Before you upgrade your DAW or invest in different plugins, consider the fact that you just might be diluting your efforts and reducing your chances of churning out a great recording or mix.
The beauty of being a music maker today is that the tools are ridiculously cheap and easily accessible. What used to take a few hundred thousand dollars to pull off, can happen in your bedroom for $300.
The problem though, is that digital technology is constantly changing – and so are our tools.
Via fr4dd Flickr
Give Me A Hammer
With every DAW upgrade there are not only countless new (and mostly un-needed) features, but new layouts, interfacing, system requirements, OS requirements, and sometimes even plugin format requirements (Pro Tools 11 anyone?!). All of these changes make getting to know your tools deeply a real challenge.
In a recent article on Tape Op, John Baccigaluppi argued this point – comparing our audio craft to that of a carpenter:
One of the primary tools for any carpenter is a hammer. Once you find a hammer you like, the more you use it, the more you learn its nuances and how to use it efficiently. After a year or so of using the same hammer, it’s like an extension of your arm. – John Baccigaluppi, Tape Op
For many of us, the DAW is our primary software tool – it’s our hammer.
If we jump around from DAW to DAW or version to version (either willingly or out of necessity) we may never spend enough time with it to learn its nuances.
We’ll be picking up a new hammer each and every session.
A Call For Simplicity And Familiarity
You see, the entire marketing mantra of the pro audio industry is stacked against us.
Its very goal is to convince you that you’re one purchase away from great recordings and mixes – and if you’d only open your wallet and purchase (or upgrade to) their latest and greatest gizmo or software, you’d be that much closer to reaching your goals.
But the truth is quite the opposite.
Since gear is neither your solution nor your problem then you are free to focus more of your attention on improving your craft, your skill set, and simply gain more experience.
You can simply ignore the noise, the ads, and the catalogs and get back to making music.
Couple that with me giving you the freedom to not upgrade but rather stick with your same old gear from 10 years ago – and you’re in a much better position to create the best sounding music you’ve ever made.
When we give ourselves time to create a simple, but stable setup and then actually familiarize ourselves with it – I mean really know it inside and out – then we are primed to do our best work ever.
Simple, Dependable Tools Help You Get More Done
To put it plainly – if you have a simple and dependable home studio, one that you become intimately familiar with, rarely gives you issues, and does what you ask of it day in and day out – then you my friend have a much better chance of churning out a great sounding recording or mix.
Don’t be lured by the promise of more, better, or faster.
Remember – the only way to get really better recordings and mixes is to become a better engineer, producer, or artist. Ignore what the industry says you need, stick with the simple tools, focus on improving your craft, and have more fun in the process.
Thoughts? Sound off below.
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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. 
Great statement!
I’m bored about discussions like “ITB or not”, “this compressor/eq/limiter/reverb/… sounds better than …”, “virtual synths are crap!” and so on. In the end it’s all about the song and the performance. The listener don’t give a f*** about your recording gear as long as it is a great song.
^This. A thousand times this. Amen.
You said it bro that’s exactly right
Spot on, how I feel. This must be one of the most important posts from you I’ve read so far.
This has been a pet peeve of mine for years. I use Cubase and I finally stopped at Cubase 5.5. I got tired of them moving familiar functions around from version to version. In days gone by you put the cursor up in the bar range and left click to set the left locator and right click on the mouse to set the right locator. I still dont know how to do it since they changed it…and I cant be bothered to go and find out….Im making music. CB5 does more than enough. I am gonna have to switch to W7 in November as theres a few things Ive bought that only work with that OS but it will still be 32 bit as theres niggly headaches and plugs I have that wont dont work with 64 bit archetecture. Im more than happy with Cubase 5 and havent seen anything in CB 7.5 to make it worth the headache of basically learning a whole new DA with functions stripped out and others burried elsewhere. I dont mind change for the sake of improvement but change for the sake of change or cosmetics is crazy IMHO.
I agree in principle. I have gone through Cubase 5 and 6 and now 7.
There have been significant improvements past 5 though.
The mixer is totally redesigned and much better with a channel strip included and a master meter and loudness meter. Also the Voxengo plug in is included along with composition tools that make songwriting easier for some virtual instruments.
But at the same time I could see me using Cubase 7 for the next 10 years. I am past the
gear fix stage. So I only upgrade DAW for significant improvements. And the only plugins
I buy now are multi purpose plug ins like Voxengo or vintage plugins from UA which are excellent. I don’t think I have sepnt any money in last year for anything and nothing on the horizon so Grahams post is right on.
