Music Appreciation

...and mastering, because you've got generation loss problems each time you move analog audio from one reel of tape to another. And remember that the "master tapes" used for record pressings (or CD glass masters) are typically at least one generation removed from the actual masters. I'm so glad most of the world moved to digital for mixing and mastering, even when analog tape is still used for tracking. After that first analog stage, all the other generations are digital clones. I'll never forget my first mixing session onto DAT tape back in 1991; I could not believe the clarity. I was an instant convert.

Yes, I remember those 4-track machines! Bouncing was a requirement if your compositions were even slightly ambitious. Still, there were some cool records that were made from those. Springsteen's Nebraska was made directly from a 4-track tape. And you might be surprised how many parts were dubbed onto multitrack tape ( "flown in" ) from 4-track demos. That feedback guitar part you hear in "Welcome To the Boomtown" (David + David) came off a 4-track. They couldn't recreate the magic in the expensive studio where they were recording (Capitol).