrong, all are reputable businesses and I have purchased great gear from all of them and will in the future, just not this year! I have – I am sorry to admit – been a sucker for the sales pitches and after seeing this post I felt that I had been liberated! I have good mics, a nice interface, Cubase 7.5 and a fist full of good plugins… no more excuses, the game is afoot! No new gear in 2015! Thanks Graham for being the voice of reason and for throwing down the gauntlet! And thanks for all of the great tips and tutorials on TRR! God Bless!
Graham…..are you sure you want to go to NAMM? Seems like you’d be on somebody’s hit list. Isn’t that the main purpose of NAMM? To get us drooling over the latest and greatest and digging for our wallets?
Be careful and watch your back:)
Haha. Yep – I’m not the most popular among gear manufacturers. But NAMM is good for so much more than gear – the best of the best come to teach their techniques and workflows. Mind blowing stuff to learn and inspiring to meet some of the industry’s greats.
I’ll accept this challenge and not buy anymore audio equipment, software ect for six months..unless something breaks or quits working. 🙂
This is the best advice I have heard in a long, long time. It’s brilliant!! I absolutely accept the challenge and am in process of clearing up my studio out of some unnecessary gear. I actually got caught in a loop. Thanks to You, Graham, and Your fantastic view on music production I actually begin to see what REALLY can make a difference in my musical journey instead of chasing a shadow that won’t take me far. Thank You very much for all Your great advice, it is truely a revolution for me 🙂
Great article….it is so true…we all want to think that every new upgrade or gadget will help us…but learning to work with limitations and using our gut instead of our technology is what fuels my composing, recording and releasing ORIGINAL sounds..I am not interested in sounding like everyone else….I have had more than one Professional in the Film & Music Industry compliment me on my “unique” sound….I am blessed..Thanks for the Article…TRUTH….Regards, Anthony Teti/ No Name Alley Productions….Cheers!!!!
YEP…! No more pluggins! Gonna actually sell some gear. I was listening to some older music I composed, engineered, etc and it just had more life with less gear. I had lees to chose from and mastered what what I did have to squeeze all the juice outta it. Because of this, I had more time to BE creative instead of hunting for a pluggin or wiring up new gear into my config. Less IS more….HA!
BIG Thanks GC….!
Hi,
I agree 100% with Graham, that new equipment make my mixes not better.
But new equipment can (not have to) increase your creativity because you try new things, have new possibilities and so on. I am mostly a guitarist, so sometimes, if I stuck to get new Ideas, changing the instrument helps me (ok, I don’t have to buy everytime a new one, but sometimes it is nessesarry, but hard to argue at home 🙂 ). Or if I mix, and for instance the drums are sounding boring, I go to try a new effects (maybe another compressor, or a guitar amp sim or X or Y). Sometimes, this is great and sometimes, it is sh..
So sometimes, limitation is the way to go and sometimes it is important to try new ways.
I thing,
Graham,
I take the challenge not to buy any new recording gear. My mixes and recording have gotten better by practice and watching your videos. I have purchased you whole collection. I do believing the parallel mix buss compression, the bass fuzz the 3 so called hacks, the vocal comp have all helped… I have found my go to plugins and been recording and mixing away, with great results… Thanks to you! I have two new tracks up on soundcloud under the name The Lucky Outlaws. I would love to hear what you think …
Thank you and all the best
Dino
I’ve been a project studio owner since November last year. It took me about 1 year planning and saving money. Now there is only one more piece of gear that I need for my very basic studio. After I buy it these days my plan is to not buy even a single piece of gear and work with this equipment for the next 2 years. I just want to improve my skills first and then upgrade my gear.
super guilty of this in the past , i had a great habit of acquiring gear second hand and new and often to redundant numbers , its a been a waste of time and money ive since downsized to just what i need to get the job done, im down to 14 mics an 8 ch interface and im still using reason 5 lol, i use reaper as a daw for tracking and mixing and i have found a myriad of great freeware plugin effects that i feel work as nice a some of the waves ones, im also a pro tools user but i have found reaper to be more versatile. i thought about how many mics i need and what kinds and what types of things i can record i narrowed it down to what do i need get drums recorded? and from there i can double duty all of the mics involved in the drum process for other over dubs of any other acoustic instrument or performance.
really enjoy your site and your take on recording
bless
fred bissnette
Graham,
Do you ever camp out in people’s homes for a weekend as a mixing guru?
Of course, I’m kidding, but I’m entering a phase of my recording life that’s leaving me unable to be satisfied with mixes. I don’t know what I even like anymore. Or if what I’m hearing is good or bad.
Sorry, it’s not your problem. I’m just venting.
Jason
Hi Jason – Have you looked into my REthink Mixing course? Also I would suggest Dueling Mixes – my membership site. Both can be found here: http://therecordingrevolution.com/products/
Thanks Graham,
I’ll check it out.
Jason
I’m getting so much from your counsel already, but as I move forward it actually reveals more of my own limitations. I’ve gone back into my older projects and they sound great to me. That’s when I knew LESS. I think I’m suffering “paralysis by analysis”. I just need to take a breather and step away for a while. You’ve advised as much in some posts. I will heed it. Thanks.
Jason
I am revamping my studio at the moment simply because it’s time to upgrade. I am still using my mbox 2 (2006). I havent bought anything new in about 5 years and it’s time to get the gear I need, since I have far surpassed the mastery 10,000 hours rule. Good luck everyone.
Challenge accepted: no new recording gear until August 3rd! 6 months. My wife will be thrilled!
I accept the challenge of no gear for 6 months.
I am from Greece I live there, and although I work all day, almost every day as both a live and a studio sound engineer, I didn ‘t have the ability to buy any new gear during the last 18 months (with the exception of the Eventide Ultraverb plug-in, at the introductory price of $79!).
So wether I liked it or not, I have “accepted” the challenge long before you make it! And I have recorded and mixed 5 albums during that time.
That being said, I also bought some Mogami cables, and yes… they did improve slightly my recordings without any additional effort from me!