Book review: How to be a record producer in the digital era by Megan Perry
by EmersonI shop “Fully Booked” (book store) in Terraces Ayala Center Cebu and just looking for music production books. I know it is rare to find such books especially a hard copy one… So I proceed with looking what are those available books that I can read for past time and one book catches my attention: “How to be record producer in digital era” by Megan Perry.
Wow, it is because the book is 240+ pages written in smaller fonts, it just means a lot of content —> a lot of information. I read this book skipping chapters because it is my type; I am a nonlinear type of reader.
Particularly the section that catches my attention is the earlier part of the book that talks about blending the creative and business aspects of being a producer (which is a difficult to accomplish in reality). Also it emphasizes the importance of being creative with developing sound. It teaches to be artistic at the same time sticking to some fundamentals.
One of those things I agree with this book is that it talks about “experimentation” of producing the sound you want. Experimentation leads to your trademark sound. Just like what movie directors like Quentin Tarantino (my personal favorite) has some trademarks in his movies. These trademarks do not happen by accident. Instead, it comes from experiences in doing those things of what works effective and what is not.
What I also most like with this book is the “independent” or “home music production” approach, it is why in the digital era (an era of computers), and one can start a recording studio, using computers at a reasonable cost. It also provides some tips and information on recording equipments which is very suitable for beginners.
Again, the most important learning I get from this book is to teach producers how to start ( basically what attitudes, skills, background, values, careers, jobs are suitable), develop a solid plan ( like getting some reputation, planning a recording production project, etc) , working with industry people (working with artist, musicians, engineers, labels, publishers, etc) , executing and completing the project.
It is a very inspiring book; it makes you like doing another “Siamese Dream” by Smashing Pumpkins that can be done in your home. This book is highly recommended for those people working in the music production industry. Rating: 9.5/10
