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career in sound engineering: Audio Engineering 101 Tim Dittmar, 2013-02-11 Audio Engineering 101 is a real world guide for starting out in the recording industry. If you have the dream, the ideas, the music and the creativity but don't know where to start, then this book is for you! Filled with practical advice on how to navigate the recording world, from an author with first-hand, real-life experience, Audio Engineering 101 will help you succeed in the exciting, but tough and confusing, music industry. Covering all you need to know about the recording process, from the characteristics of sound to a guide to microphones to analog versus digital recording. Dittmar covers all the basics- equipment, studio acoustics, the principals of EQ/ compression, music examples to work from and when and how to use compression. FAQ's from professionals give you real insight into the reality of life on the industry. |
career in sound engineering: Alan Parsons' Art & Science of Sound Recording Julian Colbeck, Alan Parsons, 2014-09-01 (Technical Reference). More than simply the book of the award-winning DVD set, Art & Science of Sound Recording, the Book takes legendary engineer, producer, and artist Alan Parsons' approaches to sound recording to the next level. In book form, Parsons has the space to include more technical background information, more detailed diagrams, plus a complete set of course notes on each of the 24 topics, from The Brief History of Recording to the now-classic Dealing with Disasters. Written with the DVD's coproducer, musician, and author Julian Colbeck, ASSR, the Book offers readers a classic big picture view of modern recording technology in conjunction with an almost encyclopedic list of specific techniques, processes, and equipment. For all its heft and authority authored by a man trained at London's famed Abbey Road studios in the 1970s ASSR, the Book is also written in plain English and is packed with priceless anecdotes from Alan Parsons' own career working with the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and countless others. Not just informative, but also highly entertaining and inspirational, ASSR, the Book is the perfect platform on which to build expertise in the art and science of sound recording. |
career in sound engineering: Careers for Tech Girls in Audio Engineering Jackson Nieuwland, 2018-07-15 From the music industry to movies, television, and gaming, audio engineers are responsible for recording, editing, and mixing the sounds all around us, and with careers in tech forming some of the most lucrative employment opportunities out there, audio engineering is a solid choice for audiophiles who excel at STEM. This book introduces young women to the ins-and-outs of audio engineering, including the basics about equipment, software, and the career paths they can pursue. With a crafted blend of career guidance and social guidance for young women in the workforce, this isn't your typical guide to landing the dream job. This volume helps women understand the unique challenges they face in the workforce and how to stand up to them, paving the way for equal pay, respect in the workplace, and a fulfilling career path crafting the soundtracks to our world. |
career in sound engineering: Sound Advice Dan Friedman, 2010-08 Writing about sound is not an easy task. I've heard it compared to explaining visual art to the blind. However, after years of working with voiceover talent, being asked the same questions and dealing with the same issues, I was inspired to give it a try. I've written this book to give you a sound engineer's perspective on your career as a voiceover talent. In this book I've tried to provide you with basic information about audio and equipment that is taught in recording schools. Hopefully, this information will provide a foundation for you to get to know your equipment better and understand how it works. Understanding your audio equipment is critical to helping you sound your best as well as helping you effectively communicate with those trying to help you when problems occur. I've also tried to address proper studio etiquette and many of the bad practices I've seen, heard and experienced from voiceover talents over the years. My intention is not to scold or criticize, but simply to provide those of you who are new to the business with information you may not know, and also to shed light on some mistakes that many of you, who have been in the business for awhile, may not know you are making. This book is not about how to read scripts or how to be a successful voiceover artist. This book compliments the many books that have been written about those topics. You may find it helpful to sit in front of your equipment as you read through some of the sections. Follow the procedures I describe and learn what the microphone, knobs, faders and other various elements in your studio can do. Most importantly, open your ears and really listen. Listen to how you sound and learn what you can do to bring out the best in your voice. I am passionate about what I do and I know most of you are too. This is a great business. Thank you for reading my book, I hope you find it helpful and enjoyable. |
career in sound engineering: The Sound Reinforcement Handbook Gary Davis, Gary D. Davis, 1989 (Yamaha Products). Sound reinforcement is the use of audio amplification systems. This book is the first and only book of its kind to cover all aspects of designing and using such systems for public address and musical performance. The book features information on both the audio theory involved and the practical applications of that theory, explaining everything from microphones to loudspeakers. This revised edition features almost 40 new pages and is even easier to follow with the addition of an index and a simplified page and chapter numbering system. New topics covered include: MIDI, Synchronization, and an Appendix on Logarithms. 416 Pages. |
