Good Books?

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Im trying really hard to start learning how to produce music I've tried watching as many videos and tutorials as possible and reading internet manuals and things of that sort but during all of this i always hear something or get to a point where it begins talking about things I have not been able to learn about. I keep seeing that books seem to be some of the best sources of knowledge (at least that is how it has seemed to me, I could be wrong)

I would really like to become a producer, and was wondering if anyone could reccomend the best or a really good book that would take me from a complete... newbie and get me on my feet to begining a production career.

Thank You in advanced!

 

[Wishx]

Well there's a variety of matterial available, I would suggest The.Mixing.Engineers.Handbook Bobi Owsinski Its a classic It will help you set some basic principles. Further down the road you could search for similar books not every book contains the ultimate guideline but each have something slightly new to offer, Its like a never ending quest that's the fun part...

Also http://www.cambridge-mt.com/MixingSecrets.htm is good aswell, ah! and your DAWs Manual is your holy grail.

Music Technology articles and magazines like (Sound on Sound, Computer music, Future music) can provide some general information that might add up to what you have already learned and It is good to check em out now and then, you never know there might be something usefull inside, or complete trash (most of the times).

Try to remember though that focusing on one thing (book, video, tutorial, etc) at a time and limiting your self from other resources can be very productive and enlightening! as opossed to massive data. Good luck down the road ;-)

And to finish up, if you can get a band to record/produce even for free and even if they play experimental electronika pop on banjo, get them! Experience is something you can't be taught!

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

hahah Thank you! I had been reading REAPERS Manual but i started hitting parts i didn't understand so I tried looking for some better understanding. Luckily i have a friend thats got a band thats playing a few shows so they would be great practice!

 

[Sloan]

The Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook is essential reading for anyone dealing with all this shit. You might know all of this info, but it's great as a reference to keep around when you forget which pin is hot on XLR cables etc....

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reinforcement-Handbook-Gary-Davis/dp/0881889008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343321179&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+sound+reinforcement+handbook[/ame]

 

[mva801]

the recording engineer's handbook - bobby owsinski. Great, has tons of info on mics, equipment, and techniques of recording about every instrument. Also has some rad interviews with engineers. I'd read this one before the mixing eng. handbook.

Mastering Audio - bob katz. All aboot mastering!

Also, bookmark the google search for this forum, and use it a lot!

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=007593470310830667409:4qw46y8lnza

 

[amarshism]

zen and the art of mixing

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Thanks for all the advice guys!! Ill definetley check out everything!

 

[Uros]

Gibson's The Art of Mixing, Bobby Owsinski's books on recording and mixing, Izhaki's Mixing Audio, Stavrou's Mixing with your mind and Katz' Mastering audio are all really good books which I've had the pleasure of reading. Tons of good info. Actually, most of the stuff I've learned come from those books (internet aside) and from real world practice, and not from the AE school I had displeasure to attend.

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

I have a small question some of the books I'm thinking about purchasing (all ones that have been listed above, Thanks Guys!) are a bit old... will they still be able to help me begin music production and mixing and all even though technology and other things have changed since then?

 

[Uros]

Of course. The basics are the same. Actually, over 95% stuff is the same. They are building blocks you can't go without if you want to be a good ae. Read on and put it into practice, 'cause reading alone won't get you anywhere.

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Haha ok thanks I was pretty sure you guys wouldn't have reccomended books if they were outdated but I did want to make sure. Hopefully i can read a few of these books get some money and buy the equipment I need and start messing with mixes!

 

[-Noodles-]

.. are a bit old... will they still be able to help me begin music production and mixing and all even though technology and other things have changed since then?

The principles of recording haven't changed. Instead of learning on a hardware compressor - it's digital, but all the controls are the same and their functions should be relatively similar.

 

[BrentOnTheSynth]

Ahhh, well ok Thanks!

Well I Think I am down to these three books for the first one I will buy.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Audio-Second-Edition-Practices/dp/0240522222[/ame]

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Mixing-Audio-Series/dp/0918371171[/ame]

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Engineers-Handbook-Second-Edition/dp/1598632515[/ame]

just thought I would post in case anyone wanted to suggest the first to read.

P.S.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to read all the books everyone posted but as for now this is what I've chose.