Musical sound design : the technical and esthetic work of the recording engineer

The technical art and science of the field of recording engineering continues to grow and become more complex. A single text and reference source is needed to aid in the instruction in the field of recording engineering. This work should also serve as a reference for practicing recording engineers.

The production of this manuscript began in the winter of 1982 and concluded in the summer of 1983. Recording engineers were interviewed and studio sessions were observed by the author. The material was compiled and organized for logical flow and consistency.

The text material is divided into chapters dealing with the technical aspects of the engineer's work, and chapters noting esthetic considerations in the work of the recording engineer. Technical chapters cover sound principles, miking, signal flow, control consoles, monitor systems, recorders, and outboard instrumentation. Esthetic considerations are outlined in the chapters dealing with the tracking, overdub, and mixdown sessions.