Pls current and future posters - read my msgs.
I did not say that the TECHNOLOGY did not deliver. I said PEOPLE didn't.
Technology in the 80's and (any time) IN THE RIGHT HANDS, SUPPORTED BY EXTRA GOOD HANDS did help generate good music.
The fact IS that it DID HAPPEN in the 80's, it DIDN'T 2day. That's cuz in the 80's this technology was INTEGRATED in2 the production chain, rather then throw it out altogether.
For example, in the 80's there was another sales "promise" - some ppl believed technology may replace live musicians altogether by sampling and re-synthesis. When they realized it couldn't, they gave up on that dream, integrated this technology WITH live musicians INSTEAD, and carried on. That was a success, hence the music boom of the 80's.
"Machine only" music has evolved in2 a separate niche, and STILL was produced recorded and mixed by experts in pro studio - not summed up in a home studio with a vocal track on top. - Mind U, the technology 4 that WAS available back then, quality home taping as well.
It was STILL A&R'd, PR'd, marketed and developed by specialized PROs in labels.
Labels DID contribute 2 music, unlike the popular view portraying them as bankers and weasels only.
FINANCING was not the ONLY reson d'etre 4 labels, much like as TECHNOLOGY was not the ONLY ingredient in the studio.
Ppl in the 80's did not try 2 do everything themselves. They worked as TEAMS, of SPECIALISTS.
Ppl in the 80's DID read their _f_u_c_k_i_n_g_ manuals, even the FCC warnings on the cover. Keyboard players (which where the natural clients cuz of MIDI) where EXPERTS down to the smallest detail. They HAD 2, cuz 4 getting a gig U had 2 have or own SPECIAL sounds, not the stock factory presets. Even amateurs, by the time they could control their module, became experts.
Even so, and as technically skilled as they were, they DID NOT try and replace the studio, producer, and engineer.
Brian Eno, who declares that he does not program modern synths 2day anymore and LETS OTHERS DO IT 2 conserve his creative energy, still declares he's 1 of the best DX7 programmers in the world, and it's true IMO.
The difference NOW is that ppl DID chew in2 the sales promise.
They DO believe that if it sounds s.h.i.t. the answer is a new piece of gear, a button 4 every problem.
They DO believe that the shear OWNING of the gear / software will give them the edge over a million suckers who think the same.
They DO believe they can take the producer, musicians and engineer out of the chain.
They DO believe they can take the A&R, PR, marketing and retailing ppl out of the loop.
We had enough time 2 test that assumption, offered 2 us by the sales weasels. They have assured us our natural talent is hidden within, and with the evil tech, production and labels ppl out of the way - all it takes is a button 2 set us free - EFFORTLESSLY.
They assured us marketing / promoting our art is not necessary, just put it on mp3.com, and recognition and money will flow.
Fact is that IT DIDN'T WORK.
Whatever good music we get 2day comes out of the pro-team system, not the home-solo 1.
Smart ppl will realize that a 1 man band may b useful @ times, but does not answer 2 music as a main instrument.
Not-so-smart ppl will add yet another cymbal over the heap, believing THAT may be the missing ingredient.
And b4 the next msg analyzes technology in the 70's, pls read this msg, preferably twice.
Peace,
Zooot