Chapter 1 - Introduction
What gear do I need?
A reality check
Working to a goal: Album, single or EP?
Setting a timescale, budget and (maybe) getting paid
Meet the artists: Diesel & Ronnie Jones
(i) Do I need to buy lots of expensive gear?
Chapter 2 - Start with a demo
Why make a demo?
Talking about genre, style & influences: using ‘sonic inspirations’
Creating the demos
Living with the music and finessing the arrangement
Planning a strategy
(i) Backing-up your work
Chapter 3 - Drums
Why record the drums first?
Programmed drums
Real drums
Running a recording session in the living room
(i) Drum ‘Hits’, Augmentation & Replacement
(i) The Glyn Johns Method
Hiring a session drummer & studio
Remote online sessions
Imperfection, character & vibe
Fixing drum recordings for timing
Getting a working mix
(i) Getting a working mix
Chapter 4 - Bass
Why record the bass now?
Recording bass: Samples, Amp, plugin or POD?
Imperfection, character & vibe
Fixing bass recordings: timing and phase
(i) Computer-saving strategies
Chapter 5 - Guitars
Recording acoustic guitar
Recording electric guitar: POD, plugin or amp?
Re-amp’ing
Imperfection, character & vibe
Fixing guitar recordings: phase, timing & resonances
(i) Red Light Fever & Performance Coaching
Chapter 6 - Keys
Electric versus Acoustic
Imperfection, character & vibe
Fixing keyboard recordings
(i) Good Practice in Digital Audio
(i) What is Compression?
Chapter 7 - Vocals
Who is going to sing this?
Studio acoustics for vocals
Running a vocal session
Imperfection, character and vibe
Compiling the perfect take
Advanced editing
Tuning vocals
Backing vocals
(i) When Perfection Goes Too Far…
Chapter 8 - The Mix
Reference tracks - remember your Sonic Inspirations
Monitoring: room acoustics, monitors and headphones
What makes a good mix?
The Mix
Tweaks: too many opinions?
The importance of finishing a mix
(i) Checking your mixes
Chapter 9 - The Final Stages
Mastering
Releasing & promoting
Reflection and analysing
Planning your next record!
(i) Inspiration, Education and Marginal Gains
Final words.