Three approaches to live looping
From tight grooves to swirls of sound, live looping can open up huge opportunities for musical creativity. These three approaches will get you started. Read the post.
music production
Ready to try live looping? Where do you start?
With the right gear, timing, and technique, a solo performer can summon multi-layered sounds that are worlds beyond the limits of a single instrument or voice. Here’s what you need to get started. Read the post.
Ear fatigue: Know the signs, avoid mistakes
Recognize the signs and control your activities before, during, and after a studio session to minimize ear fatigue and get your best results from your recording. Read the post.
When should a producer get a publishing split?
While a producer may get points on your sound recording, is he or she entitled to a share of the composition (songwriting) royalties? It depends on how they’ve contributed. Read the post.
What are music producer points?
A music producer can be an essential part of the creative process, but make sure you know how the compensation structure works before you start your project. Read the post.
What’s the difference between an engineer and a music producer?
Over the next few weeks, I’ll dive into what points and when a producer should get point. But let’s start with the basics: What is the difference between a producer and an engineer? Read the post.
Recording saxophone and reed instruments — tips from a veteran producer
So much about recording saxophone and other reed instruments depends on the player, the room, the mics, the style of play, and how the track fits into the song overall. Here are some recording tips from a veteran producer. Read the post.
Make your music easy to license for TV, ads, and film
To license your music, you need to understand the role of the music supervisor as well as how to prep your music. Follow these steps to increase your chances of getting your music licensed. Read the post.
Logic or Pro Tools? Which is better for you?
Bobby Borg talks with Maurizio De Togni to compare Avid’s Pro Tools software with Apple’s Logic Pro based on price, usability, and compatibility — with a focus on the independent artist. Read the post.
Adding live strings to your recording
When you’re ready to add violin, cello, or other orchestral strings to your recordings, these tips will get you off the ground and help you communicate and harness the creativity of your collaborators. Read the post.
Recording bass guitar — Tips from a veteran producer
Producer/engineer/studio owner Jon Marc Weiss discusses mics, mic placement, and different techniques for recording a great bass tone for every music genre. Read the post.
Piano miking techniques for the studio and stage
Producer/engineer/studio owner Jon Marc Weiss discusses piano miking techniques on different instruments in different settings to get the tone you need for the situation. Read the post.
Ben Folds’ “2020” — A case study for indie artists
From songwriting ideas to recording technique, there’s a lot you can learn from the songwriter’s tragi-comic recording-in-quarantine project. Read the post.
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 record better tones in your home studio
From potato chips to preamps, decoupling to drum heads, these 13 tips can help you get better tones when you’re recording in your (not-acoustically pristine) home studio. Read the post.