I think the biggest improvement is that levels can be set before a take without a need to ride the fader to get an optimum signal.

It makes 'technique' less of a requirment though so you're less likely to find a knob at the desk that is going to wreck your take with his 'prowess'.  He can then flex his need to feel as important as the performer with a clone of the take after it's been captured and still keep the levels where they sound good with even more precision than he could have done by hand by the use of envelopes.

That's definitely an improvement. 

 What was affordable for the consumer 40 years ago?



  Accessibility for one thing I would say.

Tape was much easier to cut and splice than these DAW's of today.  

1.  Don't need razor blades anymore.
2.  Don't need to clean the heads.
3.  Don't have to worry about tape shreading.
4.  Don't have to worry about noise level.
5.  Can replace any drum sound or beat at will.
6.  Don't need cassetes.
7.  Don't need large consoles. 
8.  I don't think alot of mic techniques have change.
9.  Songwriters may be much more involved in engineering (at least their own demos).

There's a quick stab for you.

Rimshot

I guess I think that automated mixes and the ability to surgically edit out noises and flubs are fairly significant advancements.

I'm guessing instant playback may be helpful to the creative process too.


best regards,
mike

It seems technical advances in recording techniques have matched the degradation of talent conversely.
Wonder if they're related.

timidi


It seems technical advances in recording techniques have matched the degradation of talent conversely.
Wonder if they're related.

Nah, that's a myth brought on by middle age people that get stuck in an era related perception of what talent 'should' sound like.

I remember my Dad demonstrating that idea to me at one time.

Mike is still good at being last generation in this one, there's talent in that, traditional in a way too.

I attribute it to "Old Curmudgeon Syndrome"

trimph1


I attribute it to "Old Curmudgeon Syndrome"

Once you learn you have it then it can be dealt with, sadly not before....

Nah, that's a myth brought on by middle age people that get stuck in an era related perception of what talent 'should' sound like. I remember my Dad demonstrating that idea to me at one time.

I often ponder this. 
I just think that today's yoots are lazy. What did your dad demonstrate?