What makes it stand out from other tutorials is that it goes into some depth on how things work — the theory behind how and why you apply certain techniques. It’s filled with tips, links to other resources, tutorials and more. It’s written and designed to help de-mystify technique and process . . . It is well written, easy to follow, rich in content, and it provides links to more extensive documentation if you want it.

I got a chance to talk to Matrix in the review about some of the thinking behind the book, as well. [Full review / interview]

In other news, now that I’ve relaunched my own site Create Digital Music, I’ll be able to finally add some extra content here on the book site in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for updates.

“… it’s the dive into music synthesis, live performance, and film/video scoring that really differentiates this book from other home studio intros. They give a wide perspective on what’s possible with DIY digital audio … I love the fact that it supports the reader with tutorials using software that’s included in the book.”

“RWDA is definitely one of the best introductions to DIY digital audio available now.”

In addition to the full review, producer, musician, and digital music specialist MikeB also interviews me about the book and my website, Create Digital Music.

GarageSpin, incidentally, is an invaluable resource for learning about independent music promotion and digital music distribution and creation (along with, as the name implies, GarageBand coverage). I’m a big fan of the site, so I’m all the more flattered by the generous review! Definite must-read to add to your RSS feeds.

“I want to say that I couldn’t have gotten a better text book for my community college audio production class. Great in-depth book.”

Mr. Ruffin runs the media production firm Ruffhaus Media and is using the book in his courses at Columbus State Community College. And he’s performed with Stevie Wonder, much more than I can say!

He also asks an interesting question: in a course situation, what might be a good text to use after Real World Digital Audio. This is largely dependent on the curriculum, but I’m going to think about that question a bit more and may include a new expanded online bibliography soon.

Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding Digital Sound
How Sound Works
Sound and Perception
Sound in Digital Form

Chapter 2: Choosing Your Tools
Inputs and Outputs
Choosing the Right Computer
Music and Sound Production Tools
Going Shopping

Chapter 3: Setting Up Your Equipment
Setting Up Your Workspace
Connecting Physical Hardware

Chapter 4: Preparing Your Computer for Audio
Connecting Your Virtual Studio
Maintaining Your Virtual Studio

Chapter 5: Quick Songs with Patterns and Loops
Patterns and Loops
Create a Backing Track (GarageBand)
Tutorial 1: Start a Song and Choose Loops
Tutorial 2: Create a Basic Arrangement
Tutorial 3: Develop a Song Structure
Tutorial 4: Mix and Record
Make a Groove Box (Kinetic)
Tutorial 1: Patches, Patterns, and Grooves
Tutorial 2: Build Up a Set of Grooves
Tutorial 3: Ready for the Dance Floor
Author’s note: This chapter departs from the rest of the book to serve as a simple, step-by-step starting point for beginners. Using Kinetic on Windows (demo included on the DVD) or GarageBand on Mac (included with iLife and on new Macs), you can walk through these step-by-step as an introduction to some of the production techniques later in the book.

Chapter 6: Recording Instruments and Sound
Microphone Characteristics
Recording Applications
Digital Recording
Author’s note: This chapter answers the frequently asked question, “which mic do I use?”, for a variety of different applications. (We even get to cover how to record harmonicas.) I got two big windfalls on this chapter: I was lucky enough to get seven-time Grammy-winning dummer Paul Wertico to share the setup in his studio, and illustrator/designer Tova Friedman to illustrate mic placement.

Chapter 7: Processing and Effects
Basics of Signal Processors
Equalization
Dynamics Processors
Time-Related Effects
Specialized Processors

Chapter 8: MIDI: Notes, Rhythms, and Physical Control
Ins, Outs, and Thrus of MIDI
How MIDI Models Performances
Recording Performances
Editing and Manipulating Performances

Chapter 9: Synthesis and Software Instruments
Basic Types of Synthesis
Samplers and Sample Playback
Synthesis Building Blocks: Virtual Analog Techniques
Modulation and Effects
Author’s note: Thanks to Native Instruments, you can follow along in this chapter with a free synth included on the DVD, SoundSchool Analog from Reaktor 5. Reading about making sounds makes a whole lot more sense when you can hear what you’re doing.

