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Book reviews and/or advice
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Dec 31, 2009 22:15:13
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Greetings all
I would like to buy some books to improve my skills.
I currently have these on my wish-list and was hoping you could offer me your thoughts:
200 Drum Machine Patterns by Rene-Pierre Bardet
260 Drum Machine Patterns by Rene-Pierre Bardet
Drum Programming by Ray F. Badness
Basic Rhythm Programming by Mark Roberts
The Mixing Engineer's Handbook by Bobby Owsinski
Mastering Audio by Bob Katz
Mixing Audio by Roey Izhaki
Music Theory for Computer Musicians by Michael Hewitt
Dance Music Manual by Rick Snoman
Composition for Computer Musicians by Michael Hewitt
I definitely think that I need to improve my music theory... I'm considering going for classical piano lessons.
I haven't been producing for the last 4 years, so I'm a bit rusty. I guess I'm not really sure where my skills are lacking, so it might be a good idea to start with an overall look at music production & then focus on my specific problem areas.
Thank you,
Carl |
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greede
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
82
Posted : Jan 1, 2010 03:34
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"Mixing Audio by Roey Izhaki "
Excellent book! I'm reading this on at the moment, highly recomended.
"Dance Music Manual by Rick Snoman"
Also a very good book.
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Jan 1, 2010 08:47
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Thanks greede
I've heard such mixed reviews of Dance Music Manual. 90% of people give it 5 stars, but the other 10% say it's completely over-rated.
I'm just wondering if the people giving it 5 stars are complete newbies to dance music...
It does look like it gives good coverage of the entire process and many genres though.
It might be better for me to start with that before I get specific books about mixing & mastering. |
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greede
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
82
Posted : Jan 1, 2010 16:04
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When I read the Dance music manual I thought the information I learnt from it was invaluable, it's the best book I've come across that is purely focused on dance music.
I wouldn't say that it is aimed at newbies but is an excellent book to get started with as it covers many different aspects of making a track without making your brain hurt!
If you're looking for a book that has a bit of everything and is explained well then you cant go wrong with The Dance music manual.
If you are looking for a books about mixing and mastering then Mixing audio and mastering audio are the best I've come across.
On a side note, Rick Snowman does some excellent tutorial dvds......
http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/
I particularly like the on on Synthesis. 
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Jan 1, 2010 19:29
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I think this is exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm not a complete newbie... just a bit rusty.
But I've been involved with dance music since the mid 90s (DJing, listening, producing).
I first read Electronica Dance Music Programming Secrets - that was back in the late 90s.
I just need a good overview of everything to get those creative/production juices flowing.
These DVDs look awesome! I want to buy all of them. Can't wait for vol 1 to be re-released.
Thanks for the info - much appreciated. I'm going to order Dance Music Manual. Right now it's important for me to read a book that covers a little bit of everything so I can start producing tunes again.
Cheers mate |
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supergroover
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1505
Posted : Jan 5, 2010 00:57
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Dance Music Manual is an excellent book to get started but i dont think it adds alot if you have already got some knowledge of production. It does however tell a little about everything so for carl it is a pretty good option i think. |
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gutter
Inactive User
Started Topics :
54
Posts :
3018
Posted : Jan 5, 2010 12:09
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Jan 5, 2010 17:36
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I don't know if Mixing With Your Mind is the right book for me to buy now.
I think I have a lot to learn about mixing, but currently I might benefit more from a general recap of everything involved in getting a track done from start to finish.
I'm also feeling like my music theory & composition is lacking - I think I may even tackle this before I focus on mixing & mastering.
I'm hoping Dance Music Manual will give me this. |
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greede
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
82
Posted : Jan 5, 2010 22:44
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Quote:
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On 2010-01-05 17:36, carl.schutte wrote:
I'm also feeling like my music theory & composition is lacking
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The Dance music manual has a section on music theory.....
Here's some good videos on music theory made simple
http://www.musicinnewcastle.com/tutorials |
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bukboy
Hyperboreans
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
803
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 09:04
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"Dance Music Manual by Rick Snoman"
Is a BASIC introduction to all the aspects of a dance track. With padding.
Avoid if you are not a complete noob.
The best music theory book Ive seen is
"Melody in songwriting: tools and techniques for writing hit songs" By Jack Perricone
It explains advanced concepts like counterpoint and groove easily and logically. |
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Upavas
Upavas
Started Topics :
150
Posts :
3315
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 10:01
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supergroover
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1505
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 11:26
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Mastering audio is indeed an interesting book but not really what he is looking for at the moment i'd say. It talks about mastering not all concepts of producing music digitally.
I 'd love to get mixing with your mind, but 60 euro's is quite a lot for a book.. |
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x-rayz
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
576
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 17:26
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 18:28
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Thanks bukboy, that melody book gets some solid reviews!
Could you perhaps give an example of something a complete n00b wouldn't know?
- what is a sequencer?
- what is digital audio?
- what is the internet?
What you are saying has the potential of being helpful, but all the potential of being very subjective.
If this book is truly rubbish, then I can only surmise that the people giving it 5 star ratings are all complete n00bs - even though most of them claim not to be.
I'm struggling to understand why some people say the book is fantastic, while other say it's complete rubbish - there doesn't seem to be any middle ground when it comes to Dance Music Manual. I'm almost tempted to buy it, read it & write the review to end all other reviews.
Quote:
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On 2010-01-07 09:04, bukboy wrote:
"Dance Music Manual by Rick Snoman"
Is a BASIC introduction to all the aspects of a dance track. With padding.
Avoid if you are not a complete noob.
The best music theory book Ive seen is
"Melody in songwriting: tools and techniques for writing hit songs" By Jack Perricone
It explains advanced concepts like counterpoint and groove easily and logically.
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carl.schutte
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
35
Posted : Jan 7, 2010 18:30
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