This isn’t a tech tip, but it is a fair question that it is probably time to address. This one came to us over the weekend from Chris at IBM.
“InSync” is written in first person tense, yet it is never signed or credited to an author. Is it one person’s writing or is it a collective effort? I just think that if someone is going to write “I like this piece of gear,” or “In my experience. . .,” the reader is entitled to know who “I” is in each and every case, like in the gear mags, otherwise everything should read “WE at Sweetwater feel . . .” etc.
First of all, “first person” is not a tense. Past, present and future are tenses (see, I actually did sneak a Tech Tip in here). The point made, however, is quite valid. InSync has a habit of shifting from first to third person without always specifying who is who. This is one way in which inSync retains an informal and personal touch. Besides, I just like doing it that way. It is not true, however, that inSync is never signed or credited to an author. There are numerous issues where the editor of inSync is made known, and many more where specific writers have had input that was credited. But for those who care, let it be known that anytime I refer to “I,” I am referring to myself: The editor of inSync and your fountain of knowledge about music technology, David Stewart. No, not the former pitcher for the Blue Jays or the guy from the Eurythmics, this David Stewart grew up playing music for a living and later started a recording studio that is still in business today. He has (I have – there we go again) numerous other credentials, but we wouldn’t want you to fall asleep while operating sophisticated computer equipment so you’ll be spared the list.
You can always assume that, unless otherwise noted, the pronoun “I” in inSync refers to David Stewart, the editor. Other people do contribute to inSync on a regular basis. They may or may not be specifically identified. It just depends on the issue and the context of what is being stated. Numerous statements in inSync are the result of a collective Sweetwater opinion. In those cases I am careful not to use the “I” pronoun.