Musician's Survival Guide to a Killer Record Paperback – Illustrated, October 10, 2018

Highly recommend Mixerman's book!The main point is to keep the technical out of the way of the music. Don't overthink. You want to aggressively build your production with intent. Get a reaction with your music, move people. Simplify the technical so you can focus on the performance. If you're thinking about the sound, then the music is suffering.It's a path to success where eventually you will reach a point where you can operate more outside of those restrictions of avoiding the technical and even where you need a producer and won't have to do it yourself.But also, a ton of great, comprehensive recording advice so you can have everything ready where you can focus on the song.It's very encouraging, and he even encourages you to send him your own mix.I love this book!

As a young person, I would have killed for this book. (That's just hyperbole for you sensitive types. Sheesh)But really. When they wouldn't let me take music theory in 11th grade instead of Spanish, I wrote piano music on the lines of my tests and took an F. When I took theory later in 12th grade and in college, I couldn't get them to teach me chord theory or songwriting. Top secret! No chord theory for you! When I got backstage at several festivals and asked everyone I could how to find out about how to make a record or get into music, it seemed like all closely guarded secrets. No one could be bothered. No one would tell anyone anything. That's what I remember. Mixerman tells you everything you need to know. I started on a 4 track cassette recorder and a sequencer keyboard sampler. 10 years later I was tracking on ADATs. Then Pro Tools. Everything I learned was by watching and doing. If there were any books, I didn't know about them and I couldn't find them. But rather than ramble on about my life, let me just say, this is a fantastic book. I wish I had been able to read it in the 70's. For me it was edifying as it reinforced so many of my instincts, and yet I still learned things in every chapter. There is so much out there on the internet, some good, and a lot of nonsense and click bait. Mixerman has a way of cutting through the nonsense without insulting anyone. If you want record making wisdom without spending years on hit and miss, get this book. Just do it. You'll enjoy the hell out of it, as it feeds your passion and helps you do what you love.

I started playing music (guitar) in 1975, I started recording on a Teac 144 in 1981 and then to 1/2 in tape around 1987.I have read countless books on recording. Went to school for engineering for a year way back when. As they say life gets in the way and here I am 30 years later still trying to record and write in my new and improved home studio. I will simply say this:I wish I had Eric as a teacher at the school I attended. And I wish we had the home recording capabilities back then as we do now.This book breaks down the recording process to it's simplest and most important aspect, the music. This is not an overly technical book that is going to sometimes put you to sleep. No mind numbing, coma inducing lectures here.It's truly a manual on how to record damn near every instrument, including tried and true methods, the authors personal preferences, and alternate ways that he might not always agree with, pitfalls to watch (listen for) and why you're doing what you're doing. Laid out in a way that keeps you totally engaged. There is even a section where he sits you down in front of your DAW to identify phase issues and other things so you know what to listen for.It's a very practical, realistic way to try to create the best recordings with what you have to work with.So far I have bought 4 of this author's books and have finished two of them, the other being "Zen and the Art of Recording". Next up is "Zen and the Art of Mixing" and the Zen and the Art of Producing."This book is a roadmap created by someone who's been there. And your final destination, if you chose to follow it, is a great deal of applicable recording knowledge and a really fun journey.

An excellent and well-written collection of everything one should know in order to make the absolute most of their music, and an awesome read even if you have been in the music industry for years, and think you know what you’re doing!Mixerman (Eric Sarafin) is one of the most knowledgeable people in the business, and he’s got the resume to back it up. His personality alone – which he sprinkles throughout the book – is reason enough on its own to read this, as well as his other publications – which go hand-in-hand with this book. I could not find a better book (or series of books) currently in existence, when it comes to making music, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just becoming interested.This book (and all of his books) are great even if you are just writing or playing music, and the knowledge, insights, and information contained within the series are absolutely priceless. You would be hard pressed to find a better or more entertaining book series which provides so much essential information, delivered in a to-the-point no-B.S. fashion.Highly recommended and equally appreciated! Be sure and read his other books for the full experience!