How do you learn about recording? And Berklee Music.

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GeoffryMcDonald

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My question is simple, how did you guys learn about recording? There is a wealth of knowledge represented here in this forum, but how did you guys get this knowledge? Was it trial and error or did you mostly learn from other people?

Also, I have been thinking about taking a few courses in Music Production through Berklee Music Online. Do you guys think this is a good idea? I just want to gain as much additional information about producing as possible in the shortest amount of time. I also noticed that they have a rather large list of job/gig postings that you can have access to if you complete one of their courses. They cost about $1300 for each 12 week course.
What do you guys think about this? Is it worth it, or should I just learn on my own with help from the forumers here?
 
I learned everything I know, by the age of 9, but I could better myself, if I could only find... some new kind of kick.

I mean.. I learned it from
1) trying different things out
2) reading this forum and other internet resources (there a lots of great youtube videos)
3) reading a few books

one I would recommend is:

Amazon.com: Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools (9780240520681): Roey Izhaki: Books

41JPL43iTeL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
 
arcadeko said:
I learned everything I know, by the age of 9, but I could better myself, if I could only find... some new kind of kick.

I mean.. I learned it from
1) trying different things out
2) reading this forum and other internet resources (there a lots of great youtube videos)
3) reading a few books

one I would recommend is:

Amazon.com: Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools (9780240520681): Roey Izhaki: Books

41JPL43iTeL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
Click to expand...

What would you have to say about the book, is it just the bare basics or?

EDIT: Just read the description, I think I'll buy it, thank you very much. And yes, YouTube helped me out immensely when I first jumped into recording, especially Ted Donnely, he's certainly got knowledge beyond his years ;)
 
GeoffryMcDonald said:
What would you have to say about the book, is it just the bare basics or?

EDIT: Just read the description, I think I'll buy it, thank you very much. And yes, YouTube helped me out immensely when I first jumped into recording, especially Ted Donnely, he's certainly got knowledge beyond his years ;)
Click to expand...


:laughings::laughings::laughings: You have the right attitude for this place Geoff ;)
 
moresound said:
:laughings::laughings::laughings: You have the right attitude for this place Geoff ;)
Click to expand...

Haha thanks, I'll probably be around here for a while, after all, there's always more to learn.

I spelled his name wrong. Ah well, no biggie. I'll just go buy two SM58's now (after all, that's the good stuff), and a U87. And I'll be sure to record in my bathroom. Oh and I've decided to take lessons on how to play tinker toys correctly. Any ideas on how to mic those best?
 
GeoffryMcDonald said:
Haha thanks, I'll probably be around here for a while, after all, there's always more to learn.

I spelled his name wrong. Ah well, no biggie. I'll just go buy two SM58's now (after all, that's the good stuff), and a U87. And I'll be sure to record in my bathroom. Oh and I've decided to take lessons on how to play tinker toys correctly. Any ideas on how to mic those best?
Click to expand...


Don't they come with attached microphones? :rolleyes:
 
RECORDING magazine (originally HOME AND STUDIO RECORDING) was an invaluable aid in shortening my learning curve. I also read a number of reference books on home recording.
 
clivus said:
RECORDING magazine (originally HOME AND STUDIO RECORDING) was an invaluable aid in shortening my learning curve. I also read a number of reference books on home recording.
Click to expand...

Know the names of any of those books off hand?
 
I learned through trial, error, confusion, guesswork, experimentation and gleaning little snippets from biographies, interviews, articles on bits of equipment, that all came together over the years in myriad ways.
There wasn't any internet when I started recording and it must have been at least 13 years before an actual human being gave me any actual recording advice.
When I look at sites like HR, I can sort of understand why a number of newbies want to be spoonfed and I can also understand why some contributors get pissed off with this. Having readilly available help can produce a dependence that simply didn't exist in the 'old days'. I remember buying a booklet on effects from this free magazine I used to subscribe to, "Making music". In it were descriptions of compressors, enhancers, flangers, phasers, reverb, etc. But although the descriptions were graphic, it took buying a phaser, for example, and messing about with it to learn what a phaser actually did. Before I bought a reverb unit, I used to sing through the bass drum of my drumkit !
Although I think these sites are wonderful and would advocate them to everyone forever and a day, I also advocate the trial and error way. And on line courses can be a potential source of riches too, I guess. I suppose what I'm saying is, try everything you care to. You have nothing to lose. And whatever you do, have fun !
Some good books I'd recommend - "Guerilla home recording" by Karl Coryat, "The mixing engineer's handbook" by Bobby Owsinski and "Emergency ! First aid for home recording" by Paul White. The "Behind the glass" series by Howard Massey have been invaluable for me and though this is more about mixing, the lengthy "How to mix a pop song from scratch" Pdf, though packed with arguable ideas (as the best things can be) has many important tips that are germaine to recording.

When it all comes down to it though, all this information and advice, while valuable, counts for very little. You have so much to jiggle and juggle and it's how you balance it all out and what you decide to do when that determines how your stuff sounds. Having beautifully coloured balls is one thing. Being able to juggle them without them dropping is another chapter altogether.
 
GeoffryMcDonald said:
Know the names of any of those books off hand?
Click to expand...
Yup--still got 'em and use 'em.
HOME RECORDING FOR MUSICIANS--CRAIG ANDERTON; PRACTICAL RECORDING TECHNIQUES--BRUCE AND JENNY BARTLETT; THE MUSICIAN'S GUIDE TO HOME RECORDING--PETER MCIAN AND LARRY WICHMAN; SOUND STUDIO CONSTRUCTION ON A BUDGET--F. ALTON EVEREST; THE MIDI HOME STUDIO--HOWARD MASSEY
 
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