Mixing / Production

Benny Blanco has created a string of number one hits without expensive instruments or virtuoso keyboard skills. What exactly is his secret?

Paul Weller's latest album was brimming over with musical creativity. The challenge for mixer Jan Kybert was to forge a coherent album from a mass of ideas.

Creating music and sound effects for sophisticated video games such as Mass Effect 3 requires skills not found in film or television — and a lot of hard work.

This month, as well as sorting out a few sonic gremlins, with edits, EQ and other tricks, we aim to draw out more of the ‘moments’ in a track.

Audio files to accompany the article.

The SOS team visit a well‑appointed home studio to try to cure a strange noise problem and help out with some acoustic guitar recording.

• Sak Noel 'Loca People' • Labrinth 'Earthquake' • Drake 'Make Me Proud' • Florence & The Machine 'Shake It Out'