The internet is filled with great information, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to just read a book on the subject. Here are our favorite book on music production. These books are the best of the best when it comes to recording, mixing, and producing.

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio

Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio has been described as “the best resource on mixing hands down,” and I completely agree. Written by Mike Senior, the man behind Mix Rescue over at SOS, the book is fun to read, and contains a wealth of information on how to make your mixes sound better.

Not only does Mike discuss various audio tools, he always gives great examples on how to actually use them in the context of a mix. Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio is a must-have reference for engineers of all levels.

Apple Pro Training Series — Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X is Apple’s latest revision of the second most popular DAW in the world. Tons of producers and engineers use Logic Pro X, and the Apple Pro Training Series is a great in-depth look at the capabilities of the software.

While Logic Pro X is a very intuitive piece of software, there are so many advanced functions and features that are impossible to find without knowing about them. This book will make you an expert on Logic Pro X, and best of all, it’s not a boring read.

Click here for the Apple Pro Training Series book for Logic Pro 9.

Electronic Music and Sound Design

If you’ve never heard about Max MSP, it’s time to change that! Max MSP is a visual programming language specifically designed for musicians. It lets you build complex patches, processors, and environments without having to write a single line of code. It’s a very powerful tool that will set you apart in the crowded world of music production.

Electronic Music and Sound Design is written as a real-world guide for Max MSP. Volume 1 talks about synthesizer basics, while Volume 2 goes in-depth into everything you can do with Max MSP. These two books along with the extensive Max documentation is all you’ll need to achieve a good understanding of the language.

Ableton Live 9 Power!

Ableton Live is super popular for realtime music creation. With its extensive looping capabilities, it’s become a favorite among the music production community. Ableton Live 9 Power! will teach you everything you need to know to become an Ableton Live power user.

The book also comes with some great downloadable content that illustrates many of the concepts discussed in the book. It’s often been described as being more useful than Ableton’s own documentation, so be sure to pick this book up if you want to know everything about Live 9.

Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory

As a music producer myself, I know how important a good foundation in music theory is. There is absolutely no reason why any serious producer or engineer shouldn’t know the basics about music.

Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory is a great starter book that discusses all the basic concepts you’ll need to know. The book also comes with many practical and listening exercises that will help you reinforce the information. A deeper understanding of music theory will only improve the quality if your work, so don’t delay anymore!