KVR Audio

tibenmik · Post by **tibenmik** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:47 pm

I just finished reading a really neat article on Trent Reznor's recording process for the new NIN album, 'With Teeth'. Despite the writer's tendency to repeatedly laud TR's brilliance, the article focusses on technique, the upside & downside to new technology, the sterility of cut-&-paste arrangements, and the attempt to retain an organic quality within programmed, sequenced music.

Even if you're a NIN-hater, I recommend giving this a read as you'll probably identify with a few of the computer music issues discussed here.

http://www.audiohead.net/interviews/nin/index.html

(ps - be sure to check out the sidebars throughout the article)

_mt

shamann · Post by **shamann** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:26 pm

Would be easier to read if the writer wasn't such a sycophant. I found it better by just control-F'ing for quotation marks.

zep777 · Post by **zep777** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:36 am

good article, although shamann is right the interviewer is an ass kisser. Interesting to get a glimpse into trent's workflow.

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:15 am

I think the most interesting part is getting a glimpse into what an egomaniacal little prick Reznor really is. No wonder he can't hold on to a single linup of band members for more than, what seems, like a year at a time.

crimsontider · Post by **crimsontider** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:28 am

Good article but nauseating, and at times hypocritical.

apflaum · Post by **apflaum** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:21 am

i wish i had a littl bitch slave "studio assistnat" to pull up everything for me as i bark out orders. it would be nice to avoid any and all of the work associated with music making, and therefore be horribly out of touch with anyone else.

Amberience · Post by **Amberience** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:29 am

When I read articles like that it reminds me jusy how f**king fickle journalists and media people in general, actually are.

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:31 am

I didn't catch the ego mania, ass-kissing or hypocrisy. A lot of what Reznor was saying about the state of the industry, the spread of decent instruments at low prices, etc, is stuff that I've been saying for years. In addition, coming from a guy who plays guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals I can tell you that it IS damn hard learning all of this stuff. It doesn't make her an ass-kisser to be impressed by dedication. Funny how different people get such opposing messages from the same thing.

It's also interesting seeing how similar my workflow is to theirs. Actually, I noticed from the photo that Trent has a Vetta 1, and I have a Vetta 2. I have nicer gear than Trent

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:37 am

apflaum wrote:i wish i had a littl bitch slave "studio assistnat" to pull up everything for me as i bark out orders. it would be nice to avoid any and all of the work associated with music making, and therefore be horribly out of touch with anyone else.

Well, make an album go platinum and we'll see.

I honestly don't understand how having someone plug his guitar in makes him "horribly out of touch with anyone else". Geez, some of you guys are so damn jealous that it's rediculous.

You do realize that setting things up is the assistant engineer's job, right? That's what they are paid to do. They place microphones, set up amps, plug cables in, etc. I just don't understand you guys...

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:22 am

thornemaelstrom wrote:I didn't catch the ego mania

Trent Reznor...

The most important thing to me is making great music and the rest of the world has to fit to that schedule. That is — to me — the most important thing.

Plus the whole "watch me as I single-handedly make music" routine. Granted, many of us produce music all by ourselves but he, IMO, seems to be flaunting it by suggesting that the interviewer watch him during the proccess. IMO, he just really comes off as a "show off" in this regard.

My bias may also be based on some other interviews that I've read and anecdotes that have been told to me by others. For the record I like his music very much, he just seems like a jerk.

Or maybe it's guilt by association because of of a fight I almost got into with that stupid arrogant prick Danny Lohner in a bar here in LA.

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:35 am

thornemaelstrom wrote:You do realize that setting things up is the assistant engineer's job, right? That's what they are paid to do. They place microphones, set up amps, plug cables in, etc. I just don't understand you guys...

I have several assistants that work for me, in my business, and I never order them to set my things up for me. I just personally feel, from a management standpoint, that it sets a bad precedence and could help lead to bad sentiments from my staff... and I'm just plain not that lazy either. There are certainly other chores that i direct them at but not in setting up my personal work area. Maybe the music industry is different.

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:46 am

thornemaelstrom wrote:I didn't catch the... ass-kissing

Try reading the article again... the interviewer definitely fawns all over him in a very sycophantic manner.

lsd · Post by **lsd** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:04 am

As always another thread heading off topic. The point of the original post:

Even if you're a NIN-hater, I recommend giving this a read as you'll probably identify with a few of the computer music issues discussed here.

Not to approve of dissaprove of what you think of Mr. Reznor and his ways, which b.t.w. have obviously worked better than most of ours. Look at his career than yours.

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:10 am

For a guy that has sold way more records than vurt has posts, and has legions of fans around the world, that article seemed quite modest.
Having an assistant is great, and I'm sure that engineer is quite happy. This is how pro's work. I would hope anybody bad mouthing this technique/attitude has had atleast some experience with these things. Maybe not at this particular level, but at least some understanding of the ego/talent required to kick ass.
Most of you would give an important organ to get there (me too...).
So...I'm not saying he's the best/worst or most modest/self centered, just that thats the way it is.
Its a decent read...

Sicklecell666 · Post by **Sicklecell666** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:14 am

Umm..it's more like a Legionaire and his Squire/Butt-Boy..

Nine Inch Nails: Recording 'With Teeth'