Ok, Ok, yes, it's time. Perhaps not before time, but long enough that I've learned many lessons running a small but busy recording studio from an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne.
Why write a blog when famous producers and engineers already have great videos and advice freely available?
I guess this question is why it's taken me so long to get started. Whilst I make music for movies, documentaries, TV shows, and occasionally for famous peeps, on most days I work with unsigned, self-funded artists. Many of my clients are dipping their toes into the water for the first time, and they realise scarily quickly that there's much to learn. Not only is there much to learn, but how to know what to learn? What's most important? What didn't I even know I had to learn? How do I avoid wasting money and time? If you're one of these artists, this blog might be helpful to you.
So what lessons have I learned?
I've learned how to produce a song/EP/album, and I've learned how not to produce a song/EP/album.
As a producer, I've learned when to keep quiet and when to speak up. When to push an idea, and when to learn from my client's ideas.
I've learned how clients often spend far too much money on a guaranteed path to nowhere.
I've learned to keep up to date with new software and techniques. It's a fast-paced industry where every day can easily be spent learning.
Even though my job typically finishes by handing over a recording ready for mastering or handing over a mastered recording, I have learned many valuable lessons about music promotion, artist development, and many myths and misconceptions singer/songwriters share about getting music to the public.
I've learned what a typical musician can successfully do at home in terms of recording and publishing their own music and what they will need help to do.
As a musician who worked full-time performing and recording, I have also learned the keys to making a great-sounding musical track.
As technology has changed, many of my hard and fast rules about creating music have changed also. Perhaps the rules are there to be updated.
This blog will be a random collection of thoughts, techniques, advice, and ideas that may help you to understand the fantastic and rewarding world of music creation.
Save money by knowing what a studio can and can't do. Save money by preparing effectively for your recording sessions.
I welcome feedback and questions. I will attempt to answer every question as best I can.
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