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