Armored Saint: No Dormir hasta "La Raza"
by Jonathan Saxon
Recording involves several processes — preproduction, tracking, mixing, and mastering. The methods involved in each step have changed greatly over time. Musicians, engineers, mixers, and...
interviews
We talk at length with record-makers about how they make records.
Dave Criddle: Home Made Hit Odyssey
by Rob Christensen
I first became aware of Dave Criddle when I discovered the world of podcasts in 2008. Along with Australia's Andrew Brierly, Dave was the co-host of the Home Recording Odyssey. Andrew created HRO to...
Mickey Newbury's Looks Like Rain: Remastering and Recreating A 60s Classic
by Jessica Thompson
Last fall, the Magic Shop's Steve Rosenthal [Tape Op #66] and I restored and remastered Mickey Newbury's Looks Like Rainfor the four CD box set American Trilogy, released in May...
DIY Diffusors
by Brad Williams
While hardly a glamorous concept, room acoustics represent a critical link in the recording or playback chain. While comprehensive room design is a complex cocktail of science, math and chance...
Jack White III: The White Stripes, The Dead Weather
by Larry Crane
As a member of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather and the Rome project (with Danger Mouse, Norah Jones and Daniele Luppi [Tape Op #40]), Jack White III has certainly proved himself...
Vance Powell: Blackbird Studios, Jars of Clay, Wanda Jackson
by Larry Crane
Too often people assume that those of us in the field of music recording had a distinct idea of what we wanted to do when we started. The truth is almost always that it's a wild and unpredictable path...
Brendan Benson: The Raconteurs and Solo Fun
by Larry Crane
For many years loyal readers have asked us to interview Brendan Benson, an artist who has tracked his records in a variety of settings, from full-blown studios to home setups. In 2005, Brendan became...
Dungen: Swedish AcidPopRockProgFolk
by Alex Maiolo
The songs are strong, the playing impeccable, but what strikes many listeners when they first hear Dungen is the sound. It always comes up when fans discuss the band. Leader Gustav Estjes creates...
A Good Ear?
by David Payette
I had arrived. Led by my ego, I waltzed into the recording studio and began to warm up. A jazz pianist about to study at conservatory, I prided myself on my ability to hear what others could not. I...
Vance Powell: When Opportunity Knocks, Grab it by the...
by Larry Crane
Too often people assume that those of us in the field of music recording had a distinct idea of what we wanted to do when we started. The truth is almost always that it's a wild and unpredictable path...
Not the API Your Grandpa Mixed On
by Allen Farmelo
THE BEGINNING About two years ago I started my quest for an analog console. I wanted something small, flexible, powerful, sonically amazing, and visually gripping and unique. This is the story of...
Johnny Sandlin: The Allman Brothers, Muscle Shoals & more
by Joe Boone
Some people are in the right place at the right time. Johnny Sandlin has been a player, producer and engineer since the mid-sixties. Members of his early bands went on to back Elvis Presley and to...