cool, but...

The thing about Mix is that it covers such high end stuff that it isolates a lot of people who want to make music on a practical budget. I mean, yeah, multi-millon dollar studios every issue are cool-- 128 channel SSL mixing boards and $5,000 mics--but let's be realistic: Mix is a magazine for professional audio engineers (a dying breed by the way). Music of tomorrow is being made in home studios with software and plug-ins. People will argue with me of course but it's the same debate we had in the mid to late 80's...Digital vs. Analog? Now it's Hardware vs. Software? Big Budget Studio vs. Home Studio? There's room for both but one will dominate the other, no doubt about it. If you're a new musician or are interested in home recording you need to read Computer Music, Future Music, Music Tech, Electronic Musician, Sound on Sound, Recording or EQ. Even if you're focus isn't electronic music...every band needs a computer to record.

There are people who will vehemently deny this, naturally. But they are sound professionals gripped by fear and they see the future coming. "You need a professional to master your record"--no you can do it with software. "You need this $2,000 Avalon compressor to get that warm sound"--no, you can do it with software. "You need to have a pro listen to your mix"--no, you just need some good monitors and your ears. "You need to rent this $20,000 vintage Neumann mic to get that sound you need" --no a Samson or Rode will do for 150 bucks. "But they're an inexpensive knock-off of the 'real thing'"--if it breaks I'll buy another, then another then another and still come out ahead. "You need to rent this studio for 500 bucks an hour" --no, I'll do it sitting in my underwear in the comfort of my own home and not stress about the 6 months it took to save up for fours hours of studio time. I mean for 2 grand you can get a super fast PC, some software and a couple mics and do it at your own leisure.

But I guess I'd be worried too if I'd spent thousands of dollars on sound engineering school and 20 years in the biz labeling tapes or rolling up cables or working one slider during the recording of "Rumours." It's looking great for some and not so great for others.

What a great magazine!

For anyone who is interested in professional audio - from studio recording to audio post production to live sound - Mix is the magazine! I've read many competitive magazines, but if you're interested in professional audio for real - Mix is the magazine of choice. Great information and incredible editorial.