career in sound engineering: Behind the Glass Howard Massey, 2009-04-01 Behind the Glass, Volume II presents another prime collection of firsthand interviews with the world's top record producers and engineers, sharing their creative secrets and hit-making techniques – from the practical to the artistic. In these pages you'll find Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan) discussing the future of digital recording; T-Bone Burnett (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss) sharing his unique view of creating complex low end; and Hugh Padgham (Police, Genesis) analyzing the state of the business today. For real-world advice on everything from home recording to mixing to coaching a nervous singer, check out author Howard Massey's conversations with Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse), Tony Brown (Reba McEntire), Gus Dudgeon (Elton John), John Simon (The Band), Russ Titelman (Steve Winwood), Bruce Swedien (Michael Jackson), Rodney Jerkins (Mary J. Blige), Simon Climie (Eric Clapton), Matt Serletic (Matchbox Twenty), and more. |
career in sound engineering: Sound System Engineering 4e Don Davis, Eugene Patronis, Pat Brown, 2013-06-26 Long considered the only book an audio engineer needs on their shelf, Sound System Engineering provides an accurate, complete and concise tool for all those involved in sound system engineering. Fully updated on the design, implementation and testing of sound reinforcement systems this great reference is a necessary addition to any audio engineering library. Packed with revised material, numerous illustrations and useful appendices, this is a concentrated capsule of knowledge and industry standard that runs the complete range of sound system design from the simplest all-analog paging systems to the largest multipurpose digital systems. |
career in sound engineering: The Business of Audio Engineering Dave Hampton, 2023-11-30 B&W photos and illustrations throughout |
career in sound engineering: Sound Engineer Patricia Hynes, 2007-08-01 Music, movies and television, sports all make use of sound engineers. This book describes the tasks and expectations of this cool job. |
career in sound engineering: Sound Systems: Design and Optimization Bob McCarthy, 2016-02-26 Sound Systems: Design and Optimization provides an accessible and unique perspective on the behavior of sound systems in the practical world. The third edition reflects current trends in the audio field thereby providing readers with the newest methodologies and techniques. In this greatly expanded new edition, you’ll find clearer explanations, a more streamlined organization, increased coverage of current technologies and comprehensive case studies of the author’s award-winning work in the field. As the only book devoted exclusively to modern tools and techniques in this emerging field, Sound Systems: Design and Optimization provides the specialized guidance needed to perfect your design skills. This book helps you: Improve your design and optimization decisions by understanding how audiences perceive reinforced sound Use modern analyzers and prediction programs to select speaker placement, equalization, delay and level settings based on how loudspeakers interact in the space Define speaker array configurations and design strategies that maximize the potential for spatial uniformity Gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques required to generate a design that will create a successful transmission/reception model |
career in sound engineering: What is Music Production Russ Hepworth-Sawyer, Craig Golding, 2012-11-12 To produce a Grammy award winning album you need to know what goes into creating great music- both the business and the technical. What is Music Production takes a look at the process, looking at the art of producing and providing insight into the producer's lifestyle. Packed with information the book gives a step by step guide and insight into the process of music production. Whether you're are a professional or just starting out ?What is Music Production? will tell you everything you need to know from choosing the artist, songs, pre production, mixing, mastering to finance and budgeting. Combining the ?how to? with case studies, online assets and interviews the book arms you with the tools, techniques and knowledge to be a top producer. |
career in sound engineering: Music, Physics and Engineering Harry F. Olson, 2013-04-22 This extraordinarily comprehensive text, requiring no special background, discusses the nature of sound waves, musical instruments, musical notation, acoustic materials, elements of sound reproduction systems, and electronic music. Includes 376 figures. |
career in sound engineering: Beyond Sound Scott L. Phillips, 2013-07-18 Beyond Sound is a must-read for anyone who loves music technology and wants to build a career in this competitive, fast-paced world. Author Scott L. Phillips draws on his seventeen-year career as a technology trainer and educator, and his extensive network of music technology professionals, to present an intimate view of the exciting world of music technology. The book offers an in-depth consideration of music technology education, including looks at specific programs and a clear explanation of different types of degrees. Moreover, it provides practical guidance on career preparation, including how to get a great internship, how to land that first job, and how to make connections and move up in a variety of businesses from recording to television and film to video games. And Phillips brings stories from successful professionals, who share their experiences, advice, and suggestions. |
