The Hi-Fi industry has, over time, evolved into an entity more enamoured with specifications than the essence of music. Now a troubling parallel emerges in the professional audio world, hinting at a similar trajectory. This piece explores the worrying trend of pro audio’s gradual drift from its foundational ethos – the art of sound – towards a fixation on technical specifications and gear.

Historical Context of Hi-Fi Obsession

I was talking to a speaker manufacturer who sells to both hi-fi and pro markets recently about Hi-Fi shows. They told me about how listening sessions at hi-fi shows were, on the whole, somewhat obsessive. I asked them; “Does anyone look happy?” Their answer was as expected, albeit depressing, a resounding NO!

One of my favourite books on the subject of audio is Perfecting Sound Forever by Greg Milner, an exploration of the search for ‘the perfect sound.’ It takes the reader on an historical journey, plotting the key points on the quest.

The birth of the Hi-Fi industry was marked by a noble pursuit: to reproduce sound as faithfully to the original recording as possible. This ethos championed the listener's experience, making the emotional connection with music paramount. However, as decades passed, this pursuit subtly transformed.

The Hi-Fi world became a bastion of technical one-upmanship, where the quality of sound was often gauged more by the specifications sheet than by the soul-stirring experience it could offer. This shift has been both gradual and profound, redirecting the industry's focus from the soul of music to a cold, spec-driven narrative.

Symptoms in the Pro Audio World

The professional audio industry, traditionally the bastion of creativity and sound artistry, now shows alarming signs of treading a similar path. Visit any forum, Facebook group, or YouTube, and you’ll find ad-nauseum arguments on gear. Just now I visited one such forum which had 13 pages (Some run into the hundreds) of discussion around a plugin, many of the points were, in the final analysis, pointless, they had little to do with if the music would ever move anyone.

Furthermore, the home studio market, fuelled by affordable technology, has unwittingly contributed to this trend. The emphasis on having 'professional-grade' equipment at home often eclipses the focus on honing one's craft or understanding the nuances of sound. Many new to music production overestimate the importance of the gear and underestimate the role of the song, performance, and technique.

Impact on Music Production

This shift has palpable effects on music production. On one hand, there's an abundance of technically immaculate recordings – clean, precise, and often, clinically perfect. On the other, there’s a growing sentiment that some of these productions lack the ineffable quality that makes music resonate on a deeper, more emotional level. The art of imperfection, a key component in creating soulful music, is at risk of being lost in the noise of technological perfectionism. On watching one of the Equalizer movies the other day, Denzil Wasington’s character said; “progress not perfection.” I like that philosophy.

This dichotomy raises questions about the essence of music production. Is it to achieve technical excellence or to create something that moves the listener? The industry's increasing preoccupation with the former seems to be at odds with the latter. The danger is not just in producing sonically sterile music but also in alienating a generation of audio professionals from the true essence of their craft.

When Worlds Collide

A veteran studio engineer may lament the 'loss of soul' in modern productions, attributing it to an over-reliance on technology over talent. Conversely, a proponent of high-spec equipment may argue that technological advancements have democratised music production, making high-quality sound accessible to more artists.

These differing viewpoints underscore a broader debate within the industry. However, they also highlight a common undercurrent – the need for a balanced approach where technological prowess complements, rather than overshadows, the artistic aspect of music production.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to audio. The film industry, for example, has witnessed a similar trend where the emphasis on high-definition and special effects sometimes eclipses storytelling.

Photography too has seen a shift from the art of capturing moments to an obsession with pixel count and camera specs. These parallels suggest a broader cultural shift towards valuing technical specifications over artistic expression… a greater threat to creativity than generative AI in my opinion.

You’re Looking In The Wrong Place

The way forward for the pro audio industry may lie in striking a balance. While embracing technological advancements, it's crucial to keep the focus on music's emotional impact. Education and awareness can play pivotal roles in this. Emerging audio professionals need to be taught the value of the artistic side of their craft alongside technical skills.

We seemed to have created the audio version of Where’s Wally? (for Americans, Where’s Waldo?) where less experienced, and some more experienced people who should know better, are constantly staring at the proverbial gear page, hoping to find what is missing from their tracks.

A couple of clues, the drum sound on AC/DCs Back In Black was achieved by moving the kit around the room until it sounded right, not by using some magic gear.  Or the tight guitars on a track are more about the artist and a lot of rehearsal than a plugin, or hack. To put it simply, it’s never about the gear Dummy!

The pro audio industry has a choice. One path leads towards a Hi-Fi-like obsession with gear and specs, potentially overshadowing the art it aims to serve. The other path, albeit more challenging, seeks to harmonise technical advancements with the emotive power of music. The choice made now will define the industry's future – not just in terms of sound, but in the legacy it leaves for the next generation of audio professionals.

Remember my question about the hi-fi show? “Were they happy?” The answer should always be yes, or if you’re not inclined to smile then it should at least move you.