2010 is soon coming to an end and in review of the past year with all its setbacks and obstacles, it still seems possible that an economic turnaround might be at hand.

Yes, even though everybody now has the bare essentials necessary to record and produce music, the limitations of these pre packaged bundles of software and sounds will soon be revealed. The ability to produce outstanding 'unique' material will rely on the experience, knowledge, dedication and most of all, the honest interpretation of the production team.

so while the next gen 'producers' tout possesion of the latest software and gear, it is evident that:

• they can't/won't fully exploit its capablities (resulting in a 'same soundness' phenomenon) RTFM
• they don't realize that what you put in is what you get out (garbage in, garbage out)
• that you get what you pay for ($200 gear can't compete with $50,000 gear)
• and recording is about 'capturing' what you hear (think as in photography)

People take mixing 'in the box' for granted and don't fully understand the immense processing power it takes to 'emulate' a real world situation. Unless you actually know what something sounds like you have to take for granted that what you're hearing (pre-packaged) is honest.

While we here at Cedarhilldigital still run a v6.4 TDM Mix+ (x4) system we can still boast of superior processing power over the latest LE editions and offer the comparable quality of the HD systems. The most important link in the digital chain is the ADDA converter. We utilize the Apogee AD8000 converter at cedarhilldigital which far exceeds the standards accepted at the time by Digidesign themselves. it literally blew their converters away, thus they developed the HD system. Nevertheless the majority of work ends up as low quality .mp3 files. Go figure..

Not only is a powerful system needed in todays market place but a pristine, acoustically accurate and comfortable atmosphere in which to work and create. I hear boasts of the ability to produce 'hit' songs in bedrooms.... yet do they realize what they could create in a proper studio?

All of these factors show promise. We've covered all the bases. So we approach 2011 with much optimism and look forward to many hours of creative bliss with both clients old and new.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season and we'll see you when we can.

David