The Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques

The Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques
by Rick Snoman

The Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques
Our Price: $67.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $24.83 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Rick Snoman
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-07-15
ISBN: 0240519159
Number of pages: 528
Publisher: Focal Press

Book Reviews of The Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques

Book Review: Finally, a book that ties all the loose ends
Summary: 5 Stars

I haven't been able to put this book down since receiving it from Amazon. Wow. I've bought quite a few books on music theory, production and mixing techniques, programming guides, etc, in addition to reading all the major electronic music mags out there (EQ, EM, Keyboard, Sound on Sound, Future Music, etc). Basically all that yielded was a lot of disparate information that seemed helpful but you have no idea how it all ties together. This book is the solution to that. I'm not sure I would recommend this book for an absolute beginner...it could be pretty heavy if you're unfamiliar with music (esp electronic music) terminolgy. However, if you have an interest in electronic music (not just dance music) and you're one of those people who has read music production books and routinely reads the music mags, this is the book for you. Trust me, you'll find yourself saying "Oh, *that's* how that works" and you'll start to see how everything fits together. I found this especially true in the "Basic Synthesis" and "Programming Theory" chapters. You can do a thousand tutorials in Computer Music Magazine to program a synth without ever understanding why or what you're doing. This book helps you understand the underlying concepts of waveforms, oscillators, envelopes, etc. There are fantastic tips on sound design and how to create your own unique "sound". Indeed, there is a great discussion on sound itself and the physics that are employed. There is also a chapter devoted to different genres of dance music, everything from trance to hip-hop to house. Perhaps one of the more useful tips is a typical "map" of a club-ready dance track. I could go on and on, just get the book if any of this sounds interesting to you. The price is very reasonable and there's a CD included with examples and software trials. In fact, my only complaint about the book is that I wish it indicated the exact file names on the CD when it references them. You can usually figure it out, but it would be quicker to have the actual file name listed. All in all, I don't think you'll find a more comprehensive book for modern electronic musicians. It'll make you a better informed, and perhaps even a better, musician. And that is the endgame, after all, isn't it?

Summary of The Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques

Whatever your level of experience, The Dance Music Manual is packed with sound advice, techniques and practical examples to help you achieve professional results. Written by a professional producer and remixer, the book is organised into three accessible sections:

Technology and theory
If you're relatively new to the technology and theory behind today's dance music, Rick Snoman discusses the basics of MIDI, synthesis and sampling, as well as music theory, effects, compression, microphone techniques and sound design.
Dance genres
This section covers techniques for producing different musical styles, including Trance, Trip Hop, Rap and House. Snoman takes a close look at the general programming principles behind drum loops, basses and leads for each genre, in addition to the programming and effects used to create the sounds.
Mixing and promotion
Snoman guides you through the art of mixing, mastering, remixing, pressing and publishing your latest masterpiece. This includes a look at how record companies operate, copyrighting your material, pressing your own records and the costs involved. Finally, guest contributors offer essential advice on DJ'ing and how to create your own website to promote your music.

The CD provides demo tracks showing what can be achieved when applying the advice contained in the book, including examples of the quality difference before and after mixing and mastering. The CD also contains free software demos for you to download.

For even more advice and resources, check out the book's official website www.dancemusicproduction.com

* Learn the art of creating original dance tracks and remixes using any music software
* Packed with examples and tips for achieving professional results and getting your music heard
* Includes a free CD-Rom with MIDI files, samples and example tracks

Recording & Sound Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Recording & Sound Books
Recording Tips for Engineers, Third Edition: For cleaner, brighter tracks (Mastering Music) ImageRecording Tips for Engineers, Third Edition: For cleaner, brighter tracks (Mastering Music)
by Tim Crich
Focal Press; Published: 2010-04-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.21
Price in other shops: $34.95
Studio Monitoring Design ImageStudio Monitoring Design
by PHILIP NEWELL
Focal Press; Published: 1995-12-13; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $897.47
Sound Engineering Explained, Second Edition ImageSound Engineering Explained, Second Edition
by Michael Talbot-Smith
Focal Press; Published: 2001-11-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $36.36
Price in other shops: $52.95
Sound Person's Guide to Video ImageSound Person's Guide to Video
by David Mellor
Focal Press; Published: 2000-07-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $56.38
Price in other shops: $61.95
Sound Recording Practice ImageSound Recording Practice
Oxford University Press, USA; Published: 1996-05-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $57.00
Price in other shops: $85.00
Compact Discs Yearbook 2000/1, The Penguin Guide to (Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music) ImageCompact Discs Yearbook 2000/ 1, The Penguin Guide to (Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music)
by Ivan March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2000-10-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops: $20.00
Mechanics of Sound Recording ImageMechanics of Sound Recording
by Tony Zaza
Prentice Hall; Published: 1991-05; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $62.62
Price in other shops: $66.75
Pro Tools All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies ImagePro Tools All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies
by Jeff Strong
For Dummies; Published: 2008-03-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $17.39
Price in other shops: $29.99
Adobe Audition 2.0 Classroom in a Book ImageAdobe Audition 2.0 Classroom in a Book
by Adobe Creative Team
Adobe Press; Published: 2006-04-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $108.24
Rhythm Science (Mediaworks Pamphlets) ImageRhythm Science (Mediaworks Pamphlets)
by Paul D. Miller aka Dj Spooky that Subliminal Kid
The MIT Press; Published: 2004-03-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.08
Price in other shops: $23.95
Similar Books and other products
Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools ImageMixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools
by Roey Izhaki
Focal Press; Published: 2008-01-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $114.14
Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The Art and the Science ImageMastering Audio, Second Edition: The Art and the Science
by Bob Katz
Focal Press; Published: 2007-10-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $29.22
Price in other shops: $39.95
Novation Launchpad Ableton Live Controller ImageNovation Launchpad Ableton Live Controller
AM&S; Novation; AM&S; Release date: 2009-11-01; Electronics; Musical Instruments
Price in other shops: $249.95
Topoo Herbal & aromatherapy vaporizer VP-100 ImageTopoo Herbal & aromatherapy vaporizer VP-100
Top-Vapor; Tapoo; Top-Vapor; Kitchen; Home
Best price: $23.21
Price in other shops: $79.99
Ableton Live 8 Power!: The Comprehensive Guide ImageAbleton Live 8 Power!: The Comprehensive Guide
by Jon Margulies
Course Technology PTR; Published: 2009-10-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.81
Price in other shops: $39.99
Apple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9 ImageApple Pro Training Series: Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9
by David Nahmani
Peachpit Press; Published: 2009-11-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $31.59
Price in other shops: $54.99
DJing For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) ImageDJing For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback))
by John Steventon
For Dummies; Published: 2010-10-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.18
Price in other shops: $19.99
Music Theory for Computer Musicians Bk/Cd ImageMusic Theory for Computer Musicians Bk/ Cd
by Michael Hewitt
Alfred Publishing; Course Technology PTR; Published: 2008-04-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.90
Price in other shops: $34.99
Mixing Secrets for  the Small Studio ImageMixing Secrets for the Small Studio
by Mike Senior
Focal Press; Published: 2011-03-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.31
Price in other shops: $39.95
Dance Music Manual, Second Edition: Tools, Toys, and Techniques ImageDance Music Manual, Second Edition: Tools, Toys, and Techniques
by Rick Snoman
Focal Press; Published: 2008-10-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.55
Price in other shops: $39.95
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories