How not to accept constructive criticism

[Tadpui]

Oh this is rich. I joined a Facebook group yesterday called Home Recording Studio Zone. It's got over 7K members so I figured why not, I might learn something. So I've been complimenting people where appropriate, and this guy posts a song. I assumed it was like anywhere else on the internet, and that a little constructive criticism might go a long ways. Oh boy was I wrong.

I'm playing the dumb newb to the group, and rightly so. How would I know that the implication of posting in this group is that it's only for likes, only for self-promotion, and not for any sort of betterment or progression as a home recordist? So I'm trying to be polite yet annoyed. I'll see how well I can keep up the balancing act. I actually honestly want to know how a mix gets to the point where it sounds like I have cotton balls in my ears. I'll post updates if this has a happy ending

Facebook Home Recording 1_LI.jpg

[JD01]

Lol. Tad. This isn't gonna end well! You might find that he's the twat of that group anyway.

Criticism is the key to improvement.. in anything

[Bubba]

Phrygian Dominant? It sounds likeJD's alter ego is being outed here.

When did the world become full of backslappers that are always one negative comment away from a meltdown?

[Armistice]

LOL, this could be fun - BTW, you forgot to blank out your surname on the last one, so now we know who you are...

Next, where you live.

[JD01]

Lol. I didn't see his name. I think that's a favourite mode of Yngwie

[Bubba]

Friends don't let friends post shit mixes.

[JD01]

I just don't get why everyone has to be so thin skinned. You don't learn anything by not listening and no one ever got good at anything by not learning about it.

[Greg_L]

All of the 90s participation award kids are now the "adults" of the internet age, and here we are. They're still looking for that unearned participation award.

[Tadpui]

LOL, this could be fun - BTW, you forgot to blank out your surname on the last one, so now we know who you are...

Next, where you live.

I noticed after I posted but I was too lazy to fix it and reupload. I don't recall specifically asking for critique on my windows snip tool skills. My snipping stands as a finished product and it's perfect how it is!



*edit* There, fixed. Now my identity is totally safe!

[rayc]

This seems to be the new "way" The BIAB forum is critique only when invited to. HR became positive & back slaps, a fb mob, The Music Wheel is a "say nice things about out of tune and awful stuff" only mob.
TRR appears to be the only place where a "safe space" zones isn't obligatory.
Even more to the point the safe zone places don't make that aspect clear.
Clearly standing in the rain isn't for many.

[Tadpui]

This seems to be the new "way" The BIAB forum is critique only when invited to. HR became positive & back slaps, a fb mob, The Music Wheel is a "say nice things about out of tune and awful stuff" only mob.
TRR appears to be the only place where a "safe space" zones isn't obligatory.
Even more to the point the safe zone places don't make that aspect clear.
Clearly standing in the rain isn't for many.

Apparently so. And that's kinda depressing. Are we such Rebels that we don't belong out in the wild any more? I was really, genuinely, truly astonished at this guy's reaction. I honestly never saw that coming.

He hasn't replied to my request about his tracking process, BTW. I deleted the bit asking about his monitoring, it seemed a bit much for a first round of discussion

[Greg_L]

Are we such Rebels that we don't belong out in the wild any more?

I get banned from every other site I go to, so maybe, yeah.

[Armistice]

Screenshot_20181112-084053_Facebook.jpg

You seem to be well within the stated aims of the group...

[WhiskeyJack]

Fuck facebook. Jesus. After having a run in today with a realife prick like tommy fuckstick there i am so over this over sensitive society.

In hopes that we do grow i think we need to put up a rules a page somewhere and within that there will be a subtext citing that anything shared on these boards is an invitation to critique. Asked for or not. It is what we do. Second third and fourth sets of ears.

People = yuck.

[Greg_L]

I really don't understand the big deal about critiques. You don't have to listen to any of it.

[Tadpui]

Greg
I know, right? I mean, nobody can listen to every suggestion and implement it in a mix, it'd be a disaster. It'd be a McDonald's commercial jingle!

WJ
I know the feeling. I keep saying that I'm done with FB, especially through election season. But I keep coming back as an idle time killer throughout the day. it's a bad habit that's outgrown its use.

JD
Yeah, I don't see it ending well now either. I legit had high hopes that he'd actually engage and discuss, or flame out in a mighty fashion.

ray
Yeah, I get distinct vibes of the BIAB forum! And boy am I glad to have this place. You'll call me on my bullshit and not let me go through life erroneously thinking that everything I do is pure gold.

[Tadpui]

I get banned from every other site I go to, so maybe, yeah.

Well maybe not EVERY place you go

You seem to be well within the stated aims of the group...

That's what I thought too. After about 48 hours of membership, it looks like the place is about 90% shameless self-promotion with nobody watching/liking/commenting on each others' stuff (other than a few chums that like each others' stuff), and 10% actual discussion that's almost entirely about gear and not technique. It's like FutureProducers.com meets GearSlutz.com, but with arm floaties on.

[Lt. Bob]

I get banned from every other site I go to, so maybe, yeah.

Well maybe not EVERY place you go

You seem to be well within the stated aims of the group...

That's what I thought too. After about 48 hours of membership, it looks like the place is about 90% shameless self-promotion with nobody watching/liking/commenting on each others' stuff (other than a few chums that like each others' stuff), and 10% actual discussion that's almost entirely about gear and not technique. It's like FutureProducers.com meets GearSlutz.com, but with arm floaties on.

when he complained about you giving a critique you should have just put the quote of the group's mission statement

[rayc]

I visited and clicked join so I can have a look and listen. I shan't "participate" - just a recce.
Interestingly the BIGGEST problem at BIAB is, besides the sterility of songs constructed almost exclusively by the program, is essing and plosives an vocals. Many there only add vocals and do so with large splashes of reverb that accentuate the essing from poor recording technique or mic technique.
I've offered all the available ways to address that from plug ins to mic technique but they don't seem to hear their own foibles.

[rayc]

I spent an hour listening, reading & commenting. By & large it's a dismal page.
Quite a few "prodoosahs" and not a lot of interaction. I made a few comments just to suss out the type of response and posted a song to back up my intro of welcoming constructive commentary etc. I'll check in tomorrow to see how silly things became. Oh, I commented on Tom's track - suggesting the drums let it down & it was a little dark (both correct from my perspective). Can't wait to see his response.