Torched Laughter Studio Diary: Purgatory Week
So I had the week off from recording. But possible setbacks were prevalent as per usual.Who would think that a microphone rental would be such a dramatic headache?The vocal microphone rental was not going according to plan. There was not a single Neumann TLM 103 in all of the GTA region for rent from Long and McQuade. The last one was held hostage by a Long and McQuade rep who was planning on buying it anyway. But I always have a plan B. And a plan C. And a Plan D. Each plan is more expensive than the former. My solutions are akin to western government. I should run for office. You should run for your lives.So, if no TLM 103, what else can I get?
TLM-93? Denied. TLM 193? Nyet! U-87? Heavens no, dear. If it has the Neumann name, it’s not around.
Nonetheless I did call other places to see if getting a Neumann was a possibility. No such luck. Audio/Visual Megaliths like Vistek rent live Sennheiser mics and do no studio servicing. Steve’s Music discontinued Neumann rentals due to them being more of a headache than they are worth. (Theft, damage, etc)
I’m was not happy about this but those are the breaks. When you want to use a piece of gear that’s industry standard awesome, expect every other self important blowhole to reach out their grubby hands in concert. I was apprehensive about trying another mic at this juncture because I already know the Neumann sound. But I will sacrifice this ridiculous and insufferable standard if I have to. It’s just gear. Big toys to excite a male brain. No matter what, if the songs and performance are good enough, they’ll transcend the possible limitations of the recording.
I had to mentally slap myself regarding my internal whining. It IS A PRIVILEDGE to record music; not a right or something that is entitled to me. Whether you are starting out or a “veteran” you need to have that perspective. To be able to do this daily and effortlessly put forth ideas is a gift. There can be no complaining. The “challenges” we face are laughable; albeit frustrating. I easily forget this since the writing/recording process is a compulsion instead of a fun activity.
Today I accepted that the TLM 103 wasn’t going to be part of the recording. The alternate choice would be an AKG C414 ULS. So be it. Well wasn’t I surprised that today they had not 1, but 2 Neumann TLM 103’s that were sitting in the back of the store. Apparently they were not scanned into inventory. So this whole week I’ve been dealing with people who took their computer inventory system for granted. The way how it all worked out was a sweet cap to a very busy week. And to add a dash of irony, the guy who found the 2 mics? The same guy who nabbed the last Neumann around initially.
I got it for one month. Time to make a mess.
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