We all go through changes in life.

As people we are constantly evolving, and also as a society. This includes us in the audio industry. The technology that has evolved from those early days when Thomas Edison made his first recording has taken us to more creative heights than anyone could have imagined. With the current technology available to us, there is nothing that is off limits.

There was a time when we were limited by the hardware of the time. Limited track count, limited input/output capability, limited processing power, and limited budgets. This great divide between the have and have-nots is no longer much of an issue. With the advent of Computer based recording/mixing, a vast multitude of people can now do the same exact work as anyone working in a "studio". It used to be that artists went to studios because that's where all the best technology was. Nowadays, studios and the guy working in his bedroom are using the same equipment.

A computer, a Pro Tools system, and some plug-ins. What's the difference? There is no difference from the technical end.

The differences are within the people using the equipment. This has always been the case. Not only do you have to have access to the equipment, but, more importantly, you have to know what to do with it. It's been far too easy in the past few years to look at what we do in the studio as Pro Tools. It's not. Pro Tools, or any other DAW, is just one tool in the big toolbox. Just like a tool set, everything works together to make something great happen. Just like a tool box, a good mechanic has to know what each tool is used for and when to use it. Our toolbox is made up of Microphone's, EQ's, Compressor's, Reverb's, FX, etc... An engineer has to know what each of these things are, what they do, how they work, and when to use them.

There are a lot of people that tend to think that all their problems will be solved by a magic all-in-wonder. Let me tell you a secret, there is nothing like that. In order to be a good engineer, one has to learn about all the related technology and how it all works together to make an end product.

Spend the time to learn about what you are trying to do.