In the modern age where more people than ever are trying to make it in the music industry, most people fail. The reason behind this failure might seem confusing or not clear at first, but if you look closely, there’s one aspect of the process which almost every newbie overlooks; The need for studying the best books for Mixing and mastering.
Having a good voice or knowing how to play an instrument really well is surely advantageous, but it doesn’t help you stand out in the crowd of millions of other people who also have those talents. What you CAN do, is level up your production.
Learn how to do it, try your hand at it, gain experience and soon you will be creating better music than you ever thought you could, and in that crowd of millions, you will shine bright. With that out of the way, here are some of the best books (from my experience) to get you started:
The Best Books For Mixing and Mastering
5. Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
There’s no wonder the book is one of the top sellers on amazon. With Mike Senior’s legendary guide, you can easily learn how to achieve high-quality mixes in even the tiniest studios by utilizing techniques from the world’s most successful producers. The best-selling primer for small-studio enthusiasts looking for chart-ready sonics in a hurry is Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio.
This entertaining and down-to-earth guide walks you through the entire mixing process, drawing on the back-room strategies of more than 150 famous names. You’ll learn the ins and outs of every type of mix processing, from basic EQ and compression to advanced spectral dynamics and “fairy dust” effects. If you’re a complete novice in the field, this might be a good place to start.
4. The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook: Fourth Edition
The first edition of Bobby Owsinski’s “The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook” forever dispelled the myth, that producing and mastering music is difficult. It deconstructs the art of mixing into discrete, understandable steps, demonstrating to musicians, audio engineers, and producers how to achieve great results in the studio.
The book has since become the standard text on mixing for recording programs at colleges and universities all over the world. The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook, now in its fourth edition, remains the best, most up-to-date resource for mastering the art and science of creating pro-quality mixes and can be found on Amazon among other retailers.
3. Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits
Howard Massey’s Behind the Glass is miles away from every other guide you can find in that it’s a collection of exclusive firsthand interviews with the world’s best record producers and engineers, who reveal their creative secrets and hit-making strategies – from the practical to the aesthetically pleasing. You can find interviews from legendary personalities, the likes of which have worked with Brian Wilson, U2, George Martin, and Bob Marley.
If you’re a total beginner, purchasing this manual is an excellent way to learn the fundamentals of music recording and mixing. They have knowledge that can be applied both at home and in the studio, and they have something for both beginners and professionals. Howard Massey’s writing in the book is very engaging as well, so you can be confident that you’ll have the necessary foundational information to build on later.
2. Mixing and Mastering in the Box: The Guide to Making Great Mixes and Final Masters
Mixing and mastering are the final hurdles in creating amazing recordings. In this one, Author Steve Savage has emphasized Great mixes require both creativity and a practical understanding of the process, whereas final masters require both a clear sense of purpose and specialist hearing to achieve artistic goals. “Mixing and Mastering in the Box” gives readers the practical tools they need to do each of these jobs while emphasizing the aesthetics of the creative process. While the majority of the information in Mixing and Mastering in the Box is applicable to individuals working with analog mixing gear or a combination of digital and analog tools, the book focuses solely on working within the DAW.
1. The Art of Mixing: A Visual Guide to Recording, Engineering, and Production By David Gibson
This is a top contender for one of the best books for Mixing and mastering.
As you go through this book, prepare for an in-depth examination of the aesthetics of what constitutes a good mix! David Gibson’s unique approach to mixing provides a visual representation of the dynamics of the sounds involved in creating a musical mix. Thanks to this three-dimensional, colorful explanation, you’ll be exposed to a framework that will help you grasp everything an engineer does, allowing you to not only recognize what you want but also how to achieve it in your studio. To improve your recording techniques, learn what your recording equipment does and how it all works together in a simple, visual manner.
A Modern Alternative
Now that you know about some of the best books for mixing and mastering music to embark on your musical journey, here’s something from me to you before we conclude. I’m Jackiem Joyner and as you may or may not know, I’m a musician, producer, and recording artist myself. I’ve spent countless hours working on my music, trying to perfect it and make something that people would want to hear.
And after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I made it. My music career took off and all the work that went into it finally paid off. It took time and patience but in the end, I became a name in the industry and since then I’ve gone on to write hundreds of songs, produce a Billboard No. 1 album, 2 number one Radio hits, win Artist Of The Year, and multiple other prestigious awards.
Learn My Secrets to Mixing Great Songs
Now, I want to share my experience and knowledge from working in the industry for over a decade, with newcomers and dreamers like you. Not so long ago, I was just like you, sitting in my room trying to make the next smash hit, and even though I did make that hit, It took a lot of work. In fact, you should read my post on Commercial Songwriting to get a peek at some of my techniques.
I know that if I knew all the secrets and skills that I’ve now learned from being in the industry for so long, it would’ve saved me a lot of struggle.
Join Artist Craft Mastery Course and Polish up your Mixing and Mastering Skills
I’ve launched the Artist Craft Mastery Course that will help you learn all the ins and outs that there are when it comes to Mixing & Mastering (among other topics). I really didn’t think I’d be launching a course, but after hundreds of emails, I caved to the pressure and made the darn course!
I’ll be going over all aspects of the process including the secrets of equalization and “magic frequencies”, pitch correction, track timing changes, sound replacement, sonic layering, adding effects, calculating delay durations, Track cleanup, and automation gimmicks among other advanced method’s that are essential for today’s mixer.
As of writing this, there’s a few spots left to register for it. Spots are given on a first-come-first-served basis. And if you want to kill it in songwriting, polish up your mixing and mastering knowledge, make a name for yourself in the industry, then join Artist Craft Mastery Course before the class sells out!
If you can’t, then I hope you find the books listed above helpful and I wish you the very best on your musical journey. Good Luck and I hope to see you at the top of the charts!