This is the revised edition of the book culled from the Hal Leonard Recording Method series on how to record instruments and vocals while working—typically—in a home studio environment. Anybody who thinks recording guitars and making them sound like Jimi Hendrix or Jeff Beck is easy simply doesn't understand the relative complexity of the situation. Yes, basically you are putting a microphone in front of an amplifier (for the most part), but many other facets enter into the equation, including compression, delays, EQs, type of outboard gear, and most importantly, the player him/herself. Recording a great sounding vocal track can be even more difficult to achieve.

But you'll find everything you need here, at least on paper, in terms of creating a professional sounding demo. You'll learn how to record electric guitars, acoustic guitars, synthesizers, drums, percussion, pianos, vocals, real and synthesized strings and horns, and much more. There is even a test given at the end of each chapter to test our comprehension.

There is no substitute for trial and error. After repeated attempts, you'll learn the importance of mic placement in capturing the most pristine vocal; using multiple mics on drums; room acoustics; application of outboard gear such as chorus, flange, echo, delay and phase shifting; and the frequency ranges of both acoustic and electric instruments.

This book has a lot of worthwhile information in it, and be warned: it is not easily digestible. Only after repeated readings accompanied by multiple experimentations will you, too, be able to record the next Dark Side of the Moon.