Around the campfire @ the Old School Music House #2

Digital/Analog Warriors


The sun setting behind the desert mountains at Richards Ranch is an awesome soul lifting experience. It visually tells you that there is more to our world than what we see before us. The soft crackle coming off the campfire completes this visceral effect. It has just become more than stunning. Evening is coming to the Old School Music House behind the swash plates gate. Beer for my counterparts and an Ice-Cold metal glass of sweet valley water for me makes up our beverage choices for the evening. What vibe session would be complete without 2 acoustic guitars gently resonating angelic tones into the evening air ...well there were moments when Paul played a discord and asked …” is this weird?”

The following are not exact quotes, this was a Zen-vibe session, not a court date.

Digital sucks Paul gently adds to the quiet. Donnie tells a story of when Mike, who is not only one of the best steel guitar players you’ll ever hear but a talented award-winning recording engineer as well, came out to the ranch to see the Old School Music House. All was going well and flowing in adoration of Donnie’s assembled vintage recording equipment.  All was well until Mike realized the storage medium Donnie has is digital. Seems Mike doesn’t like digital recording equipment for the capture of music. Mike yelled at the machine, Mike yelled at Donnie.  Mike didn't mean anything by it ...Mike just has a lot of passion for his craft. The air around the campfire quieted after the laughter from Donnie’s recall of Mikes visit subsisted …Paul gently adds …digital sucks.

Fearing no evil I responded to Paul’s comment with, “digital is awesome when you use it right”. By the look on Paul’s face you’d thought I just passed gas in a sacred environment. Donnie who has traveled many long roads with me for many decades looked as if he thought this would be a good moment to start selling tickets to the subsequent debate.

 
I continued …the biggest problem with digital recording today is DIY audio engineers not understanding the basic mechanical concept of musical capture. It is a mechanical process no matter who is butt hurt by that harsh toke off the reality bong of life. If they’d understand one simple thing such as levels they’d start making large headways in using digital recording equipment to its fullest potential.

Paul who is a well-seasoned audio engineer versed in the sound and operation of this planets highest grade professional audio systems strummed his guitar and said …digital cannot do that. As his guitar tone blended effortlessly into the wind and warm crackle of the campfire I thought …damn it he’s right, but that is not my point.



More to follow in: Zen-Vibe fest #3 from the Old School Music House.  ‘How do you know? ...Call Chips’

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