career in sound engineering: Women in Audio Leslie Gaston-Bird, 2019-12-06 Women in Audio features almost 100 profiles and stories of audio engineers who are women and have achieved success throughout the history of the trade. Beginning with a historical view, the book covers the achievements of women in various audio professions and then focuses on organizations that support and train women and girls in the industry. What follows are eight chapters divided by discipline, highlighting accomplished women in various audio fields: radio; sound for film and television; music recording and electronic music; hardware and software design; acoustics; live sound and sound for theater; education; audio for games, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, as well as immersive sound. Women in Audio is a valuable resource for professionals, educators, and students looking to gain insight into the careers of trailblazing women in audio-related fields and represents required reading for those looking to add diversity to their music technology programs. |
career in sound engineering: Designing Audio Effect Plug-ins in C++ with Digital Audio Signal Processing Theory William C. Pirkle, 2013 Includes bibliographical references and index. |
career in sound engineering: Finding Your Career in the Modern Audio Industry April Tucker, 2022-07-29 Finding Your Career in the Modern Audio Industry equips the reader with the skills they need to turn an interest in audio, sound, or music technology into a career. This book provides insight for aspiring professionals seeking audio-related opportunities in entertainment, technology, education, and more. In the audio industry, there is typically a gap between those in-training and those with professional (and financially sustainable) careers. This book bridges the information gap, offering practical and real-world advice to those in this volatile stage of their career. Including 70+ interviews with professionals from over 20 countries, Finding Your Career in the Modern Audio Industry offers insight into how others (across the industry and the world) have applied entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, and creative solutions to build their careers. Including international case studies and interviews with diverse professionals, Finding Your Career in the Modern Audio Industry is essential reading for anyone taking their first steps into an audio-related field. |
career in sound engineering: How Does it Sound Now? Gary Gottlieb, 2010 This text interviews 25 of the most famous previous and current audio engineers, including Phil Ramone, Eliot Sheiner, George Massenberg, Al Schmitt, and many more, and explores their use, methodology, and in some cases, invention of classic analog recording hardware. |
career in sound engineering: Music in the Social and Behavioral Sciences William Forde Thompson, 2014-07-18 This first definitive reference resource to take a broad interdisciplinary approach to the nexus between music and the social and behavioral sciences examines how music affects human beings and their interactions in and with the world. The interdisciplinary nature of the work provides a starting place for students to situate the status of music within the social sciences in fields such as anthropology, communications, psychology, linguistics, sociology, sports, political science and economics, as well as biology and the health sciences. Features: Approximately 450 articles, arranged in A-to-Z fashion and richly illustrated with photographs, provide the social and behavioral context for examining the importance of music in society. Entries are authored and signed by experts in the field and conclude with references and further readings, as well as cross references to related entries. A Reader's Guide groups related entries by broad topic areas and themes, making it easy for readers to quickly identify related entries. A Chronology of Music places material into historical context; a Glossary defines key terms from the field; and a Resource Guide provides lists of books, academic journals, websites and cross-references. The multimedia digital edition is enhanced with video and audio clips and features strong search-and-browse capabilities through the electronic Reader’s Guide, detailed index, and cross references. Music in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, available in both multimedia digital and print formats, is a must-have reference for music and social science library collections. |
career in sound engineering: Modern Recording Techniques David Miles Huber, Robert E. Runstein, 2012-09-10 As the most popular and authoritative guide to recording Modern Recording Techniques provides everything you need to master the tools and day to day practice of music recording and production. From room acoustics and running a session to mic placement and designing a studio Modern Recording Techniques will give you a really good grounding in the theory and industry practice. Expanded to include the latest digital audio technology the 7th edition now includes sections on podcasting, new surround sound formats and HD and audio. If you are just starting out or looking for a step up in industry, Modern Recording Techniques provides an in depth excellent read- the must have book |
career in sound engineering: Audio Power Amplifier Design Douglas Self, 2013-07-04 This book is essential for audio power amplifier designers and engineers for one simple reason...it enables you as a professional to develop reliable, high-performance circuits. The Author Douglas Self covers the major issues of distortion and linearity, power supplies, overload, DC-protection and reactive loading. He also tackles unusual forms of compensation and distortion produced by capacitors and fuses. This completely updated fifth edition includes four NEW chapters including one on The XD Principle, invented by the author, and used by Cambridge Audio. Crosstalk, power amplifier input systems, and microcontrollers in amplifiers are also now discussed in this fifth edition, making this book a must-have for audio power amplifier professionals and audiophiles. |
