If you are new to this blog, probably you will be having a hard time navigating the blog to read its contents without the use of an organized reading guide. So I summarize the best posts in logical order based on topics for your reference. It is arranged by order of topics covering a wide variety from digital audio fundamentals to music publishing and marketing. Feel free to suggest some important topics to add. I also appreciate if you report some errors in the posts.
I am on the process of converting this entire blog into a book (to be published towards the end of 2012 or early 2013). So I appreciate any inputs if you have by dropping me some message 🙂 My objective is to write a single complete book that covers all you need to learn from creating/recording your music to marketing your music in general.
Actually, I received a lot of requests from the blog readers to write a updated book about the content of this blog. I even have one loyal reader helping me to write the old e-book version of this blog (unedited/not updated published in 2010) which you can download freely here.
The outline presented on this page is what the upcoming book would be organized. Of course, it is still needed to be reviewed by my editor so the final topics can change. I will announce the book launching soon in this blog. Hopefully, I would like it to be available for sale in Amazon, both in Kindle and paperback versions. Nevertheless, you can use this outline as a reading guide of this blog. I am sure this will be of great help to you.
Copyright notice: Please don’t print/copy or publish any of this article. If you want to use this article in your research, etc. simply link to the exact article URL or this outline page instead of copying the text. The link details are provided at the sidebar (see “LINK TO THIS CONTENT”). Thank you.
Unit 1: Introduction to Digital Music Production
Chapter 1: Digital Audio and Sound Engineering Fundamentals
1.) The basics of analog to digital conversion and Pulse Code Modulation
2.) Understanding the digital audio waveform
Chapter 2: Measurement Tools and Techniques in Digital Audio
1.) Introduction to FFT (Fast Fourier Transform)
2.) What’s the difference between line, instrument and microphone levels?
3.) What is the difference between dBFS, VU and dBU as measurement of loudness level?
4.) Understanding what is RMS in digital audio
Chapter 3: Introduction to EQ
1.) The theory on parametric equalization
2.) Understanding shelving filters
3.) How to use a parametric equalizer
Chapter 4: Introduction to Audio Compression
1.) What is dynamic range compression?
2.) Effects of implementing compression to a digital audio waveform
3.) Understand compressor parameters: Attack and Release
Unit 2: The Music Production Processes: The Role of the Record Producer
Chapter 5: The Record Producer and its role in the music industry
1.) Understanding the music production process
2.) What is your role in the music industry?
3.) How do you become a record producer?
4.) Some tips on hiring a music producer
5.) Recording producer and artist on legal agreements
6.) How much money does a music producer make?
7.) What do you need to know about providing music production credits?
Chapter 6: Music production standards and history
1.) Industry standard recording practices
2.) Short history on music production
Unit 3: Building your Home Recording Studio
Chapter 7: Building your first Digital Audio Workstation System
1.) Things that you need to prepare to record music at home
2.) Using your netbook as your personal home studio
3.) 13 important factors in computer audio recording
2.) Beginner hard drive or SSD Guide
Chapter 8: Choosing your DAW software
1.) Popular DAW software as of 2011
2.) Advantages of 64-bit DAW over 32-bit float
3.) Secrets to audio mixing success: Stick to one DAW and set of plugins
4.) REAPER Digital audio workstation review as of 2012
Chapter 9: Buying an audio interface
1.) Tips on buying an external audio interface
2.) USB vs Firewire audio interface
3.) 24-bit 96KHz USB audio interface for Windows
4.) ASIO vs WDM in modern home recording
Chapter 10: Selecting studio monitors and audio mixer
1.) A study of the nearfield monitors for audio mixing
2.) Is it important to mix with a subwoofer?
3.) Tips on buying a mixer for home recording
Chapter 11: Selecting the proper microphones
1.) Recommended microphones for recording vocals, drums, guitars
2.) Is it OK to use Shure SM 58 when recording vocals?
Chapter 12: Direct Boxes, Preamps, Balanced Audio Cables
1.) Frequently Asked Questions on Audio Interface, Preamps and other gears
2.) What’s the effect if you will be recording without using a preamp
3.) Balanced and Unbalanced Audio
Chapter 13: Installation and Usage Tips of your Recording Gears
1.) How to connect Compressor and EQ to Mixer Inserts and Reverb in Aux Sends
2.) Pre-fader vs Post Fader Aux Sends/Return and Insert FX
3.) How to use reverb unit with mixing console using aux sends and returns
4.) Connecting studio monitors to your PC: Illustration using M-audio Bx5a
5.) Using power amplifiers in your gig unit: Illustration using Laney AH200
6.) Firewire audio interface and mixing control tutorial example using Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
7.) Installation of DAW Software to your OS: Illustration using REAPER
8.) How to install, manage and remove Direct X plugins in Windows
9.) How to Install VST plug-in: Illustration using Adobe Audition, Reaper, Audacity & Notion3
Chapter 14: Basics in Home Studio Acoustic Treatment
1.) How to improve home studio acoustic treatment?
2.) Absorption vs Diffusion in home studio acoustic treatment
3.) Absorption coefficient of common household materials
4.) Do egg cartoons work for soundproofing a home studio
5.) Testing room acoustics and analysis tutorial
Chapter 15: The basics of building an analog recording studio
1.) How to build an analog recording studio without using a computer
Chapter 16: Optimizing and Troubleshooting your DAW
1.) Optimizing Windows 7/XP for audio recording
2.) Optimizing Windows 7 Netbook for audio recording
3.) Optimize Windows for Firewire and USB audio interface
4.) Beginner FAQ on digital recording studio troubleshooting
5.) Troubleshooting slow computer when using with your DAW
6.) Troubleshooting issues with your audio interface: Illustrated using Saffire Pro 40 audio interface
7.) Audio dropout and multitrack recording latency troubleshooting
Unit 4: The Art of Recording Sound in Digital and Editing
Chapter 17: Technical Requirements of a Good Recording Signal
1.) Proper gain staging: Maximizing Recording Quality and Minimizing Noise
2.) Prevent clipping during recording/tracking sessions
3.) 7 common recording mistakes
4.) Do you apply effects during recording or only during mixing?
5.) What is the best sample rate and audio bit depth for your projects?
6.) What is the difference between 32-bit float and 24-bit audio?
7.) 44.1KHz vs. 48KHz sample rate
8.) Phase cancellation in audio recording
9.) How to correct or fix out of phase cancellation in recordings?
10.) Test your knowledge in digital audio
Chapter 18: Multitrack Recording Techniques
1.) Ways to record sound using a personal computer
2.) How to do a multitrack recording session?
3.) What is Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) and how to use it?
Chapter 19: Live band Recording
1.) Definitive guide when recording music in the studio- band checklist
2.) How to record a live band performance in 4 different ways
3.) Recording a rock band in the studio: One at a time or Live?
4.) Live band recording techniques using Blue Yeti USB microphone
5.) Greatest Innovations in music recording and their lessons
Chapter 20: Consumer techniques on Capturing Sound in Digital
1.) How to record using Audacity in Windows: Beginner guide
2.) Using Audacity to convert analog music to high quality digital master
3.) Record minus one music from Youtube using Windows 7 netbook
4.) Copy Karaoke or Minus one from Youtube or DVD Player to computer
Chapter 21: Recording Vocals
1.) Do you record vocals in mono or stereo?
2.) How to record vocals properly in your home recording studio?
Chapter 22: Recording Guitars and Bass
1.) Record clean guitar using DI or amplifier cabinet method
2.) Recording distorted guitar tips and techniques
3.) Bass guitar recording techniques