After listening to Coldplay's new album Ghost Stories more than a few times, and processing it through my all time favourite DSP software, I somehow think that producers do ruin recordings.
Like the Piano in the last track "o", sound muted, lacks the impact of a real piano, and I am pretty sure even a NDS/552 cannot recover what was not there on the recording.
It's still a good recording, but just not a magical one.
My point : Maybe just recording without much production is closest to the live performance?
Posted on: 02 June 2014 by Ebor
I think it depends what you mean by 'production'. In classical recordings, the job of producer is very different to that in a pop/rock situation.
If the thread title were 'Can production ruin the recording', I think we'd all agree the answer is a big fat yes. Many of us would, I'm sure, happily nail the lid down on Rick Rubin for what it seems he did to Californication.
But surely it can work the other way too, can't it? Think of all the recordings you've got which you think are tip-top - do you think it happened by accident or design?
Mark
Posted on: 03 June 2014 by Bruce Woodhouse
I'm with Mark. Production is the recording for much modern pop/rock etc. The purpose of the producer may not be entirely authentic reproduction of the instruments or voice. Wether they acheive the desired effect or indeed an enjoyable one obviously depends. I don't know that was intended in the example you state.
Your last sentence is self-evident surely. A 'straight' recording (if that actually exists) is by definition as close as possible to the 'live' performance but the point is; is that actually what you want or indeed what the artists wishes to present?
Mostly I hate live albums and would much rather hear the refined and produced version!
Bruce