I am very pleased with my Cubase 6.5, although Voxengo stuff and new metters are great. I also don’t see too much reason to upgrade. The Cubase 5 already was fantastic too, recorded my fist album on it. I plan to use Cubase 6.5 until it explode.
Yay, I’ll stick to Reason 4, the Reaper, well that upgrades itself and the last one FL 11 already begging me to buy more plug ins, but whats the use of buying new ones till I find out what the ones here do already. I am still figuring out new things in old Reason 4 and Pro Tools, well the disc fell apart from over use. Stick to what you got, I agree. Only upgrade when you know the one you got inside out.
Thanks Graham for the great articles.
I have one more free upgrade of pro tools but I will be staying with pro tools 10 & 11. I know them very well now & I don’t need to waste more time learning new features when I can just go make music right now with my friends everyday.
I agree that this is largely true, though since I was upgrading my studio computer recently anyway, I upgraded to Logic X as well, and it has some really useful and cool upgrades that I’m enjoying. So sometimes upgrading IS a win. Do your homework and determine if and when it is worth doing.
The other thing I can mention is that once you have your system running smoothly, doing all the system updates that both Mac and Windows nags you to do can easily break things, and cause you hours of unnecessary pain. If you have a dedicated studio computer, avoid doing any system software updates unless you absolutely have to.
Just don’t connect it to the internet, it solves the update nags and means you don’t get pwned for running without security fixes.
I’m using Pro Tools LE 8.0.5 and Logic Pro 9 and I’ll stick to that. More than enough.
Of course I like the new layouts on both Pro Tools 11 and Logic X.
I really think that the (Best) major improvements on new stuff are related to workflow.
There are some options that make you work faster on new systems.
Stuff like bouncing in real time and clip gain (Old Pro Tools and Logic) on the edit window, move several tracks to rearrange the session (Old Logic) and I think that’s all I needed. But I can live without those features.
I don’t like to change formats of recording any more than I like changing over computers..But its like using for example XP in windows, after awhile, it just isn’t going to be supported, and will not work.. .To survive, companies create new DAWs that require more power, so you need a new computer.. Its a vicious circle..And really, how much money are you making with your music? ….Individuals need to understand, all these companies live off the dreams of musicians..all the services, recording gear, everything we buy, bigger and better, is marketing to us…for the dream….can you really tell me what a song was recorded in, protools, sonar, radar, logic ? Of course not..And even if you can as an engineer…people listening can’t and don’t care….You can have the dream, lets just be smart about it…
Good post, but for my life personally, I don’t think this fully applies.
As far as computers, I’ve been using the same Macbook Pro since 2010 and it’s still getting the job done. DAW and plugins though, I’m always updating or upgrading. For the music I make, I rely heavily on virtual instruments, so I’m always in the search for new ones of updates to the ones I have so a lot of the core instruments I use don’t sound exactly the same every time. Because I do have a hand in the Christian music industry (a small hand at that), a lot of the professionals I work with are the big-time guys who make a great living doing recording or mixing full-time. They ALWAYS stay current, cause they DO generally have a need for new tech. Pro Tools 11, for example, was HUGE. Even though they had to wait for some of their plugin companies to update to AAX 64, a lot of them saw that Pro Tools 11 removed a lot of their needs to consider a Pro Tools HD setup, or even remove their HD setup.
I’m a big fan with staying current. Not because of having the lastest and greatest, but because (generally) I really could use a lot of the new features and it will indeed help me make better music (or at least make it faster).
Attention; spend it wisely.
i always find what i put my attention on is what i get,,,,,, i love pt10 and dedicate my computer an old quad core macpro to only music,,,
no problems,,,no updates,,snow leopard works great.
Couldn’t agree more with this post. Every time I get a new piece of gear, I have to take the time to learn it, and that slows me down and takes me away from my writing.
Graham thanks again for reinforcing the basics. You’re one of a few websites that cuts to the chase (that’s my little Rush pun). It seems everywhere you go on the web somebody’s pushing a new piece of gear or software.
Of course, how often is *not* upgrading a viable option? Unless your main studio machine sits in a concrete vault unconnected to anything, it is always subject to a myriad of security and OS updates; those frequently break audio software or leave things unsupported, unreliable, or unusable.
Even Vince Clarke gave up his vintage BBC UMI in favor of a new MacBook, once it got too hard to support the old hardware and software.
Or, as my grandfather would have said, “Lures are meant to catch fishermen, not fish!”
Yeah but 3rd party audio plug-ins are so much fun and sound better than ever!
Buy a Roland VS2480.
Then delete your DAW software!
It works.
The 1680 was my first DAW. Sold it to pay for a PTLE rig; everything’s been downhill since. 🙂
Excellent! One of your readers made a comment about Cubase, which is the platform I started on. I’m mainly in Pro Tools 10, but do use Cubase from time to time because it’s fun to use and it’s EASY to use. I hesitated to upgrade to any newer version of Cubase, still using 5 and with no problems. I get notices from Pro Tools all the time to upgrade to 11, but really see no use in doing that since I’m so familiar with PT 10. It’s all about making great music no matter what platform you use.
The 4-song EP I just finished was mastered by a guy who worked with Michael Jackson. He’s STILL using Pro Tools 5!
I recently tried and purchased ProTools11 after over 20 years using another DAW. I will say that PT11 has inspired me to write and record, just like a good piano inspire creativity. It has nothing to do with the previous DAW. PT11 is intuitive. I have recorded more material in this infancy stage (3 months) with PT than I had in the past year. I am a singer, songwriter and it’s easy for me to get lost in the tech. It help get me out of the rut! That’s all.
I’ve been using Pro Tools 8 M-Powered. I’m about to jump up to the PT 11 / 10 upgrade. I recently went back to college and can get it for ridiculously cheap on Sweetwater and there are enough advances since my MP version of PT8 that it seems worth it to me. I may not use 11 for a good long while since I still have a lot of plug-ins that can’t be used with 11.
To a large degree, I have to agree with you. I started with Cakewalk 8 in 1998. I am now using Sonar X3, so I have been thru 14 daw upgrades in 16 years(YIKES!). However, there have been many improvements that I love. I cyber record with a friend who has Sonar 8.5, I basically do the programmed drums and mastering – he is interested in neither. Doing both of those is sooooo much easier than in 85. So I do the work in X3. Open it back up in 8.5(to make sure I didn’t use an X3 feature he doesn’t have) and bundle it up and get it back to him. I am trying to get him to upgrade to X3, but as you have indicated he makes great music in the older DAW version snd WOULD have a learning curve to X3.
Just a note. i too use sonar (from cakewalk 6.0 to now Platinum) so I am a big fan/user. Tell him that I believe that they have improved the algorithm that makes up the sound engine and the later versions of Sonar starting at Sonar 3 or 4 up to current. Much warmer,clearer and the dynamic range are better…
I fell prey to the BS of Pro Tools 11:( I’d almost give anything to have my Mac G5 tower back (which needed serviced) but would have been a hell of a lot cheaper, along with my Pro Tools 8.1 & Digi 002 & ALL of my incredible plug-ins BACK:( But SERIOUSLY! & Very SADLY SPEAKING:( I “LOST IT ALL”! Thanks to ALL OF THE SPEWING BULL SHIT about Pro Tools 11 & its INVINCIBLE AAX CRAP! I rarely even turn the shit on:( THAT’S HOW UNFATHOMABLY “DISAPPOINTED”!!! I AM!!! If anybody out there can get me info on TRASHING THIS AVID PRO TOOLS 11 SHIT! & let me know how to retrieve all that I had? Please HELP ME!? Anyone even remotely pondering of doing what I did? DON’T!!! Graham, Ur 101% RIGHT ON MAN! PT 11 & AAX is ALL ABOUT MAKING “Avid” MONEY! rather than US MAKING “MUSIC”!!!
sorry to hear norman. but pt11 comes with pt10. so you can still use rtas (32bit) plugins with pt10.
ThxDan:) My so called tech informed me that PT 10 isn’t comparable with Mavericks 10,9?¿
Compatible *
Graham
I have just started digesting your blog and your videos (I use the word digesting because you provide an essential food for all of us, thank you).
This post is so close to home to me because I find myself thinking if I just get this or upgrade to that, then it will all come together. Thanks so much for reinforcing what my gut has been telling me for so long.
Gil
I am not sure if you are right or wrong, but what you say makes me feel better. I too, am stuck in Protools 8 LE, and Logic 9. I want to take advantage of 64 bit processing, but fear my losses will far outpace my gains. It also means purchasing a new digital interface, not to mention all the plugin upgrades. Maybe my greatest hesitation come from switching to Mavericks, in order to even use Logic X. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should upgrade to for Protools? I believe M-powered/LE protools only goes as high as version 9. Another great article!
