Recording Engineering Blog
Practical Recording Techniques for Better Sound
Every great recording begins long before the mix. Microphone placement, room acoustics, instrument balance, session preparation, and engineering decisions all shape the final record.
This blog shares practical recording techniques, studio workflows, microphone strategies, and lessons learned from more than four decades recording legendary artists, live musicians, vocalists, rhythm sections, horns, strings, choirs, and full ensembles.
Whether you’re an artist, producer, engineer, or studio owner, every article is designed to help you capture recordings with greater clarity, depth, emotion, and musical impact.
What You'll Find on the Recording Engineering Blog
Every article is written from real-world recording sessions and more than four decades of professional studio experience.
Topics include:
✅ Recording live musicians
✅ Microphone placement and studio workflow
✅ Mixing techniques and production philosophy
✅ Dolby Atmos recording and immersive audio
✅ Studio equipment and workflow optimization
✅ Music production insights from legendary recording sessions
👉 Learn. Apply. Create better recordings.
Latest Articles
Ralph Sutton | Norman Connors’ Longtime Recording Engineer (1980s–2000s) | Former Motown Staff Engineer
Former Motown Hitsville Staff Engineer & Norman Connors Recording Engineer Some engineers chase trends. Others are shaped inside institutions where excellence was not optional. Ralph Sutton Norman Connors, recording engineer and former Motown Hitsville staff engineer, began his professional recording career as a staff engineer at Motown Hitsville Los Angeles
“Why Stereo Mixes Fail in Dolby Atmos (and How to Fix Them)”
Why Stereo Mixes Fail in Dolby Atmos (and How to Fix Them) For decades, stereo has been the standard for music mixing. Engineers know how to make instruments sit left, right, or center, and a great stereo mix can sound incredible. But here’s the hard truth: a stereo mindset is
Recording and Mixing for Dolby Atmos: The Definitive Guide
Recording and Mixing for Dolby Atmos: The Definitive Guide By Ralph Sutton, Elite Recording & Mixing Engineer Welcome to the Future of Sound: Dolby Atmos Recording & Mixing Something powerful is happening in the world of recorded music, and it’s not just another plugin, streaming platform, or viral TikTok trend.
Stereo Is Not Dead: When NOT to Record for Dolby Atmos
🎹 Stereo Is Not Dead: When NOT to Record for Dolby Atmos Why stereo still matters and when immersive audio makes sense, especially for live Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Soul recordings. 🔁 Intro: The Atmos Wave Meets the Artist’s Reality Dolby Atmos is everywhere. It’s being promoted on Apple Music,
How to Prep a Session for Dolby Atmos: A Guide for Artists and Producers
How to Prep a Session for Dolby Atmos: A Guide for Artists and Producers 🎙️ From the Studio Desk of Ralph Sutton Dolby Atmos isn’t the future; it’s now. Whether you’re an indie artist, producer, or running a small label, you’re already feeling the shift. Spatial audio is no longer
Dolby Atmos for Music: Recording & Mixing Guide for Engineers
Dolby Atmos for Music: Recording & Mixing Guide for Engineers Dolby Atmos is no longer the future; it’s the now of music production. From major streaming platforms like Apple Music and Tidal to cutting-edge studio sessions worldwide, Atmos has become the new benchmark for immersive sound. But to fully unlock
Featured Recording Resource Published by Ujamaa Media
Go Deeper Into the Recording Process
Individual articles can address specific recording problems. The Ultimate Guide to Recording Live Musicians in the Studio brings Ralph Sutton’s complete source-focused approach together in one practical resource.
About the Author
Ralph Sutton is a recording and mixing engineer whose career spans more than four decades. He served as Staff Engineer at Motown Hitsville Los Angeles and later as Chief Engineer at Stevie Wonder’s Wonderland Studios, while also engineering and mixing sessions at Record Plant Los Angeles, Capitol Recording Studios, and other renowned recording facilities.
Throughout his career, Ralph has worked alongside legendary artists, producers, arrangers, and musicians, contributing to Grammy-recognized recordings, Gold and Platinum projects, and recordings that continue to influence generations of listeners. His experience spans recording live rhythm sections, vocalists, horns, strings, choirs, orchestras, and full-band productions across R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Pop.
Through the Recording Engineering Blog, Ralph shares practical recording techniques, studio workflow, microphone strategies, production philosophy, and lessons learned from thousands of professional recording sessions. Every article is written with one objective: helping artists, producers, engineers, and musicians create recordings with greater clarity, depth, emotion, and musical impact.
👉 Learn. Apply. Create better recordings.
