Top 5 Books On Sound Recording

Books are a great source to learn about sound recording, grow your knowledge, and upgrade your skill to the next level.  In this article, I have listed the Top 5 Books to learn the art of Sound Recording or Tracking.

Do read these books if you are willing to learn the techniques and process of sound recording in and outside the studio. Learn from these bestselling books on sound recording and save hours of frustration. 

“An album is a whole universe, and the recording studio is a three-dimensional kind of art space that I can fill with sound. Just as the album art and videos are ways of adding more dimensions to the words and music. I like to be involved in all of it because it's all of a piece.”

Bat for Lashes

Top 5 Books On Sound Recording

Here is a list of Top 5 Books On Sound Recording:

  1. Recording Engineer’s Handbook — by Bobby Owsinski
  2. The Drum Recording Handbook – by Bobby Owsinski 
  3. Recording Unhinged – by Sylvia Massy
  4. Recording Secrets For Small Studio – by Mike Senior
  5. Earth Is A JukeBox – by Gordon Hempton

Recording Engineer’s Handbook

Recording Engineer’s Handbook – by Bobby Owsinski, is a brilliant book on miking techniques with a thorough overview of the recording process. Learn to record from the renowned author, teacher, producer and engineer Bobby Owsinski from the comfort of your home.

Why Do I Recommend This Book?

Bobby Owsinski shares in-depth up-to-date general miking techniques, models and basics of recording.

This book covers the aspects of recording like:

  1. Basics of recording
  2. Individual instrument miking techniques 
  3. Session workflow
  4. Drum recording
  5. An overview of recording elements
  6. Interviews with several engineers

This book has a list of suggested microphone positions for a wide variety of instruments. This book can help you figure out how to conduct a recording session, whether you want to record in your home studio or a professional studio.

This is a must-have book to learn about the fundamentals and advanced concepts of the recording process. There’s a lot to learn from the long section of interviews with some of the world’s best recording engineers.

Who Is This Book For?

If you want a step-by-step reference book to learn soundtracking. Buy the book. It acts as a reference and a go-to book at all times in a tracking studio.

The Drum Recording Handbook

The Drum Recording Handbook is another bestselling pro audiobook by author Bobby Owsinski and Grammy-nominated and platinum award-winning engineer and producer Dennis Moody.

Why Do I Recommend This Book?

Recording drums is an art. In this book, Bobby along with the in-demand recording engineer Dennis Moody shares secrets and techniques for getting the best drum recordings from every session.

Recording a good drum sound is one of the toughest challenges. This book makes the process much simpler without spending a ton of money on expensive equipment.

The authors give an insight into several mic options for different tonalities. This book burst many myths associated with tuning and miking a drum set.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for studio producers who want to record a good drum sound on a low budget.

 

Recording Unhinged

Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Music Recording Techniques — by Sylvia Massy, is a very inspirational book for recording engineers and producers.

Sylvia Massy is an American record producer, mixer, engineer, author and is well known for her fearless approach to recording.

Why Do I Recommend This Book?

This book motivates you to unlearn the standard ways of sound recording and dares you to explore the techniques that fall outside the norms.  

This book is full of anecdotes, conceptual advice, inspiring quotes and amazing illustrations from real-life recording scenarios. It’s not a how-to guide but a source of inspiration for the creativity of recording.

A practical approach to recording through concepts and possibilities. This book has everything from the "De-Evolution Of Vocals" to "How To Mic A Chicken".

Who Is This Book For?

Artists who want to get more creative with their sound recording. Especially, if you think that crazy ideas are fuel to experiment and looking for a source of inspiration, well this is the book for you.

 

Recording Secrets For Small Studio

Recording Secrets For Small Studio – by Mike Senior is a guidebook for aspiring recording engineers to master their recording skills. Mike Senior has adapted the techniques used by professional producers to suit those working on tight budgets.

Why Do I Recommend This Book?

This book is a practical guide that features recording techniques, small studio tips and secrets to help aspiring recording engineers and producers start recording from a small studio setup.

The author shares his knowledge on how to use just one or two mics and avoid wasting money on expensive equipment. He covers topics like miking techniques, fundamentals of recording setup, recording theory, phase cancellation, DIY room treatment and more.

While other recording instructional books focus on professional recording techniques, this book takes into account the needs of amateur recording engineers.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for home studio enthusiasts who want to learn the secrets of recording to produce music like professionals. If you want a book about recording that covers all the fundamentals of sound recording, this is one of the bests.

Musicians, who want to learn to record music in a small studio setup, should also buy this book.

Earth Is A Jukebox

Earth Is A JukeBox – by Gordon Hempton is a digital guide to listening, recording and sound designing with nature. Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton is one of the bestselling environmental recording artists in the world.

Why Do I Recommend This Book?

Sound recording is not just about what you make in the studio but also about the possibilities that lie outside the studio. Well, this book is your how-to guide to let nature be your muse. 

This book is an introduction to recording forces of nature and habitats. Seventeen chapters explain the principles of acoustic ecology.

Reading this book will help you learn how to listen, set up and record evocative sound effects out in the field. 

This book will help boost your creativity and think outside the box.

Who Is This Book For?

For the curious minds. Anyone interested in having a fun time listening, recording and designing sound with nature should read this book.

If you wish to check out the Top 5 books for music producers, check out this post.

 

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Udeeksh Sood on

Udeeksh is an Audio Engineer. He loves to produce music, research music gear, play guitar, go on treks and road trips.