To a large extent I agree with this blog posting. But I don’t think its all or nothing. For example, a couple of years ago my acoustic band finished a CD using Reaper. I had been using SONAR, but switching to Mac ended that. And Reaper was cross platform and had very simple project and file management making it easy for the whole band to record at home.
But when Logic Pro X came out I decided to just give it a try, partly because of MainStage, and partly because of the Drummer. I remixed and mastered a couple of songs from the CD and compared them with Reaper. There was no comparison – Logic was much better and in fact X was actually easier to use. So this made a big difference for me.
As another example, I have been using POD Farm for many year for amp simulation. Then I discovered that Logic Pro X Amp Designer was actually somewhat better. But neither gave the tone and feel I was looking for, no matter how hard I tried. Then I by accident ran across S-Gear at http://www.scuffhamamps.com. This plugin/standalone app is unbelievable. It not only nails a wide range of tones, but also gets the live dynamics of a real amp. This plugin is so good that it has totally changed my approach to guitar recording.
So I don’t think there’s a single blanket statement about DAW, plugins, or other gear. Certainly we all know a good guitar results in very different trestles than a bad guitar. However, Graham’s point is well taken – don’t just change the gear unless there’s some specific nagging problem you need to address. For me, Reaper was missing the editing features I needed, and the stock plugins weren’t that great. And there was no Drummer. S-Gear was another whole experience that solved a problem I’ve had for years.
How true. I can’t tell the difference from something recorded with Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Sonar, or whatever. A great performance, a great recording, and a great mix, and skill is what does it! Can someone really listen to a song and say, “yup, I hear Pro Tools and that latest and greatest gizmo!?
Well said bro similar to a Bible , regardless what language translation or versions GOD and LORD is the same and will do the same.
I just love reading what you have to say Graham. Purely inspirational at the very least. I’ll be subscribing to your Dueling Mixes (I keep calling it mix offs hah) and can’t wait to see how far we can take things!
Keep on,
-E
One of the dangers of having a 10 year old system running ancient-N version of software is if that system goes belly-up, you’re now derailed and have big learning curve ahead of you. (assuming you’ve been keeping backups of your data files and samples. You _are_, aren’t you?) Older versions of software might not even run on modern systems (such as a PowerPC based Logic on a modern Mac, for instance)
You don’t have to chase every single upgrade and every new DAW. But every year or two, check out the latest version. If it’s breaking all your existing world without recourse, avoid it for now. But if it’s an incremental improvement that keeps you closer to the current version, and perhaps as important keeps you closer to the greater user community that is on a newer-than-10-years-old version. Wait a couple of months and let other folks take the arrows in the back and figure out the upgrade path.
Great Reminder Post to focus our time on skill development more than stuffing our toolbag!
Being someone who actually has worked in cabinetry and construction I can attest to the fact that you produce the best (and fastest) results in your work when you know your tools inside-out. That being said however, it took years of experimentation in trying different sorts of saws, wood filler, varnish, sanders and what-not to know what I was looking for in a tool to do exactly what I wanted for an aspect of a project (that’s a skill development: knowing what tool will give you the result you want). However, that takes money to get the gear to try out and usually means I end up with a more expensive saw than the Black & Decker model I started with.
From a music standpoint where I don’t have a contractor’s budget to buy new tools to try out, I appreciate gear review sites because I need the reference points. I would expect that most of us are working on a ridiculously tight budget for our home studios and can’t afford to try out new tools to find one that will do what we need; to some degree we need some more experienced guys giving us reviews on gear choices so that we can make smart decisions with our money when funds are available. Not ads or ‘product pushing’ but informed analysis/comparison from some of the pro guys on what informs there decision in purchasing or using one tool/plugin/effect over another. We don’t want to waste money on excessive and repetitive tools and interrupt our process of learning our craft, but neither do we want to get stuck using sub-par tools simply because we are familiar with them.
Interesting perspective as always! I, like you, recently upgraded to Pro Tools 11 … The lack of AAX plugins in my familiar arsenal made it somewhat difficult, but to be honest, way more creative as all the usual bells and whistles were not there .. It allowed me to focus more on the actual song and rather than looking at it made me listen to! I guess that sometimes upgrades are good .. especially when it takes you our of your comfort zone and listen in a different way. I am not against upgrades, there just has to be a reason for them. By the way, I still have and still use from time to time, my pro tools mix cubed system that I bought back in the 90’s .. Makes me smile when I use it .. Still kinda like the sound from the 888/24’s and the 16/22 … A far cry from the PT HD of today with apogees .. but there is something still definitive about it and I know it so well .. Thanks Graham!
