[Dixielandjazz] FW: The Perfect Recording

[Jim Kashishian]

>I'd rather hear a recording played with conviction, originality and
passion, but with imperfections, than something that had all the soul edited
out of it in the studio in the pursuit of perfection.
Ken Mathieson

Hi, Ken. I haven't noticed your name before on the list, so I had a look at
your web page to find out more about you.  I'm just a little curious as to
what brought on your above remark?
Have I missed some posts?  I didn't know this theme had once again raised
its head on DJML!

Anyway, as a sound editor, I would only like to say that if you can notice
that something has been edited, then the job hasn't been done well.  I have
often said to record companies "here's my bill. I know it seems like a lot
since you can't really hear what has been done.....".  However, that is the
trick of the trade.  It's not a sinful trade when performed well.

An imperfection on a live gig happens, is heard (or not heard), and is over.
On a recording, you get to hear it over & over again.  That can be fun, in
some cases (*), but is normally just annoying.

(*)  I'm referring to a recording by a big band trumpeter (leader)...name
escapes me at this moment, that did this great cadenza on a live recording,
then the band didn't come in.  You can hear someone say "try it again", and
the trumpeter goes off on more cadenza & leads the band back in.  Great!
Fantastic!  Something like that should never be cut (& it could so easily be
done!).  However, numerous other things can disappear from a recording
without effecting the magic.

Jim Kash
P.s. Here's my web so you can spy a bit on me, also: www.kashprod.com    :>