Studio Reviews

ARTICLES

Audio Engineering as a Career
A good hard look at the prospects
By Dan Richards

For those of you who are looking to get your foot in the door towards a career in audio engineering, you will find that getting your foot in the door will become a way of life for you if you're to have any chance of success working as an independent in the recording industry. You need to get into the mindset that you are the one who makes things happen.

The "Over Production" Myth
Can a record really be "over produced"?
By Ronan Chris Murphy

It truth, there is no such thing as over-production, only appropriate and inappropriate production. To understand this, there must be consensus on the definition of the three issues at hand. What is production? What is appropriate production? What is inappropriate production?

The Secret to the Bonham Drum Sound
The recording is governed by the performance
By Ronan Chris Murphy

There is no greater truth in making records than this: "The recording is governed by the performance." This may seem obvious, but many times the implications of this are not. There are two main areas where this truth manifests itself. The first is in the emotional impact of the music and the second is in the sonic signature or sonic possibilities of a recording.

Building a Mic Cabinet (2003)
Building your first collection of mics on a budget
By Dan Richards

Building a mic collection for a project studio can be a daunting and confusing task. I've found that it helps to try and see the bigger picture and look a little farther down the road. No one fills a mic cabinet all at once. It takes time, investigation and money.

ARTICLES

Johnny Graham Interview
Lead Guitartist for Earth, Wind & Fire

Johnny Graham is most well-known as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire during the peak period of the group's career, 1972-1982. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from BET Network, and won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards.

Getting a Publishing Deal
Relationships are the most important thing
By Marc "M2E" Smith

Try to get on records first before shopping for a deal. It doesn't matter if you produce them, as long as you've written on them, you can get some meetings set up. Then you have something they want that is publishing-worthy, which adds up to money. As far as getting your tracks heard, there are many different ways.

The Demo
A view from the other side of the mailbox
By Ronan Chris Murphy

When an artist sends a label, or manager, or a producer a demo, they are usually hoping that the person receiving the demo can help them in some way. What they fail to realize is that the person receiving the demo is hoping the same thing. Demos are about business opportunities for both parties.

To Pre or Not to Pre
Quality pres can focus sounds
By Dan Richards

An important aspect of an accurate microphone preamplifier is how much space in the soundfield a preamp takes up in order to have your ear accurately define a particular instrument or voice. People wonder how you can hear every instrument clearly on a well-recorded song — even if it's through a crappy little speaker. One of the secrets is in the mic pres.

ARTICLES

Preproduction
The neglected vital stage of record production
By Ronan Chris Murphy

Many people make the mistake of confusing production with drum sounds or something you "add" to a recording, when in truth production is inclusive process of making a record. Preproduction is the work a producer and the artists do before the actual recording of a record begins.

MP4
The next big thing. Will the real MP4 please step forward
By Dan Richards

New sound technologies are always around long before they reach the attention of consumers. While you're riding that wave of MP3's and T1 lines, I'd just like to direct your attention to the rear view mirror. There is a tsunami on the way.