People,

I have a deep dark confession to make. I have visited a few other forums and thought I was going to have to check myself into a mental institution afterwards.

Crazy stuff. I will leave it at that and say no more.

I attribute about 100 percent of my growth as an artist over the past 3 years to this forum and the way it is professionally conducted. I am serious.

I am not sure people know how lucky we all are to have a place like this which somehow validates your talent and enables it to grow with gentle suggestions in a place where no one is God and no one is King.

It is not like that in the rest of the world.

I am very grateful for this forum and all the people here and just wanted to say that for 2018.

You are all a great bunch of people and you have helped me a lot.

David,

Welcome to the club. Not to the forum--as you say, you have been here for three years--but to the fold of those who recognize what a treasure the PG Music forums are.

I consider this place my musical internet home. I joined just over 10 years ago, was very active for a long time, and am just back in the last week after an absence of some years. It feels great to be back (and I need to say so in a dedicated post).

Again, welcome. In the words of the great Dr. Gannon--have fun!

Richard

I visit about a half dozen forums.

This is the only one I visit every day. As Richard pointed out, it does feel more like a club. My fellow posters are my friends. Even when we don't see eye to eye on something, we disagree as friends.

That's rare in todays on-line world and greatly appreciated.

Notes

I agree. I have never seen such a blend of talent and genuine character. Usually, I expect people this talented to have some personality quirk.
As for you, Mr. Snyder, you are right on the list as one of everyone's favorite artists and personalities. Not only my observation, but plain from the posts and interactions everyone on this forum has with you. Keep up the good work!

Dave, I agree with you 100%.

I also have learned a lot on these forums even when the questions were not PGMusic product specific.

Even when we disagree it never goes into name calling and I like that. There are times when we just have to agree to disagree and leave it at that.

You are all my friends.

I found your post to be funny in the way that I look at YOU as one of the people with an opinion I truly appreciate and value. There's about 12-15 who I consider the most knowledgeable and experienced and when I get positive feedback from them, I take it as a huge compliment. When I get negative feedback from them, I take it as instructional. That handful and a half who just want to argue at the level of Ford vs Chevy (This is the right way because this is how I do it!!!) I just tune out immediately. But having listened to a lot of your stuff, Dave, I know you are the real deal and respect your input.

I still only use the "top layer" of Real Band, and a lot of what I know how to do I refined after much discussion with you folks here. Add that to the top shelf customer support PG gives and it's a great recipe.

Although I have been on this forum probably less than six months, I have been on several others over the past three or four years and I can already sense the professionalism and quality of the people here. As David mentioned some of the others made me want to check my mental status. So appreciate all the help and advice I've received so far. I also check this one almost every day. Getting busy right now with my day job, so probably won't get to post many songs for a few months, but I'll be back as I just purchased the Ultra package and can't wait to work with it.

My thoughts exactly. Of all the places out there, I've found this one to be a lot friendlier and productive than the fights that rage on elsewhere.

Very nice sentiments, Dave and others. This is really a terrific place for help, friends and music. With SONAR in decline, this is now the only forum I visit daily. I try to pitch in even when I don’t have BIAB running.

Thanks primarily to the efforts of Pat Marr, many of us on the east coast of the USA know each other personally. Pat even coordinated a little reunion at my summer camp last year, where I got to meet Mario. John Ford, without whom this forum would be much less knowledgeable, even showed up at one of my concerts. Everyone I’ve met here, in person or virtually, has been supportive of our common goals.

We are not immune to an occasional irritant. Many years ago, a sociology project quite ably caused havoc. If you see an occasional reference to Ivan here, that’s it.

Another thing many of you don’t know is that the date you joined the forum does not take into account a few of us who used the former forum software for years before 2000. Those early dates and posts did not carry over into the current forum, now itself over 17 years strong.

Hi David,

You are 100% right about the affirming and friendly culture on this forum. What might be less obvious is that it is neither an accident nor a fluke.

