This introductory reader presents 16 contributed essays arranged under three broad themes--historical approaches, theoretical approaches, and case studies--each section concluding with comments and commentaries by industry professionals and producers. A sampling of topics: professional recording and home recording from the 1920s to the 1950s; the changing role of the studio in the age of the internet; the conflict and connection of headphone mixes and multiple audioscapes; the place of the producer in the discourse of rock; and 50 years of music studios in revolutionary Cuba. Editors Simon Frith (music, U. of Edinburgh, UK) and Simon Zagorski-Thomas (London College of Music, U. of London, UK) have brought together an eclectic roster of authors, selecting from presentations made at Art of Record Production conferences held annually since 2005. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)