Co-Authored by Kelli Richards and David Battino.
From Amazon:
About the Book:
Digital technology has changed everything. Here’s your backstage pass.
The Art of Digital Music gathers the wisdom and groundbreaking techniques of 56 visionary artists, producers, programmers, provocateurs, instrument designers, label executives, and industry insiders into one inspiring volume.
Hear firsthand how the masters wield technology to create their amazing music–the included DVD features highlights from all 56 interviews. You’ll learn studio setup tips, secrets of sampling, creative quantization, ring tone tricks, production strategies, insights from video game composers, insane distortion recipes, how to squeeze expression from loops, how to overcome software option anxiety, how to exploit happy accidents, and much more.
Derived from a year’s worth of in-depth interviews, The Art of Digital Music is a richly detailed journey into the heart of computer-aided creativity. Contributors include Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), Jack Blades, BT, LTJ Bukem, Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, Zappa), Ted Cohen, the Crystal Method, Chuck D,Thomas Dolby, Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd), The Fat Man, Dr. Fiorella Terenzi, Albhy Galuten (18 No. 1 hits), Dr. Patrick Gleeson, Peter Gotcher (founder, Digidesign), Jim Griffin, Herbie Hancock, Mark Isham, Jimmy Jam, Leslie Ann Jones (Skywalker Sound), Ikutaro Kakehashi (founder, Roland), Stephen Kay (Korg Karma), Ray Kurzweil, Roger Linn, Alan Parsons, Eric Persing (Spectrasonics), Roger Powell, Phil Ramone, Steve Reich, Bob Rock (Metallica), Nile Rodgers,Todd Rundgren, Dave Smith (Prophet-5, MIDI), David Torn, Don Was (Rolling Stones), David Zicarelli (Cycling ’74), and 20 more.
Ingeniously organized by both personality and topic, The Art of Digital Music combines entertainment, social commentary, and how-to information with surprising warmth and humor. Crank it up to “1″–the digital revolution is starting.
Bonus DVD (Mac/Win/video) Includes: Sound bites from all 56 interviews; Over 25 complete songs (including live recordings from a private Thomas Dolby concert, unreleased demos, and out-of-print classics); Live-performance videos; Interactive Flash movies; Royalty-free samples and loops by the artists; Behind-the-scenes photos; Web links galore.
Reviews from Amazon:
Reviews on The Art of Digital Music: 56 Visionary Artists and Insiders Reveal Their Creative Secrets (Paperback)
Review #1
Creative Insights are the Big Value
By G. Estes, Saratoga, CA
I liked this book quite a bit; not because it gave me step-by-step instructions on how to create music using digital technology, but more to the point because it didn’t. Any book on music technology can become dated quite quickly, but when one concentrates instead on hearing a very wide variety of artists, producers, technologists and industry executives talk about how they *think*, then you have something that if not timeless is at least fresh and interesting for some time. Knowing how Todd Rundgren approaches producing or songwriting is way more valuable than knowing which button in ProTools does pitch correction.
Review #2
Great Way to Learn from the Pros How They’re Making Music
By Richard Turgeon, San Francisco, CA
This was a valuable primer for me even long after I started producing my own records with digital technology. It always helps beginning and mid-level musicians and producers to get real-world insights into how the pros are using the tools, and this book is dedicated to providing those “snapshots.” A great addition to any home recordists’ library.
Review #3
Accelerated Journey into the World of Music Making
By Ewa Zwonarz, Bay Area, CA
Kelli Richard’s and David Battino’s The Art of Digital Music is a journey into the minds of great artists and experts in the field of digital music. The information presented is very concentrated representing years of industry and creative experience. It offers insight into the evolution of music trends, the technologies that support them and an understanding about the mindset required to be successful in this challenging industry.
Learn how it is to work with Madonna or Britney Spears or what it takes to think like Herbie Hancock! Realize making music is an art facilitated by new technologies that can enhance an artist’s ability to express their talent to the world without depending on a major label.
Once started you cannot put this book down as you discover each unique story within. It is amazing how much you can learn about digital music from just reading the interviews! The Art of Digital Music is a great resource to have at home whether you actively produce music or not and makes a splendid gift for those who aspire to enter the music industry. If you ever had a song playing in your mind that you would like to bring into the world but you don’t know how – this book is for you!