RECORDING.ORG Pro Audio - Recording Books

Top Recording Books to Read

The Music Business, Music Marketing, How to Record Music, Music Law, What Computer to Use, How to Hook up Your Studio, Digital Audio, Tech Talk, Song Writing, Engineering, Mastering Your CD and more. Recommended by recording professional around the world.

Business

Internet

For the Mind

Tech Talk

Electronic Classics: Collecting, Restoration and Repair by Andrew Emmerson
Some Recommendations
- Tube Testers and Classic Electronic Test Gear by Alan Douglas
- Valve Radio and Audio Repair Handbook by Charles Miller
- Audio Reality by Bruce Rozenblit - Audio Reality is the title of a new book encouraging "hands-on" audio by DIY author and tube gear manufacturer Bruce Rozenblit of Transcendent Sound.

Tips and Techniques

Theory

Live Audio Related Books

	Sound System Engineering by Don Davis and Caroline Davis This is "the" reference book written by Don and Carolyn Davis of SynAudCon fame, I suggest that everyone involved in the sound business have a copy of this as a reference.
	McGraw-Hills National Electrical Code Handbook on CdRom : Conforms to the 1999 NEC compiled by Joseph F. McPartland, Brian J. McPartland The 1999 NEC on CD-ROM
	Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis, Ralph Jones (Contributor) The definitive reference for any one interested in sound reinforcement. This is the now classic text, sometimes refered to as the "Yamaha Book". It's a must read.
	Sound Check: The Basics of Sound and Sound Systems Tony Moscal Sound Check is a simplified guide to what can be a tricky subject: getting good sound. Starting with an easy-to-understand explanation of the principles and physics of sound, Sound Check goes on to cover amplifiers, speaker hookup, matching speakers with amps, sound reinforcement, mixers, monitor systems, grounding, and more. Includes many diagrams, lots of illustrations, and a glossary of audio terms.
	Audio Systems Design and Installation by Philip Giddings The ideal guide to audio systems. This practical hands-on tool is designed to help the audio professional find information quickly. Features many useful tables and checklists; illustrates the text with numerous photos and diagrams; improves and expedites system design; and provides tips and strategies for efficient audio system installation.
	The Art of Mixing by David Gibson, Technical Edit by George Peterson, Published by Mix Books More focused on studio work, this is offered as a visual guide to mixing.
	Live Sound for Musicians by Rudy Trubit Live Sound For Musicians shows you how to keep your PA system working smoothly, from set up and soundcheck right through your performance. If you're the guy or gal in the band who runs the PA, this is the book you've been waiting for! Topics include sound system basics, parts of the system, setting up your PA, soundcheck and troubleshooting, mixing, effects and monitors, sample setups and more.
	Live Sound Reinforcement by Scott Hunter Stark This comprehensive guide covers P.A. system operation and sound system design concerns commonly encountered in the "real world" and their related theoretical background. It contains in-depth discussions of all facets of the signal path plus numerous practical tips regarding system design and use in various applications.
	National Electrical Code 1999 from the National Fire Protection Association The definitive code reference for audio professionals on the subject of AC power code issues in the US. Know the code BEFORE you get inspected
	Guide to Sound Systems for Worship by Jon F. Eiche An excellent reference for the beginning sound operator for any church or operator of a system in a house of worship. Great how to guide for beginners.

Acoustic Musician's Guide to Sound Reinforcement and Live Recordings by Mike Sokol(Illustrator), et al.
Audio System Design and Installation - Phillip Giddings
Concert Sound and Lighting Systems by John Vasey
Live Sound Mixing - Duncan Fry
Live Sound Reinforcement : A Comprehensive Guide to P.A. and Music Reinforcement Systems and Technology - Scott Hunter Stark
Sound Reinforcement Engineering - Wolfgang Ahnert
Sound Reinforcement Handbook - Davis & Jones
The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Informationby Paul Carter, George Chiang

Recording Related Books

	Digital Home Recording - Tips, Techniques, and Tools for Home Studio Production by Carolyn Keating (Editor), Craig Anderton (Editor) Explores the technical workings behind a range of home music technology and explains how best to take advantage of them. Topics covered include musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) technology, computer-driven CD recorders, sound cards, studio setup and maintenance, and multitrack mixing.
	The Drummer's Studio Survival Guide : How to Get the Best Possible Drum Tracks on Any Recording Project (The Studio Series) by Mark Huntly Parsons, Rick Van Horn (Editor), Rick Van Horn (Editor) The information from the great drum artists at the end of each chapter was interesting and informative. A must buy!
	Getting into Digital Recording : Digital Audio Basics, Operations, Applications by Paul D. Lehrman, Paul D. Lebrman
	Sound Studio Construction on a Budget by F. Alton Everest This nuts-and-bolts book offers complete instructions and guidance for building your own inexpensive sound studio. Anyone with a discerning ear and a modicum of electronics skills can follow the clear plans for 10 designs, which include a voice-over recording studio; recording studios for modern, classical, and rock music; small announce booth; control room; and music listening room.
	Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros (Paperback) by Rod Gervais With the advances in digital technology, musicians can now produce their own music. But the gear is only part of the equation when it comes to recording and mixing. The next part is finding a soundproof room that you can produce it in. Unfortunately, any old room in your house will not suffice for...
	How to Build a Small Budget Recording Studio from Scratch ... With 12 Tested Designs by F. Alton Everest, Michael Shea (Contributor) 12 proven designs for building inexpensive, yet effective, audio studios * Covers basic acoustic theory, construction materials, and applied design * New chapters on blueprint reading and electrical wiring and grounding methods, expanded coverage of materials and construction methods
	Anatomy of a Home Studio : How Everything Really Works, from Microphones to Midi by Scott Wilkinson, Steve Oppenheimer, Mark Isham This book gives a general overview of what it takes to start your own home studio. It describes theoretical concepts like acoustics as well as the more practical aspects like setting up proper electrical wiring. It also gives a clear overview of the different types of audio equipment you encounter in your search for the perfect studio.
	Handbook of Recording Engineering byJohn M. Eargle Easy-to-use and thoroughly updated, the third edition of this classic handbook provides insightful and practical information into the entire recording process. It expands on material from the second edition while including new and innovative ideas. Written by John M.Eargle, an internationally recognized author and consultant in the recording industry, the book brings together essential knowledge on the most current concepts, methods, systems and solutions to everyday recording problems.

