Can We Put Steve Back In Perspective

[YaQuin]

Dear Board Members,

I would like to state for the record that I admire a lot of the work Steve Hoffman does in remastering music from various artists. He definetly has a signature sound that is very pleasing to the ears.

I have noticed however a strange trend that is getting a little wierd for my tastes, so I wanted to say something about it. The trend is that people on this board are starting to worship Steve Hoffman. "Hoffmanites" kindof scare me, because they feel the man can do no wrong. The problem is that no man is perfect or infallable. In my opinion no living man, or dead man for that matter is worth worship.

This is NOT a rant on Steve, again I admire much of his work, but come on now, lets bring Steve back where he belongs: With Us, NOT Above Us.

Thanks all.

Not a Hoffmanite, but and admirer of his work......

[AudioGirl]

We're not worshiping Steve per se, but what he STANDS FOR:

The best sounding music out there! :)

[Dave]

I myself would have to call it admiration for a job well done topped with respect for the fact that the job was done properly, like it should have been done in the very first place.;)

[Angel]

And of course, we all love the fact that Steve gets on here and answers all of our questions. Also the fact that his website Forum is a place to discover new things about old subjects: Audio and music.

:cool:

[Ronald]

I agree with Angel. Some people get caught up in the music, which is fine, but it is nice that Steve is willing to read the posts and reply.

As opposed to Stan Ricker, SR still hasn't replied to a question I sent to him a year ago at his website. He is a busy man, but the site did say questions would be answered.

[czeskleba]

Most people here are fans of Steve Hoffman's work. Since this forum provides direct access to Steve, it's inevitable that sometimes posts may appear which have a "fan mail" tone to them. I've never read anything here that I would classify as "worship" of Steve, though... I'd be curious if you could give an example of what you mean by that.

[Larry Naramore]

"Our Steven who art at the cutting lathe"?

Respect - Yes
Admiration - Yes
Envy - Yes

Worship ??? :(

[Sckott]

You may feel uncomfortable for the way we tout Steve like 'King of all that is analogue'.

Fact is, he's doing some very simple & incredible things. He does a lot on both the technical and personal level that many people just don't do in the record business.

I'd love to see *this* as a trend; ie:more people who are in the field care more about the people who buy music. I really do. But it won't happen. TRUST me. This is why Steve's job is a lot safer as time goes on, and that's why his popularity will grow out of an audiophile/cult status. With the new CCR releases, I'm personally seeing more people talk about em.

All glory to Steve in the highest. Brainy engineer, caring and hard-working with a wonderful sense of humor. Great friend too.

[Humorem]

I worship Steve. I have a bust of him surrounded by candles and red velvet. What of it?

[Grant]

Gammaspace, I made that simple statement on another forum and this one and got tuanted on the ICE forum because they allow foe anoymous posts there.

I'm sure Steve is just kicking back having a good chuckle about all of this.

[Michael]

Why do you have to turn a POSITIVE thing into a NEGATIVE? Nobody is worshipping Steve...People are emotional and when enjoying themselves some like to express their feelings in different ways. HONEST PRAISE is not Worship!! And if Steve felt he was "above" us he would not be here with us like the so many UNAVAILABLE others in the business. Some find fault with everything, relax and have FUN! And YES I am PROUD to be called a HOFFMANITE!

[Angel]

Originally posted by Grant
Gammaspace, I made that simple statement on another forum and this one and got tuanted on the ICE forum because they allow foe anoymous posts there.

.

Grant,

Can you correct your sentence? I'm having trouble following what you are trying to say....:confused:

[Sckott]

Originally posted by Angel


Grant,

Can you correct your sentence? I'm having trouble following what you are trying to say....:confused:

foe=for.

Other than that, I understand him. Except if it were me, I'd leave my name, not annonymous.

If you watch closely, even in Audio Asylum there are lots of DCC and Hoffman Woo-hoos that multiply, "Dittos", "Yeah, Steve is awesome", ect.

[Todd Fredericks]

I think we all enjoy the work Steve does and he's also a very nice guy. In fact, a lot of people on this board are great people...

Todd

[Humorem]

Originally posted by Larry Naramore
"Our Steven who art at the cutting lathe"?

Respect - Yes
Admiration - Yes
Envy - Yes

Worship ??? :(

Let's give credit where credit is due. It's Kevin Gray at the cutting lathe, with Steve calling the shots.

[Todd Fredericks]

Okay... All hail "Stev... err... Kevin Gray!!!"

