1.mixing with impact
In Mixing with Impact, Wessel Oltheten explores many practical aspects of mixing, but combines his expertise with useful, artistically thought-provoking advice. Mixing is both an art and a science, and oltheten offers a balanced and practical perspective on the subject.
2. the mixing engineer’s handbook
Bobby owsinski is part of a series of three music production books covering recording, mixing and mastering. Includes an in-depth guide to modern mixing best practices while incorporating time-tested techniques. owsinksi covers all the main points by breaking down the mixing process into an understandable course. You can learn everything you need for different mix styles, arrangement rules, mix building, equalizers, reverbs, layering, and more!
3. mastering audio: the art and science
This is a very comprehensive book that covers everything you need to know about mixing and mastering. This book is a textbook for many audio engineers abroad who start with formal education. This is the textbook that many audio engineers start with a formal education. While it can be a bit dense at times, almost every conceivable detail about mixing and mastering can be found in this book.
4. how music works
While it's not explicitly about music production, this New York Times bestseller is a must-read for any musician, music producer, or artist. In how music works, music legend David Byrne takes a comprehensive look at the necessary conditions for music to function. byrne articulates his unique perspective on how environment, location, dance, set design, technology, and more play a role in creating good music.
5. the recording engineer’s handbook
The second part of Bobby Owsinki's three music production books is the Recording Engineer's Handbook. Very similar to its peers, this book highlights the pickup techniques used to record any instrument, with a special focus on the pickup drums. Owsinski also discusses the art of studio recording and elaborates on his technique for getting the best performance from a singer, and the secret to getting the best sound without using expensive equipment.
6. rick rubin: in the studio
Writer Jake Brown shows Rubin's early life and his long and successful career working with many of the world's greatest artists. If you want to delve into Rick Rubin's mind and start to understand where his unique philosophy of recording comes from, this book is a great place to start.
7. behind the glass
In "Behind the Glass," Howard Massey sits down to interview a group of high-profile recording engineers and music producers. The book also reveals some of the recording processes, techniques, and ideas of music producers. A great read for any music producer looking to expand their knowledge of music production.
8. the mastering engineer’s handbook
The third and final bobby owsinksi book on this list is mastering engineer's handbook. Like Owsinski's mixing and recording manual, this article pays special attention to mastering the ins and outs of the tracks. While masters can be acquired today through automated AI software, the practice of learning to master is still useful for music producers. With the Mastering Engineer Handbook, you can gain all the knowledge and tricks to create great vocal mastering on your own.
9. temples of sound
Temples of Sound looks like a famous music studio from a bygone era. From the sacred halls of Sun Records to the state-of-the-art facilities in the Capitol Records building, William Clark and Jim Cogan tell a story about 15 different production studios. Get an unprecedented glimpse into some of the most legendary studios in music history with exclusive images and in-depth interviews.
10. oblique strategies
It's not a book in itself, but if you find yourself or someone you work with have trouble finding creativity, it's a useful resource to use in the studio. Oblique strategies are a set of 208 cards designed by Brian Eno to help artists create boxes and limits to inspire creativity. Each card contains phrases that ask the artist to take a specific action, consider key ideas, or use specific restrictions in their creative process.
Card sets, a great tool for resolving disputes between band members or reducing deadlock in the studio, have been used by mgmt, coldplay, and others.
11. music, the brain, and ecstasy
Robert Jourdain delved into why music sounds so beautiful in the human ear and how different sounds trigger such diverse responses. If you've ever wondered why the oboe makes people cry, or why a particular song makes you feel great, this is a great book. Jourdain delved into the neurological and physiological sciences behind it in plain language that gives us a unique appreciation of music.