For as long as I can remember, music has been my passion in life. I'm most always listening to music, and even when I'm not, there's something going on in my head. My first introduction to actually playing music was in middle school band, I played trumpet. I got to learn a little bit about music notation and time signatures etc. I was fortunate because my dad played guitar, and so there always one laying around. For some reason I'll never figure out, my dad never encouraged me to learn how to play.

Spring break of my 8th grade year, all my friends were off at the beach, and I was stuck at home with nothing to do. So I picked up a guitar and a chord chart. By the end of the week, I could play "House of the Rising Sun". That was the beginning, I've been playing guitar now for 12 years.

My mom had bought an old beat up piano from a garage sale. At one point in high school, I decided that if guitar was that easy, then piano couldn't be much harder. I translated all the chords I knew on guitar over to piano, and I kept with it. On the piano, I did a lot of experimentation. I was always good at math, quickly I recognized that there was very close relationship between math and music. For example, I figured out a formula for major and minor chords and other variations.

When I graduated high school, I knew that I would go to college. I had a tough decision to make. Music was my passion, but I sensed that it would not be an easy path to success. So I chose the middle ground. For me, that was electrical engineering. Engineering, design, computers are passions of mine as well. And I knew that the path to a successful career was there.

I've had my degree for 3 years now. I do enjoy my job, but sometimes it seems what is lacking is artistic expression. That is a need for me. So music is my creative outlet, and my joy in life. Recording would soon become the perfect combination of artistic expression with technical know-how. With my first paycheck, I built a badass computer (it's 3 years old and it's still badass). I bought a nice sound card a few microphones and I was ready to roll tape, er, uh... I mean A to D converters. In three years, I've milked the Internet for everythings it's worth to learn about recording techniques, and that's how I found Studio Forums.

After a lot of gear discussions, still, for me, the underlying theme is music. I'd rather hear great music on shitty gear than vice-versa. Sure, I could get better mics, better pres, but I got all this music in my head, and I gotta get it out. I just don't know if there's enough time. I mostly come here seeking advice, but sometimes, I do feel like I have something to add. I probably have less experience than a lot of people here, but I have a good ear, and a keen sense for recognizing talent. To become a great individual, you have to surround yourself with those who are greater than you, and I can feel a wealth of knowledge and experience when I visit Studio Forums.