Although I haven't bought it yet..... Mastering Audio by Bob Katz seems to be the book to buy around here.

there are tons of books. Go to amazon.com and search for audio books and you should get all kinds of results.

Hideo wrote: Hi I am just starting this crazy hobby so I was wondering about any books I could buy explaining all of this stuff. Think such as recording, mixing, mastering, out bord stuff compress, mixers..... I am really confused and need some type of helping hand. If one of you hade time maybe you could explane this to me (that would be sweet). Well thanks anyways!

Also check out the two books by Bobby Ewinsky at amazon.com; "The Mixing Engineers handbook" and the "Mastering Engineers Handbook". They are not as good as the Katz book, but they stand in their own right as decent books that you could glean knowledge from.

Some books are more technical and theoretical, while others are more for the "creatively minded" person who doesnt have as much tech knowledge but knows how to "listen" and to shape and mold sound via experience. There are lots of books out there which have interviews with famous recording engineers, and while they dont make much for a technical book.... you should probably buy a few of these books anyway because it teaches you to "listen" and be aware of the same things that pro mixing engineers listen for when they do their work.

If your going for a very basic approach to recording and everything audio, go for "Modern Recording Techniques" by David Huber. It's very basic stuff and can be boring(it drifts off audio sometimes), but if you don't know anything about recording, i'd go here first. I also like "Behind the Glass" by Howard Massey. Not really an explanation of anything specific, but if you like reading interviews of pro engineers and tips and tricks on how to do a better job mixing, tracking, handling a vocalist or just plain inspiration, this is a great book.

Juan

I'm not really a fan of "Modern Recording Techniques" by David Huber. I didn't find it very useful, but I suppose it would be helpful for some beginners. I find it is a little dated as well. Not so much info on "Techniques" but it is a good general resource; describes what stuff does, but not many tips on how to use it.

A book I enjoy that is more on the business side than the technical recording side is "Confessions of a Record Producer" don't know the author.

Wow thanks so much, I will be getting these soon.

I second the katz and the owinsky books- they are very useful- the Bob katz book i bought from peoplr here recommending it and it was all I expected and more...

I really need to get those books....I've been meaning to do it for the past 3 months now.

http://www.audiopro.com -> Go there and check out these books:
"The art of mixing - Visual guide to recording engineering and production"
"The mixing engineers handbook"
All of the series "Sound advice on..."

Those are certainly one of the best books about the art of recording...
Also check out the online reference material from Sae college -> http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/
and online courses on the page mention at the begging of this post!!!

regards, pinc

Bobby Owsinski just came out with another book besides Mixing Engineer's Handbook and Mastering Engineer's Handbook. The latest is Recording Engineers Handbook. All three are a must read.