10 Unspoken Rules of Audio Engineering

Wanna work in a recording studio? Make sure you know this...

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MY FAVORITE GEAR:

Computer / Interface:

Monitors / Headphones:

Microphones:

Preamps/Outboard:

Favorite Plugins:

Instruments / Amps:

[rustatum]

Rule #8 has some caveats: Yes, do have all mics and stands ready for whatever specific session you have, but remember, setting up the instruments properly, tuning, and mic placement IS audio engineering. Knowing mic placement is a much more unique skill than sitting in the control room and pressing record, so you need to get paid for this. Some clients think they shouldn't have to pay for mic set up, and that is just wrong.

[Durkhead]

If you dont know which mic to use just hand them an sm57

[JAHDUBProductions]

I'm glad then that the studio is mine and i work alone. I'll get my own coffee and I'm not a caterer. Music is my release, not my stress.

[jonvincentmusic]

Gee I’m sure glad I got a job that doesn’t treat it’s lower grade staff as subhuman.

[kelvinfunkner]

I loved the one about not using pirated software. Aside from the fact that everything just runs better, it's just plain respectful towards the people that are keeping us in business by releasing great plugins! And good on you for saying the quiet stuff out loud!

[MattPicsET]

3:10 THIS ONE. I was in a studio once, and the in-house ‘producer’ asked for a vocal on the spot when we were initially only booked for synth and guitar production. I was dehydrated, hadn’t eaten all day, and I was still hoarse from performing that weekend. But I wanted to give the producer what he wanted, so I agreed. I went into a separate booth and warmed up my voice gently for 20 minutes while they prepared a few microphones for a shootout. When I came into the live room and finished the shootout, it still took them another 55 minutes just to get the microphone set up, and I kept losing signal in my headphones. The whole fiasco derailed the entire project. They weren’t ready, and I wasn’t in any condition vocally to deliver the take we were hoping for. The next morning the producer wanted to finish vocals, but the engineer insisted that we finish production (which was what we had all agreed on before the session) because this was the last day my hardware synths would be in the studio. So yet again we were waiting for nearly an hour as they patched up the synths again. The engineer ran into a hiccup with the midi on ProTools and he literally started browsing YouTube on his phone trying to solve it, and it ate up another 20 minutes of studio time. I ended up getting laryngitis because of everything and had to cancel a few shows until I recovered. I lost thousands of dollars as a result, and the project is still on the shelf. Never make your artist wait for you to set up gear, and better yet, always stick to your plan.

[SebSpeaks]

A couple of these rules are disheartening and remind me why I chose to chart a different course in life 30 years ago. Rule #2 here is the antithesis of how leadership should act in a team environment. High performing teams are led by people who welcome input from anyone at any level of the food chain. We may not always run with your idea, but the willingness to express it builds confidence in people. #5 is just absolutely demoralizing. Always find something to praise in each of your direct reports, no matter how small or insignificant to the overall success of the organization. I can't imagine what it takes for someone to go for months, perhaps years without receiving praise and still decide to forge on. It's like a bad marriage where one is hen pecked on a daily basis by their "loved one" while still expected to put the toilet seat down, or else. It's not about wanting to be in the spotlight or ego, it's about treating others well and leaders building people up so they are prepared for future challenges. I do agree wholeheartedly with #10 though.

[JacobraRecords]

@3:25 this needs a huge disclaimer. Shooting out vocals mics on a singer to find the right one for their voice is CRUCIAL.

[Stig]

Doing free grunt work for a bigger studio was the best job I've ever had

[dlinemusic]

All of the behind the scenes stuff resonates with me in a big way, and I'm not even a professional producer lol. That advice applies in so many fields. Awesome video, Jordan.

[gaz]

Never had a problem expressing my opinion. In fact it has helped me learn and those around me by opening up a conversation about what would get the best results and why.
As long as it's done with the right attitude and respect to other peoples position etc it has never been an issue.

[ytnsanw]

Love number 7. No excuse, especially these days when the market is so competitive and there's so much reasonably priced top-notch software available.

[MrLaserdaze]

My mentor when I was starting out taught me many of these rules, so thankfully for me, not all of them were unspoken, but these rules are really super advice you're giving. Thanks for your videos. You've created a good channel with valuable lessons and good information to reference.

[ccstudio]

Solid advice! I've been learning along the way, but did realize a few of the things you mentioned. Stay out of the way, be available, and keep your mouth shut unless asked something.

[heyiplaybassguitar]

This was a great video! Thanks for the knowledge as always, Jordan!

[ZoranImsiragic]

I'm not much involved in a music production, but I'm pretty experienced in graphic production. I can relate to what you said, and it is really useful and applicable across the whole range of production jobs. You deliver it directly, precisely, and simple for everyone to understand. Great!😊

[iandickson]

Great advice!!! Not just for audio engineers, but for any profession (with a few tech term substitutions). You perfectly describe the guy/gal that everyone wants on their team. Thanks.😀🎵

[mex]

10/10 tips you’re learning working in studio. Can approve all of them. Thanks for sharing. 💯

[thrashzone]

Usually if your working for a professional studio for 8 and 9 you should be given a mic list with and patches you need to make for external processing in advanced and also it doesn’t matter how good you set up mics on something the producer or head engineer gets last touch on the placement. Most importantly l, be cool. Sounds simple but you’d be surprised. Great list!

[flaviozarza]

This video is gold!! Thank u so much for sharing ur experience & knowledges.
Regards from Bcn!
🤘🏼