Does Computer Recording Fight Creativity

[articles]

In the debate between standalone audio recording devices and computer recording devices, I've heard many times that computers aren't meant for creativity. I just finished reading an interview with Pete Townshend in EQ magazines. Pete goes on to say that computers force you into using the technical side of your brain when you should be using the creative side. I can't say that I agree with this logic exactly. In fact, the reasons I disagree may be the same reason that I personally don't have much use for standalone recorders. Computers SCREAM Creativity If you ask me, computers allow me to be extremely creative in all sorts of areas (whether it be audio recording, graphic design, or even the writing of this blog). While computers are very complicated little devices to the laymen (even us tech nerds usually don't understand how they really work), a properly setup computer can be almost completely transparent to the process of creating. When a person doesn't have to think to “do”, they become extremely creative. Before a person stop thinking, they have to be quite familiar with several parts of the computer process as well as the recording process. Obviously, a person have to be comfortable enough with typing on a keyboard that they no longer have to put much conscious effort into typing. For example, I didn't think “T – Y – P – I – N – G”... I thought “typing”. Before I knew it, “typing” showed up on the screen. The same can be said with a mouse. Those of us have used a mouse more than we have used the shower don't have to think about double clicking or bouncing around the screen. It just sort of happens. Of course, in recording there is another hurdle....the recording software. Many people run for their lives and dive out of tall buildings at the thought of standing up to the almighty learning curve demon known as Pro Tools or Cubase. Of course, when they finally stand up and fight, they usually find that it's a stupid old man in some kind of weird phone booth contraption that even a cowardly lion could stand up to. When I'm making my ruckus in Cubase, I very seldom think “Cubase”. I think “sadder”, “happier”, “meaner”, or “stupider”. In other words, I think in adjectives that describe the direction I want to take the music. I'm not thinking about shortcuts or RAM. I'm thinking about how the song makes me feel. How Am I Creative With A Computer? So how have I “MAGICALLY” figured out how to use the creative side of my brain even with dealing with the “cold”, “sterile” digital contraption known as a computer. Easy. I used it enough that I got comfortable with it. I actually took the time to learn how to use it. I read the manual (one of the first times in my life...I must say I AM proud of myself). I took it as my responsibility as a recording guy to be as knowledgeable of the subject as possible. (That's a work in progress!). Why Is Pete Townshend Not As Excited About Computers? Well that's an easy one. He's old! He didn't have Nintendo controller in his hands when he was 9 years old. He wasn't using a mouse in grade school. Maybe he doesn't have the embedded “instinct” of naturally using a computer and therefore may not feel comfortable enough in front of one to make audio recordings. Fair enough. However, for those of us who feel more comfortable around computers than we do at the big girls lingerie section....wait....bad example. Well, you get the idea. If you feel comfortable in front of a computer, don't hesitate to use it for recording just because a few old timers aren't so big on them. If you aren't huge on using a computer, you can always go the standalone route. Of course, standalone boxes have quite the learning curve themselves. That may very well explain why I never felt creative in front of one. Good luck! One Last Thing I personally think that the recording process (I'm referring to the stuff that happens before the computer) gets in the way of the recording WAY more than the stuff that happens within the computer. At least this is my point of view. It's easy to setup a software program that works the same way every time. It's hard to get a singer who gets inspired the same way everytime. Brandon

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[DT Chris]

Once you learn how to use the technology, it does become transparent to the process and creativity flows uninterrupted.

[Charlie_M]

Originally Posted by articles

I just finished reading an interview with Pete Townshend in EQ magazine. Pete goes on to say that computers force you into using the technical side of your brain when you should be using the creative side.

Actually science has shown that the brain of a musician is different enough from those of non-musicians that you can spot a musician using and MRI. Also in an autopsy of the brain you can tell if the person was a musician. The specific physical difference that makes it obvious is the very large size of the corpus collosum, that part of the brain that serves as a bridge between the right and left sides.

My own view is that this is very natural and occurs simply because it is used more in musicians. You are ALWAYS going back and forth between the creative and logical side. This is a strength area for us. I think it's not all that much different than the idea that you can easily distinguish a bodybuilder from the average person in an autopsy because of the development of skeletal muscles.

That's kind of only tangentially related but:

1. I thought it was interesting on its own and relevant enough to toss it in
2. It makes the point that Pete may well believe what he's saying but it's not the real reason he shuns computers.

Real reason is that he doesn't need them. He came up as an analog guy and I'm sure he has all the analog gear in the world that he'd ever need and ... he can probably work it himself very well. OR, if he feels like it he can easily afford to hire a guy (or a team for that matter) to run it for him.

I was drawn to computers in music production because, like everything else the computer touches, it's a great leveler. Now the barriers to recording are much lower than they ever have been in the past and as long as there is a connection to computer technology, at least that part of it will only get cheaper over time. If I was a big shot who came and did all the really big stuff before computers, then the fascination with computers would seem puzzling. I would sit back and say geez why are all these people playing with computers, you should just focus on being the best musician you can be and get someone else to take care of that for you. Once you get good enough you can even get someone else to pay for all that stuff (the gear, the help, etc...) to make your records.

Also change DOES become harder the farther down life's path you go, and yes it is true that brother Pete is down the path a good bit farther than most of us who are trying to make and record music with computers.

Yep. I think that explains it. No need/desire + change is hard. The thing about the right/left brain is inaccurate.

Now... you wanna talk about what interferes with creativity when it comes to recording? That's simple... it's not the computer. It's the other practical realities most of us are fighting. To me a real biggie is not being able to divide the labor between thinking about playing and thinking about how to set up the gear for the best sound. Need another person to help you there if you want your mind completely free while playing. Someone good is going to cost you, but that is something that would make a bigger difference to the CREATIVE part (in my opinion) than computer versus analog recording method. Then there are issues about sound isolation for some of us in the not-quite-100% dedicated spaces we're using, etc... I suspect it has been a long time since Pete was dealing with any of those things. Good for him. May we all reach that some day.
Charlie

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by Charlie_M

Now... you wanna talk about what interferes with creativity when it comes to recording? That's simple... it's not the computer. It's the other practical realities most of us are fighting. To me a real biggie is not being able to divide the labor between thinking about playing and thinking about how to set up the gear for the best sound. Need another person to help you there if you want your mind completely free while playing. Someone good is going to cost you, but that is something that would make a bigger difference to the CREATIVE part (in my opinion) than computer versus analog recording method. Then there are issues about sound isolation for some of us in the not-quite-100% dedicated spaces we're using, etc... I suspect it has been a long time since Pete was dealing with any of those things. Good for him. May we all reach that some day.
Charlie

Its interesting you say this... I'm not arguing it, since its obviously what you think helps you to work the best, but the opposite is true for me... I have to work on my own. If I start to feel pressure to do something, creativity completely disappears. It probably means I'm less creative than you...

[Charlie_M]

Looking back on my own words on that subject now I suspect that the more likely explanation for my point of view on that is that I've just not become comfortable enough with the gear itself. Hopefully that barrier evaporates some day.