career in sound engineering: Handbook for Sound Engineers Glen Ballou, 2015-03-05 Handbook for Sound Engineers is the most comprehensive reference available for audio engineers, and is a must read for all who work in audio. With contributions from many of the top professionals in the field, including Glen Ballou on interpretation systems, intercoms, assistive listening, and fundamentals and units of measurement, David Miles Huber on MIDI, Bill Whitlock on audio transformers and preamplifiers, Steve Dove on consoles, DAWs, and computers, Pat Brown on fundamentals, gain structures, and test and measurement, Ray Rayburn on virtual systems, digital interfacing, and preamplifiers, Ken Pohlmann on compact discs, and Dr. Wolfgang Ahnert on computer-aided sound system design and room-acoustical fundamentals for auditoriums and concert halls, the Handbook for Sound Engineers is a must for serious audio and acoustic engineers. The fifth edition has been updated to reflect changes in the industry, including added emphasis on increasingly prevalent technologies such as software-based recording systems, digital recording using MP3, WAV files, and mobile devices. New chapters, such as Ken Pohlmann’s Subjective Methods for Evaluating Sound Quality, S. Benjamin Kanters’s Hearing Physiology—Disorders—Conservation, Steve Barbar’s Surround Sound for Cinema, Doug Jones’s Worship Styles in the Christian Church, sit aside completely revamped staples like Ron Baker and Jack Wrightson’s Stadiums and Outdoor Venues, Pat Brown’s Sound System Design, Bob Cordell’s Amplifier Design, Hardy Martin’s Voice Evacuation/Mass Notification Systems, and Tom Danley and Doug Jones’s Loudspeakers. This edition has been honed to bring you the most up-to-date information in the many aspects of audio engineering. |
career in sound engineering: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together |
career in sound engineering: Live Sound Basics Ric Wallace, 2012-03-01 This book is about the fundamentals of live sound engineering and is intended to supplement the curriculum for the online classes at the Production Institute (www.productioninstitute.com/students). Nonetheless, it will be invaluable for beginning sound engineers and technicians anywhere who seek to expand their knowledge of sound reinforcement on their own. Written with beginners and novices in churches and convention centers in mind, this book starts by teaching you professional terminology and the processes of creating production related documents used to communicate with other sound engineers, vendors and venues. Subjects such as Signal Path and AC (alternating current) power safety and distribution are closely examined. These two subjects are closely related to the buzzing, humming and other noise related phenomena that often plague sound reinforcement systems. Chapters include an in-depth review of both analog and digital mixing consoles, their differences and similarities, and the gain structure fundamentals associated with the proper operation of either type of mixing console. Audio dynamic processors such as compressors, limiters and noise gates and their operation are explained in detail. Audio effects like delay and reverb are examined so that you can learn the basics of sweetening the mix to create larger and more emotive soundscapes and achieve studio-like outcomes in a live sound environment. Advanced mixing techniques, workflow, and the conventional wisdom used by professional audio engineers are explained so you don't have to spend years trying to figure out how these processes are achieved. Last but not least, a comprehensive review of acoustic feedback, and how to eliminate it from stage monitors and main speaker systems are detailed in a step by step process. This book will be especially helpful to volunteer audio techs in houses of worship, convention centers and venues of all types. It will bridge the gap between the on-the-job training that beginners receive and the knowledge and conventional wisdom that professional sound engineers employ in their daily routine. |
career in sound engineering: Sound Engineer Wil Mara, 2015-08-01 Readers will learn what it takes to succeed as a sound engineer. The book also explains the necessary educational steps, useful character traits, potential hazards, and daily job tasks related to this career. Sidebars include thought-provoking trivia. Questions in the backmatter ask for text-dependent analysis. Photos, a glossary, and additional resources are included. |
career in sound engineering: Sound for Film and Television Tomlinson Holman, 2002 Holman covers the broad field of sound accompanying pictures, from the basics through recording, editing and mixing for theatrical films, documentaries and television shows. In each area, theory is followed by practical sections. |
career in sound engineering: A Practical Guide to Television Sound Engineering Dennis Baxter, 2014-06-20 Television audio engineering is like any other business-you learn on the job--but more and more the industry is relying on a freelance economy. The mentor is becoming a thing of the past. A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TELEVISION SOUND ENGINEERING is a cross training reference guide to industry technicians and engineers of all levels. Packed with photographs, case studies, and experience from an Emmy-winning author, this book is a must-have industry tool. |
