Thirty-three years later I am at the SAE (School for Audio Engineering) in Hamburg and find that recording techniques have evolved, and that sound design is now left to software algorithms that get sold 'along with the currants and raisins at the local greengrocer'. Progress? Degeneration? But no! We haven't yet REALLY learned how to use computers. In spite of Steve Jobs' unwavering efforts, computers are still slow, unreliable and user-unfriendly. But we seem to be moving in the right direction. There lies a great future ahead for the aspiring sound engineer.
An interesting development in music production today is the phenomenon of 'remixing'. A remix is "... an alternative version of a song, different from the original. A remixer uses audio mixing to compose an alternate master recording of a song, adding or subtracting elements, or simply changing the equalization, dynamics, pitch, tempo, playing time, or almost any other aspect of the various musical components..." (Wikipedia).
Remixing is denounced and ignored by people who carry distinct ideas of what and how 'real' music should be. Others have developed it into an art form and near-religious experience.
I thought it would be so great if someone would remix Soft Machine, who were my favourite band when I was a kid. I had no idea how to do something like that, and for a while I thought Peter Kruder should do it, until I found he is actually busy with other things. Then I decided to learn it and do it myself.