[Angel]

Why on earth does it bother someone that so many people are crazy about Steve's work? He also comes on here night and day to answer questions for us with good humor and grace, allowing us the ONLY real glimpse on the internet of the real world of mastering. Is he charging admission? No. So what on earth is there to bitch about? Showing admiration is our simple way of paying Steve back for all the great education he has given us about music and engineering. My God, if it wasn't for Steve, I'd be out wasting my money by rebuying all of my favorite CD's in their new "remastered" versions and making my ears bleed.

Steve, we are your friends and we admire you and your work. Thank you and Holy Zoo for this great website forum. It is the best on the net!

[Highway Star]

In the beginning Steve parted the tapes...and it was good! I haven't been to church since Johnson was president, so nothing to fear from me in the worshipping department. Amen

[lukpac]

I think the problem is when people assume that just because Steve touched something that it's gold. Like Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy for instance. I'd like to find someone who *really* thinks that Substitute sounds good on that CD, much less sounds better than on other CDs.

I think Steve is a great guy and does good work (he knows this), but I must say I do get sick of the "we love you Steve" comments...

[Beagle]

Originally posted by Angel
My God, if it wasn't for Steve, I'd be out wasting my money by rebuying all of my favorite CD's in their new "remastered" versions and making my ears bleedDon't you rely on your own ears to make your decisions?

On the topic, I think it is pretty cool of Steve to have this forum, that anyone can join and give opinions or ask for them. A lot of people in the "biz" are probably too snobbish or just don't or won't take time to do something like this. This is commendable IMO. People like Steve, Bob Clearmountain and Bob Ludwig care not only about sound but for the people who appreciate the hard work they do. I think they just want to keep the ears alive and not let people lose touch with what music (and the love of it) is all about. I can't really blame people for getting starry-eyed and handing out compliments because for a lot of people, music is an important part of their daily lives and Steve Hoffman lets us into his world to show us what it's all about.

[Angel]

Originally posted by Beagle
Don't you rely on your own ears to make your decisions?



Well of course I use my own ears, I'm not a dolt. But it took Steve gently telling us that, "perhaps louder does not mean better", to make me realize that, like the rest of us, I was being fooled by an overcompressed signal. Once I realized this, my "own ears" adjusted for that tricky little compression gimmick and I saw the light.

:)

[AudioGirl]

Originally posted by lukpac
I think the problem is when people assume that just because Steve touched something that it's gold. Like Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy for instance. I'd like to find someone who *really* thinks that Substitute sounds good on that CD, much less sounds better than on other CDs.



Hi Luke,

I know you keep harping on "Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy" and the few average sounding tracks on there, but you do realize that Steve only had a day to do this album, and that he had to use the ONLY version of "Substitute" he had in the vault? Steve always said that he had to make do with what MCA had in the way of tapes. So, "Substitute" on MBBB clearly matches the sound of the 45 version. What does it matter that years later someone unearthed the actual master? The point was that only Steve Hoffman would have attempted to make the best version of MBBB he could from tapes other than the fake stereo MBBB version that was scheduled for release.

BTW, you forgot to mention your displeasure with the tape damage on "Listen To The Music". :D

If this is all that we have to complain about after 20 years of Steve's mastering, we should indeed be in awe.;)

[lukpac]

Originally posted by AudioGirl
I know you keep harping on "Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy" and the few average sounding tracks on there, but you do realize that Steve only had a day to do this album, and that he had to use the ONLY version of "Substitute" he had in the vault? Steve always said that he had to make do with what MCA had in the way of tapes. So, "Substitute" on MBBB clearly matches the sound of the 45 version.

Have you actually listened to a 45 to compare? Hell, the US 45 was on Atco and didn't even use the same mix (edited and different vocals).

Nevertheless, not everything Steve does is perfect, despite that belief by many in here. I don't care if Steve had 1 day or 1 year for MBBB - the end result is what matters. Not perfect is not perfect any way you slice it.

[Jim Ricketts]

Luk,
What? I think you need your own collection of Steve's bust with matching-shaped candles and velvet trappings for your shrine. My company JUST happens to have a large stock of these items and will let YOU have a deal of a lifetime. Only $49.95 today...and today only. Of course, shipping & handling are extra.:)

[Angel]

Luke, let me try and understand this.

So you are saying that Steve should have done nothing and just let the fake stereo version of Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy be mastered? Then THAT version would still be in print in Canada. That's what you are saying?

Give me a break.