clicktrack
November 21st, 2006, 03:11 PM
Ok, I'm saying it now.
THIS SHALL NOT BE A GEARSLUTTY THREAD.
At the same time, I'm going to find it interesting to see the posts that will come.
I've been in threadwars in other internet places for calling a piece of gear "non-pro". Unfortunately, the context of my statements were ignored and people got all emo about their gear purchases...all of a sudden offense was taken and flame wars a' started.
I do, however, have very strict concepts on what I would consider "Pro" and "non-pro".
For me, a "pro" piece of gear is one where the manufacturers have considered the users application and taken every step imaginable to make their equipment usable in that situation. Or, at very least, transparent to the work flow. Even better, when the manufacturer thinks one step ahead and predicts ways in which they can make your life EASIER.
For example, I consider the Alesis HD24 to be non-pro.
Don't get me wrong, I use it sometimes, and it definite is a fine machine for some situations, but a piece of gear that has no "proper" remote, small arming buttons that can't be seen in the dark, and requires a plethora of "other" gear to syncronize it to the rest of the world is, IMHO, not Pro. Its adequate, but it makes me work too hard to get to my destination when time is too much of a factor.
On the other hand, this story will be an example of a piece of gear that is "Pro":
Most of you know I run a mobile truck. We're called in on gigs where in a short time frame, we have to make magic happen. Rarely time for remixes or overdubs...often straight to air.
This weekend we had a gig that...well it was a good gig, but one where there was a lot of work to be done just to make it to the starting post let alone the finish line. We were in a city 7 hours away from home for this production.
When my stage rack got blown up (yep...thats what I said). It was a real delight to find my preamps not only had fuses, but the manufacturer had included SPARES in the fuse casing.
Now think about it. You're onsite, and see smoke billowing out of your racks and those of the monitor rig, and you have a live-to-tape broadcast to do very soon. (Yep...there IS more to this story, and that will indeed come in another thread!).
Just when you start working on plan B to get the show going, you get the clear-com call "Our pres are fine...the fuses popped and there are spares!!! We're good to go back to Plan A" Whew. One less thing off your mind in a hectic as hell day.
So there you go. True Systems Precision 8. Thank you guys for including spares. It may be a small thing, but its a big thing. Very pro.
So, lets have it. What, in the most non-gearslutty manner, of course, do you consider "Pro" gear and why. I don't want to hear "because it is" or "because it sounds good"
Bah.
Been there done that.
I want specifics.
What has the manufacturer done on that piece that smartly saves you time, effort or saves your bacon?
THIS SHALL NOT BE A GEARSLUTTY THREAD.
At the same time, I'm going to find it interesting to see the posts that will come.
I've been in threadwars in other internet places for calling a piece of gear "non-pro". Unfortunately, the context of my statements were ignored and people got all emo about their gear purchases...all of a sudden offense was taken and flame wars a' started.
I do, however, have very strict concepts on what I would consider "Pro" and "non-pro".
For me, a "pro" piece of gear is one where the manufacturers have considered the users application and taken every step imaginable to make their equipment usable in that situation. Or, at very least, transparent to the work flow. Even better, when the manufacturer thinks one step ahead and predicts ways in which they can make your life EASIER.
For example, I consider the Alesis HD24 to be non-pro.
Don't get me wrong, I use it sometimes, and it definite is a fine machine for some situations, but a piece of gear that has no "proper" remote, small arming buttons that can't be seen in the dark, and requires a plethora of "other" gear to syncronize it to the rest of the world is, IMHO, not Pro. Its adequate, but it makes me work too hard to get to my destination when time is too much of a factor.
On the other hand, this story will be an example of a piece of gear that is "Pro":
Most of you know I run a mobile truck. We're called in on gigs where in a short time frame, we have to make magic happen. Rarely time for remixes or overdubs...often straight to air.
This weekend we had a gig that...well it was a good gig, but one where there was a lot of work to be done just to make it to the starting post let alone the finish line. We were in a city 7 hours away from home for this production.
When my stage rack got blown up (yep...thats what I said). It was a real delight to find my preamps not only had fuses, but the manufacturer had included SPARES in the fuse casing.
Now think about it. You're onsite, and see smoke billowing out of your racks and those of the monitor rig, and you have a live-to-tape broadcast to do very soon. (Yep...there IS more to this story, and that will indeed come in another thread!).
Just when you start working on plan B to get the show going, you get the clear-com call "Our pres are fine...the fuses popped and there are spares!!! We're good to go back to Plan A" Whew. One less thing off your mind in a hectic as hell day.
So there you go. True Systems Precision 8. Thank you guys for including spares. It may be a small thing, but its a big thing. Very pro.
So, lets have it. What, in the most non-gearslutty manner, of course, do you consider "Pro" gear and why. I don't want to hear "because it is" or "because it sounds good"
Bah.
Been there done that.
I want specifics.
What has the manufacturer done on that piece that smartly saves you time, effort or saves your bacon?