Yes! Classic W.W.R.P.D (What Would Robert Pollard Do) argument. The best records never sounded “right”. Before upgrading gear, try writing a better chorus. (and maybe listening to “Bee Thousand” a few more times..)
Having grown up in the days of the marvelous new two track tape, and then three track that gave you a nice clear center channel for the vocal and stereo for the music, the digital age is so wonderful.
The first eight track machine I ever saw was in Gary Paxton’s studio in Bakersfield. Wow! What a tool. Mixing, stacking, so many things we had never been able to do before. He had a little compressor for uneven vocals, and a live echo chamber. A bass and treble control, slapback tape echo was also employed, and that’s it. Those were the effects.
After many years away from making music, I now have a small studio for voice work, I make radio commercials, and do voice overs. My first Digital system was Soundforge 9, which I use today. It adequately serves my purpose.
It has effects that after all these years, I still seldom use. They get in the way of the purity of the sound.
I wanted to do some multitracking, so I downloaded Audacity. It works.
As an old guy, I find very little use for outboard effects. My unpowered Behringer p.a. board gives me what I want, and all that I need.
I usually do one instrument at a time, although I can do several. It gives me what I want. Clean, pure sound.
I’m sure that the brilliant young guys who are making lots of money doing it will laugh, but I get what I want without a lot of headache.
Would I like to upgrade? I guess, but whatever for. I have what I have, it works, and best of all it’s paid for.
,
I might argue with all regarding the tool of trade… I have been using FL Studio for more than 8 years (free lifetime upgrades) and use fruity loops standard plugins mostly and have experimented with other DAW’s past 3 years, BUT I have found a small clitch that involves FL, Ableton and Logic… with all new producers that is learning on how to mix and master Quality of the song lacking some how (espesially FL) once I export or bounce it doesn’t sounds like in the DAW, but got Pro Tools recently and when I import the files I receive that clarity again and once finished with organizing bounce back and now I have that clarity in the song and the richness…
I mostly agree with you, but i think there are exceptions. Like for amp sims for instance, they get better with eah generation, and i think it pays to upgrade from PodXT to HD or from an HD to an Axe-FX for instance.
Fantastic article Graham. Again, I really appreciate your less-gear-is-more-music approach. It is what hooked me in the first place to your site.
I can personally attest to the value of sticking with tried-and-true gear for longer than its warranty date. I recorded well over 100 originals on a ZOOM MRS-1044 which I bought in 1998. I got so quick at using it that I could lay down a scratch track, program in the drums and bass, fire up the guitars, go back and revisit the drums and bass sequences, revisit the guitars, vocals etc, over and over … in a day. I could focus on getting the song right rather than diddling around with tech. It was great.
While my DAW (Logic X) is awesome, there is almost too much there! Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Just that it will take a while to make this tool my new right arm. I just hope that the planned obsolescence that marks tech these days does not hinder my ability to make songs from here on out.
True Graham. This mail just saved me in the nick of time. In fact, ironically it was your very own post about analog summing and why you shouldn’t care, that has driven me nuts over the week. I was finally opting to go for the last resort, a closest digital solution, slate vcc…after much internet hopping. But now i’ve decided to learn the stuff I own, and yeah concentrate on Music.
Btw I mixed a song yesterday with only the Ssl channel strips and I must say it sounded like never before. Maybe we got too many toys to play around with.
Cheers and thanks
Thanks Graham.
These are words of wisdom. They take a whole lot of pressure off me to constantly upgrade. I realise that it is not the gear but my ability to create good music using the tools I already have that’s most important.
H.
This Blog is so true and I will save it to re-read it over time as a reminder to stay away from the temptation of getting the newest toy out there. I recently sold over $1,300. worth of gear that was gathering dust in my closet which I had for the most part purchased thinking that I absolutely needed to improve my mixes. Graham, thanks for this reminder and sound advice!
I completely agree! I’ve used Audacity for years, and it has become my “hammer” for mixing, eq and effects. Nothing like being dependable AND free!
😉
hi alton, how do you deal with the lack of real-time capabilities in audacity when it comes to mixing, eq, compression, effects, etc. it seems pretty difficult.
any tips greatly appreciated 🙂
great article, that makes a lot of sense. It really doesn’t matter which DAW you use, it’s how you use it.
This makes sense, specially today, I just bought a POD xt(yep, that old crazy kidney) and I felt very well about that purchase because I didn’t spend a lot of money in the latest version(POD HD 500X), I just thought: “A lot of albums have been made with only this piece of equipment, you know its not about the toy, its about you.” Thanks for all the work and the effort to show us the way.
