Format bashing . . . my new pet peeve

Can somebody tell me why so many engineers feel the need to bash whatever format they're not using? ProTools users hate Logic. Logic users hate ProTools. Nuendo (did I spell that right?) users despise all others. I personally don't care what the format as long as the end result pleases me. I've been a ProTools guys for the longest and I like it but it doesn't bother me to work with someone on another format. I personally believe there will be several formats in Heaven . . . just tired of feeling the need to defend my friend ProTools.

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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 24, 2007 at 2:08pm

You've obviously never pulled up duct tape from a gym floor.... :) (just kidding)!

Permalink Reply by Aaron Minick on October 24, 2007 at 2:16pm

I love it!

Permalink Reply by Scott Williamson on October 24, 2007 at 3:08pm

I am especially offended when people complain about the old Fostex Cassette 4-tracks. Those things really had a sound. And, also, anything by Bellari, especially the pre's. I have spoken.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Swihart on October 24, 2007 at 3:11pm

DUDE!!! Bellari!!! we are one at heart!!

ok - so really - their first run of the stereo tube compressors were very very cool for rooms and crunchy gtr amps - - but then revision 2 changed the input stage -- all went down hill after that.

Permalink Reply by Tim Akers on October 24, 2007 at 5:15pm

Hmmm....my impression was that people weren't necessarily bashing PROTOOLS. Rather, that they were bashing DIGIDESIGN as a company. I have both ProTools and Logic, and as a format, I have NOTHING against Protools. There are still things I can do on Protools that I can't do in Logic (although that field is narrowing everyday), but Logic doesn't purposely limit me if I haven't updated my hardware yet. Nor do they make my MOTU interfaces obsolete when they To call back the analog tape analogy, what if when the ADATs came out, we were only allowed to daisy-chain 3 machines? To get more than 24-tracks, you'd have to spring for an A800....granted, weak analogy, but I never said I was smart....only good-looking. ;-)

Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 24, 2007 at 5:34pm

what were you drinking when you started having these impressions?

Permalink Reply by Aaron Minick on October 24, 2007 at 10:28pm

I'm just glad we don't have to thread those little label cards into ADAT boxes anymore. They've been known to evade some of us at first.

Permalink Reply by Dennis Dearing on October 24, 2007 at 5:28pm

Today they all are great. I just don't like to look at ProTools all day. When your eyes are as old as mine they become very sensitive.

Permalink Reply by Scott Williamson on October 24, 2007 at 5:34pm

I'm not sure the format wars really matter anymore. For one thing, you work with the format that is most prevalent in your community. Here in Nashville (and really, almost everywhere else), it seems that all roads lead to Pro Tools. Digidesign knows this, and that's why they can get away with screwing us on a regular basis, as Tim Akers so eloquently and intelligently pointed out.

Also, we're living in an mp3 world. There's an extent to which sonics are a secondary issue nowadays, which is tragic. People spent many years developing great-sounding gear, and now one wonders if it really amounts to much. Vinyl sounded great, CDs sound pretty good. But, mp3s suck. Granted, the best-sounding mp3s will be the ones that started with good raw material. But, at the end of the day, the people buying (or NOT buying) music don't know what "good sounds" are anymore.

What am I missing?

Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 24, 2007 at 5:36pm

good sounds

Permalink Reply by Julian Kindred on October 24, 2007 at 5:43pm

Nice Bret!!

Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on October 24, 2007 at 6:03pm

Ok, now for a serious post from me about this issue. I'm sorry to have replied so glibly to all your posts but I just couldn't resist!

I, Bret Teegarden, being totally responsible for my own opinions and not yours, think the biggest issue here is economics followed by experience. Is there one of us, if given the means and opportunity, who wouldn't get one of everything, just to be the "most" compatible in the whole industry?

I'd love to have a new car, even three cars, nice one's at that, but I just graduated one child from college, have two in college, and two more who want to go to college. It wouldn't make much sense for me to buy a tripped out Protools rig. complete with Icon Control and six 192 interfaces. I am not trying to be a commercial studio. That's why I went with a 003. (see my thread on HD vs. 003) It mets the need in my environment.

Now I want to work as much as possible, don't you? We can gripe about working, but deep down, we want all the work we can get.

My decision to choose Protools was based on two factors. 1) Experience and 2) Perception/Compatibility.

My first multi-track DAW was NOT Protools. I did several records on Digital Performer with MOTU interfaces. I had associates who had Cubase. We did many records on those platforms. Most of these projects were self contained, in-house projects so the platform did not matter at all. I was happy with the end results.

If I got a call to engineer a session during this time, 99.9% of them were done in Protools. So, I became "used" to Protools. Much like people become used to Fords or Toyotas.

For many musicians (and engineers) cost is an issue. Would I recommend a bass player setting up his own little studio (so he can record in his boxers) to go out and buy a HD3 rig? No way! The return on investment is just not there.

Would I tell the guy who wants to track 30 piece orchestra sessions with full rhythm to go out and buy Logic? No way! He'd be wrapping the mouse cord around his neck.

Should you Logic guys have a little 002 or Mbox? Way!

Get the right tool for the right job. And be as accommodating as possible with the circle you work in. I still have my MOTU, plus I have Cubase, and Garage Band, and Reason, for those of you who care to know. That's my take...

Now you can make fun of me!