Advanced Audio Production Techniques by Ty Ford
Hot Tips for the Home Recording Studio by Hank Linderman
The Musician's Home Recording Handbook : Practical Techniques for Recording Great Music at Home by Ted Greenwald
The Home Studio Guide to Microphones by Loren Alldrin, et al.

Acoustics Related Books

	The Master Handbook of Acoustics by F. Alton Everest Complete coverage of the science of acoustics and the art of acoustic techniques including room resonances, reflection analysis, comb filters, and the design of audio/video rooms for almost any purpose on acoustical concepts and terminology.
	Fundamentals of Acoustics Kinsler (Editor), Austin R. Frey, Alan B. Coppens A clear treatment of the fundamental principles underlying the generation, transmission, and reception of acoustic Waves and their application to numerous fields. Analyzes the various types of vibration of solid bodies and the propagation of sound waves through fluid media. The third edition features discussions of antiresonance concert hall acoustics, detection theory, canonical equations, normal mode propagation in the ocean, and environmental acoustics.
	Music, Physics and Engineering by Harry Ferdin and Olson Written clearly and concisely, this book thoroughly examines all aspects of the production, reception, and reproduction of sound. Dr. Harry Olson (one of the fathers of Audio Engineering) discusses sound waves, characteristics of musical instruments, how the ear hears, and how sound is reproduced through various devices. Of interest to music students, teachers, conductors, and recording engineers.
	The Physics and P sychophysics of Music : An Introduction by Juan G. Roederer This book, a classic in its field, deals with the physical systems and physiological processes that intervene in music. It analyzes what objective, physical properties of sound are associated with what subjective psychological sensations of music, and it describes how these sound patterns are actually generated in musical instruments, how they propagate through the environment, and how they are detected by the ear and interpreted in the brain. Using the precise language of science, but without complicated mathematics. A prior knowledge of physics, mathematics, physiology or psychology is not required to understand most of the book; it is, however, assumed that the reader is familiar with music - in particular, with musical notation.

Acoustics by Leo L. Beranek
This consise and precise book gives almost all the information you will need to gain a great understanding of the acoustics envolved in modelling transducer's acoustic properties. Sometimes tough reading, but rigourous. It is what the big boy engineers read when they need to look something up.
Concert and Opera Halls : How They Sound by Leo Leroy Beranek
Sets out common concepts and terms by which acoustical engineers, musicians, and listeners can discuss and compare the characteristics of concert halls and opera houses, then uses them to rank concert halls and opera houses. Draws on interviews with a group of conductors, music critics, and sound engineers, and on a written questionnaire mailed to an entirely different group of musicians and critics. Among the qualities are reverberance, brilliance, and warmth; spaciousness; echo, noise, distortion, and non-uniformity. The age, shape, size, seating density, and materials of the halls are also described.

The Acoustical Foundations of Music by John Backus
Encyclopedia of Acoustics by Malcolm J. Crocker (Editor)

General Audio Related Books

Audio Systems Technology, Level I by Larry W. Garter, R. David Reed, National Sound ContractorsAssociation
This is the first book in what will be a three-volume NSCA (National Systems Contrators Association) set, each volume appropriate for a different level of NICET certification. The Level 1 book consists of entry-level material best suited to the technician trainee or for use as a review by experienced technicians preparing for NICET certification. It presents the basics of audio installation including electronic circuits, basic math, microphones and loudspeakers, wiring, switches and connectors, reading plans and specifications, and safety.

Audio Systems Technology #2 - Handbook For Installers And Engineers by James S. Brawley, Bob Bushnell, Matt Marth, NSCA
An intermediate level text and reference designed to correspond with Level II work elements on the NICET audio technician certification exam. Coverage includes business communications, math and measures, audio and acoustics, codes and safety, wiring, AC circuit theory, specifications, components, loudspeaker systems, and maintenance. Includes material on certification and tips for taking the test, plus chapter quizes and answers.

The Art of Digital Audio
by John Watkinson
The Art of Digital Audio is well written and informative technical overview of digital audio, except that being a mid 1990s book, it almost completely omits detailed coverage of some topics (like MPEG audio compression) that would nowadays have to be considered critical. It is nonetheless an essential component of the well informed digital audio engineer's library. There is a *lot* of stuff in this compendium that you would otherwise have to find scattered over a dozen other books.

Audio Engineer's Reference Book
by Michael Talbot-Smith (Editor), John Low, Ann Reed
The 43 contributions are arranged into seven chapters: basic principles, acoustics and acoustic devices, recording and reproduction, digital equipment, studio and their facilities, distribution of audio signals, and miscellaneous topics. The second edition reflects new developments in digital audio and transmission technology.