An encyclopedia of modern recording tools and techniques

Based on and companion to the award-winning DVD and video series from Alan Parsons.

Features & Benefits

• Completely revised and updated in 2014
• 24 chapters, aligning with the DVD/video series 24 video sections
• New charts, diagrams and lists plus extensive glossary
• Extended interviews and observations from peer engineers, producers and artists.
• Hardback edition, 262 pages with full color photos

Reviews

"This book is absolutely indispensable, not only for engineers, but producers and musicians as well. It’s pretty obvious that the more you know and
understand about recording music the more you can contribute to the process, and in my experience, the more sheer enjoyment you’ll get out of it - whichever side of the glass you’re on." - Nick Mason, Pink Floyd.

"What a great book, a wonderful tool for all the young engineers out there. It's a must read." Al Schmitt - Multi-Grammy award winning engineer - (Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Steely Dan)

"An invaluable resource." Chris Sampson, vice dean for contemporary music USC Thornton School of Music

"Wonderful tips for solving practical problems." Kam Falk, professor of audio engineering Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Description

Based on the award-winning DVD and video series, The Book tackles the same soup-to-nuts list of modern recording topics but in completely re-written and revised form.

Legendary artist, producer and engineer Alan Parsons, who's career began in the 1970s working at Abbey Road studios in London with The Beatles, takes you on a journey from how sound behaves and is created, through all forms of sound processing, to all aspects of recording including equipment and different types of instrument; concluding with a final mix.

Written with long-time cohort and Keyfax NewMedia CEO, Julian Colbeck, The Book addresses topics in readable and entertaining style: technical, but nonetheless understandable by anyone with even a passing interest in recording.

As with the DVD and video series, one of the many unique aspects of The Book are the peer group interviews, personally conducted by Alan Parsons. When they speak to fellow engineers, producers, or artists, people open up and are happy to discuss the intricacies of their art and craft. What were only sound bites in the video series The Book offers in extended format so you can really get to know the thoughts of Erykah Badu, Michael McDonald, Rami Jaffee and countless others.

Alan Parsons' Art & Science Of Sound Recording - The Book provides you with a unique perspective on modern recording, coming from a man who recorded Dark Side Of The Moon on 16-track analog tape but who currently works with DAWs and plug-ins and even records over the internet. The authors present the full expanse of modern recording tools and techniques and yet are fully aware of where and how those tools and techniques came from and what their original purpose was.

Such depth of knowledge doesn't just give you the button pushes, it goes on to let you truly see and learn the art and craft of recording.

Contents

A Brief History Of Recording
Studio Acoustics
Microphones
Consoles & Controllers
Digital Audio and Computers
Monitoring
MIDI
EQ
Compressors & Limiters
Noise Gates
Reverb
Delays
A Band Tracking Session
Vocals
Internet Recording
Drums
Keyboards
Bass
Guitar
Recording Acoustic Guitar With Vocals
Recording A Choir
Approaches To Live Recording
Mixing
Dealing With Disasters

Glossary
Index