Our newsfeeds and social media are rife with opinions, making it difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. It used to be that political opinions were doled out on the editorial page of a newspaper, which expressed the outlook of that paper. Those same papers would also present an “op-ed” page, which would be the written opinion of an author not affiliated with the editorial board of the publication. This independent opinion would be presented on the opposite page from the paper’s editorial page, thereby earning the page the shortened title of “Op-Ed.” It’s not that opinions are necessarily bad, but in “real” journalism the opinions of the news reporter are to be kept in check, as only the facts of a given story are reported. Often, opinions are not readily recognized as such. Take, for example, the word “real” in the previous sentence which provides a one-word opinion, but an opinion nevertheless.
Usually, opinions were accompanied by a degree of expertise and delivered by a well-regarded person in their given field, but somewhere along the way, the line between the editorial page and news articles began to blur, and soon the editorials were appearing in the headlines and news anchors became the last word for their given station. Not being relegated to the editorial page, each station and paper had a particular point of view that was infused in the news they presented. If one has a particular point of view requiring affirmation, they need only to turn to a paper, show or newsfeed that aligns itself with that specific belief. Sometimes the viewer/listener doesn’t have a formed opinion, but the presented narrative gives them a platform with which to express their feelings and concerns.
Then, Social Media Arrived…
Social media has provided a stage for everyone to express their opinion and have it seen, regardless of their expertise or lack thereof, and that can be a problem; but that’s just my opinion. It’s a good thing to be cautious regarding the information we are given, but there are facts that can’t and shouldn’t be overlooked for opinion; but that’s just my belief. Having an opinion for something one believes in does not necessarily make it true, and this tenet applies to politics, religion, aliens and live sound. After all, one can make a very convincing argument for the existence of ancient aliens or a correct political stance, and for many of us, the proof of a supreme being is evident even when others profess a more devilish principal is at work. As far as live sound is concerned, one can believe what they want, but there really is a method to the madness.
The Audio Side
Hey, opinions are like SM58 microphones; everyone has one. This especially applies to many of the audio applicants that I interview who are enthusiastic and have good looking resumes. I do understand the need to impress when one is being interviewed, but “in my opinion” or “I believe” are just not the correct way to begin answering questions that have definitive answers. I asked one applicant: “If I have a rig that weighs 2,400 pounds, should I use a one-ton or half-ton motor to fly it?” “I believe,” he answered, “the one-ton.” That may be a good decisive answer showing that he has faith in his belief, but in my opinion, it will be a while before he is flying any of my speakers!
In another interview, I asked how the applicant sets up their gain structure. “My opinion,” he started, “is I first need to check the room and hear where it reverberates.” Granted, I understand that these interviewees want to impress, but these are people who are supposedly working as live audio engineers, and if that’s the case, they are working under a lot of opinionated beliefs. In much of what we do, there is no room for opinions or beliefs, and while mixing shows is fun, as well as a great way to earn a living, there is a science to audio. Electricity is intrinsic to making what we do work, and I am of the belief that there is no room for opinions when figuring the power requirements for any given show. I am also of the opinion that when one is tying into power, they should not become the ground. I believe this.
While most of what we do as engineers leaves minimal room for opinion or belief, there are specific times that one can exercise these options. One such time is when there are two or more engineers in a room hearing and evaluating another engineer’s mix. Engineer 1: “It’s my opinion that the vocal delay is too saturated.” Engineer 2: “I believe the saturation is fine, it’s the delay time that’s too long. Also, I would open the decay a bit on the tom’s noise gate.” E1: “Really? I like the toms, but the kick needs a little more of the Beta 91 microphone.” E2: “My opinion is that the mix is good, but there’s a little too much compression across the left and right master faders.” Of course, this opinionated sharing of engineering beliefs is acceptable, since it affects nothing. Remember, when more than one engineer is in a room during a show, they are considered “consultants.”
So while these non-commissioned consultants are sharing their unsolicited opinions and beliefs between themselves, the engineer has to rely on his/her scientific knowledge to mix the show while relegating their opinions and beliefs only to when they are wearing their producers’ hat. This producer hat is the artistic side of what we do and allows for opinions and beliefs to be interjected into our scientific mix. It’s the ethereal plug-in. The science of audio is in getting one’s mix up and running. This, in turn, gives us the opportunity to experiment with our opinions and beliefs. While uninvited opinions and beliefs can be annoying and even detrimental, it is our opinions and beliefs that add color to an otherwise monochrome mix. It is the art we bring to the science that transforms it into beauty.
