Greetings Craig, I’ve been a long time appreciator of your expertise all the way back to your DYI projects.
I have tried to keep my mouth shut, but your ‘Talk Back’ column, July ’08, was so very stimulating that I just had to. So here it is.

Analog versus digital, reality versus illusion, is seeing believing or believing seeing.

Once upon a time, many, many years ago, A Dr. Einstein and some of his cohorts concluded that there existed a cause and effect relationship between an observer and that which was observed.

Back in the 1970s and 80s a number of folks calling themselves particle physicists concluded through scientific experiments that an observer influences that which is being observed by the mere fact of observing it, and by this observation, actually may alter the physical characteristics of the thing being observed.
These folks went on to conclude that a deeply held belief about something most decidedly influenced whatever that something was, up to and including altering that something’s physical structure.
Hence the old saying “seeing is believing” might very well be expressed more accurately as “believing is seeing”.

It would seem that our firmly held beliefs may in some way influence the world we perceive.

I've been writing, recording and producing music for over 30 years. I have built lots of analog gear, I love a sizzling soldering iron, I love the soft filament glow of an old Macintosh amp. When I would hit a creative block while recording, I loved to go tinker with some piece of electronic equipment, my tape machine usually being my chosen target, and of course always in need of some tinkering. Within a short time, my creative block seemed to melt away and I could resume recording. Looking back at these early experiences, it seems I was establishing a deeply held belief that analog was wonderful.

Today I enjoy a full digital recording environment. Not much there to tinker with. Sure, software offers virtually unlimited tinkering, but the thrill of actually recording the music has already been done. Does the music now sound as if something is missing? Do I believe something is missing because of how I recorded the music?

I Listened to a CD album mixdown I had done. I was fresh and anxious to hear what it sounded like. It was perfect. Good job well done. Several weeks later, same results. Some ‘reference’ears listened, said it was terrible. I listened again, sounded perfect to me.

Had I let my initial listening experience become a deeply held belief, and thus influence all future relationships I would have with this music? Were my other ‘good ears’ wrong or simply did not like the music, and too kind to tell me?

Is there an answer to analog versus digital, which is better? I don't believe so. Is this a deeply held belief, probably. I've heard excellent and poor from both.

Particle Physicists have demonstrated that Our Intentions, Beliefs, about something, for example, our deeply held beliefs about Analog vs. Digital, carry the capability, or power, to go forth and actually change the physical particles of a CD or tape or vinyl. Because I would be dealing with my own intention, I might be the only one who hears a difference. I can try to share, convince, other folks, but they probably have their own intentions coloring their perceptions.

I think the bottom line is for each of us to be aware that what we hear, as well as what we see, is being influenced by our deeply held beliefs. And to do our best to be as open and honest with ourselves as we possibly can.

And, most importantly, feel the flow of the music and cherish the experience of a well done musical expression.

Thanks Craig, for all of your sharing, please accept my blessing to you throughout your journeys, Charlie