The EQ and Compression Formula: Learn the step by step way to use EQ and Compression together

I’ve only read 1/2 way through and can already mix worlds better than before!
I bought the whole series of this line and have so far only read 1/2 way through this one. I already could use that I learned in the first 1/2 and have been able to mix sooooooooooooo much better than before. I had a bunch of mud in my mixes before reading the info presented here. Now I can get the mix to be a LOT cleaner. Am I at the level of a world-class engineer yet? No. But they’ve been at it for years and I just got this book a couple of weeks ago, read 1/2, worked on 2 mixes only (at this point) but have been very happy with how much better I was able to mix those 2 things.Please also note: I’d worked on the mixes for both of those things prior to getting this book and couldn’t get them out of the mud zone. There wasn’t any way my ignorantly fiddling around was going to help me get out of the murky zones everything was in. The info here is concise and well laid out. It’s easy to understand and follow. There are even exercises that start where I left off. I haven’t even done those yet – but I do plan to! Because just from reading 1/2 the book I could already make my mixes better. And I only used the effects that are in the DAW I have. I was able to get pretty good mixes from the start, without doing the exercises given in the book, without learning anything I can still learn in this one and the others in the series, and without any wonderful mixing plugins. Wow. This book is very helpful.

Overall this book is pretty good.
Okay, here goes. First and foremost allow me to start with my journey to purchasing this book. About 8 years ago, I chose to venture into this wonderful journey of becoming a music producer. I have learned production techniques from some of the best music producers in hiphop and R&B today. Literally paid them and took classes directly from them. I even earned a degree in music production from a pretty amazing private music college. Some things you just simply do not learn unless you hear or read it in a certain way. I pride myself in my humility in reference to learning anything. I find that it is often in the basics of topics that we get lost and even ignore simple things as being quite trivial. This is an error in judgment that occurs far too often. I say this because there are a lot of comments that sort of wrote off this book at beginner jargon; this is an ineffective way of viewing this publication. IT IS GOOD! Not perfect but good. There are several things that I really think would help a beginner but also things that would help even a seasoned producer; like the mindset that one should follow when looking to achieve a great mix. Trust me when you start using one sound then adding another to layer multiple sounds for texture and uniqueness(sample makers I’m looking at you) things can get wild quickly! You hear so many things like “use your ears” and “use this analogue EQ” or “Use this LA-2A” or “Use the Pultec Punch on your subbass or kick” etc…. This book helps you to understand WHY you want to do some of these things. It doesn’t bash you over the head with a lot of technical things. You can dig deeply and figure those things out for yourself. Trust me, there are millions of sources to learn those things. This book is not for you if you are looking for that sort of knowledge. It has taken me years to develop my skills and I am QUITE GOOD. Again, I still find myself searching for better methods to implement in order to reach the level of mastery that I aspire to. This again is where humility comes in. I choose to read books or even watch tutorials from people who are willing to share their processes. This is how I have been able to learn from some of the true greats in the industry. Always remain a student. It is with this mindset that you will always grow and NEVER STAGNATE.With all of that being said much of what is said here should be taken theoretically. Like the “high pass everything at 300 rule”. It isn’t that this is inaccurate 100% it’s just A bit extreme in my opinion. However, this rule I am sure is assuming that you are producing modern music which is often quite bass heavy; dependent upon the genre obviously. In this case you have to (dare I say) “Use your ears”. If a specific section of a beat or song requires support in 20hz to 200hz range then use an automation on that area to let some of those low frequencies pass when Bass,Kick, or SubBass is not present in the mix/arrangement. CHOOSE WHICH INSTRUMENT is needed in the space that you highpass the lows away from, keep that and cut away the rest (again, USE YOUR EARS. It is YOUR creation; do as you best see fit). The author does not mention highpassing ANY VOCALS IN THIS MANNER so that was an assumption by another reviewer which I deem to be an incorrect one. The writer outlines some very specific, thoughtful approaches to using both equalization and compression simply expressing how one approaches a topic that in my opinion is often made overly complicated by arrogant mixing engineers and producers who aren’t willing to help others and would rather kick them while they are down. I REFUSE TO BE ONE OF THEM. That is why I am taking the time to write this review. We have to do better and this book is a nice start to that. So please if you are new and want a pretty reasonable way of thinking about how to use the most important tools in your mixing arsenal this book is for you. If not either get a degree in the topic or spend your minutes, hours, days, nights, weeks, months and years scouring the internet for helpful tips and tricks(hahah you have to do that anyway). This will give you a good start. Much love and I hope that you do not give up on your music journey. Stay humble and you will never stagnate.

He keeps it simple.
I have been making music for years and I have been taking classes for sound recording for a year or two, so I know some stuff. Like many I got confused with EQ and compression…sometimes I think I was doing better before I started taking classes. what I like about his books is that he explains the basic stuff, the stuff that everyone skips over thinking everyone already knows what it means so they don’t bother explaining in real world words. So a lot of the book gave me those “aha” moments that finally had me connect my knowledge to my brain. I ordered the whole series , i also prefer books that I can touch over digital versions so I got the paperback versions.

This book. Not only this one, but the 4 or 5 that Nathan have here to sell are Awesome. I have more than 20 years in music production, mixing and mastering and for me these books have been the last step to sound incredible. Tha approach are pretty simple with some presets and basic explanations but there are incredible powerfull and well planned to the point that when you follow the steps your mixes improves in those areas when you are not making very well..In my opinion a really excellent series of books.

Sconsigliato, povero di contenuti e poco curato.