Dan Rodriguez
“If you have a dependable home studio” is the catch. There is no such thing as a dependable electronic rig when computers are built to last 5 to 10 years and electronic keyboards on average 25. Good Mac G4’s I stashed away for spares won’t even boot, years later. They quit over time without being even used!
The only thing one can depend on for sure with a home (or pro) studio is that things will go bad. The rest of the post, though, is totally spot on.
But what about quality of sounds ? If I upgrade my sound library to better sounds I will get better sounding arrangements, as far the arrangement and the mix itself are good, or ?
Ah. I disagree with the Not changing Daws but agree to tools. I used cubase for 10 years then my soundcard gave me issues with it. Do decided I would try the free protools disc that came with it. Through dueling mixes and mixcoach I learnt to kinda get on with it. I bought Pro tools 11 which was ok but ended up using protools 10 due to plugin compatability the wonderful world of Aax. Then I saw a video of Joe Gilders. Why I Switched to Presonus Studio 1 and was intrigued. Reluctant to try it because id bought protools 8 months earlier,I eventually gave into the free version. Ihad been watching Joe use it in Duelling mixes . Idownloaded the free version and had a play. I was hooked on the simplicity of it its ease of use and because of this I got better results and my mixes got faster. My workflow was cut by half.
Now I’m not disagreeing with Graham at all no way. My philosophy is that a carpenter will try different hammers to find one that works and feels great to him. Same with Daws. Use the free trials to find which works best for you. But if you’ve been using one for years why change? I did but I wont do it again
Thanks Graham. All it is so true! I’m with Reason 5, Cubase 5 and Reaper number of years. And they just work.
Thank you so much Mr Cochrane, that so very helpful. Every year I do get drawn into upgrading my DAW because of the ‘new’ features. However, I have fully grasped last years ‘new features’ yet. I do stand in awe at your mixes and do aspire to get my music sounding as good as yours.
Keep up the excellent work and the great songs! Jesus has truly blessed you and you have blessed others. Thank you.
From this point of view, 100% true.
However, an industry (especially a music one) is built and designed heavily to have new things coming out at a regular pace to stay afloat I do agree the marketing is quite agressive and abuse words we are familiar with to lure any additional costumers.
Good job to notice this Graham :)!
Context is what is appropriate to understand. As home studio musicians, the reality is that your never going to be able to afford the latest greatest gear and software to the extent that you can keep up with the big boys. You can’t compete with multimillion dollar studios and 6 figure salaried engineers. This is what those guys do 8-10 hours a day, virtually every day. You can’t catch up with them. It’s not that you won’t get better mixes with better or faster equipment, its that you can’t overcome the learning curve to be as good as those guys if it isn’t your job. But, if you work with what you got and master it, before you worry about upgrading, the reality is that you can get a great start and do really good work with time and practice. Start with where your at, and master your level before moving on to the next level. You’ll get better results mastering what you can afford, than chasing what you can’t and never mastering anything because your always looking for the next best thing rather than making and mixing music.
I agree with you, truly I do. I followed Emagic through their various ups & downs with hardware manufacturers for a number of years, & in the end they dumper the Windows platform altogether.
The problem with implementing your article is that computers die, and once you get a new one you have to find drivers that are compatible with the new operating system, and they’re not always available. Often this can be worked around (for example I discovered that my Akai Z4 sampler has no drivers to support a 64 bit operating system, but I can get around that with a USB memory stick to transport the files), but actually what I have learned is to purchase equipment that is external to computers & portable.
Thanks for the nice article, we need to find ways to address this self generating industry, and your article is a good contribution
Graham, thanks for the usual great advice. There is one BIG question which I am sure others have had. How long will my trusty computer last. In my case a Mac.
If I had my druthers I would keep the Mac Pro and Pro Tools 8 forever but does anyone know how long a Mac will last and for how long the graphics cards can last? Will there be a replacement card available if and when needed?
Is there an industry out there dealing with refurbishing old computers?
Generally it will last as long as you let it. I’m still running a 10 year old Powerbook laptop for live recording at church.
I began recording on 24 track reel to reel in the mid 80s. Also owned a Tascam 244 back then. As the years went on Roland VS880 then VS1880. The VS 1880 had a very good run, as did the Tascam 244 back when. Biggest change was control over tracks more moving to a DAW. What I have found as time goes on is that it has made sense to experiment with what works for me.
I think the key here is what does work for you?. I agree trying to always look at that next magic piece of gear is not going to make better music, playing the music well does that. What does happen though is that the workflow abilities improve with certain software updates and interface/control options more and more.