career in sound engineering: Sound System Engineering Don Davis, Eugene Patronis, 2014-06-20 Sound System Engineering Third Edition is a complete revision and expansion of the former work. Written by two leading authorities in the field of audio engineering, this highly respected guide covers the fundamentals necessary for the understanding of today's systems as well as for those systems yet to come. The space formerly occupied by outdated photographs of manufacturers' product and of older system installations has now been filled with new measurements and discussions of the measurement process. The Mathematics for Audio chapter has been expanded to include the mathematics of phasors. The Interfacing Electrical and Acoustic Systems chapter has a completely new section covering the analysis of alternating current circuits. Additionally, system gain structure is now treated by both the available input power method and the voltage only method, complete with illustrations of each. All chapters dealing with loudspeaker directivity and coverage, the acoustic environment, room acoustics, speech intelligibility, and acoustic gain appear in up to date versions. In addition there is new material on signal delay and synchronization and equalization. There are completely new chapters on microphones, loudspeakers and loudspeaker arrays including line arrays with steering and beam-width control, and signal processing, both analog and digital. The book runs the gamut of sound system design from the simplest all-analog paging system to the largest multipurpose digital systems. In writing this third edition, the authors kept in mind the needs of sound system installers, sound system service technicians, and sound system designers. All three groups will find the material to be useful for everyday work as well as beneficial in the furtherance of their overall audio education. |
career in sound engineering: Sound Man Glyn Johns, 2015-11-24 A life recording hits with the Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Eric Clapton, the Faces ...--Jacket. |
career in sound engineering: The Recording Engineer's Handbook Bobby Owsinski, 2005 Working as a recording engineer presents challenges from every direction of your project. From using microphones to deciding on EQ settings, choosing outboard gear to understanding how, when and why to process your signal, the seemingly never-ending choices can be very confusing. Professional Audio's bestselling author Bobby Owsinski (The Mixing Engineer's Handbook, The Mastering Engineer's Handbook) takes you into the tracking process for all manner of instruments and vocals-- providing you with the knowledge and skill to make sense of the many choices you have in any given project. From acoustic to electronic instruments, mic placement to EQ settings, everything you need to know to capture professionally recorded audio tracks is in this guide. |
career in sound engineering: Careers in Audio Jeff Touzeau, 2008 Whether you’re thinking about a career in audio but aren’t sure where to start or you’re already working in the audio industry and looking to advance your career, this book has all of the information you will need to get your audio career on track! Careers in Audio is the definitive career guide for the rapidly growing (and evolving) audio industry. It details job descriptions and career paths, while providing suggested entry avenues and growth opportunities within these paths. Each section includes information on salaries you can expect, potential risks for a given career path, work/life balance, traits and skills valued in the industry, and much more. Best of all, each section includes interviews with successful audio professionals in that field who relate their real-life experiences for your benefit. The book also includes an extensive list of educational facilities, published works, websites, discussion boards, and professional organizations to help you make your audio career search as easy as possible. |
career in sound engineering: The Ultimate Live Sound Operator's Handbook Bill Gibson, 2020-10-01 The third edition of The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook offers new sections on digital concepts, wireless considerations, digital mixers, modern digital snakes, routing schemes, block diagrams, signal paths, plug-ins for live sound, and more. Any live act must sound great to be well received by today’s increasingly demanding audiences. If you’re a sound operator, teacher, musician, or even a music fan who is interested in becoming a sound operator, you know that regardless of the musical genre or venue, high-quality audio is mandatory for an artist or band’s success. This book shows you how to improve your audio skills, including how to build great sounds that form a professional-sounding mix. Revised and updated, The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook, 3rd Edition focuses on each modern and classic aspects of live sound operation in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand—from system, component, and acoustic considerations to miking, mixing, and recording the live show. Tightly produced online videos clearly demonstrate key concepts presented in the text. These instructional videos, along with hundreds of detailed illustrations and photographs, provide an incredibly powerful and useful learning experience. An access code to the companion website is provided in the book. The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook, 3rd Edition, features: Shaping Instrument and Vocal Sounds Creating an Excellent Mix Mixer Basics Digital Mixers and Snakes Volume Issues and Sound Theory Digital Theory Managing the Signal Path Signal Processors and Effects Modern Plug-ins Microphone Principles, Techniques, and Design Wireless Systems In-Ear versus Floor Monitors Loudspeakers and Amplifiers Acoustic Considerations Miking the Group and Sound Check |
