The Expert Encyclopedia of Recording [Paperback]

Rick Clark (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1931140111 | ISBN-13: 978-1931140119 | Publication Date: July 1, 2001 | Edition: 1

Veteran music journalist Rick Clark conducted hundreds of in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry to create this extraordinary title. Tony Visconti, Danny Elfman, Eddy Offord, Trevor Rabin and Roy Thomas Baker are just a few of the contributors who share their special studio practices, tips, and anecdotes. A truly thorough look at the recording world, "The Expert Encyclopedia of Recording" covers everything from recording strings and horn sections to using creative production techniques on the latest musical styles. This definitive book will put in your hands the knowledge that has led the featured producers, engineers and composers to huge industry successes and millions of record sales.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rick Clark is a veteran music journalist whose work has appeared in dozens of major publications including, Rolling Stone, Goldmine, Radio and Records, Mix Magazine and other top magazines. Clark is also a noted album notes writer and is qualified as a Voting Member of the Recording Academy for his credits in that field. He also produces and records a variety of acts and genres for major and independent record labels, working in Nashville, Memphis, Austin and other cities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Artistpro; 1 edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931140111
• ISBN-13: 978-1931140119
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,964,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Pros in the room, February 9, 2004

By 

Ben Up the Tree "benupthetree" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Expert Encyclopedia of Recording (Paperback)

While the book is an invaluable resource for people thinking of going into studio recording, it is vastly too sophisticated for the amateur home recording studio. If you are just beginning recording DON'T BUY THIS BOOK, it will be over your head. The name would suggest that it would be an "Encyclopedia" of information, but rather it is a book based on interviews with top producers and technicians. One should pay close attention to the word "Expert" in the title, because that is the intended audience.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical guide to the art and career of recording, September 7, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Expert Encyclopedia of Recording (Paperback)

The Expert Encyclopedia Of Recording by musician, author and journalist Rick Clark is an expertly thorough and practical guide to the art and career of recording. Drawn from in-depth research with accomplished engineers, producers, and artists, The Expert Encyclopedia Of Recording is a direct and straightforward account covering everything from dynamic signal processing to production sickness to surround sound recording mixing and vocals. The Encyclopedia Of Recording is very highly recommended reading for anyone considering a career in the sound technology industry.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to the innards of hi-pro audio, January 31, 2003

By 

Phil Rogers (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Expert Encyclopedia of Recording (Paperback)

This book is loaded with tips on how to achieve things most of us (especially those with personal studios in our bedrooms or basements) may not have thought of. Some of the stuff is pretty subtle, and trained and experienced ears are necessary to grasp the concepts and their execution/realization. But even the very advanced stuff whets the appetite, and sets you up to begin learning more, and pretty fast.

There are basically 24 chapters, covering all phases and aspects of studio recording and production - from tracking through mixing right up to and including mastering. The chapters are organized alphabetically (rather than chronologically).

Most of the interviews are pretty darn good, and are either useful, inspiring, or both. The interviewees are very knowledgeable and well spoken, and usually don't succumb too much to industry "jargonese". One of the neatest things is when they tell you what microphones are good for what, as well as what kind of compressors and consoles they prefer, and why. Much of the hardware discussed is somewhat out of the price range for the average home recordist; instead the book gives you a feel for what it would be like to take your project into a professional studio, rather than trying to do it all yourself.

One beef I have is the so-called Appendix 1 (hey, guys, there's only one appendix here!), which is almost 100 pages of album credits by the numerous interviewees. Then again, if you're searching for the perfect producer, engineer, etc. to record your act, and people of this caliber are what you want, this information could prove to be indispensable for the furtherance of your project.