A Creator's Practical Guide to Music Technology
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 194
Choose Your Format
Ebook
$65.00 USD
A Creator's Practical Guide to Music Technology is indispensable for today's media creator. The fundamentals of Audio, Video, Graphics, Publishing, Social Media, and Newer Technologies are the broad scope of knowledge at your fingertips. By using this reference anthology, you also have vast resources of deeper-dive links to broaden your knowledge and expertise with media formats and how to work with them. One key aspect is that with the fundamental information contained in Richard Keller's book, the use of AI models becomes a more productive experience! As we enter the Immersive Age, you will tap into a conceptual understanding of the transformation we are currently living in real time. Audio, Video, Graphics, and Text elements all work together. You can become a media "Creator" and realize your media projects. Use this first-edition, semi-conventional textbook that can be easily adapted to any high school or university fine arts department, and other media production learning environments.
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 Hardware and Software Systems Required for Music Technology and Multimedia Creation
Software and Hardware Relationships
Building Your Own Workstation Hardware and Software Purchase Strategy
Home Music Tech Recording and Editing Workstation Station
Hardware Device List: Many Choices and Options
Computing Devices
Windows Compatible Mobile OS: Android
Analog/Digital Workstation External Hardware (Recommended Minimum Requirements)
Software Applications Classifications and Capabilities for Music and Video Technology
Plugin Architecture
Software Authorization and License Basics
Troubleshooting Basics: When Something is not Working as You Expect it to!
Resources for VST Instruments and Digital Signal Processor Plugins
Chapter 2 Hardware Components and Connectivity
The Creator’s Hardware and Software Communication Standards and Protocols
A Creator’s Hardware Device List
Connectivity
Connection Diagram Flow Chart
Devices and Connections Overview
Device List With Links to Products and Specifications
Chapter 3 System Configuration: Connecting Software With Your Hardware
Testing Sound on Your Audio System
Your First Digital Audio Signal Test
DAW Settings
File Management
External Drives
Test Your Knowledge: Workstation Hardware and Software
Chapter 4 File Format Integration
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
XML (Extensible Markup Language)
Music Notation Application Export File Formats General Overview
Audio File Format Basics
Try a Simple Example 1
Applications Required
Formats to Be Generated
Notation Application Audio and MIDI Setup
Finished Project Folder
Chapter 5 Music: Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm
[Melody]
[Harmony]
[Rhythm]
What is a Song?
Length of a Song Section
The Lead Sheet
Resource Links for Writing Music, Pop Song MIDI Files and Lead Sheets
Test Your Knowledge: Music and Song Basics
Chapter 6 The DAW: A Music Production Software Solution
Which DAW Should You Choose?
DAW Functionality and Capabilities Overview
Toolbar and Tool List
Preferences and Settings to Connect Your DAW and the Workstation
Automation of Track, Instrument, and Signal Processor Parameters
Your First MIDI Recording
Try A Simple Example—Use the DAW of Your Choice
Avid Pro Tools DAW Overview
Transport
Track Types: Routing
Track List and Group List
Edit Window Docked Editors
Channel Component List: Top to Bottom (Pro Tools Type)
Test Your Knowledge: DAW Basics
Chapter 7 Sound Basics: Analog to Digital Audio
Chapter 8 Audio Interface Basics
[Two-Channel Stereo Audio Interface]
Additional Connectivity on Home Recording Audio Interfaces
Chapter 9 The Microphone, Monitor Speaker, DI Box, and Headphones
Audio Monitor Speakers
Speaker Basics
Speakers Position Geometry Diagram
Mixing Room Acoustic Isolation Treatment
Pop Filter
Reflection Filter
Mixing Room Acoustic Isolation Treatment
Test Your Knowledge: Audio and Sound Basics
Chapter 10 Recording Your First Audio Tracks
Computer Software
Chapter 11 Digital Audio Editing Basics
Chapter 12 Studio Calibration and DAW Mixing Components
System Calibration
Calibration Process
Set DAW Master Fade to “0”
Decibel Meter
Signal Flow
Signal Chain
Channel Strip
Example of Insert Reverb and Aux Send Reverb in Pro Tools
Gain and Volume
Sound and Signal Enhancement with Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Digital Signal Processing and Processor Types
Guitar Type Effects
Test Your Knowledge: Recording and Audio Track Basics
Chapter 13 Steps to Create an Audio and MIDI Song
Tools Needed
Preproduction Steps
Production Steps
Panning, and Track Usage, and Muting Example
Postproduction Mixing and Bouncing (Exporting) Your First Mix
Mix Resource Links
Useful Additional Bounces for Licensing and Production Music Use
Chapter 14 It’s In the Mix!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Mixing Basics
The Rough Mix
Panning: The Big Picture
Track Types and Panning Basics
EQ and Compression: Essential to Every Track
