Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 110
Trim: 8¾ x 11¼
979-8-8818-0049-9 • Hardback • August 2024 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
979-8-8818-0050-5 • Paperback • August 2024 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
979-8-8818-0051-2 • eBook • August 2024 • $30.00 • (£25.00)
Josh Ottum is professor of commercial music at Bakersfield College. He holds an MFA in integrated composition improvisation and technology from UC Irvine and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary arts from Ohio University. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and performer, he has released several records, toured throughout Europe and the United States, and has music featured in multiple television and radio programs.
Chapters
Introduction
- Basics of Music Technology
Microphones
Microphone Stand
Cables
Audio Interface & Preamp Basics
Synthesizers
Compression
Equalization (EQ)
Miscellaneous
Discussion Questions
- Songwriting
Daily Practice
Basics of Diatonic Harmony
Chord Progressions
Major and Minor Triads
Song Form
Narrative Devices
Modes
Experimentation
Exercises That Have Worked for Me
Discussion Questions
- Sound Design & Synthesis
Oscillator & Waveforms
Envelope Generator
Low-Frequency Oscillator
Filters
Basics of MIDI
Sound & Picture
Podcast Basics
Synthesizers
Discussion Questions
- Live Sound
Wrap a Cable
Common Cables
Microphones
Components of a Basic PA System
Gain Staging
Filters, EQ, Monitor Mix
Subtractive Thinking
Live Sound Employment
Discussion Questions
- Recording Techniques
Microphone Type
Microphone Technique
Polar Patterns
Signal Processors
Instrument-Specific Recording Techniques
Mixing a Song
Gain Staging in the Studio
Filters & EQ in the Studio
Discussion Questions
- Creative Careers
Creative Practice
Relationships
The Story
Audience
Marketing
Exposure
Money
Thoughts on a Music Career
Discussion Questions
- Project Generator
Project Calendar
Idea Cloud
Notes
Selected Resources
About the Author
Sound Foundations is a demystifying and door-opening force for curious musicians. It invites you to write some songs, record them, play them live, and do it all over again. Josh Ottum is the perfect creative companion—honest, inspiring, and inventive every step of the way. We love having this book on the shelf and available to students and teachers at our music school.
— Brendan Bosworth, founder, Meter Music School
Josh Ottum's book lays out basic musical concepts in an easy to understand and intuitive way and steers the reader towards individuality and creative expression. Well done!
— James McAlister, musician, composer, and producer (Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The National)
Sound Foundations is a valuable resource for those interested in exploring contemporary audio and creative music fields. Ithelps demystify music technology gear and terminology and answers those questions one is too afraid to ask.
— Kevin Zhang, assistant professor of music theory and composition, California State University, San Bernardino