Educashion…..because the kidz iz our future…innit?
The Compressor
The other night I was making love to her-in….I stopped…’What’s wrong?’ she asked….’Sorry, love…it’s just I’ve run out of people to think of!’ Read on….
The Compressor is not one to get involved in politics. I’ve never voted….because I’m lazy. However, I feel compelled to say something. I watched Alistair Campbell yesterday at the Iraq Inquiry…what the hell was going on there? He made the Compressor look like Mother Theresa. I actually want to tie him to a pole and charge him…sticking my horn where it hurts. If you lie too many times…you actually forget the truth!
Being straight links nicely into this week’s ditty. My New Year’s resolution is to be objective! I have been subjective for too long…almost emotional. Time for action.
Other than my brilliant idea (Cocktail Studios….shaken not stirred) I have spent the festive period deep in thought as to what to do to pay the rent. I grew up in a farming community…and as margins got squeezed (forced down by the superstores)…they were forced to diversify…farm stores, organic produce etc. There was immense pain…but they adapted to survive. To survive….pay the rent, eat and bag a holiday in Mexico or two a year, I need a day rate of £1,000….there’s more chance of me finding a Les Paul 59 in my loft than that happening…..especially as I don’t even have a loft.
Greg Kane kindly commented on an earlier Compressor piece ‘What does the future hold for studios? Part 1’ and recommended that diversifying into education was a path that studios should exploit. Well, I think Greg may have a point. In fact, moreover, I think we have a perfect storm:
- Declining revenues from record sales resulting in downward pressure on studio budgets and therefore day rates = studios closing
- Less jobs in studios as a result of above
- A level, B Tech, HND, Degrees in music tech/sound engineering…resulting in increased workforce interested in the industry = overcapacity
- Improved technology allowing high quality home recording and mixing
How to monetize? Well, you have overcapacity in the potential workforce….but enormous interest in the subject matter. However, look around….where can you really learn how to address phase issues….how to re-amp…how to emulate tape….how to create stems….how to mic a drum kit…how to work the EQ in a mix? Well, I’ve read all the mags out there…they’re good…but I don’t think they go as far as the audience needs. That’s the problem with reading! I’ve spent hours reading a manual on a voice emulator….what I really want is someone to show me! I’ve spent hours trying different ways to mix….start with the kick…or the vocal? How do I avoid the mush? I want someone to show me! Do you know I passed my English finals just by watching Romeo and Juliet the movie 6 times!
The result of overcapacity will inevitably be that you can’t get a job as an engineer….so you’ll have to get a proper one! Be a plumber! But the passion for recording never dies…I should know I’ve been doing it since 1980 and I love it as much today as I did then. In fact, if you have a proper job, you’ll be able to buy better gear! The collision of science and creativity will always appeal. Why do we love Top Gear? Coz it’s a visual magazine….we don’t have to think…we can just watch and learn. It’s a bit like porn…it’s so much easier than having to think!
There’s a market for on line tutorials….and the Compressor is keen to exploit it. Take a producer, a studio, 2 HD cameras, a distribution channel, some keen students and a Top Gear type of audience (except in TG they always have fit birds standing at the front…and I’ve yet to meet a female engineer let alone a fit one!) and you have a product…price it to go and hopefully you have a product that people will buy…will be useful…and will make a difference.
Unlike Mr Campbell…there won’t be any spin….or lies….just awesome hands on tutorials! The Compressor will be contacting you during 2010….who knows…I may have done so already…..
TTFN
2 Responses to “The Compressor : Educashion…..because the kidz iz our future…innit?”
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Good one again Compressor…your point, demonstrated by some poor jokes, is that it is easier to watch than to read, and given today’s society…that presents an opportunity? I’ll watch with interest and wait to hear from you!
I agree with all your points on why the industry as we know it is in the trash. I went to recording engineering school at SAE in Nashville , i’m 20 grand in debt and work at UPS in New Jersey. Wht is wrong with this picture? everything. Even though i learned a lot at school, real world experience is the most valuable because you get to actually encounter different scenarios and learn hands on. Its better than sitting in front of your computer with some tracks you recorded 6 months ago wondering, “why the hell does this mix still sound like crap?”(Could be because you recorded it badly. but how would you know?! you didn’t, because your opportunities at trying are few and far between. plus equipment.) To be quite honest I have no idea on how to infiltrate the industry. The money seems to be in live sound, touring, and merchandising. Not that those are bad things but, do what you love right?