A RECORDING SESSIONJayce De SantisMixBooks800/543-7771; www.mixbooks.comFirst published in 1997 and now in its second edition, this book, written from a musician’s perspective, details the necessities of a smooth recording project. At just over 100 pages, it only grazes the surface of the topic. However, anyone who has ushered a fledgling band into the studio for their first session has probably wished for a manual of this nature.
Jayce De Santis, a musician/ producer/engineer, acknowledges that it would be impossible to detail every type of situation that could be encountered during recording. Instead, he supplies a general overview of the process: why a producer is necessary, how to choose a studio, how to choose an engineer and what a very basic budget might entail. The concept of multitracking is explained, and there is a lot of good advice for someone who has never been in a recording studio. There is also a very useful appendix of resources, which includes contact information for industry associations and performing rights societies.
At $9.95, most studios should be able to chain a copy of this book to their waiting-room table.