ABSTRACT

Discover how to achieve commercial-grade recordings, even in the smallest studios, by applying power-user techniques from the world's most successful producers.

Recording Secrets for the Small Studio is an intensive training course specifically designed for small-studio enthusiasts who want a fast track to release-quality results. Based on the backroom strategies of more than 200 famous names, this thorough and down-to-earth guide leads you through a logical sequence of practical tasks to build your live-room skills progressively from the ground up. On the way, you'll unravel the mysteries of many specialist studio tactics and gain the confidence to tackle a full range of real-world recording situations. User-friendly explanations introduce technical concepts on a strictly need-to-know basis, while chapter summaries, assignments, and extensive online resources are perfect for school and college use.

* Learn the fundamental principles of mic technique that you can apply in any recording scenario -- and how to avoid those rookie mistakes that all too often compromise the sonics of lower-budget productions.

* Explore advanced techniques which help industry insiders maintain their competitive edge even under the most adverse conditions: creative phase manipulation, improvised acoustics tweaks, inventive monitoring workarounds, subtle psychological tricks...

* Find out where you don't need to spend money, as well as how to make a limited budget really count.

* Make the best use of limited equipment and session time, especially in situations where you're engineering and producing single-handed.

* Pick up tricks and tips from celebrated engineers and producers across the stylistic spectrum, including Steve Albini, Roy Thomas Baker, Joe Barresi, Tchad Blake, Bruce Botnick, Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, Jack Douglas, Geoff Emerick, Paul Epworth, Humberto Gatica, Nigel Godrich, Andy Johns, Eddie Kramer, Kevin Killen, George Massenburg, Hugh Padgham, Alan Parsons, Jack Joseph Puig, Phil Ramone, Bob Rock, Elliott Scheiner, Al Schmitt, Bruce Swedien, Butch Vig, Tony Visconti, and many, many more...

part |2 pages

PART 1 ● One Source, No Mics

chapter 1|38 pages

Recording a Machine

chapter 2|40 pages

The Human Element

chapter 3|34 pages

Instruments with Pickups

part |2 pages

PART 2 ● One Source, One Mic

chapter 4|38 pages

Basic Vocal Recording

chapter 5|16 pages

Beyond Vanilla Vocals

chapter 6|44 pages

Single-Mic Instrument Recording

part |2 pages

PART 3 ● One Source, Multiple Mics

chapter 7|26 pages

Multimiking in Mono

chapter 8|26 pages

Multimiking in Stereo

part |2 pages

PART 4 ● Multiple Sources, Multiple Mics

chapter 9|50 pages

Ensemble Recording with a Dominant Array

chapter 10|44 pages

Ensemble Recording with Peer Arrays

chapter 11|16 pages

Going Freestyle

chapter 12|2 pages

Conclusion