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…
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…
The Roland JUPITER-8 is practically a poster child of the 80s. This polysynth originally exploded onto the market in 1981, and to this day, it remains one of the most sought-after synthesizers for pop, rock, electronic, scoring, cinematic, synthwave, and a great deal more. Its iconic tones are a practical must-have for producers, songwriters, and…
A multiband compressor is basically a group of multiple compressors, with each operating on distinct sections of the audio spectrum. Multiband compression offers considerably more flexibility than your average compressor, but because you need to be intentional about the frequencies you want to compress (and how), it’s also considered more advanced and difficult to control….
Woodwinds are an absolute essential in classical and orchestral music. But they also add a whimsical vibe to jazz or folk. If you’re trying to hunt down the right woodwind VST plugin, it means you’re probably looking for something specific. You might be interested in scoring a film, or you might even be looking to…
From video game music to EDM to dub to prog rock, glitchy sound effects can end up working in a variety of genres and musical situations. How are these effects achieved? Oftentimes, in the past, they were created by using effects and processing gear in unintended ways or by pushing settings to extreme. But nowadays,…
What do you do when you want to add some movement to your tracks? Naturally, there are many ways of going about solving this problem, but modulation is generally a go-to for adding sonic interest to your projects. Phaser is a popular effect for guitars, synths, and more, as it can add character, texture, and…
Often found in classical and traditional music, the harp is a delicate and gentle instrument. It’s great for quieter, subtler, emotional melodies, and even accompaniment. You can, of course, take it to the other extreme. If utilized correctly, harps can also be great for unsettling, mysterious, and dark music as well. If you plan to…
Generally, you need to pay for the best plugins. But the cost can add up fast, especially if you’re planning to purchase all the essentials like EQ, reverb, compression, and more. The good news is that cheap VST plugins aren’t too hard to find. And while they can’t necessarily compete with higher priced plugins, they…