Introduction

This chapter covers a brief history of music recording, basic definitions, and important questions to ask when starting the journey of music production. Understanding the history of music recording helps us frame the current moment and appreciate how far we have come. I’ll go over some fundamental terms, tools, and ideas about recording that you need to know before starting this course. Finally, I want to give you a chance to think more deeply about what this journey will look like for you and get your head in the right place for recording.

This chapter covers the core of what you need to know about signal flow within the studio. I’ll provide an overview of the recording process, a sample of signal flow in a studio, and a discussion on what producing “in-the-box” means.

This chapter focuses on DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). We cover what DAWs were created to do and how they were developed, the basic features of every DAW, and a quick comparison of the major DAWs to help you choose the best product for your work.

This chapter deals with the necessary information you need to start capturing great recordings. We look at the core factors in any recording decision, basic mic placement techniques, and how to use your ears to get the right sound.

This chapter deals with processing and mixing audio. I’ll explain the main audio processing tools every producer uses, talk about some best practices for mixing, and emphasize the importance of using your ears and knowing your listening environment.

This chapter is dedicated to the final stages of any recording project. We will discuss mastering, file formats, and distributing your music.

We conclude this course with a recap of what we’ve learned and a personalized strategy going forward. I’ll share some insights into how you can build a home studio, talk about collaboration, and provide some of my favorite resources I use to grow my knowledge of music recording.