I've pulled together a collection of recent thoughts I've had about the recording process. You can agree or not agree. The important thing is to use your ears, mind, and creativity to make great recordings.
Recording equipment matters, but it doesn't really matter.
It may take you years to learn, or outgrow, some of your gear.
At a certain level of recording gear, every $500 step buys you tiny, incremental benefits.
Vintage gear is a mirage; not something you really need, but maybe something to conceptually strive for.
Some random chain of vintage equipment isn't what really made those records worth listening to 40 years later.
Considering every possibility in front of you is paralyzing.
Just because you came up with a new overdub or part doesn't mean it's good.
Percussion overdubs are 90 percent unnecessary.
Backing vocals are 75 percent unnecessary.
It's not possible to steal someone's recording tricks; they never work the same for you.
Fidelity means everything and nothing, at the same time.
Sources that sound natural might not be natural at all.
"It was recorded live" doesn't indicate anything about the quality.