Mixing / Production

The flexibility of the effects assignment in modern MIDI + Audio sequencers (DAWs) can be daunting, so here's some advice on how to sort out the routing and order of your plug-ins for common recording and mixing tasks.

Try these tips and techniques for creating more convincing programmed rhythm parts in your sequencer.

Our series turns to the practicalities of setting up your own surround-capable recording system, and we talk to two radically different surround studios to see how they've coped — one at project- and one at pro-studio level.

Among his many credits as an engineer, producer, programmer and artist, Jon Astley is perhaps best known for his award-winning work remastering classic albums from the likes of The Who, Abba and George Harrison.

Super Furry Animals' recent album Rings Around The World is one of the first to be released in a custom-mixed 5.1 surround version for DVD as well as on stereo CD. Keyboard player Cian Ciárán explains how and why they embarked on this groundbreaking project.

BT revitalised the sound of boy band N'Sync, composed some of the most radical soundtracks to appear in mainstream films, and has a good claim to have invented trance. And he still finds time to talk to SOS...

The 'producers' producer', the 'guitarists' guitarist': Jay Graydon is back, with a new album and a renewed hunger for success. Always the consummate studio craftsman, when he talks technique, it's worth listening...

In recent years, Dublin has become one of Europe's hottest centres for pop production, and Biffco Productions are one of the top hitmaking teams who've made their home there.

You don't need to have Top 40 hits to make a living from your music. Just ask Kent Brainerd, who has made a tidy sum by composing music for company training and presentation videos. Find out how...

Baz Luhrmann's ambitious film Moulin Rouge integrates radically reworked pop classics into a historical romance. As well as co-ordinating this unique musical project, programmer and producer Marius de Vries somehow found time to work on Bjork's acclaimed new album Vespertine.

Stephen Harris is the man behind some huge recent hits by U2, Santana and the Dave Matthews Band. Sam Inglis finds out how he made it big.

Richard Buskin meets a successful American composer who's specialised in a unique kind of music for television...

Gorillaz have made waves as the first 'virtual band' to achieve real chart success. Behind the animated characters, however, lurk real engineers and musicians... Sam Inglis tracks them down to find out how they recorded their debut hit.

For a man who likes to work quickly in the studio, David Axelrod's new album has taken an awfully long time to make — 33 years, to be precise. Meanwhile, his groundbreaking '60s and '70s productions have become a crucial resource for the biggest names in hip-hop.

Paul Farrer's name has been a fixture in SOS for several years, but these days he's best-known as the theme tune composer for top BBC TV quiz show The Weakest Link. Paul White asks the questions...

We explain how to get the best practical results from equalisation by understanding the true frequency ranges of most instruments and voices.

It's hard enough to reach the top in any field, be it engineering, production, programming or playing an instrument, but Michael Bradford has excelled in all of these departments - and often while travelling across America at 80 miles per hour! Richard Buskin meets a man who's helped to create massive hit albums for Kid Rock and the New Radicals.

Over the last three decades Chris Tsangarides has produced some of the biggest names in heavy rock and has perfected the art of capturing the excitement of a loud, live band on record. Tom Flint finds out about some of his trademark production and engineering techniques including his work on the latest Gary Moore album, Back To The Blues.

Best known for his collaborations with Elton John, Gus Dudgeon is one of the most successful British record producers ever. He talks to Sam Inglis about his work.

After three decades powering the rhythm section of the Rolling Stones, Bill Wyman has gone back to the music he grew up with, with help from the impressive array of talent that is his Rhythm Kings. Sam Inglis hears how their new album Double Bill was made.

Number one UK hit 'Whole Again' took Atomic Kitten from the girl-band niche to a universal audience, and made an impressive first single release for co-writers and co-producers Bill Padley and Jeremy Godfrey. Sam Inglis hears the story.