FAQ#4e Submitted by Fletcher at Mercenary Audio

----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew HisNameChanged
To: questions@mercenary.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 5:08 PM
Subject: Aloha From Hawaii


Hi my name is Matthew HisNameChanged, born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii.
I am a keyboardist part of a seven piece band called InsertBandNameHere. We're called
the next big thing in Hawaii,  and we just recently finished our first CD I
co wrote, arranged, engineered, mixed and produced the album. I let a few
pros from the mainland listen to it and they all say the same thing, the
songs are awesome, could be hits but it's a shame that we don't have the
right gear. You see we really had no budget for this CD. We were forced to
get the cheapest gear on the market. But this time we refuse to let our
songs be wasted. We were signed to multiple local Labels, but every time
things came crashing down. Promises were made, money was owed but every time
we were left back at square one.
            The local music in Hawaii is called Jawaiian. They take earlier
hits and put a skank in them giving a little reggae feel. We all hate this,
I personally can't stand it. How dare they put a skank in Whitney Houston's
"Hold Me" or Take credit for Princess's "Blue Light". And they never ask for
permission or pay there royalties. So in a sense Hawaii is a joke in the
Music Industry. We need our music to be heard, to touch and comfort people,
or just make 'em feel good all over. Remember that song you hear and love,
no matter how many times you listen to it, it always manages to bring you
back.
            My friend Troy at SomeStudio Honolulu is chief engineer who had worked
with artist such as Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, Incubus etc. Troy really
believes in my talents and InsertBandNameHere. So I'm asking you for help, we are
looking to find sponsors or companies willing and able to give extreme
discounts. I know your company makes great top quality pro gear, so if you
are able in any way to help us out or even if would like more information
please contact me Matthew HisNameChanged at something @hotmail.com or at
(808)###-#### my address is #### S. Whatever St. apt #### Honolulu, Hawaii
 
If you cannot help us out that's ok to.

Thank you so much for your time.

            Sincerely,
                            Matthew HisNameChanged

________________  REPLY BY FLETCHER ________________

Matthew,

I'm flattered that you emailed us about helping you, and I would sincerely
like to give you some of the best assistance you can be given.

It's not the gear, it's the engineer.

Machines don't make music, people do.

I sincerely appreciate the spiritual desire to blame the machines for the
failings of the individual... but if the sounds aren't recorded properly
it's the failure of the recording engineer, not the recording equipment.
One of my favorite records EVER made was made in a New York City apartment
with a couple of Shure SM-57's and a 16 bit ADAT...
http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artists/theyayhoos it was recorded by Roscoe
Ambel and mastered by Scott Hull.  Best sounding record I've heard since
"Exile On Main St.".

If you'd like some help recording a great record, I'll be more than happy to
give you a hand... if you'd like stuff mixed, just give a shout and I'll be
more than happy to mix it for you [I've got a dozen or so Gold and Platinum
records on the wall... I reckon you could consider me a "pro"]... but donate
gear?

All donating gear would do would be to take food off my family's table while
giving you some shit to pawn on eBay when you can't get a competent operator
to make the record... it's a sucker's bet, and if there is one thing I
ain't, it's a sucker.

I'll be more than happy to assist you make a great record, but I'll be
damned if I'm going to fuck with my kids higher education [so they don't
become musicians].  I hope this doesn't bum you out too badly... best of
luck with all you do!!!
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: +1 508-543-0069
FAX: +1 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
"this is not a problem"