So, after re-reading last night's post, I still stand behind everything I said. I do, however, want to point out that this blog is not always going to be about dwelling on the negatives. I am a believer in this industry, and if I hated it, I would be gone by now.
I don't want to come across as being rude or condescending. It's just a topic that I'm very passionate about, and passion sometimes leads to anger. I WANT YOU TO SUCCEED. That's the real core of this blog.
Tonight's topic: Technology and you!
This is a subject that I grapple with constantly. Being an audio engineer, I rely on technology to do my job. I lust over every single piece of new technology that hits the market, and I pay close attention to how other producers and engineers are utilizing technology, so that I can try to keep up.
Here's the dilemma; where do we draw the line? ... when do listeners stop becoming a fan of the band, and start becoming a fan of the technology that helped deliver that band's sound to their ears? The lines are being blurred to the point where I doubt the average listener can even tell if the drums on any given record are played by a drummer, or programmed (you'd really be surprised). Are the vocal harmonies actually someone singing, or have they been created using Melodyne? ... as engineers, we're getting really clever at pulling the wool over the listener's eyes (ears)... and if I really boil it down, it's for one reason in particular: the music just isn't special anymore... so we have to use technology to create something sonically exciting/perfect to attract listeners and keep their attention.
This, ofcourse, does not apply to all genres, and not even all bands in any specific genre. Some bands, some engineers, and some producers still manage to keep it relatively "real" ... but the vast majority are churning out shit that has been quantized, triggered, auto-tuned and squashed to the point of basically being one big digital clusterfuck. Yes, even I have fallen victim to that mentality a time or two. I gotta eat.
Now more than ever, technology gets you on both ends too... due to this sudden explosion of online media outlets, bands are being tempted and forced into a mentality that says "in order to be cool, or stay cool, you need to get music out NOW." ... 10-20 years ago, a band would release one record every year or two... sometimes several years would go by between formal releases. This gave them time to create something meaningful... something with "staying power" ... And it was so good that their loyal fans would be happy with that one record, and anxiously await their next release. These days, if your band goes more than a year without releasing something new, you are forgotten.
But is that the listener's fault? or your fault for not putting enough time into your songs? ... honestly, it's both.
Technology has made it so that bands feel the need to get music out ASAP.... which makes it so that they don't put much thought or energy into writing good songs, but they can use technology to make up for those shortcomings... and then they use technology to promote the garbage they just created. It's a vicious cycle.
Are we all fucked? nope. not yet, anyhow.
LUCKILY, there are still bands/artists/musicians in the world that use this technology for something good... something creative... and they use it to enhance what they're doing, rather than compensate for what they aren't doing. ... I just wish the world would praise these people more, and stop falling for the same tricks over and over.
Please keep this all in mind the next time you go to write a song. If you think that you'll need the aid of technology to make it listenable, maybe try some different approaches. Don't rely on glitchy breakdowns and subdrops to make your song interesting... just try writing good music. Spend time on your songs. This is your craft, and you want to be good at it, right??? ... And above all, don't be so concerned about getting music out to the world so fast. The people aren't going anywhere, and if you do spend some extra time making a special piece of music, I guarantee the response will be better than if you would have crapped something out, just to make your Facebook page "legit."
Technology is amazing... but it's a double-edged sword that is being used primarily for evil right now... All it takes is a few of the right people to say "this is bullshit" ... and we might have a chance of swaying it in the right direction.
-Furry
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