News from NAMM: Avid SC48

I was really excited about this one.  It is a great day to own an Avid SC48!

Shure Axient Wireless System

Check out this most excellent overview of the new Axient system from Shure and some other goodies along the way. If you’ve been wondering what makes Axient so special, case closed. I have mixed with it, spent time learning about the product, and soon will be certified in designing and installing it. Believe me, there is no other wireless system like this on the planet!

Interesting…

I’m always excited to see more advancement of technology in live sound.  Check out this video for more info on Waves new system that brings plug-ins to any digital desk.  Certainly will be interesting to see how this plays out knowing the new offerings from some major console players that should be coming to market this year!

Total Production: U2

I ran across this feature article in downloadable form that is by far the most in depth information chronicling the U2 360 Tour.  New details about the concept and creation, as well as each of the major systems of the tour.  If you’re interested in mind-blowing production, this article is worth the read!

Download it here. (10 mb .pdf)

Designing U2 360

If you’re a fan of excellent production, check out this series of blogs from Live Design Online.com with the production designers of this summer’s hottest tour, U2 360. There are articles and videos covering audio, lighting, and video systems, set design, crew, etc. Good stuff!

My friend Dave Skaff is back on the road with the band for this tour, mixing monitors on a Profile of course!

Michael Braeur: maintaining a balanced ego?

Here’s one more snipet from Michael Braeur who I first wrote about a few days ago.  Anyone who has mixed FOH in a large church for any length of time knows how lonely it can become because few other positions in the church are so exposed to praise and criticism.  Interesting insite from Michael on this…I sense that there’s a lot of common ground in the need for thick skin and resting in the call of your work.

Your Coldplay mixes are very inspiring…so radio, yet so vintage-y at the same time. Have you ever had mixes that were rejected and remixed by someone else? How do you deal with that kind of thing? Any advice on maintaining a balanced ego?

Thank you, I’m proud of that record. Yes, rejection happens to us all. It’s part of life. It does not happen often, because if it did, I wouldn’t be working very much. I’m the guy that’s hired to do the remixing so if my mixes don’t fly, well…you know the ending.

I know in my heart that when a mix is completed and turned in to the record company, I did the very best job possible. No excuses are acceptable. I didn’t get lazy at any point in the process, I didn’t cut corners, I didn’t leave certain tasks or ideas unfinished. I took it all the way home. If they reject the mix and feel like someone else has a better take on the song, well, that’s their right because it’s their record. I’m going to sleep ok because I know I did my best. In fact, maybe I’ll learn something from it. Maybe my take on it was wrong. Maybe I made it a bit too slick and the original mix just had a raw power that, with all its faults, still felt better than mine. So next time, maybe I’ll pay closer attention to other elements of a song. I don’t like making the same mistake twice.

It doesn’t really matter if I listen to my mix against the one that was chosen and think wow, mine was way better. In fact, I wouldn’t waste my time. There are a lot of other reasons why a mix is rejected that has nothing to do with you. There is the real world of politics or name recognition that can help sell a product to a radio station.

Yah it hurts for a minute, that my mix isn’t always the best thing since sliced bread but I get over it. I have to, because I’m usually in the middle of mixing another one and I don’t want it to put a damper on the task at hand.  BTW, that mindset did not come naturally. I’ve been doing it for a long enough time that I’ve come to peace with it. Rejection happens; do what you can to learn from it. Turn it around.