The Multi-Track to the Mind: An Analysis of Studio Production Techniques

How does recorded music make us feel? What sort of recording tools can an audio engineer use for different genres in order to achieve the sounds that index a specific style of music? This paper examines the emotional impact of various contemporary recording and production techniques on the listener, and explores different practical approaches to the recording process. Firstly, I will discuss the principles of recording and how a song moves from the writer to the final mix, which will illuminate how an audio engineer makes different choices during the entire creative process. Through technical and affective analysis, I will draw connections between the concrete actions of an engineer to the emotional response of the listener. I will offer several industry examples and examine specific engineers’ approaches to the recording process. How do recording engineers approach different genres and how do they make key decisions such as microphone type and placement? I will also present data from my own research in order to draw concrete conclusions about how practices and techniques translate to listener perception. Ultimately, I hope to explore the world of modern-day musical recording through the lens of emotional affect.