Musician's Guide to Home Recording
14 total works
The best recordings are for nothing if the mix doesn't present those tracks in the best possible way - and this book is all about how to make mixes that pull the listener in. It's not just about the technology, but the art of mixing as well. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include: - Feel vs. perfection - The importance of the arrangement for mixing - Tailoring material for your audience - Monitoring and acoustics - Software mixer architecture - Unique aspects of mixing with digital audio - How to use plug-ins - Integrating external hardware with computers, the "12-step program" to create great mixes - Panning techniques - Equalization - Dynamics processing - Time-based effects - Placing effects in the right order - How to use automation - Hardware control surfaces - Mixing with virtual instruments - Adding expressiveness in the mix - Using ReWire, beyond conventional mixing techniques - Mixing and MIDI, and much more Far from being a laundry list of mixing techniques, How to Create Compelling Mixes places equal emphasis on the art of mixing. With copious illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Create Compelling Mixes is essential reading about how to get the most out of this crucial processor for mixing and mastering.
Vocals tell the story that make the all-important connection between singer and listener, but recording a vocal isn't as simple as just putting a mic in front of someone and hoping for the best. This book - written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style - covers all aspects of creating great vocals including: - How to choose the right mic - Mic placement - Microphone accessories like cables and pop filters - Mic preamps - How to take maximum advantage of composite recording - Editing vocals digitally to prepare them for the best possible mix - Using processors (such as equalization, dynamics, and time-based effects) during mixdown to enhance vocal quality - Automation - Techniques for layered vocals, and more However, what makes this book truly special is that it goes beyond technology to include valuable tips and techniques on how to obtain the best vocal performances. Topics include how to connect with listeners, ways to convey a singer's personality, "emotional" dynamic range, and how to know when a take is the right take. Loaded with illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Record Great Vocals is the key to transforming raw vocals into satisfying, emotional experiences.
Along with a computer, an audio interface provides the all-important hardware foundation for computer-based recording. This book helps musicians choose, apply, and get the maximum performance from all types of audio interfaces. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include: - The significance of different types of analog and digital connections and how you would use them - Interconnection protocols (USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, PCIe) for Windows and Mac computers - Product options from portable, mobile units up to sophisticated mixers that can also serve as audio interfaces - The special requirements involved in recording guitar - The function of drivers and accessory programs (like software mixers for signal routing) - Ways to minimize delays that occur when using audio interfaces with computers - How and why to choose particular sample rates and resolutions - The "high-resolution audio" controversy - Microphone preamps - Using multiple interfaces - Expanding existing interfaces for more inputs - Understanding specifications - Various special features unique to particular interfaces, and more Loaded with illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Choose and Use Audio Interfaces is essential reading about one of the most important elements needed for a high-quality, computer-based home or project studio.
Equalization is one of the most important signal processors - perhaps the most important signal processor - for mixing and mastering. This book goes beyond explaining equalization to giving essential tips on how to use equalization to make better music. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include: - Equalizer parameters - When to use different equalizer responses - Linear vs. non-linear phase EQ - Plug-in formats, mid/side equalization - Typical equalizer controls - Real-world examples of EQ in products from Ableton, Apple, Avid, iZotope, Steinberg, Propellerheads, Cakewalk, Softube, Studio One, Waves, Universal Audio, and more The book then covers general tips (solving problems with EQ, emphasizing instruments, when to apply EQ, applying mid/side EQ, understanding EQ curves, and more), then segues into EQ curves associated with musical styles, and presents a variety of EQ presets for drums, guitar, piano, voice, and bass. The book closes out with typical equalizer mastering presets, a special section on equalization tips for guitar, and includes an appendix on understanding frequency response. Chock full of illustrations and featuring the judicious use of sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Apply Equalization is essential reading about how to get the most out of this crucial processor for mixing and mastering.
Modern amp sim software has progressed to an amazing degree, yet many guitarists have difficulty obtaining the same kind of responsive, organic sounds associated with physical amps. This book is loaded with tips on how to use amp sims not only to re-create the sound and feel of iconic amps, but also, to create sounds that were either impractical or impossible to do with traditional amps. Topics include: - Simple ways guitars can be more "sim-friendly" - Using processors to condition the audio prior to going through sims - Hard disk editing techniques to optimize tracks for use with amp sims - Multiband processing for exceptional dynamics and responsiveness - Parallel processing, amp stacking - Creating custom virtual cabinets instead of using the ones in the sim - Eliminating aliasing and other "digital" artifacts, combining amp sims and physical amps, and much more The book also includes information on how guitar can blend in perfectly with EDM and other modern musical forms through the use of software processing, and techniques like modulating guitar with drums and other instruments to give highly rhythmic overlays. Filled with illustrations and "tech talk" sidebars on selected topics, this book is essential reading for all guitarists - from traditional blues players who seek the ultimate tone, to experimental guitarists immersed in the world of electronics.
Everything in the studio starts and ends with audio - both analog and digital - yet many musicians know a lot more about the principles of music than the principles behind audio. The Musician's Guide to Audio will include: - Audio theory - sound waves in the real world - Bit resolution - Sample rates - Distortion - The different types of decibels - The meaning of audio specifications - Frequency response - The different types of distortion - Signal-to-noise ratio - Dynamic range - How the human ear hears sound, and more The book then segues into specifications regarding levels, connection standards (both analog and digital), and resolving potential incompatibilities among different pieces of gear. Additional topics include information on the practical ramifications of audio, such as the basics of room acoustics, why speaker placement matters, audio distribution methods including data-compressed formats like MP3, the unique constraints of vinyl, and more. Filled with illustrations and featuring selected "tech talk" sidebars to give details on specific topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how " The Musician's Guide to Audio fills a unique need by avoiding overly-technical details, and instead emphasizing the practical implications involved in working with audio in the studio.
