The history of humankind shows that only in recent centuries have we have become less social creatures. I've long advocated in the pages of Tape Op that we all need to find time to get together and talk about the craft of recording music in person. Conferring with our peers can aid in gaining new perspectives, learning new techniques, and even simply just finding out about new recording gear. When I teach my weekend Recording Workshops at Jackpot! Recording Studio, one concept that comes up every time is a way to find a group of like-minded recordists (who share similar skill levels) with whom you can share equipment and discuss your situations and goals. Your peers will most likely be solving the same problems, as well as having similar frustrations and breakthroughs.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world, we've been asked to maintain social distancing. Live music events are at a standstill. Recording studio sessions have been canceled or uneasily postponed. Band rehearsals are impossible. At the moment, I'm trying to figure out when it will even be safe to have two friends join me in the studio so that we can finish mixing a project we should have been done with months ago.