30 review for Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys and Techniques

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Brien – Jan 07, 2009

   The title sucks, as it doesn't represent how technical this book actually is. The author really knows his theory and the science behind synthesis. The title sucks, as it doesn't represent how technical this book actually is. The author really knows his theory and the science behind synthesis.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Felipe Silva – Mar 30, 2013

   "Dance music manual" is extremely essential if you're into music production! It gives you the foundation, so you can start producing your own musical content and knowing exactly what you're doing (not by trial and error). I strongly recommend it! "Dance music manual" is extremely essential if you're into music production! It gives you the foundation, so you can start producing your own musical content and knowing exactly what you're doing (not by trial and error). I strongly recommend it!

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Sach Singh – Nov 11, 2012

   A must-read for computer musicians.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Ethan – Aug 23, 2012

   This book has the lowest filler-to-content ratio of any reference book I have ever owned. This is not to say that every piece of information is usable to the average producer, especially one who is just starting out. Much much of the information in this book is related to specific genres or pieces of studio equipment, but even that is written succinctly and given enough context to make it interesting to a broader audience. The book was written in 2008, and by 2012 considering the volatility of t This book has the lowest filler-to-content ratio of any reference book I have ever owned. This is not to say that every piece of information is usable to the average producer, especially one who is just starting out. Much much of the information in this book is related to specific genres or pieces of studio equipment, but even that is written succinctly and given enough context to make it interesting to a broader audience. The book was written in 2008, and by 2012 considering the volatility of the medium, it is starting to show its age. Still, most of the info is based on techniques that can be adapted and recycled to accommodate newer trends (yes, by that I mean Dubstep). To be clear, this is a book on music production, not DJing. The subject of DJing is only discussed in brief and is not the primary topic of this book.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Velanche – Apr 19, 2013

   This is a pretty dense book, and sometimes the grammar leaves much to be desired. That said, it's a deep and comprehensive book on music production in general, and not just dance music. It might take some patience to digest, because you may have to read chapters several times before the concepts stick. Also helpful is the companion piece with files to accompany some of the chapters. This is a pretty dense book, and sometimes the grammar leaves much to be desired. That said, it's a deep and comprehensive book on music production in general, and not just dance music. It might take some patience to digest, because you may have to read chapters several times before the concepts stick. Also helpful is the companion piece with files to accompany some of the chapters.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Simon – May 31, 2013

   This has given me some great ideas for synth programming.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Aleksandar – Nov 15, 2020

   Excellent guide for electronic dance musicians that are just starting out. You'll learn everything you need to know on producing cookie cutter EDM tracks, which sets the foundation for branching out into original stuff later down the road, and going into more experimental waters (learn the rules so you know when to break them). Not all chapters will be relevant to everyone, so skim through what's most important and whatever you do make sure to pick up the latest edition, it makes a huge differen Excellent guide for electronic dance musicians that are just starting out. You'll learn everything you need to know on producing cookie cutter EDM tracks, which sets the foundation for branching out into original stuff later down the road, and going into more experimental waters (learn the rules so you know when to break them). Not all chapters will be relevant to everyone, so skim through what's most important and whatever you do make sure to pick up the latest edition, it makes a huge difference in this fast paced industry. The only thing I disliked about the book is the editing, particularly in the second half. Plenty of grammar mistakes and misplaced references as the chapters seem to have bounced around across edition. Still, not such a big problem that I need to remove a star.

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Bobu – Nov 25, 2018

   This might be a good choice for a first read if you want to start making dance music. It is an easy read as it does not go very deep and does not get very technical. However, this book really needs some revision, e.g. the chapter about compressors is kind of unprecise / wrong (explanations of threshold, attack and release times).

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Andrei_k – Apr 05, 2016

   Book is awfully written and greatly outdated. Many tips and tricks are whether well known today or don't generate much interest neither for professional EDM producers nor amateurs. Книга безнадёжна. Автор, судя по всему, застрял в 1990-х, если судить по его советам по продвижению своей музыки на "современной" поп-сцене. Что касается музыкальной части, то она написана ужасно: видимо, книга была издана в авторской редакции. Большинство советов носят рекомендательный характер в том смысле, что автор Book is awfully written and greatly outdated. Many tips and tricks are whether well known today or don't generate much interest neither for professional EDM producers nor amateurs. Книга безнадёжна. Автор, судя по всему, застрял в 1990-х, если судить по его советам по продвижению своей музыки на "современной" поп-сцене. Что касается музыкальной части, то она написана ужасно: видимо, книга была издана в авторской редакции. Большинство советов носят рекомендательный характер в том смысле, что автор книги просто пишет, что в этой области советы излишни, просто больше работайте и набирайтесь опыта. Гениально.

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Mohamed Zizo – May 26, 2016

    Learning about music production from the books may not be the most favored way, but if you decide to do so, then this is your thing!! This book is fully comprehensive with anything you need as a music producer (EDM in particularly), starting from basis of midi, synthesis, and music theory, all the way to publishing and promotion of your music. Hardly will you find a relevant topic not covered in this big one. A great manual to have an idea of how everything goes in the dance music business, whic Learning about music production from the books may not be the most favored way, but if you decide to do so, then this is your thing!! This book is fully comprehensive with anything you need as a music producer (EDM in particularly), starting from basis of midi, synthesis, and music theory, all the way to publishing and promotion of your music. Hardly will you find a relevant topic not covered in this big one. A great manual to have an idea of how everything goes in the dance music business, which is not only from a producer's side!!

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Ty Myers – Dec 08, 2011

    A bit basic so far, but appears promising.

12. 

    5 out of 5

    5 Track – Feb 08, 2016

    One of if not the most useful book[s] I've ever read on recording & mixing of any kind. One of if not the most useful book[s] I've ever read on recording & mixing of any kind.

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Michael Balynas –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Steffen –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Abraham Rowley –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Ricky –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Wes Winder –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Jamie –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Evgeni Atanasov –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Yury M. Popov –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Gerardo Lopez –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Toms Jensen –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Jayaprakash –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Alison –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Bo Blount –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Bradley Thomas Haynes –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Jesriv –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Mohamed Waheed –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    richard elia –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Doug Lewis –