Do people find that having the physical presence of a console or controller actually changes the sound, feel, or style of a mix, or do they simply represent different styles of working?
For me the physical console or controller I work on becomes another instrument and an extension of myself. I can physically and psychologically connect with it. Those connections show up in the music mix. I've done it with software and a desk top and it just isn't the same. Call me old school, but, there's nothing like the physical touch of wires, buttons and sliders. I agree that they are simply different styles of working, but, they also produce a different sound. Not a better sound, just different; but a difference that I just can't get used too.
Hmmm, I like the instrument analogy of Moondog. In a way, I think that the console is another "time based effect"; because when I've got both hands on the faders I'm making small adjustments or combinations of adjustments in real time that I'm not sure I'd try or discover if I was clicking from track to track, or plugin to plugin. I think I am more "musical" on the console, and more the engineer inside the box.
I like the engineer part though. I like the ability to visualize an EQ curve say, and literally drag it where I think it out to be with the mouse. I think I've learned faster because of the box.
Our studio located in the remote central UP has a Yamaha DM2000 V2 as its main console which has made a great improvement in workflow. We were working completely in the box using Nuendo 3 for the last two years and had been able to get quality recordings but at the cost of many hours of editing. By adding a console and building a new computer capable of 64 bit processing and large amounts of ram we have transformed the space into a warm and comfortable room.
But does it actually change the sound, feel, or style of our mixes? I do not think it does, and because I still do a lot of work at home completely in the box I will never loose the feel for it. Any mix is as personal a thing as how an artist performs. My goal is the same no matter what hat I wear, either as engineer, musician or producer, make great sounding recordings.
In my opinion the one thing a properly working console or controller can do is give back a little time and improve workflow.
For me the physical console or controller I work on becomes another instrument and an extension of myself. I can physically and psychologically connect with it. Those connections show up in the music mix. I've done it with software and a desk top and it just isn't the same. Call me old school, but, there's nothing like the physical touch of wires, buttons and sliders. I agree that they are simply different styles of working, but, they also produce a different sound. Not a better sound, just different; but a difference that I just can't get used too.
Moon Dog
moondogselpaso.com
Hmmm, I like the instrument analogy of Moondog. In a way, I think that the console is another "time based effect"; because when I've got both hands on the faders I'm making small adjustments or combinations of adjustments in real time that I'm not sure I'd try or discover if I was clicking from track to track, or plugin to plugin. I think I am more "musical" on the console, and more the engineer inside the box.
I like the engineer part though. I like the ability to visualize an EQ curve say, and literally drag it where I think it out to be with the mouse. I think I've learned faster because of the box.
Our studio located in the remote central UP has a Yamaha DM2000 V2 as its main console which has made a great improvement in workflow. We were working completely in the box using Nuendo 3 for the last two years and had been able to get quality recordings but at the cost of many hours of editing. By adding a console and building a new computer capable of 64 bit processing and large amounts of ram we have transformed the space into a warm and comfortable room.
But does it actually change the sound, feel, or style of our mixes? I do not think it does, and because I still do a lot of work at home completely in the box I will never loose the feel for it. Any mix is as personal a thing as how an artist performs. My goal is the same no matter what hat I wear, either as engineer, musician or producer, make great sounding recordings.
In my opinion the one thing a properly working console or controller can do is give back a little time and improve workflow.