Internet culture is a micro-version of world culture, and there are well-known principles that work to turn systems of anarchy (no rules, so the strong dominate the weak through force) into more civil environments.

I think the ideal system has few rules, so people can interact without worrying about walking on eggshells. But there is one key rule that seems to be enforced in systems that are characterized by civility: in every discussion, people must make their point without doing damage to the other person's dignity. Challenge the idea, not the person espousing the idea.

The people on this forum have understood that principle for years, and as a result, you rarely see the kind of personal attacks that are common on so many other forums.

Nicely stated, Mr. Snyder.

This forum is truly unique in its civility and its talent. Considering how (relatively) small this community is, it is astonishing the level of talent here - musicianship and songwriting and production/arranging/mixing - with relatively few egos.

Glad you are here! (I told you those others were lame )

I completely agree as well David and I'll also echo that when I read your posts I think you are one of the most interesting and knowledgeable people here. The only other forum I frequent is the Keyboard Corner which is part of Musicplayer.com. That's a friendly place as well and for you pickers here's a link to the Guitar forum:

http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/19/1/Guitar_Player_Forum

What makes those forums so good is they are strictly moderated. Flame wars and political talk is strictly forbidden.

What makes this place so unique is most of the time that level of moderation is not necessary. The users and posters here are all level headed adults. Disagreements will crop up but the parties will back off and let it go which is very cool.

Bob

+1 For all the posts. Of the few forums that I participate in, only Keyboard Corner comes close as far as help and civility is concerned. There are some pretty funny guys in that forum also. I've also bought equipment based on recommendations from that site.

I am a member of two other forums but have not been on either site in several years. I'm on this site daily. This is my internet home the same as Ryszard feels.

Love the forum and the people.


(Get to learn about all things good about BIAB/RB, DAW's, Recordings and hot happenings on sites like YouTube too.)

Charlie

hi i agree with all said there is a genuineness with most people here that make there point and don't destroy the poster biab,sonar, are the ones i belong to and just join two others hope there as friendly as biab however biab is more humble and have very talented people that share and help eric

Honestly I've never been big on using forums for anything, but since joining the PG Music furum I've become addicted to it. I will browse through here at least a couple times a day to see what is new. I have gained much insite into using BIAB and also about general recording practices. There are some very knowledgeable people on here and it is great that they are willing to share their techniques to help others.

Ditto I agree

Tony

There is a tremendous pool of knowledge and talent on this forum. I couldn't say it any better than David did.

Here, in this place there is no "stupid question" just the unknown. There are mentors, teachers and friends that enjoy sharing the path of musical growth.

It is my musical home and to all of you I say my home is your home.

We are family here and are smart enuf to leave politics OUT of our conversations. I also feel the way you do that this is the best site for music on the internet.

Trax

....and I've got all my sisters with me.

A mandatory song to learn for doing Weddings, Anniversaries and Reunions.

Notes

I hit 2 forums everyday, here and Two Track Music......and I hit them for the very reasons that you state Dave.

Dave, thanks for putting in words something I have been meaning to say for some time. I am a forum "lurker". I don't make very many comments considering I have been around for some time, but I can say that anytime I have had a question or needed help, forum members have always responded with promptness and a willingness to share knowledge. I don't have much experience with other forums but I can attest to the decorum which the members carry out here. Thanks to all of you for making this forum what it is. DennisD

I really love how positive and amazing everyone is on this forum, and I really enjoy watching everyone evolve with their music! It's super cool and fascinating to watch everyone's journey.

Speaking of evolving, one of the most satisfying aspects of the forum occurs when someone changes from a newcomer/beginning to someone who helps solve problems.

I call Matt my forum Daddy.

I like how eager people are to help. I often come across a question and find somebody has already offered the solution I would have done, and a few posts followed.

Notes

So he's your Matt Daddy then?

Daddy Matt.