ABSTRACT

In this new edition, 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 based on the backroom strategies of more than 250 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, with user-friendly explanations that introduce technical concepts on a strictly need-to-know basis. 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.

Specifically designed for small-studio enthusiasts, this book provides an intensive training course for those who want a fast track to releasing quality results, while the 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, and 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, Neal Avron, Roy Thomas Baker, Joe Barresi, Howard Benson, Tchad Blake, T-Bone Burnett, Geoff Emerick, Brian Eno, Paul Epworth, Shawn Everett, Humberto Gatica, Imogen Heap, Ross Hogarth, Trevor Horn, Rodney Jerkins, Leslie Ann Jones, Eddie Kramer, Jacquire King, Daniel Lanois, Sylvia Massy, Alan Meyerson, Justin Niebank, Gary Paczosa, Tony Platt, Jack Joseph Puig, David Reitzas, Bob Rock, Laura Sisk, Fraser T Smith, Young Guru, and many more.

Now extensively expanded and updated, with new sections on contact mics, software instruments, squash mics, and ensemble depth distortion.

chapter |2 pages

Introduction

part 1|114 pages

One Source, No Mics

chapter Chapter 1|38 pages

Recording a Machine

chapter Chapter 2|40 pages

The Human Element

chapter Chapter 3|34 pages

Instruments with Pickups

part 2|103 pages

One Source, One Mic

chapter Chapter 4|38 pages

Basic Vocal Recording

chapter Chapter 5|15 pages

Beyond Vanilla Vocals

chapter Chapter 6|47 pages

Single-Mic Instrument Recording

part 3|54 pages

One Source, Multiple Mics

chapter Chapter 7|25 pages

Multimiking in Mono

chapter Chapter 8|26 pages

Multimiking in Stereo

part 4|128 pages

Multiple Sources, Multiple Mics

chapter Chapter 9|28 pages

Ensemble Recording with a Dominant Array

chapter Chapter 10|26 pages

Adding Spot Arrays

chapter Chapter 11|37 pages

Ensemble Recording with Peer Arrays

chapter Chapter 12|32 pages

Going Freestyle

chapter Chapter 13|2 pages

Conclusion