From demo to hit single: Owner of a Lonely Heart
Here’s the story of how an unlikely collaboration met with a massive riff, memorable chorus, groundbreaking samples, and an in-your-face solo to produce a surprise hit single in 1983. Read the post.
Recording & Mastering
The Disc Makers Blog features studio and recording tips that offer insight on acoustics, microphones, producing, gear, plug ins, and everything in between.
Creative advice for your next music videos
Posting and sharing music videos is a great way to get your music noticed on social media. Thankfully, interesting videos are easier to make than ever. Read the post.
Budgeting for your recording session
Dealing with money may be the most unexciting aspect of tracking your project in a studio, but budgeting for your recording session can go a long way to achieving success. Read the post.
Getting great results when you’re the singer AND producer in your home studio
When you’re simultaneously artist and engineer, singer and producer, there are plenty of steps you can take to lay the groundwork for a successful recording session. Read the post.
10 ways to lay the groundwork for an amazing vocal recording session
Nailing a transcendent vocal recording can seem like trying to capture lightning in a bottle — but the whole process need not be mysterious or intimidating. Here are a few tips to get you started. Read the post.
The hard part: Discovering your artistic voice
All work, when properly evaluated and processed, is a learning experience and just another step in the life-long journey of discovering and deepening your own artistic voice. Read the post.
How The Beatles changed music and the world (or at least got credit for it)
We all know The Beatles were a massively influential band who contributed to changes in music and culture in countless ways. Here are four concrete examples of how The Beatles changed music and the world. Read the post.
Produce music videos that get attention
With the vast number of videos on the web, you can’t just record the same old footage and rise above the clutter. Here are 15 approaches to produce music videos that get attention. Read the post.
Ready to launch a music project? Do these four things first!
Whatever your next music project is — be it an album, tour, video, single, or anything else — the first step is always planning. These four steps will get you off on the right foot. Read the post.
Studying song structure can help you learn new material quickly
Strategies that involve focused listening and practice are key to learning new material quickly, and looking closely at song structure can lessen the amount of time it takes you to get from first listen to a strong, quality performance. Read the post.
Five tips for hiring musicians online
If you have an instrument and an original idea, you can write a great song. Producing a great song is another thing. Songwriters can connect with a network of collaborators to boost the professionalism of their recordings — here are tips when hiring musicians online. Read the post.
Crafting the right song demo can maximize the chances of having your music cut by major artists
Your song has to be great for you to have a chance at landing a cut with a major artist, and your song demo has to hit the right notes, too. Read More.
Scott McCormick discusses Brian Wilson’s production and arrangements with the M3 podcast
“Mentoring for the Modern Musician” podcast producers Adam and Michael Scharff caught up with musician/author/Disc Makers Blog contributor Scott McCormick to dig deeper into Scott’s three-part DM Blog series on the inimitable Brian Wilson. Here’s an excerpt from the conversation. Read More.
Three easy fixes to improve your guitar tone when recording
There are several spots on a guitar that resonate and produce unpleasant ringing overtones. These tricks will stop these unwanted vibrations from sabotaging your guitar tone. Read the post.
Analog synthesizers expand your musical horizons
From mood-setting ambient tones to raucous synth-pop, analog synthesizers have made a mark on music in various genres – and they’re not just for keyboards! Read More.