Chapter 10: Put It Together: Arrange, Mix, and Master
Arranging
Mixing
Mixdown, Mastering, and Sharing

Chapter 11: Producing Printed Scores
What Notation Software Does
Getting Started with a Score
Print, Play, and Share Your Score

Chapter 12: Music and Sound for Video
Synchronization, Tools, and Formats
Music for Video
Recording for Video

Chapter 13: Playing Live
Digital Audio Onstage
Live Arranging and Clips
DJing and the Live Remix
Custom Performance Software

Appendix: What’s on the DVD
Tools and Extras
Soundware
(See what’s on the DVD for a complete listing)

Index

Tools and Extras

The Tools folder includes nearly a gigabyte of software, much of it free for unlimited use. The software is compatible with both Mac and Windows, unless otherwise indicated:

Ableton Live (Save-disabled, time-unlimited demo): Live performance, recording, editing, and arranging digital audio workstation

Audacity (Full version): Open-source audio editor

Cakewalk Kinetic (30-day demo, Windows only): Groove box / electronic music production software

IK Multimedia AmpliTube UNO (Full version): Standalone guitar amp simulation and effects

IK Multimedia SampleTank FREE (Full version, limited to included sounds): Sample playback instrument, including nearly 50 MB of instruments

Native Instruments SoundSchool Analog (Full version): Standalone virtual analog synthesizer from Reaktor 5

Instruments and Effects (Full versions; some standalone mode only): A collection of free plug-in and standalone instruments and effects for Mac and Windows, assembled exclusively for this DVD, including the Crystal soft synth and contributions from Audio Damage, Plasq, Ohmforce, and Smartelectronix

Utilities (Full versions): Essential utilities for monitoring and managing MIDI data for Mac and Windows

You’ll find additional sample files and other content in the Extras folder, as well as tutorials for some of the software in the associated folder on the disc.

Soundware

The Soundware folder includes approximately one gigabyte of loops, sampled instruments, and other content, free for use with your software of choice. The sounds and software are compatible with both Mac and Windows:

East West: Over 600 MB of sampled instruments from the East West and Zero-G sound libraries, for use in the free, included Native Instruments Kompakt and Intakt players

SmartLoops: Over 200 MB of loops (including percussion and instrumental content), provided in ACID, Apple Loops, and REX formats compatible with a wide variety of audio programs

TrackTeam: Nearly 200 MB of sample content for Ableton Live and Propellerheads Reason

No matter what part of the musical spectrum you come from—whether you’re playing in a band, composing, or DJing—if you’re using a computer (or wondering whether you should be), to get the results you want from your digital studio you’ll need reliable information. Real World Digital Audio is a comprehensive resource that offers practical advice on making great music with modern technologies—a valuable reference whatever your musical genre or preferred audio application. You’ll learn how digital sound works, and then apply that knowledge to getting your music to sound the way you want. From recording, mixing, and producing CDs, musical scores, and video soundtracks, to performing live with your laptop, this is the definitive guide to the art of creating digital music.

Real World Digital Audio will show you how to . . .

Choose the right software and hardware to fit your musical direction—and your budget

Optimize your setup for maximum recording quality and reliability

Choose and strategically place microphones for different recording situations

Use loops and grooves to create backing tracks, DJ, and enhance live performances

Master MIDI and audio editing techniques to make expressive, polished tracks

Create dynamic sounds with audio effects, synthesizers, and soft synths

Generate publication-quality notated scores on your desktop

Mix, master, and share professional recordings, online music, and video soundtracks

“Writing about digital audio is like shooting at a moving target. But Peter Kirn has managed to score a bullseye with Real World Digital Audio.”

—Ernie Rideout, Editor in Chief, Keyboard magazine

When Peter Kirn does his debuts, he does them big. This book and DVD is packed with excellent hands-on tips for every imaginable aspect of digital music production. You get tons of application-specific tips that are musical and practical enough to transcend the usual time-sensitive nature of software. Beginners will find this to be the most comprehensive guide to setting up their systems and getting started, while pros will find ideas to improve their own productions. The DVD is crammed with soundware, software utilities, demo files, and demo software.

The world of computers changes so rapidly that writing about digital audio is like shooting at a moving target. And yet Peter Kirn has managed to score a bullseye with Real World Digital Audio. I’ve never read a book on this topic that explains the concepts and basics so eloquently while providing practical hands-on, get-it-done-now tips that will satisfy professionals, now and in the future.

-Ernie Rideout, Editor-in-Chief, Keyboard Magazine