So, everyone in the world says that the key to a great future is education. I don't argue that at all, education is impossible, but really, how much do you learn in an enclosed community that hasnt spent a day on the road or real world studios for more than 3 years. All my friends who know me know that I am quite vocal about my hatred for certain institutions that train technicians. In my defence, I am yet to meet a good tech from those places. Then again, Im still to meet someone as utterly useless as myself when it comes to understanding midi, maybe I should read up on that, but just maybe... So what is the aim pf this random rambling. Well, there are a few things that we look at when it comes to workong in the industry. When you enter it, clean out of college, please be aware that your naming of numerous pieces of equipment dont really impress anyone. Sure, telling me that the clock on the big ben provides a jitter factor of blah blah blah but you dont know how to connect that sucker up doesnt really help me at all. Knowing the Hz response and max spl of a MD421 is pretty cool, but if you dont realise that its a front adress mic and not a side adress mic does not help your cause as well. So what we look for is do you really know how to do the most rudementary things. Where does the XLRs plug in, why you use a DI and HOW to use it... How to switch on and off a tube amp... yes, switching on equipment also tells a lot. Why is a "stereo" cable and an unbalanced cable NOT the same thing. Yes they do share the same character, BUT how they break out? If you break out on a 1/4" cable do you still need a DI box if you have an xlr on it?
I had the chance to work with some really great technicians in my career, and a few of them ai will honestly say knew a hell of a lot more than I did. And they were pros. Then I worked with people who are way more qualified than me on paper but have not the slightest idea how to change the tubes in a fender twin. Everything can be learned, but you have to take the time to learn it, and not jist know about ot but why you do it. End of short rant. Oh and p.s read the manual, and then find out how and why!! How on earth did I learn that you have to run the midi software for a MOTU Midi Sync unit and not just say "well, it worked this way for years and now it doesnt work, and there is nothing about it in my handover notes" well, its because I read the manual and then also read the system diagram. Too many horror stories, way too many... well, while Im on it, here are a few...
1. (My favorite) a light tech not understanding why our show computer doesnt work... wait, ummmm, will it work if the midi device is switched on?
2. I cant get this microphone to work... ummmm, what is it? Oh its a handheld (lucky that means wireless on ships), is ot switched on? Yes i flipped the switch. Are the batteries dead? Wait... they use batteries? (Yes, actual phone call by a tech to me)
3. Im getting this crazy sound out of the PA.. ok, what crazy sound? Its this horrible crackling sound on a channel, i think the console is fu**ed.. So i stroll over, look at the input and the guy is redlining that poor input so much that youre getting horrible distortion on the IP, and he keeps saying "look here, its busted, the fader is almost all the way down and its not working right" and then I teach him about the gain knob.
Way more, but Im drinking my coffee now and lostening to a mix I did for an artist that appreciates what we do so I decided to work a lottle over the weekend because I care about the project.
