Published by Focal Press, Recording Secrets For The Small Studio is the latest book from Sound On Sound contributor and project-studio guru Mike Senior. Like his previous book, the must-read mixing manual Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio, it plunders tips, tricks and strategies from more than 200 celebrated engineers and producers, translating them for use in small studios with even smaller budgets. This time, however, the focus is on getting things right at source, by understanding fundamental techniques that can be applied to any recording situation.
Billed as an intensive training course for small-studio users who want to achieve commercial-grade results, the book takes the reader through a series of practical exercises that will build know-how and confidence in the live room. With technical complexity kept to a minimum, Recording Secrets For The Small Studio progresses from first principles through to advanced techniques like creative phase manipulation, workarounds to correct acoustic problems and improve monitoring, and some neat psychological tricks. Advice on stretching a modest budget and getting the best out of limited equipment and session time is also included, along with ‘power user’ techniques drawn from a Who’s Who of studio talent ranging from Steve Albini to Tony Visconti.
The book is ably supported by a whole host of online resources, including more than 300 audio examples (in both MP3 and uncompressed WAV formats), downloadable backing-track stems for overdubbing practice and an ever-expanding database of mic positions. Created by multi-miking live sound sources such as guitars, drums and piano using an array of identical mics, this library contains hundreds of audio files that allow you to compare the sound of different mic placements for yourself. So far, 200 audio examples have been added to the database, which will continue to grow over time. Recording Secrets For The Small Studio looks set to become another required read for all would-be producers. It’s available now from the usual outlets, with a list price of £28.99.