career in sound engineering: Mixing Audio Roey Izhaki, 2013-05-02 Your mix can make or break a record, and mixing is an essential catalyst for a record deal. Professional engineers with exceptional mixing skills can earn vast amounts of money and find that they are in demand by the biggest acts. To develop such skills, you need to master both the art and science of mixing. The new edition of this bestselling book offers all you need to know and put into practice in order to improve your mixes. Covering the entire process --from fundamental concepts to advanced techniques -- and offering a multitude of audio samples, tips and tricks, this book has it all. Roey Izhaki teaches you the importance of a mixing vision, how to craft and evaluate your mix and then take it a step further. He describes the theory and the tools used and how these are put into practice while creating mixes. Packed full of photos, graphs, diagrams and audio samples, Mixing Audio is a vital read for anyone wanting to succeed in the field of mixing. New to this edition: * Multitracks provided to help practice mixing * Fully updated with current plug-in and software version and information * Companion website with a multitude of new samples including more macro-mixing samples * A new sample mix: Rock n' Roll |
career in sound engineering: The Last Seat in the House John Kane, 2020-01-27 Known as the Father of Festival Sound, Bill Hanley (b. 1937) made his indelible mark as a sound engineer at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. Hanley is credited with creating the sound of Woodstock, which literally made the massive festival possible. Stories of his on-the-fly solutions resonate as legend among festivalgoers, music lovers, and sound engineers. Since the 1950s his passion for audio has changed the way audiences listen to and technicians approach quality live concert sound. John Kane examines Hanley’s echoing impact on the entire field of sound engineering, that crucial but often-overlooked carrier wave of contemporary music. Hanley’s innovations founded the sound reinforcement industry and launched a new area of technology, rich with clarity and intelligibility. By the early seventies the post-Woodstock festival mass gathering movement collapsed. The music industry shifted, and new sound companies surfaced. After huge financial losses and facing stiff competition, Hanley lost his hold on a business he helped create. By studying both his history during the festivals and his independent business ventures, Kane seeks to present an honest portrayal of Hanley and his acumen and contributions. Since 2011, Kane conducted extensive research, including over one hundred interviews with music legends from the production and performance side of the industry. These carefully selected respondents witnessed Hanley’s expertise at various events and venues like Lyndon B. Johnson’s second inauguration, the Newport Folk/Jazz Festivals, the Beatles' final tour of 1966, the Fillmore East, Madison Square Garden, and more. The Last Seat in the House will intrigue and inform anyone who cares about the modern music industry. |
career in sound engineering: The Producer as Composer Virgil Moorefield, 2010-02-26 The evolution of the record producer from organizer to auteur, from Phil Spector and George Martin to the rise of hip-hop and remixing. In the 1960s, rock and pop music recording questioned the convention that recordings should recreate the illusion of a concert hall setting. The Wall of Sound that Phil Spector built behind various artists and the intricate eclecticism of George Martin's recordings of the Beatles did not resemble live performances—in the Albert Hall or elsewhere—but instead created a new sonic world. The role of the record producer, writes Virgil Moorefield in The Producer as Composer, was evolving from that of organizer to auteur; band members became actors in what Frank Zappa called a movie for your ears. In rock and pop, in the absence of a notated score, the recorded version of a song—created by the producer in collaboration with the musicians—became the definitive version. Moorefield, a musician and producer himself, traces this evolution with detailed discussions of works by producers and producer-musicians including Spector and Martin, Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, Trent Reznor, Quincy Jones, and the Chemical Brothers. Underlying the transformation, Moorefield writes, is technological development: new techniques—tape editing, overdubbing, compression—and, in the last ten years, inexpensive digital recording equipment that allows artists to become their own producers. What began when rock and pop producers reinvented themselves in the 1960s has continued; Moorefield describes the importance of disco, hip-hop, remixing, and other forms of electronic music production in shaping the sound of contemporary pop. He discusses the making of Pet Sounds and the production of tracks by Public Enemy with equal discernment, drawing on his own years of studio experience. Much has been written about rock and pop in the last 35 years, but hardly any of it deals with what is actually heard in a given pop song. The Producer as Composer tries to unravel the mystery of good pop: why does it sound the way it does? |
career in sound engineering: Making Rumours Ken Caillat, Steve Stiefel, 2012-03-05 Inside the making of one of the biggest-selling albums of all time: Fleetwood Mac's Rumours Fleetwood Mac's classic 1977 Rumours album topped the Billboard 200 for thirty-one weeks and won the Album of the Year Grammy. More recently, Rolling Stone named it the twenty-fifth greatest album of all time and the hit TV series Glee devoted an entire episode to songs from Rumours, introducing it to a new generation. Now, for the first time, Ken Caillat, the album's co-producer, tells the full story of what really went into making Rumours—from the endless partying and relationship dramas to the creative struggles to write and record You Make Loving Fun, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, The Chain, and other timeless tracks. Tells the fascinating, behind-the-music story of the making of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, written by the producer who saw it all happen Filled with new and surprising details, such as Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham's screaming match while recording You Make Loving Fun, how the band coped with the pressures of increasing success, how the master tape nearly disintegrated, and the incredible attention paid to even the tiniest elements of songs, from Lindsey playing a chair to Mick breaking glass Includes eighty black-and-white photographs |
