Years ago, before the PC revolution and the rise of the machines, the term ‘Conductor’ in a ‘musical’ sense simply meant the guy at the front of an Orchestra waving his pointy stick about. Of course, he is doing much more than that, he is controlling the Orchestra with his timely gestures, bringing in ‘elements’ of the mix as and when required.
Invariably associated with classical music and complex pieces (I’ve never heard talk of George Martin using a baton and controlling The Beatles in such a manner) and why should he. He only had a 4 piece to deal with.

In the modern studio recording environments of today we see a new interpretation of the term ‘Conductor’. Although never referred to as a Conductor (not until now anyway) The Digital Producer is as much a Conductor as the guy with the little white stick.
As DAW technology rolls on faster than ever… first 8 track, then 16, then 24, then 48… and so on, and so on…. we have been at ‘unlimited’ tracks for quite a number of years now, with the only limitations dependent on your rig and the amount of poke it has of course.
7 years ago I was running Cubase VST on a mediocre Athlon 1.2GHz windows box with over 100 tracks all ‘singing’ at once. Admittedly that was pushing it right to the wire, but it did cope.

So what about the Conductor then?

Well, it’s you (or me) whose the modern day Conductor. Riding the faders, blending your mix, controlling your Virtual Orchestra. Not quite as exciting as being front of house at the Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic but it can be equally as satisfying all the same.
Over time you get a feeling for your ‘team’. You know what’s going to work where, who makes the biggest noise, who requires ‘special attention’ – maybe a gentle fade-in, some panning here and there. An endless journey if you do so wish. A Virtual Orchestra will never tire nor phone in sick. Ready to perform all day, everyday at the click of a button.

Some people have in the past called Digital Music production stale, boring and even soulless. More often than not these are the people who think the guy with the pointy stick conducting the Royal Philly is a god-like genius.
I think that just about sums it up then. Roll up your sleeves, get a bread stick out of the kitchen and get sliding those dials. You have just been appointed Master of Digital Ceremonies.