Craig Anderton

Bass, along with drums, provide the rhythmic foundation in so many genres of music from pop, to hip-hop, to world music. Yet getting a great bass sound is difficult, because it can t be buried in the mix but it can t take over, either. This book, written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, covers how to get great electric bass recordings. Topics include: Getting the sound right at the source (tuning, truss rod, pickup adjustment, cables, touch, and more) Micing bass amps, using bass with direct boxes, getting the most out of bass amp sims How to apply effects without losing the low end Parallel effects with bass, optimizing the bass sound with dynamics and EQ during the mix Bass considerations when mixing for vinyl And even how to double electric bass easily with synth bass In additional to useful technical information on obtaining great bass sounds, How to Record and Mix Electric Bass also covers artistic topics as well how bass can best contribute to arrangements, editing bass parts in recording software, and interacting with drums to tighten the rhythm section. Fully illustrated and with tech talk sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know why as well as how, How to Record and Mix Electric Bass gives the lowdown on how to have bass fit into the low end.

(Musician's Guide Home Recordg). 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.

(Musician's Guide Home Recordg). Mastering adds the final polish to mixes, but there's more to mastering than just throwing on some EQ and dynamics mastering is the final step in the creative process. Although there are now inexpensive online and even automated mastering services, nothing can replace the savvy that a good mastering engineer can add to a production. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include: * The importance of equalization in mastering * How to apply dynamics * Understanding new standards in metering * Reducing noise and doing "waveform surgery" * Audio enhancement plug-ins, judicious splicing to shorten or extend songs * Special considerations when mastering for specific media (streaming, CD, and vinyl) * Creating perfect fadeouts * Why monitoring and acoustics are vital to mastering, and more But unlike books that emphasize only the technical, How to Master Desktop Mastering also discusses artistic decisions needed for albums and collections like song order, the importance of creating intros that grab the listener, and ways to enhance sound that go beyond equalization and dynamics. Loaded with illustrations and featuring "Tech Talk" sidebars to give details on selected topics for those who want to know "why" as well as "how," How to Master Desktop Mastering tells how to bring out the best in musical projects.

Dynamics processors ä often overused and sometimes misunderstood ä can make or break mixing and mastering projects. This book goes beyond explaining how dynamics processors work by giving essential tips on how their proper application can help make better music. Written in a clear practical non-intimidating style topics include how to apply limiters compressors noise gates expanders maximizers saturation and multiband dynamics whether in hardware or software form. ÞLoaded with examples of real-world dynamics processors to explain their similarities and differences ÊHow to Apply Dynamics ProcessingÊ ventures further than similar books by covering dynamics processing with MIDI data as well as manual dynamics processing done with recording software (phrase-by-phrase normalization for narration micro-mastering to allow greater apparent volume when mastering parallel dynamics and more). There's also valuable information on how to achieve the most transparent effects possible creative uses of sidechaining and how to use creative squashing as an effect to obtain vintage compression sounds. ÞChock full of illustrations and featuring selected tech talk sidebars to give details on specific topics for those who want to know why as well as how ÊHow to Apply Dynamics ProcessingÊ tells everything today's musicians need to get the most out of these versatile processors.

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.

This book focuses on microphones as the essential link between the recording process and vocals, guitars, pianos, drums, and other acoustic sounds. Choosing the right mic can make or break a song. Authors Phil O'Keefe and Craig Anderton cover how to choose and apply mics with real-world examples and explanations. Topics include the following: • Understanding different microphone types • Essential miking accessories • Mic preamps and connections • Stereo miking techniques • How to mic specific instruments Loaded with illustrations and featuring sidebars with details on selected topics for those who want to know “why” as well as “how ” Microphones for the Recording Musician gives the practical knowledge needed to make the best possible home studio recordings. About the Musician's Guide to Home Recording Series The book series Musician's Guide to Home Recording takes a clear, practical approach to today's world of computer-based recording. Each book in the series focuses with laser-like precision on a particular topic. Titles include How to Choose and Use Audio Interfaces, How to Create Superior Mixes, How to Record and Mix Great Vocals, and more. Readers can choose individual books to increase their knowledge in specific areas, or treat the series as a complete course and cover selected topics at their own pace. Musician's Guide to Home Recording is the definitive series to help musicians everywhere use digital recording, mixing, and editing to their fullest potential.

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.

Equalization is one of the most important signal processors ä perhaps ÊtheÊ most important signal processor ä 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:ÞÞÛ Equalizer parametersÞÛ When to use different equalizer responsesÞÛ Linear vs. non-linear phase EQÞÛ Plug-in formats mid/side equalizationÞÛ Typical equalizer controlsÞÛ Real-world examples of EQ in products from Ableton Apple Avid iZotope Steinberg Propellerheads Cakewalk Softube Studio One Waves Universal Audio and moreÞÞThe 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. ÞChock 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 ÊHow to Apply EqualizationÊ is essential reading about how to get the most out of this crucial processor for mixing and mastering.

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:ÞÛ The significance of different types of analog and digital connections and how you would use themÞÛ Interconnection protocols (USB FireWire Thunderbolt PCIe) for Windows and Mac computersÞÛ Product options from portable mobile units up to sophisticated mixers that can also serve as audio interfacesÞÛ The special requirements involved in recording guitarÞÛ The function of drivers and accessory programs (like software mixers for signal routing)ÞÛ Ways to minimize delays that occur when using audio interfaces with computersÞÛ How and why to choose particular sample rates and resolutionsÞÛ The high-resolution audio controversyÞÛ Microphone preampsÞÛ Using multiple interfacesÞÛ Expanding existing interfaces for more inputsÞÛ Understanding specificationsÞÛ Various special features unique to particular interfaces and moreÞÞLoaded 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 ÊHow to Choose and Use Audio InterfacesÊ is essential reading about one of the most important elements needed for a high-quality computer-based home or project studio.

Computers have changed the way we make music. For less than a thousand dollars (including the computer!), you can have a studio in your bedroom that rivals the capabilities of million-dollar studios of not that long ago. One of the best tools at the recording musician's disposal is SONAR Home Studio, a powerful and relatively inexpensive digital audio workstation. But to truly maximize your creativity, you need more than just the program and the manual, you need guidance on how to actually use the program to make music-guidance included in this book. Making Music with SONAR Home Studio shows you howto use Home Studio as a creative tool, not just a recording program. It goes beyond the user manual to help you get started recording the right way in your home studio, then explains the how and why of using the program in easy-to-understand language. Everything from optimizing your recording setup to composing, recording, and mixing down a song is covered. Each recording scenario offers step-by-step detailed instructions and points you in the right direction for reaching your ultimate musical goals.

Ê34 Useful Inexpensive Electronic Projects That Help You Unlock Your Instrument's PotentialÊÞÞThis unique book features step-by-step projects for guitarists who want to maximize and personalize electric sound quality and minimize electronic problems. It includes how-to instructions for 34 different projects and guidelines for reading schematics plus construction tips. Projects include installing a de-hisser to create vintage effects a great-sounding tube preamp a cord tester that catches intermittent problems adapters to interface with studio gear and more. These and other hands-on projects give electric guitarists the necessary edge in today's competitive music scene ä a distinct personalized sound plus the satisfaction of knowing they achieved it themselves.