2. amps-preamps
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How often should you re-calibrate your ears?

I went to see a jazz quartet last night in an intimate setting. It had been waay too long since I've been out to experience live music. Sitting at home listening to music and critiquing the accuracy of the recording is really worthless if you don't periodically experience a true reference...... a live event.

The experience provided me with some sorely needed perspective. I am now of the belief that twice a year is the minimun those in this hobby should experienc a live musical event of the type of music you listen to on recordings.

I now know I have been far too dependent on recorded music for too long. Live is still where it's at.
128x128mitch4t
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
You're absolutely correct that live is where it's at, but twice a year? Way too little. If we don't get out and support the arts, there will be less of them to sample live in the future (this coming, admittedly, from a trustee of a symphony orchestra and a singer in a number of good but not heavily attended choruses, but I think the point is objectively valid).
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Hmm...how about twice a month? That's about how often I hear real music during our orchestra's nine-month season. Some of us have REALLY short aural memories.
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mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t OP
1,610 posts
 
I used to listen to live jazz about twice a month, then life intervened. I woke up 15 years later to find out how much I have missed of what I used to really love to do. I got addicted to audio equipment and actually forgot about the real thing (live music)

Rcprince, your assessment of getting out more often to support the artists is right on the money....I will now make a conscious effort to do so.
snofun3
601 posts
 
Do it daily.
Buy an instrument and pay 1/10th of what you'd spend on audio gear on lessons, and 1/10th the time obsessing about gear on practice, and you can recalibrate at will.
It works for me.

For sure it's nice to hear, see and support an artist, but I find a new appreciation in the music when trying to emulate it.

It's obvious that many spend far too much time and effort on the equipment and not the music.
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