Recommended home recording books?

[Orang Goreng]

So, I've been taking home recording a bit more seriously lately, but I feel there's a lot of basic knowledge I'm lacking. I used to record biological signals digitally for my ex-job, so most of the technical considerations involved in A/D conversion I get. But a lot of other stuff I don't. I occasionally buy Sound on Sound, and while I find the magazine to be well-written, there's often too much jargon used for me to understand the articles fully. I don't know what a "soft knee" is, what the purpose of crossfading is, that kind of basic stuff.

In the old days I would simply buy a book about the subject. I still prefer books over websites and stuff, despite the fact that books are usually at least partially obsolete by the time they come off the press, especially in a rapidly evolving field like this one. So I had a quick look on Amazon, and then on some Dutch booksellers' site (to see what I can easily get locally). But it's hard to see the forest among the trees.

One thing that caught my eye was this, but somehow I don't think that one is comprehensive enough.

So...do you have any recommendations?

TIA,
Z.

Edit:this onehas a promising title and is available locally. Hmm.

[soundhack]

not about home recording specifically, but i have used this book for my recording class as its pretty well written, has really good recommendations for mic positioning, and really focuses on recording technique (many of the books talk too much about gear).

practical recording techniques - by bruce and jenny bartlett

[northern_dirt]

I think you'll get all the terms needed from either of those two books..

And Sound on Sound is a GREAT recording mag.. Far superior to
any US recording mags available.. who always seem to brown nose
even the worst pieces of gear.. and never really go into HOW to record
or explain what they did with certain recordings..

I still pick up Recoding and EQ though

And UK ones I get are SonS, Future Music and Computer music..
Those last two are mainly aimed at music I can't stand, but everything
is transferable to other types of music. plus they both come with a DVD
full of samples, demo's and free software

[soundhack]

one US mag worth mentioning - focusing on independent recording - is TapeOp

not a magazine to sell out to advertisers - and often with great articles like: "how to build your own mic pre", etc.

and subscriptions are free - everyone needs this mag!!!

http://www.tapeop.com/subscription/index.html

[northern_dirt]

I will be subscribing shortly!..

[northern_dirt]

Fuckers.. they have no CANADA option.. just USA.. EUROPE..

Which do I fill out?

[northern_dirt]

Nope I can't get a free sub..

[soundhack]

sorry bout that... i hear they are working on getting free subscriptions to canada in the future though.

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 885458f8d6

[northern_dirt]

Is tapeOp a newsprint mag, with lots of B/W pics?

If so I think they sell it for almost $20 an issue at some
guitar stores here.. Looked really nfomative, but the cost was insane..

Pretty nasty mark up for a Free mag.. DAMN YOU LONG AND MCQUADE!!!

[soundhack]

no - just a standard magazine - color pics. its not too thick either, but then again, its not loaded down with adverts.

20 bucks is crazy! its newsstand price is around $5.

btw - some articles are online at http://www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus.php

[northern_dirt]

no - just a standard magazine - color pics. its not too thick either, but then again, its not loaded down with adverts.

20 bucks is crazy! its newsstand price is around $5.

btw - some articles are online at http://www.tapeop.com/magazine/bonus.php

Hmm.. I don't know then.. There was a mag.. that seemed very pro oriented, and featued a lot of DIY
high end audip projects.. it was non glossy close to newsprint.. and featued lots of B/W photos..

It was mega expensive, but looked like a mag for real pro's.. either way, thanks for the link

[BenHagerty]

I got home recording for dummies, it was helpful

[soundhack]

also - back on topic - paul white has a series of books that are pretty good.

[Pingu]

+1 on Sound On Sound, Computer Music and TapeOp. If you find SoS overwhelming CM would be a better option, they have lots of neat step-by-step guides.

And this is a great recording blog: http://createdigitalmusic.com/

[noirengineer]

u know... it's probably worth investing in some kind of dvd instead.
I mean, obviously principle such as "crossfading" are fairly basic,
it simply does what a DJ with 2 tables does when he switches to
the next beat.  but it's just doing it visually on screen on top of waveform.

I think although that's pretty easy to understand and grasp, it means little
because now you need to learn how to properly do it in your software, which
happen to be all slightly different and each one has their own 'take' if you will.
so prob best to say that if your a pro-tools user get the handbook on that software
(same goes for logic, abletone, etc..)  in addition,  maybe just a general DAW primer. 

Sample-rate and D/A A/D conversions are probs to worry about later, since that's way far
ahead in the game! btw most all DAW interfaces today incorporate some kind of AD/DA process.
but, it's important to have good convertors to achieve "best" sound, sort of the way digital camera's
have higher bit resolutions.  yet, having the best D/A convertors won't really make a whole lot of difference
quality wise, without first having a super hi-fidelity input signal usually cater to studios with lots of vintage gear,
quality Mics, pre-amps, outboard comps, Pultecs, LA-2A's, etc.  you'd want to be pristine soundingWAY before
you start worrying about A/D convertors imo.  I wish i could name a book off the top my head right now, but i can't!
also,  maybe if you let us know better what your looking to learn.