This guest post comes in from Barry Gardner chief engineer at SafeandSound Mastering
How To Get The Best Deals On Audio Gear
The music industry is constantly changing and despite some promising positive signs on both sides of the Atlantic, we are still in a recession. However, I am not writing this to dwell on that matter, but to try and give some advice on saving money. Often saving money means buying at the lowest cost, so we will discuss that first. One thing is a fact, many in the music industry are in the same boat and that as a musician, producer, or engineer can be used to your advantage.
Buy right, buy once
Now buying a quality product at the lowest price is quite different from buying a lower quality product at a cheap price. Quality items are built better and last longer they will endure more wear and tear. Whilst initially a low cost item may seem like it is too good to be miss a high quality item will usually out live it many times over. It is often a false economy to to let your ‘gear lust’ get the better of you and spend rather than save that extra few months in order to get the right piece of kit first time which does not leave you wanting in following months.
It is worth considering other peoples impressions as well. When you identify yourself with industry standard equipment be it guitars, effects pedals, keyboards, and music tech equipment, people tend to have a different perception and even level of respect. It could be deemed as a bit shallow and ultimately the music produced is most important. However it does have a subtle effect on other people who you are likely to deal with in the music industry. You can see this as an an investment in your own skill set, confidence, reliability of your performance or work, and giving yourself the best chance by not letting substandard equipment get in your way. Professionals choose professional equipment.
from the Apple Store to add an extra Firewire 800 port to my iMac. I had been planning on getting one since they were announced along with the Retina Macbooks in the summer. At $29, is it just another overpriced white plastic Apple accessory?