what does a DAW for $2500?

[Improv]

I seriously do know several musicians who haven't bothered to even try recording anything because they seriously think they can't do anything meaningful unless they use protools. I've tried to explain that it's possible to get quite good results with a couple hundred bucks worth of hardware and software. It's as though some people don't *want* to do it, and use the inflated costs of certain kinds of gear and software as an excuse...

I know there are people like that, but what a joke. What do they think the Beatles, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, etc recorded on? People have mp3 recorders built into their cell phones that have better sound than what they use! (You get the idea, I'm sure.) And yet their recordings are still played today. I doubt the same would be said about the obsessive-compulsive audio perfectionists mentioned above.

[james0tucson]

I know there are people like that, but what a joke.

I know... but an example, one of the most talented latin percussionists I've ever heard was talking about a CD he's making with his band, variously bragging and complaining about the studio situation. I tried to suggest that it might be possible to do some things outside the studio. It's like he couldn't hear me. To him, there is NO OTHER OPTION except for the PTHD rig at the studio where he's been working.

He does have a point. For all I know, it's in his contract that all recordings will be done in a specified format, etc. Or maybe he's experienced enough to understand that if he records a track that's not compatable with the other stuff the band is doing, it's a waste of time. Or maybe there are specific issues related to film or video sync; I know consumer DAWs tend to fall down flat in that department.

But what bothers me is when someone hasn't bothered to setup even the most rudimentary project studio at home, and the reason is that they think there are much higher price barriers than there are. It's not just my conga player friend, it's a widespread belief.

One thing I do know, is that if I could take my location rig into that nice room with those nice mics and pres, my recordings would not differ audibly from theirs. We are well beyond human proportions, so a lot of the arguments are moot.

[Improv]

I know there are people like that, but what a joke.

I know... but an example, one of the most talented latin percussionists I've ever heard was talking about a CD he's making with his band, variously bragging and complaining about the studio situation. I tried to suggest that it might be possible to do some things outside the studio. It's like he couldn't hear me. To him, there is NO OTHER OPTION except for the PTHD rig at the studio where he's been working.

He does have a point. For all I know, it's in his contract that all recordings will be done in a specified format, etc. Or maybe he's experienced enough to understand that if he records a track that's not compatable with the other stuff the band is doing, it's a waste of time. Or maybe there are specific issues related to film or video sync; I know consumer DAWs tend to fall down flat in that department.

But what bothers me is when someone hasn't bothered to setup even the most rudimentary project studio at home, and the reason is that they think there are much higher price barriers than there are. It's not just my conga player friend, it's a widespread belief.

One thing I do know, is that if I could take my location rig into that nice room with those nice mics and pres, my recordings would not differ audibly from theirs. We are well beyond human proportions, so a lot of the arguments are moot.

Yup, while there are reasons as you listed above, a lot of it boils down to irrational prejudices. They got it into their beady widdle minds that pro=ProTools or whatever and that they haven't truely arrived intil they record with that.

So it goes...