Sound FX: Unlocking the Creative Potential of Recording Studio Effects

by Alex Case

Book Overview

Every session, every gig, every day, recording engineers strive to make the most of their audio signal processing devices. EQ, Compression, Delay, Distortion, Reverb and all those other FX are the well-worn tools of the audio trade. Recording and mixing, live and in the studio, engineers must thoroughly master these devices to stay competitive sonically. Its not enough to just know what each effect is supposed to do. Sound FX explains the basic...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0240520327
• ISBN13: 9780240520322
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.4" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorites

The other reviews previous do a fine job of commending this book. I want to add a specific example of why I like it. Case examined the various kinds of reverberation that audio professionals use: acoustical (as in concert halls), chambers, springs, plates, digital and convolution. He compared all of these in terms of how they sound when excited by music. His analysis was comprehensive, fresh and applicable. Then he detailed less than obvious reasons why one or more of these techniques would be used. His unique and thorough treatment of reverb was enlightening. This chapter alone would be worth owning the book!

Unlocking the Creative Potential of Recording Studio Effects

Of the many audio engineering books I have encountered, Sound FX stands out in several distinct ways. The Book is incredibly thorough and detailed. After covering the basic function of each studio effect, Sound FX goes on to describe many different uses that each effect can serve. For example at the end of the chapter on compression (page 163), nine different goals that compression can accomplish are listed. Over the course of the chapter, compression has been analyzed so thoroughly that you will understand how and to achieve each one of these nine desired effects and why and when you would want to. Why would an engineer pick one compressor over another? There are several paragraphs outlining characteristics that change from model to model. Knowing what to listen for helped cue me on to some subtle differences that I had previously not heard. Sound FX is filled with details like this about every effect that mixing engineers use. Other studio effects are described just as carefully. (EQ, expansion, gating, reverb delay, pitch shifting, distortion, and so on) Have you ever listened to a compressed track, and cranked the compressor's release time from as low as possible to as high as possible and not hear the difference? Sound FX explains what you need to listen for. Have you tried adjusting the "room size" on a reverb unit and not heard the difference? Again Sound FX explains what this means and what the sonic results are. While engineers working on material that is not musical may find valuable information here, the book is primarily about working with music. A fair amount of technical information is presented, but the material always circles back to how the technology can be used to accomplish musical tasks. It's taken me time to learn what effects are needed to to find the sound I want to hear. Understanding the complexity of what each effect has to offer and knowing what to listen for when I adjust parameters has drastically improved my mixes. The authors experience and meticulous attention to detail comes through here and analyzes the material more effectively than any other source I have encountered. After reading, I'm always left with a powerful urge to rush to the studio and put the material to use.

The Perfect Reference for Home Recording Addicts

I have been a home recording enthusiast for ten years now. I feel that I have picked up many skills over those years, albeit from scattered sources. I was finally ready to dive in and get my head around all of these things that I had available to me, and along came Sound FX. This book is an indespensible reference for aspiring engineeers who have already cut their teeth in some way, and understand a few things about electronic music and general sound properties. That being said, the book stays grounded at a level that is not tailored for acoustic engineering pros. There is a technical aspect to the flow of the info, but as soon as that's covered, you're right back to getting into practical applications. It truly is a perfect balance. And, Alex Case keeps an amazing sense of humor throughout his writing. This book reads like a breeze. This is not an easy topic to cover this way. Additionally, this book gives hope to the budget-minded recording enthusiast, and tends to play down the idea that you need to buy lots of expensive gear to get the job done. Too many references and 'how to' books are pushing gear, big gear. Not this one. Alex Case only teaches you to push your creativity to brink. Keep this book next to your mixer at all times!

The Well Tempered Engineer

Sound FX is a comprehensive, beautifully laid out resource for all levels of recording engineers. Professor Case has found a way of re-examining the tried and true building blocks of music production that imparts new perspectives while covering fundamental topics. The book aims to empower engineers to understand the science behind the tools of the control room in order to inspire greater creativity within their recordings. Many of the described effects utilize tools found in most studios, but in a way that will be new to many of the readers, even those working in major recording studios. Musical references have been included so that the reader seek out discussed effects first hand. Perhaps the greatest asset of Sound FX is the manner by which the material is presented; Alex Case has included a light hearted, witty narrative that makes the reading experience a breeze regardless of the material. As is probably true of many audio people, I own several books covering various topics in recording but none that are as insightful and as inpiring as this one; highly recommended!

Excellent Resource

I've had the benefit of taking courses from the author prior to this book being published. As a result I know his teaching style. The author's style and voice comes through loud and clear in the text. It's enjoyable to read while you're learning some rather complex subjects. Coming from a non engineering background I find the explanations of concepts clear and the graphics used to illustrate the concepts extremely helpful. This text will be useful for those wishing to learn more about the science behind the art. If you want to know things like how to add a touch of reverb to make a voice pop through a music bed without having to simply lower the volume of the music; this book will show you how to do that and other production techniques in a way a non-techie will understand. It will also explain 'why' it works. Having said that, this is not a "Sound Effects for Dummies" book either. This book goes in-depth. It will benefit those who have a technical/engineering background and are more "into the math" of sound and acoustics as well. Access to the website with audio examples and the samples that are used to further illustrate the concepts is an invaluable resource that obviously took time to compile. Investing the $39.95 for the knowledge "Sound FX" contains is a "no brainer" for anyone seriously interested in learning more about the science of sound and sound design.