I am at a stage where I finally have moved to getting a MCU Pro and Extender and some pre-amp boxes instead of my trusty Mackie 1640i Onyx. Why?, because the Mackie not talking to things all at once didn’t work. All the reviews, interviews etc in the world mean nothing. What you can do, and want to do without having to fiddle each time, is IMHO, the thing that counts.
I follow every post Graham makes and watch the videos. I love a lot of what comes through. Keep it up mate.
Hi guys
More is less. The more plug-ins and software you have, the less you produce good music. I have bought cds and songs that were not technically great mixed and mastered copies but I bought them nevertheless because the songs are great.
I have had a fair amount of success in my music career and you realise that people don’t really give a toss about what plug-ins or how well mastered your song is though it should be decent.
No matter how costly your DAW or plug-ins are, unfortunately crap music is crap music. Ain’t nobody going to listen to junk, no matter how brilliantly it is mixed and mastered in the top studios.
I’m still doing great on my Pro Tools 8.0.4 LE for PC on a dedicated computer and don’t see the need to change.
However, I do understand folks want to upgrade but we have got to get away from “the next plug-in or DAW will take us to the Promised Land” mentality. Your music is as brilliant as you are and if you think your DAW and your latest plug-ins are going to do the job for you, you might as well buy a robot to replace your talent.
This comment relates to both the the gear hype, and a previous email about the myth of “Golden Ears”. As Graham pointed out both diseases can be treated by the one thing that many people want to avoid: practice. There is no substitute. As a writer (non-fiction, mostly) and teacher, I have come to discover that what makes for improved writing is reading, reading, and more reading. The more one reads, the more likely one is to pick up on the difference between good and bad writing. It cannot help but affect the output of a writer. The same is true of music. Listening is as important as creating. But then, I have to move beyond that to actually doing something. I can understand the gear-head mentality; our culture and economy is founded on a love affair with all that is new, and because of that we need to develop the discipline to say no the new. Thank-you Graham for injecting some sanity into the art and work of creating.
Hi Graham and everyone. It’s not only a good tip for home studio owners. A very known and great recording engineer, Andrzej Karp, I had the privilege to meet and have trwonione with for one day, uses Pro Tools HD ver. 7.x, because it’s stable. A great example for everyone who is addicted for gear porn. I overthaught my set-up, but now i pulltec the hand brake and will work on what I have.
When I find myself contemplating new gear/software I say to myself – imagine what George Martin could’ve done with a basic PC and Audacity. If whatever I want passed that test, then I usually buy it. Consequently, I have a few essential pieces that get a lot of mileage. It works for me and the way I like to record.
My current DAW is Adobe Audition 1.0 – I’ve been using it for years and I’d love to stay with it. But I’m new to editing drums and I can’t figure out how to get the crossfades to work. I could do them manually, and spend 30 hours per tune editing drums. Or I can use PT9 (recently bought a used copy) and do it the way Graham shows in the JumpStart to Editing video.
So is it deemed “OK to upgrade” if you can’t figure out how to get your current DAW to do something simple? Probably not. But how long do I beat my head against the monitor when nothing I’ve tried will work, or even help?
True, Graham, but how does that jive with your creativity switch ?? Jumping from ProTools to Reason just for the challenge… 😉
Hopefully it’s just for one EP 🙂 And I sell a few copies to pay myself back for the software.
Been using Sonar 8 Producer for quite a few years, I’m doing ok, but still haven’t really mastered it. There’s so much I don’t and probably won’t use. Will not upgrade in foreseeable future to a program, half of which I probably won’t use and would probably require a change of operating system – I’m still using and very satisfied with Win XP! How I miss the simplicity, immediacy and reliability of my old Cakewalk 9. And I still remember with extreme fondness my old Fostex 160 cassette portastudio……….ah, those were the days.
Yes at the end of the day it really is about what we do with the equipment ( I know we heard that over and over) It’s true. Right before my email was and upgrade to Reason 8…and I didn’t even get 7 yet! The upgrades really are starting to make me dizzy. You really have to find your own lane and system to churn out great music. I think it’s so many toys out there it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for the latest recording or production bell and whistle. The reality is it’s just a distraction from the real topic at hand of making great music. I’ll be honest I enjoy buying and even window shopping for gear but you know what’s more fun? Zoning out , vibing and making a great song. Thanks again Graham for reeling all of us home producers and engineers in from gear cloud nine. Back to reality.
