--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No matter how great we get with digital…" description: "\"No matter how great we get with digital formats of instrumentation, nothing really quite duplicates the real thing\" — Michael Bolton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/michael-bolton-13753_digital_no-matter-how-great-we-get-with-digital_1668704.jpg" --- # No matter how great we get with digital formats of… ![“No matter how great we get with digital formats of instrumentation, nothing really quite duplicates the real thing” quote by Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/michael-bolton-13753_digital_no-matter-how-great-we-get-with-digital_1668704.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/michael-bolton-13753_digital_no-matter-how-great-we-get-with-digital_1668704.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/michael-bolton-13753_digital_no-matter-how-great-we-get-with-digital_1668704.jpg) > “No matter how great we get with digital formats of instrumentation, nothing really quite duplicates the real thing” [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Digital tools are useful, but they cannot fully replicate the authenticity and nuance of analog experiences. **In simple terms:** Digital can't replace real feel. Key Takeaway Value analog experiences alongside digital. Themes technology authenticity nostalgia Mood nostalgic thoughtful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - music production - photography - live performance Key Concepts sensory perception digital vs analog Questions to Reflect On - What analog experiences do you cherish? - How can you blend digital and analog? A Different Perspective Digital formats may improve convenience but lack depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Digital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digital/) [Digital Formats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digital-formats-835747/) [Format](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/format/) [Formats Instrumentation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formats-instrumentation-835748/) [Great Digital](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-digital-835749/) [Instrumentation Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instrumentation-really-835746/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-thing/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Above all, the translation of books into digital formats means the destruction of boundaries. Bound, printed texts are discrete objects: immutable, individual, lendable, cut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-chatfield/above-all-the-translation-of-books-into-digital-formats-means-the/) [Tom Chatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-chatfield/) > [The digital formats keep changing so rapidly. I feel like so many people are shooting digital but the quality is being lost. There's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-wein/the-digital-formats-keep-changing-so-rapidly-i-feel-like-so-many/) [Daryl Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-wein/) > [In the beginning I had a lot of self-imposed limitations as far as production and instrumentation. It was really inspiring for us at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamaryn/in-the-beginning-i-had-a-lot-of-self-imposed-limitations-as-far-as/) [Tamaryn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamaryn/) > [You look at the instrumentation, and you can't really argue that we set out with commercial aspirations. Banjos and things like that are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dwane/you-look-at-the-instrumentation-and-you-can-t-really-argue-that-we/) [Ted Dwane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dwane/) > [The one real thing that money buys - Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marita-bonner/the-one-real-thing-that-money-buys-time/) [Marita Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marita-bonner/) > [The real thing is that sweet joy you feel when you're in the midst of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-phillips/the-real-thing-is-that-sweet-joy-you-feel-when-you-re-in-the-midst-of/) [Jan Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-phillips/) > [And the real thing can kill you whether you believe in it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-salvatore-2/and-the-real-thing-can-kill-you-whether-you-believe-in-it-or-not/) [R. A. Salvatore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-salvatore-2/) > [Trust the Canadians to produce a game about mutual funds that is actually more boring than the real thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/trust-the-canadians-to-produce-a-game-about-mutual-funds-that-is/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [The real thing, when done right , is always better than a daydream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/the-real-thing-when-done-right-is-always-better-than-a-daydream/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [Subtle, funny and touching, with a striking downbeat authenticity. Director Craig Zobel is the real thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-o-scott/subtle-funny-and-touching-with-a-striking-downbeat-authenticity/) [A. O. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-o-scott/) > [“A counterfeit can never be a substitute for the real thing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sipho-bayeto/a-counterfeit-can-never-be-a-substitute-for-the-real-thing/) [Sipho Bayeto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sipho-bayeto/) > [“No point in wasting time with false vanity when you possess the real thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/no-point-in-wasting-time-with-false-vanity-when-you-possess-the-real/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [My only market analysis was to look around and see that, in one way or another, most watches are inspired by watches that were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mille/my-only-market-analysis-was-to-look-around-and-see-that-in-one-way-or/) [Richard Mille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mille/) > [Most people don't act stupid - it's the real thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/most-people-don-t-act-stupid-it-s-the-real-thing/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [I would like to get married, actually. I've done everything else in my life now except that, but where do I find the real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aviv-nevo/i-would-like-to-get-married-actually-i-ve-done-everything-else-in-my/) [Aviv Nevo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aviv-nevo/) ## More by Michael Bolton > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [A 'passing' test doesn't mean 'no problem.' It means no problem \*observed\*. This time. With these inputs. So far. On my machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/a-passing-test-doesn-t-mean-no-problem-it-means-no-problem-observed/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [You know, fans who think we were made for each other and describe it in excruciating detail. You get peculiar things and beautiful things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/you-know-fans-who-think-we-were-made-for-each-other-and-describe-it/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [I like the simple 'I love your work' letters. You never get sick of people's appreciation. They think they're troubling you, but it's lovely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/i-like-the-simple-i-love-your-work-letters-you-never-get-sick-of/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [To sing along with Stevie Wonder, you had to make your voice do things it was not accustomed to doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/to-sing-along-with-stevie-wonder-you-had-to-make-your-voice-do-things/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [When I started studying for the arias it was like going into training for a heavyweight title fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/when-i-started-studying-for-the-arias-it-was-like-going-into-training/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [When I was invited to sing with Pavarotti, I had about two weeks to learn Italian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/when-i-was-invited-to-sing-with-pavarotti-i-had-about-two-weeks-to/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [For years I've kept a list of dream projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/for-years-i-ve-kept-a-list-of-dream-projects/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [I accept that appearance is a big thing in this business. But being around Hollywood and having actor friends and doing music videos, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/i-accept-that-appearance-is-a-big-thing-in-this-business-but-being/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [Said I loved you but I lied, cause this is more than love I feel inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/said-i-loved-you-but-i-lied-cause-this-is-more-than-love-i-feel-inside/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [But I'm not superstitious. I don't really eat dinner before I go on stage, because digesting a lot of food kind of shuts you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/but-i-m-not-superstitious-i-don-t-really-eat-dinner-before-i-go-on/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [It's understanding the intention of a composer that allows a producer and an arranger to make those moments speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/it-s-understanding-the-intention-of-a-composer-that-allows-a-producer/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [To be honest I listen to the female opinion on my photos. If all the girls in the office choose a certain shot, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/to-be-honest-i-listen-to-the-female-opinion-on-my-photos-if-all-the/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [We used to call it recurrent airplay when someone had a hit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/we-used-to-call-it-recurrent-airplay-when-someone-had-a-hit/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [I have to be happy in the here and now because every time you start focusing on your legacy you're really setting yourself up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/i-have-to-be-happy-in-the-here-and-now-because-every-time-you-start/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) [Explore all 49 Michael Bolton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) ## More Digital quotes > [I had an idea for a technologically advanced luxury watch. 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We will set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/we-want-to-free-our-citizens-from-the-burden-of-excessive-paper/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [I'm not mad at digital media at all; I just see the importance and beauty of physical media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-p/i-m-not-mad-at-digital-media-at-all-i-just-see-the-importance-and/) [El-P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-p/) > [To bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans, the FCC needs to make it easier for companies to build and expand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/to-bring-the-benefits-of-the-digital-age-to-all-americans-the-fcc/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) > [It is very hard to transform your culture and your workforce to be a relevant company in the digital world if all of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-sweet/it-is-very-hard-to-transform-your-culture-and-your-workforce-to-be-a/) [Julie Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-sweet/) > [Many American TV actors employ agents, managers, business managers, publicists and stylists, and are now adding digital media manager to the list. Their job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-bellman/many-american-tv-actors-employ-agents-managers-business-managers/) [Gina Bellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-bellman/) > [“I've decided that has been the great achievement of our age: to so thoroughly flood the planet with megabits that every image and fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/i-ve-decided-that-has-been-the-great-achievement-of-our-age-to-so/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [Truth is, people like buying things for $0.99 and $1.99 for their digital devices. We know that from iTunes. We know that from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lee/truth-is-people-like-buying-things-for-0-99-and-1-99-for-their/) [Jennifer Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lee/) > [But I had never drawn on a tablet before. I've been doing pencil and paper and film for almost 20 years. I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-hertzfeldt/but-i-had-never-drawn-on-a-tablet-before-i-ve-been-doing-pencil-and/) [Don Hertzfeldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-hertzfeldt/) > [If you want to live a meaningfully better life, you're going to have to make the dangerous choice to dissent. A life lived meaningfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/if-you-want-to-live-a-meaningfully-better-life-you-re-going-to-have/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [As human beings, we are the only organisms that create for the sheer stupid pleasure of doing so. Whether it's laying out a garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hamel/as-human-beings-we-are-the-only-organisms-that-create-for-the-sheer/) [Gary Hamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hamel/) > [I do think there's something about the digital age that is increasingly dehumanising us. 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