career in sound engineering: Classical Recording Caroline Haigh, John Dunkerley, Mark Rogers, 2020-10-26 Classical Recording: A Practical Guide in the Decca Tradition is the authoritative guide to all aspects of recording acoustic classical music. Offering detailed descriptions, diagrams, and photographs of fundamental recording techniques such as the Decca tree, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the essential skills involved in successfully producing a classical recording. Written by engineers with years of experience working for Decca and Abbey Road Studios and as freelancers, Classical Recording equips the student, the interested amateur, and the practising professional with the required knowledge and confidence to tackle everything from solo piano to opera. |
career in sound engineering: Mastering Audio Robert A. Katz, 2007 Suitable for those who want to increase their mastery of digital and analog audio: musicians, producers, A&R, mastering, recording, and mixing engineers, this title offers an introduction to the procedures and technical issues involved in mastering. |
career in sound engineering: Pop Music Production Phil Harding, 2019-06-28 Pop Music Production delves into academic depths around the culture, the business, the songwriting, and most importantly, the pop music production process. Phil Harding balances autobiographical discussion of events and relationships with academic analysis to offer poignant points on the value of pure popular music, particularly in relation to BoyBands and how creative pop production and songwriting teams function. Included here are practical resources, such as recording studio equipment lists, producer business deal examples and a 12-step mixing technique, where Harding expands upon previously released material to explain how ‘Stay Another Day’ by East 17 changed his approach to mixing forever. However, it is important to note that Harding almost downplays his involvement in his career. At no point is he center stage; he humbly discusses his position within the greater scheme of events. Pop Music Production offers cutting-edge analysis of a genre rarely afforded academic attention. This book is aimed at lecturers and students in the subject fields of Music Production, Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Popular Songwriting Studies and Popular Music Culture. It is suitable for all levels of study from FE students through to PhD researchers. Pop Music Production is also designed as a follow-up to Harding’s first book PWL from the Factory Floor (2010, Cherry Red Books), a memoir of his time working with 1980s pop production and songwriting powerhouse, Stock Aitken Waterman, at PWL Studios. |
career in sound engineering: Zen & the Art of MIXING Mixerman, 2021-10-01 Mixing is an Attitude<br> When I think back to my best mixes—regardless of their commercial success—in each and every case, I can only describe the experience as one in which I was working from deep within, outside of any external forces. I wasn't thinking; I was doing. I wasn't scared of what anyone would think. I wasn't scared of failure. All my decisions were made with confidence, and once a judgment was made, I didn't second-guess myself. I allowed the music to guide me, and I based all of my mix decisions on nothing more than one simple criterion: Are the song and production doing what they're supposed to be doing?<br> That sounds nice, huh? I mean, that's the headspace you want to be in when you're mixing! The problem is, you can't get there if you're focused on all the wrong things, and we're all susceptible to distraction and self-doubt. Great mixing involves trusting yourself, first and foremost. And I can promise you, that trust is downright infectious to everyone on your project. <br> Who Am I?<br> I'm Mixerman, a gold and multi-platinum mixer, producer, and recordist. I've been mixing professionally and at a high level for over three decades now., and I can assure you, great mixing isn't about manipulating sound. It's about the decisions you make in regards to the music, the balances, and how you use the arrangement to push the listener forward through the song. This is accomplished thought concrete strategies and techniques, that I'm uniquely qualified to offer you. <br> Boost Your Confidence Now<br> You can spend the next decade mixing two songs a day to get there. Or you can get Zen & the Art of MIXING 2021, and I'll explain the thinking behind great mixing. And then watch your confidence soar. <br> There's a reason why this is my most popular work, to date. Enjoy, Mixerman |
career in sound engineering: Audio Engineering for Sound Reinforcement John Eargle, Chris Foreman, 2002 (Book). This up-to-date book comprehensively covers all aspects of speech and music sound reinforcement. It is roughly divided into four sections: Section 1 provides the tutorial fundamentals that all audio engineers will need, discussing subjects such as fundamentals of acoustics, psychoacoustics, basic electrical theory and digital processing. Section 2 deals with the fundamental classes of hardware that the modern engineer will use, such as loudspeaker systems and components, microphones, mixers, amplifiers and signal processors. Special attention is given to digital techniques for system control and to audio signal analysis. Section 3 deals with the basics of system design, from concept to final realization. It covers topics such as basic system type and speech intelligibility, site survey, user needs