Equalization
Audio Compressor
Mixing Resource Links
Test Your Knowledge: DSP, Automation, and Mixing
Chapter 15 The Recording Process
Preproduction
Production
Postproduction
Mastering and File Preparation for Distribution
Mastering and Distribution Preparation Resource Links
Try a Simple Example: Create a Song from Start to Finish
Chapter 16 Immersive Audio
Surround Audio Versus Immersive
Listening to Immersive Audio With Stereo Headphones
Binaural Audio: Introduction
Definition
Binaural Audio Resources
Quad Audio Format
Ambisonic
Capsule Orientation (A-Format)
Conversion to B-Format (Core Ambisonics)
Ambisonics Resource Links
Dolby Atmos
Immersive 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Audio Mixing Requirements
Mixing in Dolby Atmos With Headphones From a Stereo Mixed Session
Steps
Dolby Atmos Output Formats
Immersive Audio Equipment and Information Resources
Chapter 17 Graphic Design and Imagery: Digital-Print-Video
Creating a Project Outline
Outline Example
Part A: Project Description and Contact Information
Part B: Media List, Description, Resolution and Specifications
Graphic Design Software Solutions
Digital Image Creation Software Interface Concepts
Typography Simple Guide to Organizing Your Presentation
Common Graphic Formats and Uses
The Interface
Chapter 18 Branding: The Creator’s Public Identity
Basic Requirements and Steps to Branding Yourself
Branding Resources
Try a Simple Example: Create a Brand and Logo
Chapter 19 Digital Video Fundamentals
Video Containers
Meta Data
Video Format Factors
Selected Video Resolution and Format Guide
Video File Size Comparison Chart: 1 Minute of Footage
Output Formats for Various Uses
Social Media Video Guide
Audio for Video Formats and Resolutions
Uncompressed Master File: High-Resolution PCM Audio for Video
Compressed Audio Formats for Video
Chapter 20 Video Capture
Camera Types: Which One Should I Invest In?
Chipsets
Planning and Important Considerations for Creating Your Video Shoots
Chapter 21 Video Editing
Create Project Folder and Assets Subfolders
New Project/Settings
Video Editor Interface: Common Panels
Rough Cut
Transitions
Clip Filters
Title
Audio Clips
Completed Video Project
Checklist
Export Video Project
Checklist
Import Video Project into DAW (Avid Pro Tools)
Checklist
Chapter 22 Project Management
Preproduction, Production, Postproduction, Release, Promotion, and Marketing
Preproduction Steps
Creating an Outline
Project Budget Spreadsheet
Product Manufacturing Resources
Chapter 23 Copyright, Royalties, Distribution, Marketing, and Monetization
Become a Registered Composer and Publisher
Metadata
Metadata Chart
Metadata Applications
Distribution
Popular Music Streaming Services
Top Social Media Websites
[YouTube]
Sync Licensing
Sync License Resource Link
Production Music Catalogs and Subscription Services
Publishing Contract Resource Link
Royalty Free Music
Royalty Free Music Resource Links
Music Business Resource Links
Chapter 24 Newer Technologies
Artificial Intelligence: A Part of Everyday Life
Current Suggested AI Platforms Online
Immersive Experiences: Virtual Reality and Beyond
Glossary
Rick Keller is a saxophone artist, producer, recording engineer, and educator with a career built at the intersection of music, technology, and business. Holding a B.A. in Jazz Saxophone Performance from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and an M.A. in Jazz Composition from UNLV, he has translated that academic foundation into real-world results — mixing records, building websites, composing and arranging. With his artistic sensibilities for VisualMedia and Music production Rick has launched ventures including Saxsonic Music publishing and brand, Moodbeat music production music catalog. And has produced video and music media projects as an Artist and in collaboration with other producers, composers and artists.
As an educator, Keller has created and taught curricula in music technology, saxophone performance, and composition for both high school and higher education programs, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at UNLV's Division of Jazz & Commercial Music — experience that pairs academic rigor with hands-on industry expertise.
That same versatility defines his career as a performing artist. Keller has built an international career spanning Munich, Germany, and Los Angeles, sharing stages with jazz greats like Billy Cobham and Zakir Hussain and performing in some of the world's most prestigious venues alongside top ten artists including Frankie Valli and Lady Gaga. He has appeared live on the Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy broadcasts, earned multiple Grammy nominations, a DownBeat Award, and a Nevada Arts Council grant, and released three solo artist albums — among them The Instigator, the subject of a short documentary he produced.
That combination of technical fluency, creative range, and teaching experience is distilled in his book, A Creator's Practical Guide to Music Technology — a body of work that bridges professional achievement with a genuine passion for developing the next generation of creators.