Ah, the holidays. Time for a break from music production right?
Hmm…guess not.
If you’re like me you probably get super busy during most of the year. Sometimes I feel like I need to plan my day to the millisecond just so I can kick back and relax. School or work can really get in the way of learning something new but there’s nothing like the holidays to catch up on your favorite topic, audio production!
I’ve read a small shipping container’s worth of audio engineering material over the years but there are some books that stand out from the rest.
The following books are my all-time favorite books on audio production, books that I couldn’t have lived without when I was starting out.
Modern Recording Techniques
This is the recording bible. If you want to get one book that has a broad overview of everything you need to know, this one comes closest.
I grew up on the fifth edition, but I believe the 7th is now out. It can get quite technical at times, but don’t get put off by the equations.
Most of the info in this book is easy to understand and the techniques are easy to implement.
Instrument and Vocal Recording
I use this book as a reference book whenever I’ve forgotten how to approach a specific recording situation.
This book is a part of the greater Hal Leonard Recording Method of books, each book teaching a specific subject. Instrument & Vocal Recording goes into details of how to record the most common instruments, such as drums, vocals and guitars.
The coolest thing about this book is how it gives you different solutions for different possible scenarios, like how to record drums if you only have one microphone. Definitely a great read for a solid understanding of the various recording techniques.
The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook
The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook is a goldmine of great mixing information.
I particularly like the production analysis section, something Bobby Owsinski still does on his blog.
It has a bunch of great interviews and great go-to starting points for compression and EQ’ing. The handy EQ charts are great for understanding the EQ spectrum as well as the jargon that goes along with it.
It really helped me out when I started mixing because it lays everything down in simple to understand terms.
The Art of Mixing: A Visual Guide Recording, Engineering, and Production
This book is awesome! Whether you like text or diagrams, this book combines the two for a much easier understanding.
It combines the mixing jargon with diagrams to show you how each genre is mixed differently. Just the diagrams in the middle are worth the price of the book, and it has so much more to offer!
By using a three-dimensional diagram you can better understand how various genres are mixed and how they all fit together in a 3D sound scape. A great book for a different perspective on mixing.
Master Handbook of Acoustics
All of the books in this round-up are books that I have read and recommend highly. This book is on this list due to the recommendations of others. I bought it after a few engineers recommended it as the great bible of acoustics and I am currently reading it.
Acoustics is definitely one of the more important things to get right in your studio. If you record in rooms with lousy acoustics your sound will suffer. Similarly, if you mix in a control room with lackluster acoustics you are more likely to EQ incorrectly, add too much(or too little) bass or generally create an unbalanced mix.
The Master Handbook of Acoustics explains all the aspects of acoustic environments and teaches you how to create your own. Yes, it does have a bunch of math, but it also explains everything really well. It’s a great read for those that are looking into creating their own studio and want to know how to treat their rooms.
Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits
This book is stock-full of great information from the leaders of the field. It’s filled with insightful information from famous producers that share their secrets and approaches to making some of the greatest records of modern music.
It’s a pure interview book, there are no diagrams, equations or complex techniques to understand. It’s just a dialog between Howard Massey and some of the greatest producers of all time. Inspirational and insightful, it’s definitely one of my favorite books about audio.
There’s also a Volume II that’s equally awesome and has some of the newer producers responsible for the more recent hits in history.
Recording & Mixing Strategies
If it weren’t for all these books and all that knowledge freely given out there I would never have written my Strategies books for you.
It sums up my what I have learned over the years, learning through doing and by reading these books.
Recording Strategies is filled with easy to use, practical recording tips to get it right at the source.
Check out Recording Strategies here.
Mixing Strategies is my take on how to mix, and I’ve tried to outline everything in practical and simple-to-use terms. That’s how I learned from all those books, and that’s how I want you to learn too.
Check out more on Mixing Strategies here.
What’s Your Favorite?
I think all the books above are some of the best-selling books about audio on the market. However, you might have a favorite I didn’t list, and you’re probably cursing me for it.
Add your favorite audio book and a comment about why you like it below. I’ll be sure to add it to the post the next time I update the list!
Image by: ShironekoEuro
21 Comments on "The Must-Read Books on Music Production and Audio Engineering"
Recording the Beatles could be the single greatest book ever written and the best $100+ I ever spent. John Keane’s Musician’s Guide to Pro Tools is fantastic for PT beginners. The Daily Adventures of Mixerman helps with perspective. Finally, though I used to think it was a great book back when I started in ’86, skip The Musician’s Guide to Home Recording by McIan and Wichman. Their intentions were good, but it’s light by today’s standards on specifics.
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki
This is the book I recommend a lot.
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki
This is the book I recommend a lot.
Yeah I guess in the span of almost 30 years the home recording business has changed a little
Nice ones, I’ve read some, will ckeck it out the others. The one I’m reading right now is “Mixing Secrets” by Mike Senior. It’s simple and clever, and explains really well some things that we all have heard, but nobody explains, also is helping me to organize my knowledge.
Really worth the money, I’m reading the kindle version.
Yeah it was on sale on Amazon the other day, should’ve grabbed it
Mixing Secrets for the small studio by Mike Senior
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki
Zen and the Art of Mixing by Mixerman
Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science by Robert A. Katz
Mixerman is always good. I read his diaries online, and I loved them
Amid all these book i was hoping someone would mention Bob Katz… I think he gives such comprehension knowledge and insight for everyone. What the essence of the book is that he teaches you to best prepare a song for mastering.
I produce, write and mix and getting everything right at the most fundametal levels is essential. Im keen on Mixing strategies and think that is what the book will make mention of as well (seeing at BB does the same)
Yeah, I’ve heard about Bob Katz’s books but since I haven’t really read them I didnt’ want to recommend them. But that’s what you and this comment thread is for!
I wrote up a review on Mixing Secrets by Mike Senior you can read here. Pro’s and con’s.
http://www.behindthemixer.com/content/mixing-secrets-by-mike-senior-book-review
Thanks for the link.
Opps! My post should have went here! Sorry Reid!
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki
This is the book I recommend a lot.
No worries. I’ve heard a lot about that book, but I haven’t really read it.
Opps! My post should have went here! Sorry Reid!
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools by Roey Izhaki
This is the book I recommend a lot.
I use Bobby Owsinski’s pair of books The Recording Engineer’s Handbook and The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook on sessions ALL THE TIME. The first has an index of classic mics and their traditional uses, also an index by instrument of mic techniques, a perfect compliment to the Mixing Engineer book above.
Bobby runs two blogs that are great for music biz and production stuff alike. He’s pretty much the boss of print media for producers.
Great post Bjorgvin!
Oh cool, I didn’t know that about The Recording Engineer’s Handbook. I’ll have to check that out, He also writes premium tuts for AudioTuts+ as well as his cool blogs.
I love Mixing With Your Mind by Paul Stravrou. Some very interesting approaches to audio. Lots of tips and tricks that you won’t read anywhere else. His website often has some great tips too.
http://www.mixingwithyourmind.com
He also writes great articles for Audio Technology magazine in Australia.
Definitely Owsinski’s Mixing Engineer’s Handbook and Mixing Audio by Rhoey Izhaki
Definitely a fan of Bobby Owsinski’s book. He was on Pensado’s Place talking about everything in it a couple months ago…Here’s a list of my favorites. Not all music related but all of them metabolized into my production side…. http://emeritus-hotel.blogspot.com/2013/05/10-books-that-made-me-better-at.html
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