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A blessing? Or a curse?

We all know there’s people who seem to have no memory of or ability to recall anything they hear. We know because they tell us so. In no uncertain terms, either! They are quite certain the only way anything can be compared is to flip back and forth instantaneously, because no one can remember anything they have heard for more than like a microsecond.

So okay, they can’t hear, can’t remember, they are quite certain this is the case, what can we do but believe them?

We also know there are people who seem to be able to recall very well things they have heard, sometimes even quite a long time ago. We hear this one all the time too. They tell us how a certain speaker or whatever sounds, even though they heard it only maybe once at some show or whatever many months ago. Let’s not quibble was it the speakers or the amp or the room or whatever. Point is a definite acoustic memory formed and has stayed with them.

Which at long last brings us to what you already know its really all about: Me! I have this decades long ritual where whenever people are coming over I do something, and sometimes a lot of somethings, to make the system really shine. My favorite thing about this, if I’m totally honest, is at the end when its late at night and the system is truly peaking I get to relax back and take it all in.

So this last time with the guys from Portland coming up, and then on to Mike Lavigne’s, well guess what? Left the Herron and the table on from the night before, woke up early to get the Melody going, ran the XLO demagnetizing tracks about a zillion times, demagnetized, sprayed, and then played a few sides. What they heard when they got here was pretty good. Or as I am told the unanimous opinion was, "Fantastic!" Then off to Mike Lavigne’s. So by the time I get back and relax that night its all been running for like 24 hours.

Holy moly did that sound good! Did not even want to go to bed.

Okay so here’s the problem. Last night, system been off a week, usual 30 min warm up, nothing else, anyone wonder why I was kind of underwhelmed? Its that dang auditory memory. If only I could forget! But then, if I was one of those guys who can’t remember a ding dong thing, would I have the system I have?

So what say you? Is it a blessing? Or a curse?
128x128millercarbon

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon OP
12,531 posts
 
Problem being, anyone can read the OP, and then read everything since, and it is clear (to those who can read and comprehend the English language) that this is not at all about anyone's skill of hearing or lack thereof. The question is something different. Its been made so clear that to not understand has got to be a reading comprehension problem. 

Let me put it in third grade level. Remember. Forget. Which one is better? And why?

What part of this do you still not understand?
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon OP
12,531 posts
 
mahler123, Its a serious question. oldhvymec gets it.  

Assume, for the sake of the argument, that when you hear something really good you are able to remember and carry with you that memory. So that later on when you hear something else you are able to recall and compare. It sounds silly almost insultingly childish having to put it so starkly. How anyone could operate a keyboard without any ability to form long term memory I don't know. So clearly you have it. Just maybe not with sounds.

So humor me. Try and imagine you can remember sounds. Got it? Okay. Good. Now imagine one night you listen and you remember how good your system sounds and the next night you realize it doesn't sound as good. Or it sounds better. Whatever. Point is you remember, and your memory is good enough to make the comparison.

The question before you now is: Is this a blessing? Or a curse? Do you want this ability? Or would you rather forget everything the minute after you hear it? There is no right or wrong. The sword cuts both ways. If you can forget you can be happy every time. You will find it impossible to make your system any better, but on the other hand you won't care. If you can remember you can make serious progress, but only at the cost of always knowing when things aren't quite right.

So you see, serious question: Blessing? Or curse?
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