Sound Man

Synopsis

A ROCK AND ROLL MEMOIR FROM GLYN JOHNS, THE LEGENDARY PRODUCER FEATURED IN THE NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES The Beatles: Get Back

"Few figures in rock history have a more impressive résumé than Glyn Johns...[Sound Man] is full of amazing anecdotes from his fifty-year career."-Rolling Stone

"A fantastic romp through the pages of rock and roll history."-Sir Paul McCartney, the Beatles
 
In 2012, legendary producer and sound engineer Glyn Johns was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Over the course of his incredible career, Johns helped create some of rock's most iconic albums, including those by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Eagles, the Who, the Clash, and, more recently, Ryan Adams and Band of Horses. In this one-of-a-kind memoir, Johns shares incredible stories about the musicians he's worked with from the freewheeling sixties to the present. Sound Man is an intimate glimpse into rock and roll history and the perfect gift for any music fan.

About the Publisher

Plume

Plume was founded in 1970 as the trade paperback imprint of New American Library. In its early history, Plume focused primarily on nonfiction titles, publishing approximately 35 titles per year. In the early 1980s, as trade paperbacks were rapidly becoming the format of choice among a large segment of book buyers, Plume began expanding its reach, and became recognized as one of the pre-eminent trade paperback imprints. The 1980?s saw Plume make its mark with a number of major bestsellers, including Toni Morrison?s Tar Baby, Erica Jong?s Fanny, Russell Baker?s Growing Up, and Gloria Steinem?s Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, among others. Now, in 2014, Plume is publishing 85 to 100 titles a year, and its backlist currently encompasses approximately 700 titles.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Origins of Sound

* Explores the history of sound recording, from the invention of the phonograph to the development of digital audio.
* Real-world example: The first phonograph record was a recording of Thomas Edison speaking the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

Chapter 2: The Basics of Sound

* Introduces the fundamental properties of sound, such as pitch, loudness, and timbre.
* Real-world example: Pitch is determined by the frequency of sound waves, with higher frequencies resulting in higher pitches (e.g., a violin has a higher pitch than a double bass).

Chapter 3: The Recording Chain

* Describes the equipment and steps involved in recording sound, from microphones to mixers to amplifiers.
* Real-world example: A condenser microphone uses a capsule with charged conductive plates to capture sound waves.

Chapter 4: Microphone Techniques

* Explores various microphone techniques, such as placement and polar patterns, to achieve different sound effects.
* Real-world example: A cardioid microphone has a heart-shaped polar pattern, making it suitable for capturing a single source without picking up too much background noise.

Chapter 5: Mixing and Mastering

* Explains the processes of mixing (combining and balancing multiple sound sources) and mastering (finalizing the overall sound).
* Real-world example: Mixing involves adjusting the levels, EQ, and panning of individual tracks to create a cohesive soundscape.

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Sound Problems

* Identifies common sound problems and provides solutions for resolving them.
* Real-world example: A "muddy" mix can be caused by excessive low-end frequencies and can be corrected by using EQ to reduce them.

Chapter 7: The Art of Sound Design

* Discusses the creative use of sound to enhance film, television, and other media.
* Real-world example: Sound effects can be used to create atmosphere, build tension, or convey character emotions.

Chapter 8: The Future of Sound

* Explores emerging technologies and trends in the sound industry.
* Real-world example: Virtual reality and augmented reality are introducing new possibilities for immersive sound experiences.