| In this article we're going to indulge in a | | | | you'll hear on record. But with a big |
| debate on concert performances versus studio | | | | ensemble rock group that uses twenty |
| recordings.It should be pointed out that | | | | keyboards in the studio, the chances become |
| there are no personal views in this article. | | | | quite slim.However, if you are someone who is |
| The following is a composition of arguments | | | | going to a concert to hear and see the energy |
| made by critics and fans of music since the | | | | that a group puts into something live, or |
| early days of both live and studio | | | | even hope to hear something a little |
| recordings.Let's first cut to the question we | | | | different from what you get on record, then |
| ultimately want to get answered in this | | | | most likely you live for live performances. |
| article. Which is better, seeing a group | | | | Recordings to you are simply a matter of |
| live or listening to one of their studio | | | | getting some idea of how good that group will |
| albums?Well, to answer that it first needs to | | | | sound at a live venue.But disappointments |
| be pointed out that the question of better in | | | | happen. Many critics claimed how a band by |
| itself may not even be the definitive answer. | | | | the name of "Boston" from back in the late |
| A live performance may be better than a | | | | 70s sounded absolutely terrible in concert |
| studio album, worse than one or simply a | | | | because the lead singer could not hit the |
| different experience depending on what you | | | | same high notes that he hit in the studio and |
| are trying to get out of it.If you're a | | | | it was obvious that the musicianship was just |
| purest who wants to hear your favorite | | | | not there. This is a group that most likely |
| group's songs done exactly as they were done | | | | needed the studio to sound as good as they |
| on record then more likely than not you will | | | | did.And then there is the concert enthusiast |
| probably be disappointed. Why? Well, there | | | | who isn't so much looking to hear the record |
| are several things that factor into that | | | | duplicated or to hear energy or something |
| equation.For starters, a studio recording is | | | | different. They're just going to the concert |
| done in an environment that is totally | | | | to hear a band they just happen to like. |
| different from a concert hall. The acoustics | | | | Their experience at the concert will most |
| are manufactured as opposed to natural. | | | | likely be a simple matter of "did it sound |
| Also, in a studio, you have millions of | | | | good"? Since sounding good is a relative |
| dollars in equipment that you just can't lug | | | | term, we won't try to answer how to qualify |
| to a live performance, no matter how hard you | | | | what "good" is. That is an individual's |
| try.Then there is the recording process | | | | taste. In most cases however, just to |
| itself. Anyone who thinks that a group | | | | generalize, if the concert sound is of |
| records each song they do in one take has an | | | | "professional" quality and the songs are |
| unrealistic view of studio recordings. Songs | | | | recognizable as the "hits" from the record |
| take multiple takes. Also, many parts are | | | | then most people will walk away from the |
| overdubbed and even triple dubbed. In a live | | | | experience saying that it was a "good" one. |
| performance there is no dubbing. Everything | | | | But again, that depends on what you're hoping |
| is done there on the spot. No chance to take | | | | to get out of the experience itself.Hopefully |
| back a wrong note. If the lead singer has a | | | | though, the above will serve as a guide of |
| sore throat you can't skip over his parts and | | | | what to look for based on what type of person |
| do them another day, as can be done in a | | | | you are and what you are personally |
| studio. It is do or die at a live | | | | expecting. That way you can get a decent |
| performance. Therefore, a live performance | | | | idea of what a concert experience will be |
| is going to be different from a studio | | | | like for you. If you need your music note |
| recording.Naturally, if you are going to see | | | | for note to the record then most likely you |
| somebody who just plays guitar in the studio | | | | will be disappointed by most concerts.Notice |
| and is going to be playing that same guitar | | | | we didn't actually answer our question of |
| live, there is a better chance that what you | | | | which is better. As was stated, concerts may |
| will hear will more closely resemble what | | | | simply be different. |