A&R reps at labels used to develop artists, then managers, now producers end up with the job, soon it’ll be up to the shrink. But I’m seeing a lot of great musicians take matters into their own hands and successfully defining their own careers. If you want to get into this racket, that’s what you have to do.

Cameron Mizell – Music Industry 2009 Wrap-Up

Carl Beatty, a veteran engineer and Professor of Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music, discusses how the era of digital recording, with its presets, wizards and unlimited tracks, encourages novice engineers and producers to get lazy about capturing performances that are musical and tight enough for the final mix. He also describes how people who are serious about their recording careers can re-visit the studio techniques of the analog age to learn some recording best practices that work equally well in an analog studio as on a home ProTools setup.

This book offers brilliant straight-to-the-point wisdom on creativity. It’s divided into 38 simple ideas – here are some of my favourites:

1.   Ignore everybody.

2.   The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3.   Put the hours in.

4.   If your business plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5.   You are responsible for your own experience.

6.   Everyone is born creative.

7.   Keep your day job.

10. The more talented someone is, the less they need props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

19. Sing in your own voice.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

31. Remain frugal.

You can read more here.

Moleskine Art – Something Meaningful

I like to keep things simple–one lead in from the guitar, one lead out to the amp and another lead to power it all. It also had to be compact, light and within budget.

I finished the pedalboard last night and I’m amazed with the end result.

Here it is in action with my vintage 1970′s Fender Vibro Champ. My Les Paul sounds unbelievable through this! I’ve been rockin out all morning on this new rig!

If anyone’s interested in building this, I got the power supply here and the pedalboard case here. All in, this cost just £65.

James’s obsession with Audio Engineering (and checked shirts) started at an early age

I’ve gotta make a fridge like this when I move into the best apartment ever.