In a recent article we asked the community if they felt it appropriate in recording sessions that they tell a singer they can’t sing.

The poll garnered nearly 600 responses as well as many comments, with views ranging from both ends of the spectrum. Although difficult, some felt telling someone was the right thing to do for the long term good.

Jimbo70 said;

“The biggest problem is that many challenged vocalists are reinforced by friends and family either without knowledge or by misguided kindness. Everyone needs to hear the truth and a true friend will give it to you.

It's a grey area since there are those who can improve with proper training and then there are those hopeless cases. Fixing it in the mix will always yield compromised results yet sometimes that's exactly what a client wants you to do.”

The Maccers went further explaining;

“I give a trumpet player example. I was in a band (very very well paid band) Due to quotas in the band (I’m trying not to give it away) this kid was allowed to enter the program, goto the school and eventually make it to our band. He was terrible. He was a super nice and very smart kid but he couldn't play at all. He was ridiculed and really treated poorly. One day I just told him. Dude you cant play you don’t have that fire, maybe this isn't for you. He ended up leaving the band and found another job in the same organisation. We ran into each other one day and he thanked me for being honest because he now had a job that he loved and he felt so supported in that position. Honesty is never bad, it hurts but if you are a good person you take it onboard and you grow.”

Conversely Richard Hilton said;

“Assuming "normal" professional social relationships, absolutely not. criticising or demeaning the artist's abilities is not a good way to get to a desirable result. the artist must be wrapped in a cocoon of love and support.”

Whilst Will Wittman said it depended on the role you were taking in the recording process';

“If you’re hired to produce? Sure.
If you’re hired as the engineer? No way. It’s not your job to critique.”

What was also enlightening was the result of the poll. Around 30% are willing to let it go, either by never saying anything or trying to fix it in the mix.

Around 15% said they would fix it in the mix, which does beg the question, is this only reinforcing the view that a significant amount of modern music is people using audio tricks to sell those with insufficient talent?

Discuss…