Everyone loves the idea that “back in the day” recordings were more professional. Big studios, serious engineers, real consoles, musicians who rehearsed, and fewer tools to hide behind. But is that actually why those records feel so good… or are we mixing up “professional,” “better,” and “more human”?

In this episode, we unpack a listener comment that turns into a bigger conversation about source material, limitations, modern workflows, and why some top engineers are actually using fewer plugins than ever.

What We Dig Into:

What “professional recording” really means (and how the definition changes over time)

Why the sonic bar is higher in 2026 than it’s ever been

The hidden downside of unlimited plugins and endless options

Why older records often feel more “human” (performance, commitment, interaction)

The “fix it later” mindset and how it changes how people record

Why limitations can lead to faster decisions and stronger mixes

How channel strips can force better listening (and better choices)

The cumulative effect: one channel strip vs 24 across a session

A real-world challenge: mix with only a channel strip (and compare results)

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