Never Easier To Get Started
Beginners will get the most out of this book, although it helps to define what a beginner is. Somebody who's never played an instrument before, or somebody who's already a decent musician but wants to learn how to record on a PC? Both will certainly appreciate the advice here. (As for the former, it's never been easier to get started making music: there's a surfeit of great instructional books and Websites out there. But these days, it's even easier: by assembling a variety of Acid loops, it's possible to make an enjoyable instrumental with nothing but a decent ear as a guide to what loops sound good on top of each other.)
Of course, the sheer number of programs, loop collections, plug-ins, and all the hardware--soundcards, microphones, keyboards, and on and on--can overwhelm anyone. So even the experienced computer musician will probably find elements of The Home Recording Handbook he'll benefit from.
Is there a downside to the book? Well, much like Martin's mid-eighties tomb, it's much wider than it is deep. It's got pages devoted to the merits of Sony's Acid, Cakewalk's Sonar, Digidesign's Pro Tools, and other recording programs, but whole phonebook-thick guides have been written about those programs--and about just about every other aspect of music as well. And the book's art direction seems slightly strange: it uses a typeface for chapter headlines and page numbers more appropriate on a 1972 Texas Air National Guard IBM Selectric than a book carefully assembled on a 21st century PC. "Edgy" isn't always the best choice, even when it comes to music--or books about it.
(It also has a hilarious typo, which hopefully is only in my advance review copy: in the section on recording guitars, there's a photo of Eddie Van Halen wielding his trademarked striped red axe. And the caption below it reads, "Although not in the public eye as much as singers like Eddie Van Halen, it is often the guitarist who provides the rock upon which the success of a band is built." Paging Mr. Roth, Mr. David Lee Roth, to the white courtesy phone...)
Those minor flaws aside, as an introduction to every aspect of home recording, The Billboard Illustrated Home Recording Handbook is first rate--and highly recommended.
Article comments
1 - Lee
Awesome article. I've actually been looking for a review of George Martin's "Making Music", as no online bookseller appears to have one or even so much as a product description. Your piece was most insightful and opportune. Thanks!