How high are metal cd budgets these days?...

[HCL]

All valid points, but there's definitely a way to be demanding without being "mean". If I find that a band I'm working with might not be on top of their performances, I'll give them a little disclaimer. Like hey, guys. When we're tracking the songs I'm going to be pretty demanding about you nailing everything. If I stop and tell you something is bad and re-record it, I'm not trying to be a dick in any way, I'm trying to help you make the best record possible. so try to help me scrutinize everything, and try no to get frustrated if we get a little stuck. It happens to everyone. Most of them understand and welcome the extra scrutiny.

I look at it more as being a band "coach" than anything else. I can help them prepare, and push them to do their best, but ultimately they're the ones who have to play the game.

PS I'm doing a record for a band made up of two kids, a 12 year old and a 14 year old. They kinda suck. And had no drummer, so I programmed them. They have a lot of trouble playing really clean and with consistency, so in the end there's just no way they'll be perfect. That's ok. They're nice kids and I get out of them what I can, and I also try to impart as much as I can on them about all the little things. Being a clean player, playing with consistent level, getting things intonated, etc. So hopefully the next time they record, they'll be that much better.

They somehow got a budget of $1500 too. I guess a bunch of people donated to them or something...

+1 I've only had a problem with really bad musicians who have all the basics wrong - terrible vibrato, bending notes out of tune etc. Those performances can't be fixed by anything other than practice. Most players are super easy to get on with and track with in my experience.

 

[The-Zeronaut]

Can we go back to the original topic? DD

 

[amarshism]

I think people do get caught up in gear. I would be genuinely interested in hearing what someone who ONLY works with superior and pod farm could do with some higher end stuff (after learning how to even use it as I'm sure a lot of these guys would scratch their heads when confronted with a patch bay).

They do. That's why I splashed out with a loan and got the best gear I could afford and that I knew others had practical exerience with making world class records. I don't have to dedicate as much time to research and gassing and can get on with it. If I fail I know it's myself and not the tools.

 

[Ermz]

One of the worst things you can do is get caught in the bottomless pit that is Gearslutz. I think time spent there has a direct, inverse correlation with the quality of work you produce. Had to pry myself away and just start thinking about music again.

 

[aramism]

One of the worst things you can do is get caught in the bottomless pit that is Gearslutz. I think time spent there has a direct, inverse correlation with the quality of work you produce. Had to pry myself away and just start thinking about music again.

it's a great resource for like quick things or if you have a technical question that people can help you with such as "i have x gear need y done who do you suggest to do it in z area?" along those lines.

not so much for "what is better pre amp X or Y?" because people just argue.

for specific things it is a great resource personally, just not for things that require "opinion"

 

[egan.]

I think the issue with GS is you have to know going in that its 50% salesmen, 20% hobbyists repeating what they've read, 20% guys with more money than sense and 10% engineers with good advice. The problem is you have be on there for a long time to figure out who's who and know to never trust the dealers advice even if they have good reputations.
The flipside is you're way more likely to end up in a conversation with guys who have used a lot of stuff than you are here (where it's easier to get sound non-judgmental advice).