I would make an entire website if i knew how to, just to make this point clear to everyone trapped in this “buy more gear” game.
I wonder how Mozart would have done with today’s gears…
Is it necessary to mention that the guy was a precursor (in his era) always looking for new gears and new ways to make music…
I don’t mean to put a “bemol” on your point, but nowadays, carpenters don’t build with hammers anymore, and as a piece of advice: don’t try to walk away with their nail guns (gear that have replaced the good old hammer), ’cause you’re gonna have a taste of what they do with their hammer… 😉
I agree 500% with you regarding the redesign of DAWsq that serves for the most part esthetical aspects with obvious marketting purpose. That demonstrate a total lack of consideration for the current customers/users who are using those as tools to produce (for the big part on a professional level). DAW new versions could (and should) very well include improvements, new features, and all kind of bells & wistles, without having to rename the features or displacing commands already present from the previous versions.
I use an accountant software that add and adjust features every year, and the interface have not changed since at least ten years. Every commands, and features that were there since the beginning (and that are still current) have’nt changed place, I just click there, or use the same old key command without even thinking and it never came to my mind that something wrong is going to happen. That is called efficiency! No surprise why financial businesses are the most profitable! They know where to put their effort! And business software coders know and respect that!
Read me right, I am not against changes. Far from that! But there are priorities to respect. Professional software such as DAWs are no place for a fashion parade at the expense of functionality!! Ever!
Designers want to feature a “winky dolphin jumping over a rainbow” all over to make it “à la mode”? Fine(sigh!)… As long as it does not impose renaming functions or displacing features!
I just hope that the gripes expressed here could be heard/read by those DAW software companies…
I sincerely thank you 500%! I feel 500% Taken Advantage Of by Avid! If any 1 from Avid sees this comment? I’d like every penny that I spent on Ur Latest! Greatest! NOTHING! Kindly RETURNED TO ME! You took advantage of me! & many, many, others! & believe me more will follow! I waisted 1,000 $ on Ur M Box Pro which sounds cheesy as hell! & another few thousand on techs! & up-grading plug-ins to work with Ur so called AAX RIP OFF SCAM! I’ve been fortunate to have written hits songs 4 many recording artists! Look me up! Avid, since my WORHLESS investment in Ur cheesy M Box garbage! I don’t even have a desire to boot up your shit! Shame on U:( If you want to make your obvious WRONG! RIGHT? Just peek over the stacks of COMPLAINTS! & Un-Happy Writers & Artists that trusted you & here’s my email [email protected]
Hi everyone, I’m Pablo Labriola, musician, producer, engineer and teacher down here in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I sent this Tape op article to Graham on July 22, mostly because it just hits the sweet spot of one the most important issues of today, but also to let him, and you guys, that because of the economical decline, and even more in my country, we are sticking a lot to the ”old” tools, the overly proven ones, the ”cheap” ones, and I can assure you, there’s some serious stuff going on over here, just check out bands like ”Surfonica” or ”What Are You talking About?” on FB or Bandcamp and you will hear some of the work of homestudio, in-the-box, nothing-expensive musicians. LEt me know what you think.
Thank you, best wishes for everyone!
Good Stuff. As a disc Jockey, I’d play it. Well done.
I totally agree Graham. Jumping around from tool to tool without even getting a basic understanding of the tools you’re using is pointless. A few years back there were only a few tools and software for our home music studio setups, but nowadays it seems like something new is popping up every week.
Personally I am using my Native Instruments Maschine and have been working for a few years to master it. I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.
hello everyone,
im working with fruity studio since 2012, and that just with my cheap laptop and my 70$ headphones…and thats just FINE. I stick around with these things and durring this 2 years I realized that you can make big things if you recognize what you ALREADY HAVE.
Not only in making music but also in your whole Life.
Thank you Graham for picking this Point out.
_variatia
Still need more proof that you don’t “need” that new plugin? For those of use that demand heavy testing, numbers, graphs, charts and copious explanations that add up to proof, read this article.: Digital EQ Fact & Myth
Without the relentless push to develop better and better software the modern DAW would not exist. The studio in a software box idea has put more and more power into more and more people’s hands. Lamenting the forces that have driven to make these tools affordable was the same argument made by folks using 2-inch tape and million dollar consoles.
If you like what you have, stick with it. Others will continue to work with newer tools and in new ways. There are no rules.
Thanks, Graham. You’ve been saying basically this same thing for a while and it really resonates with me and I appreciate both the message and the reiteration of the message. Indeed to hear it. I suspect most if not all of us do.