How to record a snare drum
Producer/engineer/studio owner Jon Marc Weiss discusses miking techniques when recording a snare drum along with a full drum kit. 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.
How to get better results mixing in your home studio
From stereo placement to EQ, busing to reverb, veteran music producer and engineer Jon Marc Weiss gives pro advice and insights on how to manage your mix in your home studio. Read the post.
How to produce a compelling live stream show
Creating compelling live streams goes beyond setting up a camera and performing like you do on stage. Use these techniques to create a better performance, get more viewers, and make more money from your live stream show. Read the post.
Easy fixes to improve the lighting in your videos
In these uncertain days, you can spread joy by releasing videos, produced in your home. Here’s one way to improve the lighting for your home-made videos. Read the post.
Psychology and the music producer
From communicating, coaxing the best possible performance, and keeping an artist comfortable, a lot of a producer’s skills have little to do with recording techniques. Read the post.
Improving the audio in your streaming broadcasts and videos
You can spread joy and build an online following by putting on streaming concerts and releasing videos — all from your home. Read the post.
Songwriting advice: Cry when you write, dance when you produce
Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter lean on some sage songwriting advice Brent got from veteran songwriter Ralph Murphy: deliver a positive tempo. Read the post.
Need a creative spark? Create an album in 29 days!
Nothing spurs creativity like a deadline. Get your songwriting started by signing up for the RPM Challenge or February Album Writing Month and create an entire album in the month of February. Read the post.
How to sequence an album for best results
Perfecting your song order when you sequence an album can mean the difference between a great artistic statement and a nice mixtape. Read the post.
Unlocking a hit song — Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love”
How did a forgotten 1965 B-side become a 1981 smash? “Tainted Love” had hidden elements that Soft Cell unlocked to turn it into an enduring (and often covered) hit song. Read the post.
CDs just sound better
I listen to a lot of music and listen to a lot of streaming when I drive or while I travel — and I also listen to vinyl. And while I love all of it, when I want the best audio quality, nothing sounds as good as a CD. Read the post.
Why you should use split sheets when writing and recording music
When writing and recording music, use split sheets to capture vital information and make sure you avoid legal disputes, boost promotion, and generate money-making opportunities. Read the post.
Disc Replication vs. Disc Duplication: The Indie Music Minute
Disc duplication technology has been around for a long time, but clients still ask us what the difference is between disc replication and disc duplication. Let’s go behind the scenes to the Disc Makers replication line to find out. Read the post
The art of music arrangement: an interview with Dr. Richard Niles
Music arrangement might be the invisible art, but the results can spell the difference between a smash hit and a “nice” song. Dr. Richard Niles has a storied history as an arranger and shares some thoughts and insights in this interview. Read the post.
Tracking vocals: Making a phrase-by-phrase approach work
If you are planning a phrase-by-phrase approach to tracking vocals in a studio, here are some tips to help make your experience a success. Read the post