Product Description

We live in an age where technological advances in the music industry are so commonplace that they seem to happen every day. Many of these advances have made it possible for almost anyone to develop a system capable of producing hit-quality audio. The only bad news is that by opening the doors for everyone, new audio technology has also made a lot more competition. If you're going to have an edge in an increasingly competitive industry, such as music and audio, mixing and mastering skills are essential. Nothing crushes creative potential more effectively than a shabby attempt at an amateurish mixdown. The S.M.A.R.T Guide to Mixing and Mastering Audio Recordings provides proven, time-tested tools to create mixes that compete well in the musical marketplace and compare favorably with the recordings you hear on your favorite CDs and DVDs. Professional-level techniques are explained thoroughly with numerous screenshots in a hands-on, full-color format. Topics covered include setting up for mixdown, mixing all of the rhythm section instruments, addressing surround considerations, understanding the proper use of effects and stereo imaging, and learning mastering techniques that will give your productions the impact and power they deserve. The companion DVD includes audio examples of the concepts discussed in the text, plus step-by-step instructional video examples that show you how to optimize your recordings in crucial situations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #352318 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

About the Author
Bill Gibson, President of Northwest Music and Recording, has spent the last 25 years writing, recording, producing and teaching music and has become well-known for his production, performance and teaching skills. As an instructor at Green River College in Auburn, WA, holding various degrees in composition, arranging, education and recording, he developed a practical and accessible teaching style which provided the basis for what was to come--15 books, a DVD, and a VHS video for MixBooks/ArtistPro along with a dozen online courses for members of ArtistPro.com. Bill's writings are acclaimed for their straightforward and understandable explanations of recording concepts and applications.

Customer Reviews

Very good book on mixing
This book, the SMART guide to Mixing and Mastering Audio Recordings turned out to be a very good book about mixing. There is somewhat less information than I expected about the mastering process, but I realize that mastering is probably best handled in a book of it's own. The DVD accompanying the book is extremely comprehensive and very helpful. Sometimes it is better to watch someone tweak in a particular sound or hear the effects of a mixing technique than simply to read about it. A very good book for music production, highly recommended!

S.M.A.R.T!
I love the filtering tips in this book which involves layering and eq. great tips and easy to follow not dry reading at all holds your attention very well. The students in my recording classes enjoy this series alot.

Duane Gibson
Sally Studios
Memphis, TN

Strictly for Beginners Only
Very disappointing. The author skims over processors, hardware, techniques and meaningful, real world advice, and offers pages of trite advice that can be easily found, for free, online. Many pages are devoted to setting up tape machines, creating charts for mix sessions, demagnetization and cleaning of tape heads and other dated information that probably wouldn't be relevant to most project studio engineers using DAWs.

Finally, the audio and video examples contained on the companion DVD just don't sound very good. If a book and DVD purports to advise fledgling engineers on mixing techniques, at least use material that sounds well mixed and creative rather than stale retreads of 80's MOR.