Pro Stories: In Remembrance, Joe Hammer

I've known my friend Joe Hammer for almost 20 years. Joe has literally done everything. From running his own studio, touring all over the world as a drummer, and even working in management and business development for major audio manufacturers all over the globe. From France, to Japan, to Australia, Joe has seen it all. Here's a little advice from the guy I affectionately call, Uncle Joe. I shall miss Joe a lot, he was a legend.

JOE HAMMER

Follow your own passion — not your parents, not your teachers’—yours! Listening is an art that requires attention over talent and spirit over ego. Always, always remember that you actually have only two basic tools. Sound and silence. If possible, listen to your work with every playback system available to you ... and take notes: Earbuds, headphones, studio monitors, a old living room stereo from the 70s, boombox, in your car. If you make sure your work sounds good with different playback systems, then there will be a good chance that you’re on the right track. Make notes for the problems that you do hear in each system, and THEN fix those issues. Read with your ears! And for post, (working with picture) ... Remember; There can be no readable presence for sound and picture together without the readable strategy of both. And no one wants to follow something without understanding.

Sydney, Australia·Posted Fri, May 21