9 Books That Will Help You Grow As An Engineer And Producer
In a business like recording, education never really ends. Technology is constantly changing, techniques get better and there’s always more to learn.
Sounds like you need a lifetime to figure it all out? Perhaps. But luckily a lot of gifted engineers and producers are willing to share their secrets. There are several books about recording, mixing, mastering and producing that can open your eyes and ears to ideas you wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Some ideas are new, but certain tried and true methods simply stand the test of time. Here’s some of our go to books:
1. Hal Leonard Recording Method: Book 2 – Instrument and Vocal Recording, 2nd Edition
This book starts at the beginning, the recording process at its core. After all, if you do a great job recording vocals and instruments, it makes your job much easier because they already sound great. The book focuses on recording the best track possible regardless of the studio and equipment you’re working with. In this later edition, it also includes QR codes that take you to other resources online to further your education. You’ll have access to audio and video clips that will really bring their tips to life. The author, Bill Gibson, has been recording for over 35 years and has written 37 books about audio recording and production. He’s written books alongside Bruce Swedien and Quincy Jones and more.
2. The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook: Fourth Edition
Anyone can plug in a mic and hit record, right? It’s mixing that’s the real mystery. Once considered an unteachable art, Bobby Owsinski likes to think he’s busted that myth. Used as a textbook at countless universities, the mixing process gets broken down into six different elements. Advanced techniques are explained using an easy-to-grasp method that is actually tangible. The book also includes interviews with top engineers and producers who explain some of their methods and philosophies.
Bobby Owsinski has written over 20 books on recording and has mixed albums for Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Elvis Presley, Neil Young, Pantera, and countless other legends. He’s taught at Berklee College of Music and been featured on ABC, CNN, Mix Magazine, and EQ Magazine just to name a few.
3. The Art of Creating Depth in a Mix
Let’s take our mixing chops to the next level. Learn about reverb and ambience and how to create real depth in your mix, which many engineers find almost impossible. This book does outline actual techniques, but also includes the author’s philosophy and some very personal tips.
Thomas Juth is a British multi-Grammy Award winning mix engineer. A mere 36 years old, he has flown to the forefront of the engineering scene because of his genius at mixing. He’s worked with artists like Jamie Cullum, Cat Stevens, Elton John, and Luis Fonsi.
4. Music Producers Handbook Second Edition (Music Pro Guides)
Being a successful music producer is the holy grail of the industry, but most people don’t realize how many roles the job actually encompasses. Budgets, contracts, hiring studio musicians, and most importantly, getting the best out of everybody you’re working with. This book also delves into the new music business songwriter/producer hybrid and self-production minded soul. As an added bonus, it includes new interviews with some of the best-selling producers in the business.
Why am I including another book by Bobby Owsinski on this list? Because he’s really that good!
5. All You Need Is Ears: The inside personal story of the genius who created The Beatles
Written by unarguably the greatest music producer of all time; George Martin delves into his time recording the Beatles. And in case you don’t know who he is, there’s a reason why he’s known as the fifth Beatle. Written in 1994, it contains tips and techniques used decades before that. But isn’t the advice in this book outdated? HECK NO. Every person even considering a career in audio recording must read this book. It will change your life. I promise.
You’d be hard pressed to find a producer who was more of a genius than George Martin. What made him so brilliant? He created recordings that were years ahead of his time, using almost no technology. Not to mention, he was the first to do so. This book will take you into his brain and leave you thinking outside the box for the rest of your career.
6. Mastering Audio: the art and the science third edition
Mastering is the last stage in the music creation process before music is released, and even if you aren’t out to become a mastering engineer, understanding the basics of mastering will help any person involved in music creation do their job better with the end in mind. Author Bob Katz is a multiple time Grammy winning mastering engineer, inventor, and President of Digital Domain Mastering. He’s worked with a who’s who of artists like Arlo Guthrie, Emmy Lou Harris, Dizzy Gillespie, Taj Mahal, and thousands of others.
His book, now in its third edition, is widely considered THE book on mastering. He covers everything from ear training, EQ, sequencing, loudness, the history of mastering, and how mastering has changed over the years as music made its way into the digital world. Whether you’re a songwriter, a producer, or a session musician, this book is a great way to widen your knowledge bass and make sure you aren’t creating problems that are compromising the quality of your final master tracks.
7. Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Music Recording Techniques
Written by legendary producer/engineer Sylvia Massy (Tool, System of A Down, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Johnny Cash), with contributions from names like Hans Zimmer, Al Schmitt, Dave Pensado, Tchad Blake, Bob Clearmountain, Michael Franti, Bruce Swedien, and many others, Recording Unhinged invites readers to set aside preconceived notions, and step outside of their comfort zone to approach recording with a playful and experimental approach. The book (illustrated by Sylvia herself) offers engineers and musicians a resource for inspiration and breaking out of a rut. Do you find yourself sticking to “safe” recording techniques; struggling to find your voice and create something unique? Than this might be exactly what you need.
8. Template Mixing and Mastering: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Professional Sound
Billy Decker is a multiplatinum mixing and mastering engineer based out of Nashville, Tennessee. He’s mixed 16 #1 hits to date, and is famous for mixing songs in the box, and finishes most of his mixes within an hour using his template mixing approach. In his book, Billy Decker shows readers how to setup their own mix template, make their workflow more efficient, and deliver more consistent professional mixes.
9. Dan Alexander Audio: A Vintage Odyssey
Dan Alexander began buying and selling used guitars in 1967 at the age of 17. Since then, Dan has become one of the most knowledgable resources on vintage recording gear in the world. In his book he covers 7,500 pieces of vintage gear from 22 different manufacturers. The book includes 450 never before published photos including manufacturer schematics. The book has 40 pages of information on Neve modules and consoles alone.
This list of books is a work in progress, and only covers books that we think are some of the best. Whether you are focused on recording, mixing, mastering, producing, or just trying to put together quality demos for your projects, these books will help you better understand the process, and get better results quicker and more efficiently. Got a book that you think we should add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!