Where To Learn More

We recommend the following books, magazines, videos, and literature to anyone who wants more education in recording technology.

BOOKS AND VIDEOS

The Library

Go to your local library and search their database for books on recording, home recording, music recording, audio recording, MIDI, or sound production. Read everything you can on the subject.

Pro Audio Books Plus

This company offers an online catalog of all sorts of pro audio and recording books, videos, and courses at www.proaudiobooksplus.com.

Music Books Plus

This is a catalog with a huge number of audio and recording books. The website is www.musicbooksplus.com. They also carry tutorial videos on DVD.

Mix Books

All sorts of recording topics are covered in digital format with embedded videos. The website is www.mixbooks.com.

howaudio.com

This site offers over 1000 tutorial videos on home recording and related topics.

Focal Press

This is another major audio/recording books catalog and it is found at www.focal-press.com. Focal Press also offers video DVDs about DAW operation, recording, mic techniques, mixing, and setting up a home studio. If you want to record concerts or gigs, check out the Focal Press book “Recording Music On Location.”

Amazon.com

This online bookstore has a great search engine. In the search field, type in whatever audio subject you are interested in: DVD, MIDI, digital audio, recording, mixing, microphones, etc.

One Amazon book that I recommend is “Hot Tips for the Home Recording Studio” by Hank Linderman (1994). It offers valuable advice on song writing, arranging, and music production.

RECORDING MAGAZINES

The preceding magazines also include ads related to recording products and services.

PRO AUDIO MAGAZINES

CONSUMER AUDIO MAGAZINES

GUIDES, BROCHURES, AND OTHER LITERATURE

Microphone application guides are available from

You can find valuable information in user manuals and free sales literature provided by manufacturers of recording equipment. Ask your equipment dealer for manufacturers’ phone numbers and website URLs.

GUIDES TO RECORDING SCHOOLS

The Audio Engineering Society offers a directory of educational programs at www.aes.org/education/directory/.

Each July issue of Mix magazine contains a comprehensive directory of recording schools, seminars, and programs. Universities and colleges in most major cities have recording-engineering courses.

An index of recording schools is at www.modrec.com/schools/. Two recent programs are www.recordingconnection.com, and the Bachelor of Science in Music Technology at the University of Saint Francis, School of Creative Arts at www.sf.edu/sf/art/undergrad/music-tech.

The Sound Schools Audio Career and Education Handbook offers a list of recording schools. The website is www.soundschools.com.

THE INTERNET

A great place to ask questions, besides magazines, is on the Internet. In Google, select Groups, then type in rec.audio.pro. You can ask questions and get answers from pro engineers. You may get conflicting answers, because often there are many ways to do the same thing. Also, some who reply are more expert than others. But you’ll often find stimulating debates.

Some other valuable websites (all starting with www.) arehomerecording.com, soundprolivesocial.com, prorec.com,plug-inhomerecording.com, hometracked.com, kvraudio.com, gearslutz.com, recordbetteraudio.com, recording.org,recordproduction.com, vintagesynth.com, moultonlabs.com, microphones.com, digido.com, prosoundweb.com, digifreq.com, cdrfaq.org,harmony-central.com, and musicplayer.com (forums).

Also see pcrecording.com, thestereobus.com, musicradar.com, audiogrid.com, digitalprosound.com, coutant.org,microphone-data.com, themicrophonevault.com, audiodirectory.nl/,binaural.com, sweetwater.com (check out publications and forums), cakewalk.com (forums), and www.solorb.com/dat-heads/.

If you lack good multitrack recordings with which to practice mixing, go to www.raw-tracks.com. There you can download individual tracks in WAV or MP3 format, or purchase a CD of raw tracks. Another site is telefunken-elektroakustik.com/download/multi-track-session.php.

Some online MIDI resources are midi.org, midiworld.com, and harmony-central.com.

The websites of audio equipment manufacturers have support sections, online discussion groups, and FAQs with lots of information. Search for the name and model number of equipment you have, or are interested in.

Do a Google search with the keywords audio, recording, recording vocals, audio recording links, MIDI, digital audio, and so on. Also search for FAQs on various audio topics. You’ll discover hundreds of audio-related websites and links. In Google, you can search Groups as well as websites.

“Webcasts on Demand” offers free web tutorials on many recording topics: www.mix-online.com/webcasts

RECORDING EQUIPMENT CATALOGS

Here are but a few catalogs from which to order recording gear:

EXPERIENCE

It’s the best teacher. Record all you can with any equipment you have. You may be able to buy a 4-track digital recorder on eBay, or download free multitrack recording software. Then buy a cheap mic, and practice mic techniques and overdubbing.

Starting a Career in Recording

After you read the material in this book and apply it in your own work, you might consider a career in recording engineering. See the section “Guides to Recording Schools” earlier in this appendix. Some schools offer job placement upon graduation.

Currently there is more work for recording engineers in film, computer games, and TV than in music recording. One reason is that many more musicians are recording themselves at home.

Rather than trying to find a job in a music recording studio, you might start your own. The gear costs so little these days. After you acquire some high-quality equipment, offer to record local bands for free while you gain experience. You might specialize in one genre of music that matches your market and your recording skills.

You’ll need to promote your studio. Post flyers in music stores. You can advertise your recording service for free on Craigslist. Create a website where you list your studio’s musical instruments, recording equipment, and customers. Find potential customers at clubs or festivals, and give them demo CDs and business cards with your website’s URL.

If you can’t find much recording business, consider taking another job in a related industry—such as audio equipment design or sales—and record on weekends as a second job.

The usual way to join a commercial recording studio is to have an interview. Supply examples of your best work. Be willing to start as a gofer, and show that you can drum up business for the studio, perhaps bringing clients with you. Work your way up to operating recorders, placing mics, and copying/backing up files. Eventually, if you have personal and musical skills as well as technical skills, you can hope to sit at the console as a mixing engineer. Good luck!