Way Back When........

This being a professional musician takes its twists and turns. At first, which, for me, was 1980, it was understood, back in the days before digital compact equipment, that for a quality recording we would practice our songs then go into a proper studio. 

We'd lay down up to 24 tracks on 2" reels and have an well trained engineer mixdown to stereo before sending our music to a mastering house before being stamped ontointo 12" L.P. records.

It was a very exciting time. Our chests would puff with pride as the needle fell onto the outer edge of the white label test pressing.

The last time we heard the recordings it was through very powerful and tasty equipment. Even decent domestic equipment could not match up. However, after a few listens, we'd calm down and realise that those sound engineers really did know what they were doing.

It's a great feeling when the anxieties settle and you sit back honestly believing that you have managed to be up there with your favourites. (Please hear my track "Up There With 'Em")

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Everything Changed

Analogue equipment got smaller. So, for a longish time we all used decent gear that was maybe OK but we had to work harder to get an acceptable result. 

That said, we did OK and most certainly left behind those who thought it was absolutely fine to throw out cheap and nasty cassettes. Selling sub-standard hissy recordings to adoring fans, at a massive profit, which lost many bona fide folk musicians the public trust.

Also, those who could afford to have this decent equipment were not necessarily great producers. We were kinda at their mercy. This situation worsened with the introduction of digital equipment. Yes there were still experts but often one would find themselves, again, at the mercy of "engineers" who were maybe not giving you exactly what you wanted. Could it be we could do better ourselves?

Well. With a bit of investment, we were able to give it a go.

In my case, I started with a Fostex 8 track recorder and Mackie Mixer. 

Without training I most certainly was not up there with the hardened pros. Not understanding Aux Sends, not really knowing about compression and where to maybe find our favourite effects that make all the difference.

After a few goes one starts to make sense.