Maybe You Don't Need The Right Tools

Working in various studios over the last few years, I've realized that you work with what you're given, and regardless of the quality of equipment, it's the person using the equipment that matters.

High fidelity still lives.  It just depends on who's setting the standard and who's spinnin' the knobs.

- Gary Lux

Gary is a friend of mine, and an engineer that I greatly admire and respect his work.  For more info on him, check out GaryLuxMusic.com.

I bring up the quote, because it emphasizes the significance of the person using the gear.  With the availability of affordable recording equipment, it's no wonder everyone has a home studio.  The problem arises when the person using the gear doesn't have the foundation of how audio equipment works, and basic signal flow knowledge. Give a talented engineer a 57, a cheap preamp, and he/she will create something great.

Take for example this group, The 88 recorded a single, "Love Is The Thing", using only an iPhone mic and an app called FourTrack! They even have a making-of video here: http://the88.net/love.htm

With all that said, a couple months ago, I had a rather nice vintage Telefunken ELA M 250 in the studio (valued at approx. $30,000), and I couldn't resist having an impromtu session with a few friends of mine that were in town playing at Whisky A Go Go (Song Preservation Society). I set the mic in omni, hit record, and didn't touch anything else. Three guys stood around the mic, one of them with an acoustic guitar, and what came out was far better than I expected.  I can say I've never wanted a microphone more in my life!

The point is, while great mics do sound great, the best engineers can do great things with very little. I always like to remind myself that The Beatles made amazing albums on four track tape, and some of my favorite drum sounds were achieved with one to three mics.