Customer Reviews

Making Tracks: Unique Recording Studio Environments

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book with the idea in mind to get design ideas and for recording studio design. The author goes into great detail on the thinking and history that created the reviewed studios that are written about in this book.
However, besides a few photos per studio, there are no plans or helpful drawings. There are a very limited number of pictures. The author describes studios in broad terms, focusing more on the "magic" that happened there than what made them work so well. He talks a lot about the growth and business models behind the studios and very little about specific successful elements of design.

Basically, this book is written from an owner's/fanboy's point of view, not an engineer/musician/architect/designer. I fall under multiples of the latter group, so I wasn't all that happy with my purchase. I've been able to glean enough from vague descriptions and photos to make some use of it, though. That's why it gets 3 stars.

MAKING TRACKS: UNIQUE RECORDING STUDIO ENVIRONMENTS is a gorgeous display of unique recording studios which are all special, from million-dollar facilities spread over acres of land to small studios in cities. They are housed in all kinds of structures from modern office and new construction to old churches and sawmills, and the author interviews studio owners and users alike in a survey which considers the physical attributes of the recording environment. Color photos of interiors and exteriors compliment working analysis of how they were developed, architectural insights, and how they were engineered to craft a working studio environment. From insights on musicians who have recorded at these studios: their styles, their recordings, their memorable moments - to strategies for promoting both label and studio, MAKING TRACKS: UNIQUE RECORDING STUDIO ENVIRONMENTS is packed with involving discussions.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch