Do you produce music or want to get into music production? If so the below guides are for you! We look at a variety of beat making related subjects, from the right software to use, to mixing down and all in between.
Oberheim is one of several manufacturers that dominated the synthesizer soundscape of the 70s, 80s, and beyond. Its sound? Classic and immediately identifiable. To this day, Oberheim products (such as the OB-1, OB-X, and Matrix-6) are still very much sough-after, and often emulated by soft synth developers. In this guide, we look at the best…
As a prolific creator of high-quality VST plugins, Waves is near unmatched in their ability to pump out audio tools to help producers, composers, and songwriters everywhere. While their array of products doesn’t include every type of virtual effect or instrument, as you’re about to discover, they cover more ground than most developers ever do….
The free, open source, cross platform compatible audio recording and editing application, Audacity, is a go-to among podcasters. But some music producers like to experiment with it or even use it as their primary production tool as well. There is no denying that Audacity has its limitations, but support for various types of plugins (VST,…
Loopers. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their primary function is to repeat a segment of audio that can be used as a jam track, but DJs and producers alike have found plenty of other creative uses for them as well. Since there are many types of looper VST plugins out there,…
Interested in incorporating the sound of a whistle in your productions? There are many types of whistles out there, not to mention vocal whistles and even articulations (with specific instruments) that produce a whistle like quality. Here we’ll be looking at all of it. If a whistle is what you need, a whistle you shall…
FL Studio is one of the most popular Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for making electronic music. FL Studio has been blessed with some excellent synthesizers, channel rack and step sequencer, piano roll, and other great features that make it fun and easy to use, while providing a fast workflow for ideas to come together at…
The ukulele is a charming little instrument with a distinct, high-pitched, mellow tone. There’s little denying its presence and legacy in island music, but in recent years, it has even invaded singer-songwriter, pop, and of course, happy go lucky corporate videos. Capturing the sound of a stringed (and fretted) instrument and reducing it to a…
Whether you’re recording vocals for your new album, chatting with a record exec over Zoom, or live streaming to your thousands of adoring followers, nothing is quite as frustrating and embarrassing as a mic that’s a little too quiet for the occasion. Here are some proven fixes that can help you find the perfect settings…
The Blue Yeti is among one of the most popular microphones available, whether for Discord, live streaming, ASMR, gaming, podcasting, singing, or otherwise. Blue was especially clever in their marketing, leveraging relationships with2 influencers to get their message out to every corner of the internet. If you bought into the Yeti, you didn’t just buy…
Mixing requires an array of tools – EQs, compressors, reverbs, saturation, and more. Sure, your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) may already come with the essentials. But stock effects will only take you so far. If you’re looking to take your mixing game to the next level, it may be time to invest in a fresh…
Can’t seem to get rid of noise in one of your vocal tracks? Captured a perfect saxophone take that ended up with some unlistenable artifacts in it? Want to tame that heavily distorted guitar, even if just by a little? You’re not alone. While there aren’t any magic tricks you can perform to save great…
Additive synths are complex and sophisticated. Because of that, they’re often powerful, versatile, and even realistic sounding. But finding the right one isn’t just a matter of picking out the most expensive. From CPU usage to OS compatibility, you must be intentional in tracking down a synth that’s going to meet your specific needs. Not…
Nylon stringed acoustic guitars are used heavily in classical and Latin, even pop and R&B. Its sound is unmistakable. The nylon provides a mellow but articulate tone that adds beauty and emotion to every project. If you’re looking for a nylon guitar VST plugin, your options are somewhat limited, but there are a few good…
The harpsichord is a classic. It’s certainly a favorite among classical players, but it also found its way into 60s pop, rock, and psychedelia. And, of course, it’s used strategically in a variety of tracks in a variety of genres, even today. It may not be an absolute must-have, like a piano or a synthesizer,…
The vibraphone is an excellent instrument for classical and jazz music. That doesn’t mean you won’t occasionally hear it elsewhere too, though, like in pop, R&B, or progressive rock. Basically, if it’s a style of music requiring a mellow feel, the vibraphone totally fits the bill. While it might not be an instant go-to like…