Recording GREAT records with BAD gear. Sufjan's TapeOp interview.

[@SesameCake]

I totally agree with this approach to music. I myself recorded only once in a "professional studio" and was really dissuaded from what I felt to be an overly-technical, creatively-restricting environment. Also, it costs a LOT of money to record even just one song at most of these studios. The producer tried eking out of me as many sessions as he could to sate his ego, but I walked away being the unsatisfied fool. I come from the tradition of Sufjan and Elliot Smith, Nick Drake. All in a league of their own, recording with a shitty Rode N1A that I've had for years along with a Focusrite preamp into Audacity is all I need. I think that if you are already a unique enough instrumentalist/singer-songwriter, the music should stand by itself. Sufjan Stevens also has a version of 'John my Beloved 'recorded on an IPHONE and it still holds up!

[@patrickyeo2016]

Love the tone of this video! Create!! Don’t let arguably bad the gear hold you back from being creative!

[@constore]

love the positivity !

[@harmonicdrift6409]

Phenomenal video Chris! Thanks for summarizing this article: I'll have to try to track down the full thing.

[@lunaticmoonstudio]

Great vid Chris! I had heard of the article way back when and a few weeks ago I was telling an engineer friend about this but I couldn't remember in which periodical it was published. I shall check it out as a reminder. kings of Convenience and other artists with a similar vibe to Sufjan tended to hire out rural or isolated places to record and what I notice is a beautiful sparseness and clarity that I personally struggle to achieve with unlimited tracks and plugins compared to my old Tascam 8 track in the late 90s! Thanks Dude, a great reminder for us.

[@claudius3124]

I know and love Sufjan Stevens work. I must definitely read that article. Thanks for letting me know.... ;-)

[@erlendviken]

Finally someone who understand. The gearslutz and studio nerds on youtube have no clue what music is. You do. and Sufjan does. and me

[@douglasaraujo9763]

Amazing video with an amazing message about an amazing artist!

[@yebwulebdullah]

I think the conclusion is it's all about the songs! If they are good enough, and you are vulnerable and genuine (which is the key) - the rest doesn't matter

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

Found Achoo! An Asthmatic Kitty Sampler in the free box at Twist n Shout. Still listening to this day. ❤️

[@aysema7339]

god i love this video. well explained and actually inspirational

[@anthoda1367]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@JaneWillowMusic]

Do you recon he had sound treatment in his room? I so want to know what his room looked like!

[@catface101]

I don't think it'll make much difference with a SM57 and AKG C1000, you're missing the point

[@JaneWillowMusic]

There is hope for me ha!

[@barneymiller5488]

Great vid. Elliot Smith is well known for doing beautiful lo-fi records. High end gear is only as good as the song.

[@JsquareProductions]

What music have you used in the video bg??

[@felinefox4039]

I guess it's why Sufjan gets that sort of 1960s/70s sound before advanced tech. Adds its own texture. Like listening to gramophone music..

[@FlameSaber34]

well wow this was pretty inspiring

[@fractaeofficial1508]

❤️

[@rjreyes9861]

thanks for this video :)

[@hugodi7889]

Great. Thank you very much. Gracias ! :)

[@jadedonovan8291]

:)