Joe Albano

Joe Albano

Joe is a musician, engineer, and producer in NYC. Over the years, as a small studio operator and freelance engineer, he's made recordings of all types from music & album production to v/o & post. He's also taught all aspects of recording and music technology at several NY audio schools, and has been writing articles for Recording magazine for many years.

Articles by Joe Albano

/ 319 Articles

4 Mistakes to Avoid for Vocal Production

In this article Joe Albano explores the potential pitfalls producers should be aware of when recording and producing vocals. Essential reading to help your vocals sounds as good as possible.

7 of the Best Pre Amps for Recording Engineers & Producers

The key to getting a good recording is not only dependent on the microphone you use. The preamp can have a major impact too. Here's seven of the best mic pre's for recording musicians and engineers.

5 Mistakes to Avoid For The One-Man Band / Solo Producer

As music making tools become more accessible, it's easier than ever to ditch the band and record and produce an album by yourself. Here are 5 pitfalls to avoid when doing solo.

Mixing Concepts: What Is Dynamics & Why You Should Care

If you use a compressor plug-in you're already manipulating the dynamics of a sound or the mix. In this enlightening long-read tutorial, Joe Albano explains exactly what dynamics is and more.

Review: Fluid Audio FPX7 Monitors

Fluid Audio's latest monitor, the FPX7, combines a 7' woofer with its AMT ribbon tweeter in a coaxial design, for a good-sounding console-top speaker at a reasonable price. Let's take a closer look.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Mixing Drums & Percussion

A good drum mix can make the difference between a good track and successful track. In this tutorial, Joe Albano shares four timeless tips to help you achieve a better drums and percussion mix.

4 Tips For Mixing With Gate & Expander Plug-Ins

With all the attention lavished on both the technical and creative uses for compression in the studio, we sometimes forget about the other kind of dynamics processor'"the Gate/Expander. Here's 4 tips.

Understanding Plug-In Delay Compensation

Latency. The bane of every recording musician and producer. But it doesn't have to be a battle when adding plug-ins like delay and reverb that add latency thanks to as plug-in delay compensation.

Getting Started With Logic Pro X's Smart Controls

Logic X's Smart Controls provide a tremendous customizable interface that mean you no longer need to have multiple plug-ins open to control them. But they do a whole lot more as Joe Albano explains.

Producer Tips: Transient Design Using Transient Shaper Plug-Ins

If you use dynamics processors for corrective or functional purposes only you might be missing out on their creative use to control transients. Joe Albano is show you how to tame those dynamics now.

Everything You Need To Know About MIDI Messages But Were Afraid To Ask

MIDI. There's a lot of musicians and producers who don't know how to use this protocol to improve their musical performances and add more expression to their instruments. Let's take a closer look.

An Overview Of Logic Pro X's Powerful Synths

Logic Pro X comes with a substantial collection of virtual synths'"from basic, traditional analog and digital models, to big, powerful kitchen-sink instruments that employ cutting-edge technologies.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Mixing Vocals

When it comes to mixing vocals, the devil is in the details'"here are 5 mistakes to avoid when blending vocal tracks into an arrangement.

Review: Waves BSS DPR-402

Based on its hardware namesake from the 1980s, Waves have resurrected the DPR-402 dynamics processor as software. Does the plug-in keep the punchy compression character and versatility? Find out here.

5 Live Recording Mistakes To Avoid

Live recording'"especially multitrack live recording'"can present its own particular set of challenges, over and above the ones we normally face in the studio. Here's 5 live recording mistakes to avoid.