On Twitter, Robyn Edgar asked, “If you're a mix engineer/sound designer that works from home full time --> what's your number 1 must-have tool besides the obvious computer, external display and monitors?” We have been watching the replies to Robyn’s tweet, and in this article, we look at some of the answers.
You Already Know How To Use Most DAWs - Here's Why
Many of us will have had those times when we feel we’ve hit our regular DAW’s limits. The idea of learning another could seem like replacing one problem with another, but things on the Other Side might not be as weird as you think…
3 Practical Ways ChatGPT Can Help Run Your Studio Business
I’ve been using ChatGPT a lot in the last year, it’s helping me to run a better business, even though I’m short of time. This article explores three practical ways in which ChatGPT can assist audio professionals in managing their studio business: aiding in quotation preparation, email composition, and drafting agreements.
5 Hi-Hat Mixing Tips
As the least upfront element of the drum kit, the humble hi-hat might not seem like something that requires a great deal of engineering attention, but spending quality time on this most innocuous of instruments can make all the difference to the groove and high-frequency presence of your mix. Here’s five tactics to help you on your way.
Studio Housekeeping Ideas To Do During The Holiday
The holiday season provides a rare pause in the relentless rhythm of audio production. For some, the idea of sitting around with long lost relatives can bring them out in a cold sweat. Or perhaps you’re on your own and have had your fill of goodies and old movies. It's an ideal moment for us audio professionals to turn our attention to tasks that are often shelved during busier times. This article considers five key studio housekeeping tasks.
Book Gifts For Audio Engineers And Producers 2023
If your loved ones are asking you for gift ideas then you may have missed this list we compiled from members of the community over the years. It has some great books on there including some of our favourites, updated for 2023.
The Most Important Skill You Will Need In The Studio
In this article, Mike shares some key points that he has learned over the 45 years of working in the pro audio sector, 30 of which have been as a freelancer.
5 Pieces Of Audio Gear I Wish I Had Got Sooner
With so many amazing things vying for new engineers’ attention, knowing what to get first is never easy. With more audio choices on the table than ever before, here Luke talks about what would have made his life easier sooner.
Studio Lifestyle Survey Brings Worrying Results
Some weeks ago we ran a survey in our article The Hidden Costs Of The Recording Studio Lifestyle: How Are You? to see how those working in recording studios were managing their basic health needs, such as breaks, exercise, time off, sleep and vacation. The results are worse than we expected.
What Is The Best Way To Learn Audio Production?
We can only get better as people and in what we do by learning. That’s easy to say and much harder to do. In this article, we investigate the different ways we can learn and something called ‘deep knowledge’.
Hard Drive Or Cloud - Where's The Safe Place To Keep Your Precious Creative Files?
The question shouldn’t be if, but when. I’m talking about technical failures that have the potential to disrupt your workflow and lose you data. Cloud or drive, which is more likely to let you down? We explore.
DAWs Can Sound Different To Each Other But Not For The Reasons You Think
Although the DAW has been with us for decades, for some the idea of sonic differences between them persists. Most understand that digital audio doesn’t have a sound of its own, but some factors can make a difference while others won’t. We investigate…
Audio Chaos: The Costs Of Neglecting File Management
Ask any audio professional what frustrates them when working on an external project and high up the list will be bad file management. Poor labelling of a project can add hours of tedium. However, how many of us really take time to organise our digital files correctly? In this article we consider the dream versus the reality of file management.
The Freelance Time Bomb We Can't Ignore
There’s something that’s going to happen to every audio freelancer on the planet which you can’t ignore. Russ Hughes writes what he considers to be the most important article he has written.
7 Things Rock Producers Could Learn From Dance Music
They might have plenty in common, but rock and dance music are very different animals when it comes to their core mechanics, sonic palettes and engineering. With that in mind, here are some ubiquitous production techniques and concepts deployed in various dance styles that every rock producer keen to take their sound in new directions should try.
How To Capture The Best Possible Performance When Recording
Recording music is about capturing performances - some might even say that the gear is secondary. Here we talk about some practical ways to aid creativity, to make the process of recording disappear for artists, and to catch the magic when lightning strikes…
Things Professionals Should Consider When Choosing Noise Reduction Tools
We’ve seen a lot of development in the last couple of years in the area of noise reduction. With so many options to choose from, what are the key considerations when selecting noise reduction software? Let’s take a look.
5 Common Mixing Myths Debunked
There’s a lot of pseudo-scientific cobblers spouted in the audio engineering world. Here are just some of the most pervasive mixing-related nonsenses you’re likely to encounter in your musical journey.
How To Minimise Spill In Live Recordings
Despite some sonic advantages and the creative potential that layered recordings can bring, the magic of recording bands playing live in the studio can be hard to beat. Here we share our tips for keeping wandering sounds under control.
The Importance Of Specialisation For Audio Professionals
I can do anything. You can too. Well that’s the message being preached in the modern world of audio production. It’s a myth and if we’re not careful, diversity may sink rather than save us.