I was listening to an interesting show on BBC Radio 4 this week as part of the Digital Human series called 'Average.'

The show was looking at the concept of how people evaluate their own abilities and how the internet and in particular social media has created a propensity for most of us to overestimate our own abilities. After all, who wants to be described as average? It seems culture and in particular marketing messages encourage us to be 'amazing!' or 'exceptional!!!' (Inappropriate use of the Exclamation mark intentional and used for comic effect.)

In one instance a study was conducted where people were asked to rate themselves as a driver. Many more than was accurate rated themselves as advanced rather than average. In many cases ‘average’ is considered to be an insult.

Perhaps it's just because I happen to spend my time in the world of music creation but we do seem to have more than our fair share of exaggerated displays of notions of being above-average. Furthermore, I think some marketing messages want us to believe that by buying a certain piece of hardware or a plug-in we'll suddenly become an amazing producer or engineer. As if buying a car endorsed by Lewis Hamilton will make us a winning F1 driver.

I'm average but I know some of the really exceptional musicians, engineers and producers in this industry, and consider many to be my friends. They have achieved great things in their careers, through a combination of talent and hard work, we should never seek to undermine their contribution. To use the modern cultural vernacular these people are considered famous. Apparently, something we all wish to be for at least fifteen minutes according to a certain Mr Warhol.

However, I know even more people you are less likely to have heard of, in many cases you will have never heard their name. Some of them work in places like Abbey Road or Pinewood, some work in their bedroom, but have made an equally significant contribution to the creation of great music, film and TV shows. Incidentally, if you are one of those people who likes to use the term 'bedroom producer' as an insult or in an effort to belittle those working from home then you might want to wake up to the fact that some of the biggest albums, movies and TV shows are made by professionals working in bedrooms. The use of that insult says more about your disconnection from the modern creative economy than the people you wish to deride.

The majority of the creative industry's output is done by people who are largely unknown. Some euphemistically call them 'the little people' I, on the other hand, prefer to call them giants of the creative world.

I recall being at a session at Abbey Road with a great producer and friend but before he even arrived in the control room one of the engineers had been working for over an hour selecting the mics, positioning them, figuring out what pre-amps to use and getting it all up on the desk in Studio One. The mics had come from the Abbey Road mic collection which is lovingly cared for by Lester Smith and the team he works with who make sure every mic, vintage or modern is in top condition. The session was possible because of a team of people who most people will never have heard of.

TV and film production has even more people playing their part and working diligently to create everything from unimaginably creative movies to hard-hitting and important factual shows.

Few of these people will ever be household names, in most cases they don't want to be, doing a job to the best of their abilities, which is normally anything but average, is reward enough. Many have had to resign themselves to the fact that their contribution is unlikely to be appropriately credited. Credits are now for many broadcasters and music distributors disregarded either because of the expedient delivery mechanisms of music platforms or the desire for a broadcaster to speed through the end of a show to get to the commercials. On this one subject, this is something we should be fighting to change, not because those contributing want to be famous, but simply because it's right to give credit where credit is due.

But to my point, most of us will never be famous working in the recording and mixing world, the best some of us can expect is to perhaps rub shoulder with the odd celebrity, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. Most people hiring don't give a rat's ass that you handed Lady Gaga a coffee or you clipped a lav mic on Brad Pitt, what they want to know is that you know what you are doing, turn up on time and deliver the goods.

Music and post work is largely made up of many hardworking, talented and conscientious men and women and without them there would be no albums, movies or TV shows. Their excellence overshadows any fleeting notion of fame, for many, it's the last thing on their mind.

Some may call them average, I prefer to call them exceptional, even if that's bad maths!