Comments on: The new traditionalist http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:33:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: The Flying Change: Live at Rockwood Music Hall September 1st http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/comment-page-1/#comment-81 The Flying Change: Live at Rockwood Music Hall September 1st Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:25:37 +0000 http://www.theflyingchange.com/?p=114#comment-81 [...] the process of making music and recording.  I doubt he’d agree with what I had to say about digital recording and the new traditionalism.  He’s dropping knowledge about sine waves and frequencies and how the quality of music has [...] [...] the process of making music and recording.  I doubt he’d agree with what I had to say about digital recording and the new traditionalism.  He’s dropping knowledge about sine waves and frequencies and how the quality of music has [...]

]]> By: E http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/comment-page-1/#comment-52 E Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:09:45 +0000 http://www.theflyingchange.com/?p=114#comment-52 Reminds me of the old adage "when I was your age, I walked 5 miles in the snow to school; you don't know how easy you have it" (to which I want to reply "Gee, that's really too bad for you...glad I don't have to do that") - or, even better, the suggestion by our parents that we should eat every last morsel on our plates because people in "Ethiopia are starving" (to which I usually replied "Let's mail them my leftovers, then!") If technology improves and allows for simpler, quicker and cheaper results, why shouldn't we use it? If there's no reduction in quality, there is no reason that is not purely emotional. Get over it, haters! If you want to keep making music the old way, go right ahead! Just don't fault those who make the choice to change with the times. Reminds me of the old adage “when I was your age, I walked 5 miles in the snow to school; you don’t know how easy you have it” (to which I want to reply “Gee, that’s really too bad for you…glad I don’t have to do that”) – or, even better, the suggestion by our parents that we should eat every last morsel on our plates because people in “Ethiopia are starving” (to which I usually replied “Let’s mail them my leftovers, then!”)

If technology improves and allows for simpler, quicker and cheaper results, why shouldn’t we use it? If there’s no reduction in quality, there is no reason that is not purely emotional. Get over it, haters! If you want to keep making music the old way, go right ahead! Just don’t fault those who make the choice to change with the times.

]]> By: sam http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/comment-page-1/#comment-21 sam Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:52:36 +0000 http://www.theflyingchange.com/?p=114#comment-21 the only thing that matters is the song. the rest is fetishization. that's okay but it's a personal thing like collecting stamps, it's what you dig. but in terms of the art that's created - i'm really more concerned with the output. the only thing that matters is the song. the rest is fetishization. that’s okay but it’s a personal thing like collecting stamps, it’s what you dig. but in terms of the art that’s created – i’m really more concerned with the output.

]]> By: Derek http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Derek Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:57:00 +0000 http://www.theflyingchange.com/?p=114#comment-19 I agree that one should not hate on new technology, but at the same time if the only music you are making is using pre-packaged loops and samples that come with the software, you aren't really creating anything either. Yes it is a lot easier to make electronic based music these days, then when you actually had to program drum machines and cut/paste 2 in tape to make loops, and thanks for that. But I do believe that there is something to be said for actually searching for samples, drum hits, and loops yourself rather than using whatever came with Garageband. That way you get to appreciate music in a deeper way and actually create a better song since you have devoted much more energy and thought into what each sound can be. At the end of the day, the producer who creates with his own will probably sound better than the person who only uses pre-packaged beats and loops. I agree that one should not hate on new technology, but at the same time if the only music you are making is using pre-packaged loops and samples that come with the software, you aren’t really creating anything either. Yes it is a lot easier to make electronic based music these days, then when you actually had to program drum machines and cut/paste 2 in tape to make loops, and thanks for that. But I do believe that there is something to be said for actually searching for samples, drum hits, and loops yourself rather than using whatever came with Garageband. That way you get to appreciate music in a deeper way and actually create a better song since you have devoted much more energy and thought into what each sound can be. At the end of the day, the producer who creates with his own will probably sound better than the person who only uses pre-packaged beats and loops.

]]> By: Russ http://www.theflyingchange.com/2008/08/26/the-new-traditionalist/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Russ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:12:52 +0000 http://www.theflyingchange.com/?p=114#comment-17 You said it, man - I wonder if you had the same experience as me...there was a time when I spouted a lot of that analog purist mumbo-jumbo, and if I'm honest it was because I was afraid. It was the classic resistance to change situation - digital was the unknown...it felt really out of my league, and I was around a lot of other people who felt the same way - so it perpetuated itself. I used to make fun of Depeche Mode when I was in high school and say things like "why would anyone go see them live? There should just be a bunch of computers up on the stage and a vocalist, because that's all they are." Only when I started playing with digital technology myself did I realize so much of what you're saying above - that it is inspiration and creativity that propels that machinery forward, and without it...well...garbage in, garbage out. Now, I love Depeche Mode. My transformation has been so complete that I don't even own CDs anymore (sold my 3000+ disc collection and am now purely subscription based), my entire recording suite is digital, and you're right - especially now that I've gone Mac, the creativity can be at the forefront, and the tools are there when I need them. I can do things that were impossible in analog, and things that took me an hour now take me 5 minutes. Is it cool that the old Motown sides were cut live with all of the musicians in the same room? Absolutely. But life moves around us quickly, and especially for those of us who don't have the luxury to be full-time musicians...time and money are limiting factors. In another era, I very likely would have given up any dreams of recording my music at this stage in the game - but instead, I can create world-class recordings even on my budget. Analog was an odd combination of beauty and tyranny...digital is, once you cross the inital entry hurdles, much more for the masses. You said it, man – I wonder if you had the same experience as me…there was a time when I spouted a lot of that analog purist mumbo-jumbo, and if I’m honest it was because I was afraid. It was the classic resistance to change situation – digital was the unknown…it felt really out of my league, and I was around a lot of other people who felt the same way – so it perpetuated itself.

I used to make fun of Depeche Mode when I was in high school and say things like “why would anyone go see them live? There should just be a bunch of computers up on the stage and a vocalist, because that’s all they are.”

Only when I started playing with digital technology myself did I realize so much of what you’re saying above – that it is inspiration and creativity that propels that machinery forward, and without it…well…garbage in, garbage out. Now, I love Depeche Mode.

My transformation has been so complete that I don’t even own CDs anymore (sold my 3000+ disc collection and am now purely subscription based), my entire recording suite is digital, and you’re right – especially now that I’ve gone Mac, the creativity can be at the forefront, and the tools are there when I need them. I can do things that were impossible in analog, and things that took me an hour now take me 5 minutes.

Is it cool that the old Motown sides were cut live with all of the musicians in the same room? Absolutely. But life moves around us quickly, and especially for those of us who don’t have the luxury to be full-time musicians…time and money are limiting factors. In another era, I very likely would have given up any dreams of recording my music at this stage in the game – but instead, I can create world-class recordings even on my budget. Analog was an odd combination of beauty and tyranny…digital is, once you cross the inital entry hurdles, much more for the masses.

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