There are plenty of classic synths, be it the Yamaha DX7, Korg M1, or Sequential Prophet-5. But the Roland JUNO-106 analog polysynth (and its various iterations) still stands as one of the most popular, thanks to its programmability and great sound. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, then, that there are plenty of…
Blood curdling, skull crushing, floor thumping, wall of sound guitar tones. It’s what every self-respecting metal guitarist wants. To achieve these tones, there are certain tricks of the trade that need to be mastered. But having the right tools never hurt anyone. And it is possible to do it all with digital gear alone. So,…
Creating more separation and isolation in your mix allows every track to “breathe” and “sit” better. To achieve these ends, though, you need to be taking advantage of the right tools. A noise gate may not hold the allure of a compression, for example, but it tends to play an important role in the mixing…
From normalizing dynamics and adding dirt and grit to vocal tracks, to making guitars cut and “gluing” drums together, compressors serve a variety of key functions in the mixing and mastering phase. Ask any producer, and they will probably tell you that they can’t live without compression. That makes compressors highly desirable, especially plugins that…
You’ve probably heard of 30 Day Singer. You may have even checked out some of their content to see whether their program is right for you. But the question remains – does 30 Day Singer really work? Does it deliver on its promise? Can you improve as a singer in just 30 days? It seems…
If someone can sing well, it must be because they’re naturally gifted, right? The truth of the matter is that there’s more to singing well than you might think, and talent alone will not determine how far you make it as a vocalist. So, in this guide, we’ll explore whether singing is a talent or…
Music is made up of rhythm, melody, and harmony. And while rhythm isn’t the domain of any one instrument specifically, it’s fair to say that drums and percussion are what immediately come to mind for most. Drums help you feel the song. They hold down the rhythmic foundation. They play a vital role in keeping…
Video game music has evolved a great deal with technology, to the point where major releases often play host to full orchestral scores or a string of top 40 hits. But it wasn’t always that way. In the early days, video game music had its own primitive esthetic, mainly due to software and hardware limitations….
Mastering is like the cherry on top of the mix cake. From compressing and limiting to EQ and stereo widening, sometimes the last-minute touchups mean everything for a track. To be able to master effectively, though, you need the right tools. Just as a carpenter wouldn’t drive to work without his toolbox, a mastering engineer…
Polishing a mix is a process. And while the general steps are known, the specific change from mix, to mix, based on the genre, the preferences of the artist or producer, and the tools available. One tool that every mixer and producer should have at the ready, though, is a de-esser. It may not be…
The organ features a timeless sound. From religious works in the church, all the way to modern day pop and EDM, the organ can be an amazing supporting and lead instrument in virtually any genre of music. Though you may not use it in every song, you don’t want to be caught without a competent…
TikTok is positively addicting. And in the age of social media, the popularity of dancing has found new plateaus. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is learning choreography, just so they can make their own TikTok videos and share them with the world. It was practically an obsession during COVID lockdowns, and it remains a strong…
Making a new hip-hop beat often consists of digging endlessly for fire samples. And while that is a valid approach, these days, there are dozens of powerful tools that can help you make more compelling rhythms, come up with melodies and hooks, and create a lush musical bed for your dope rhymes faster. In this…
Conventional wisdom says that, if you’re going to learn the violin, you’d better go the classical route. Get proper training. Learn the right technique. Play the works of master composers. All else is not as useful for one’s tutelage. This perspective is valuable, but many teachers and students alike are starting to figure out that…
Looking for easy bass songs to play? We’ve got you covered! Here are dozens of great songs for beginners to study and add to their repertoire. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana In a time when hair metal bands were being mass manufactured by the dozens, and the cheesy power ballads were starting to wear…