Big Mick Hughes is one of the best known live sound engineers in the concert industry. He is the long time front-of-house mixer for Metallica, a larger than life personality, and until now, someone whose reputation as a legend was well earned.
The recent trend in print advertising to have technicians endorse audio products is, in general, a good one. They normally have a useful perspective and their endorsements have value. Big Mick has put the value of those endorsements at risk.
Here’s what Big Mick says about his microphone of choice, Audio Technica in May’s Pro Sound News. “I love Audio-Technica mics. You can definitely tell an Audio Technica gig as soon as you walk into it.”
Now, I’m no “golden ear” but I do know that between a microphone and my (and Big Mick’s) ears there is (at minimum) a mixer, an amplifier, speakers, and cables, all of which color the sound you hear, regardless of their quality.
The idea that you can identify a brand of microphone just by listening to a live sound system is laughable.
Put on your blindfold, Mick, and step into any music club in America. Even your ears aren’t that good.
I hope Audio-Technica is paying you well.
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