Today’s music technology moves fast. Conventional, printed books no longer give musicians what they need: they’re expensive, become outdated all too easily, aren’t mobile-friendly, and have a negative environmental impact. Sure, there are plenty of videos on the web, but wading through literally millions of videos to find ones that are timely, contain accurate information, and are worth watching is daunting. Although current music technology offers possibilities that musicians could only dream of years ago, unless you know how to take full advantage of those possibilities, they’re not helping you to make better music or recordings.
Photo credit, cobwebs layer: Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
Sweetwater Publishing has partnered with acclaimed author/musician Craig Anderton, who created this e-book model to help musicians get the most out of their gear. All e-books are downloadable PDFs — by eliminating printing and shipping, the pricing is far more affordable than printed books. Best of all, to stay current with changes in technology, they follow the same model as music software: once you buy a book, you’re entitled to free updates, downloadable from your Sweetwater account. These revisions are like software “point” updates, similar to when software goes from, for example, version 3.2 to version 3.3. If the changes are so substantial that the book becomes a new edition, existing owners can purchase it at a reduced price. And, of course, new buyers automatically get the very latest version.
The promise of Sweetwater Publishing has been fulfilled — with an ever-expanding roster of e-books, free updates to stay current with technology, and no price increases. It’s no surprise Craig Anderton’s e-books have been so well-received. His wildly popular workshops pack rooms wherever he appears, thanks to an uncanny ability to explain complex subjects in a clear, practical, and inspiring manner. With a track record of writing over 50 books, touring the US, doing session work in New York, lecturing in 38 states and 10 countries, and engineering or producing multiple major-label releases (as well as being an award-winning mastering engineer), Craig has the experience that benefits all musicians — from those just starting out, to veterans adopting new technologies.
Perhaps most importantly, these e-books aren’t just about the technology of getting great sounds, but also about the artistry involved in creating next-level music. For example, with Max Your Mix!, you’ll learn how to make artistic as well as technical decisions. How to Record and Mix Great Guitar Tracks covers creating your own signature sounds, as well as yesterday and today’s iconic guitar tones. The Huge Book of Studio One Tips and Tricks, The Big Book of Helix Tips & Tricks, and Innovative Techniques for Pro Tools cover techniques you won’t find in their manuals — or for that matter, most other instructional materials. Find out how to Record and Mix Great Vocals in Studio One, or, take a deep dive into how recording tools work with The Big Book of Dynamics FX and the incomparable Musician’s Audio Handbook. All these books are lavishly illustrated, explain proven concepts clearly and comprehensively, and where appropriate, include audio examples and free presets.
Even with this enviable history, Sweetwater Publishing isn’t taking its foot off the accelerator. More books are in production, existing books are being revised, and we’re looking into other exciting ways to help you get the most out of your gear — and make better music.