analysis and project management. Section 4 discusses individual design areas, such as sports facilities, large-scale tour sound systems, high-level music playback, systems for the theater, religious facilities, and other meeting spaces. The book is written in an accessible style, but does not lack for ample amounts of technical information. It is truly a book for the 21st century! The Senior Director of Product Development and Application for JBL Professional, John Eargle is the author of The Handbook of Recording Engineering, The Microphone Book, Handbook of Sound System Design, Electroacoustical Reference Data, Music, Sound and Technology and The Loudspeaker Handbook . A 2000 Grammy Award-winner for Best Classical Engineering, Mr. Eargle is an honorary member and past national president of the Audio Engineering Society, a faculty-member of the Aspen Audio Recording Institute, and a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. |
What Does a Sound Engineer Do? (With Salary Info and Skills)
Jun 9, 2025 · In this article, we define the role of a sound engineer, explain what sound engineers do, list important skills for these professionals, provide the average salary and job outlook for this …
What Is Audio Engineering? Your Career Guide - Coursera
Nov 18, 2024 · Discover what audio engineers do, where they work, what they earn, and how they use audio engineering programs to do their job. You'll also uncover more about the skills involved …
14 Career Opportunities in Sound Engineering - Career Guide
Aug 21, 2018 · I have enlisted the various career opportunities in Sound Engineering below: The Job of a music producer is varied and involves a number of small tasks. These tasks can be anything …
What does an audio engineer do? - CareerExplorer
What is an Audio Engineer? An audio engineer is responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering sound for a variety of media productions, including music albums, films, television shows, video …
Audio Engineering: Your Career Guide in 2025 - MidderMusic
Dec 29, 2023 · In short, audio engineering refers to the technical side of audio recording, live performance production, post-production mixing, and mastering. And audio engineers …
What is a Sound Engineer? Explore the Sound Engineer Career …
Learn about the role of Sound Engineer, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one. A sound engineer, also known as an audio engineer, is a professional adept in the art and science …
How To Get Into Sound Engineering | Essential Guide
Starting your career in sound engineering involves immersing yourself in every facet of music production, from capturing the perfect recording to mastering the intricacies of mixing. You’ll …
How to Become an Audio Engineer - Career Sidekick
Feb 27, 2024 · Audio engineering is a complex and dynamic field that requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. Let’s explore the essential steps and skills required to become an audio …
How To Become An Audio Engineer – Forbes Advisor
Oct 16, 2024 · Audio engineering can be a demanding yet satisfying career for many creative professionals. Audio engineers must acquire specific technical skills, relevant training and...
Career in sound engineering and audio production - The Hindu
Jun 8, 2025 · Careers. Prospects in sound engineering and audio production are varied and promising. Graduates can pursue roles in recording studios, film production houses, …
What Does a Sound Engineer Do? (With Salary Info and Skills)
Jun 9, 2025 · In this article, we define the role of a sound engineer, explain what sound engineers do, list important skills for these professionals, provide the average salary and job outlook for …
What Is Audio Engineering? Your Career Guide - Coursera
Nov 18, 2024 · Discover what audio engineers do, where they work, what they earn, and how they use audio engineering programs to do their job. You'll also uncover more about the skills …
14 Career Opportunities in Sound Engineering - Career Guide
Aug 21, 2018 · I have enlisted the various career opportunities in Sound Engineering below: The Job of a music producer is varied and involves a number of small tasks. These tasks can be …
What does an audio engineer do? - CareerExplorer
What is an Audio Engineer? An audio engineer is responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering sound for a variety of media productions, including music albums, films, television shows, video …
Audio Engineering: Your Career Guide in 2025 - MidderMusic
Dec 29, 2023 · In short, audio engineering refers to the technical side of audio recording, live performance production, post-production mixing, and mastering. And audio engineers …
What is a Sound Engineer? Explore the Sound Engineer Career …
Learn about the role of Sound Engineer, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one. A sound engineer, also known as an audio engineer, is a professional adept in the art and …
How To Get Into Sound Engineering | Essential Guide
Starting your career in sound engineering involves immersing yourself in every facet of music production, from capturing the perfect recording to mastering the intricacies of mixing. You’ll …
How to Become an Audio Engineer - Career Sidekick
Feb 27, 2024 · Audio engineering is a complex and dynamic field that requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. Let’s explore the essential steps and skills required to become an audio …
How To Become An Audio Engineer – Forbes Advisor
Oct 16, 2024 · Audio engineering can be a demanding yet satisfying career for many creative professionals. Audio engineers must acquire specific technical skills, relevant training and...
Career in sound engineering and audio production - The Hindu
Jun 8, 2025 · Careers. Prospects in sound engineering and audio production are varied and promising. Graduates can pursue roles in recording studios, film production houses, …