Category Archives: theory

Lyrical Emphasis in Western Music

Posted on 03/11/2012 by Nate Faulkenberry

I’ve read a lot of literature on recording and mixing, and a lot of it seems to place a heavy emphasis on the vocals. Some of these books will even go as far as to stress the importance of making each lyric prominent. To the writers of such literature and architects of modern music I ask a question: why is this so relevant? Of course, this is all subject to opinion, and my opinion should be interpreted and weighed as … Continue reading →

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Why do we record?

Posted on 11/27/2011 by Nate Faulkenberry

This is the broadest question I could ask that has to do with recording. Everyone would give me a different answer, everyone. It’s a hobby, it’s a way of life, it’s a way to share your music, it’s fun. I get that. I get all of that. Still I ask, why do we record? My friend Chris once posed a question: Would you rather live a short life creating music reaching millions of ears or a long life creating music … Continue reading →

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Here, There and Everywhere

Posted on 11/19/2011 by Nate Faulkenberry

I spent most of my free time the other week reading Geoff Emerick’s Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles. What an incredible read. Not only did I learn even more about the Beatles but there sure are valuable recording lessons amongst these pages. “So many of the sounds in today’s recording studios come out of little boxes that merely imitate the sonic innovations of the past. The range of choices is vast but, in … Continue reading →

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The paradox of choice

Posted on 10/05/2011 by Nate Faulkenberry

I came across this video of Barry Schwartz speaking at a TED conference in 2005. The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less I immediately drew parallels in the realm of recording. The obvious one being a common pitfall: the never ending quest for better equipment, more plugins, more compressors, more anything that will improve the mix. Well it won’t. At least that’s what my experience has been thus far. Having a large amount of options turns the mixing process … Continue reading →

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Preconceived Opinions

Posted on 09/27/2011 by Nate Faulkenberry

While researching a certain piece of equipment (indirectly related to the recording process) I came across one review which contained the following quote: The brochure and website say that you will hear: “… a wider soundstage with more precise stereo imaging, more detailed instrument and vocal textures, smoother highs, a midrange that doesn’t blare and a deeper, more well defined low end than you have ever before heard from your loudspeakers.” To find out whether this was true, I armed … Continue reading →

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