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