Classic Books

[mrfracas]

It's already been mentioned by Trev and Khazul, but just for added impact, because it's such a good book:

Mastering Audio - The Art and Science by Bob Katz

Definitely one DV should stock for those who are interested in the finer details of production, mixing and mastering.

Harmonograph: A Visual Guide to the Mathematics of Music by Anthony Ashton

A beautiful little publication by Wooden Books, detailing the history of Harmony and the intervals of the tempered scale, using a Harmonograph - a Victorian instrument which creates spirographic visualisations of frequency using pens connected to swinging pendulums. This book is great for musicians and producers anywhere between novice and expert level.

Having come out of uni, I've scanned and referenced a number of good prints; so if I think of some more, I'll get back on here.

[Richie]

Behind The Glass by Howard Massey

That's the most insightful book I ever read. It's full title is "Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits". It's split into 2 parts, the first is technique tips from top producers, the second part is interviews with them. A very interesting and useful read.

Also, for studio acoustics, anything by Paul White is useful (the Sound On Sound editor). He makes it all very easy with advice that's always practical and useful.

[sphelan]

For the non-tekkies and those interested in orchestration, Walter Piston's book is a must. There are accompanying CDs with musical exampes.
Amazon.com: Orchestration: Walter Piston: Books. It takes a while to get through it but it's a classic.

[sureno]

Not quite a classic but very useful

Scales for All Keyboards
by Len Vogler
ISBN 0825616611 / 9780825616617 / 0-8256-1661-1
Publisher Omnibus Press
Language English

[e-vinyl]

THis one is very useful for intermediate level people who are starting to setup homerecording studios

Title: EMERGENCY! First Aid For Home Recording
Author : Paul White
Publisher: smt (not sure if this is the publisher)

[Kickflip]

Mixing with your Mind

Gets some very good reviews, you can't get it from your local library though... I've tried! There was the 'ARRT of Compression' tip from it floating about the net a year or two back. The author got it removed from a lot of sites, but it showed that the book demonstrates some nice approaches to most aspects of mixing.

It's worth reading books seperated from the styles of music you make and produce, to get different outlooks on things and inspirational ideas you might not have thought of otherwise.

[Wilty]

I'm three quarters of the way through The Remixers Bible (Build Better Beats) by Francis Preve. Its basically a collection of articles from 'Keyboard' magazine and tips/interviews etc from well known producers such as Deep Dish, BT, Arman Van Helden and the like. Covers a lot of things and has some really handy bits and bobs for most genres (or so I can tell).
And it comes with a demo version of Live and remixable track parts on a DVD, which I haven't tried. But not bad for under a tenner.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by Wilty

I'm three quarters of the way through The Remixers Bible (Build Better Beats) by Francis Preve. Its basically a collection of articles from 'Keyboard' magazine and tips/interviews etc from well known producers such as Deep Dish, BT, Arman Van Helden and the like. Covers a lot of things and has some really handy bits and bobs for most genres (or so I can tell).
And it comes with a demo version of Live and remixable track parts on a DVD, which I haven't tried. But not bad for under a tenner.

Well, shiver me timbers! The other day I ordered Dance Music Manual and got a special offer on The Remixers Bible. It looked interesting and so I am expecting both books in the next week or so. It looks like I killed two birds with the one stone!

[Wilty]

Hehe Is that on Amazon? I was looking at it as other people recommended 'The Manual' to me but there were 2 editions and I was confused as to what one was newer and the site was being an a*se so I just got the Remixers Bible. Totally forgot I was gonna order it until I saw this topic....and I was so pleased I got paid today.