Before making albums in people’s bedroom was the norm, record deals were the only way to get your music out there. A label provided the budget for recording, marketing, printing, and distributing copies of an album to consumers. Today, digital…
AKG C214 Review | Condensers Under $500
The C214 is a fixed-cardioid large-diaphragm condenser microphone. It shares many of the same qualities that have made the C414 a studio staple for decades. In this AKG C214 review, we’ll highlight its specs, compare it to popular competition, and…
Mixing Fusion Rock, HYBRID Style! With Marc Daniel Nelson
Achieve Unparalleled Power, Space & Energy In Your Rock Mixes Check out Marcs Course Here (Now for $20 OFF) I've got some exciting news for you. I recently had the pleasure of working with the incredibly talented 'Future Self' also…
EVE Audio SC305 vs SC307: Three-Way Active Monitor Showdown
Unsure which EVE midfield monitor is right for you? We’re looking at the EVE Audio SC305 vs SC307 and comparing their similarities and differences. EVE Audio Is a Relative Newcomer Making a Big Name for Themselves Berlin-based EVE Audio was…
When to Use Serial Processing vs Parallel Processing
Serial processing and parallel processing are two common techniques mixers use everyday. We’ll examine the differences between the two, and cover some basic scenarios where you’d want to employ one or the other. What is serial processing? Serial processing is…
Recording with the Greatest Mics Ever Made? – Universal Audio Sphere Microphone Review
The Universal Audio Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone is a game-changer for recording professionals. This microphone combines the warmth and character of vintage microphones with the versatility and precision of modern technology. Scroll down to enter to WIN the Universal Audio…
Shure SM7B Review | Makers of Legendary Mics
Shure microphones are ubiquitous. Think of any of the most dependable, affordable, and awesome sounding mics, and Shure is definitely on that list. Consider the SM57, for example, which continues to be one of the most widely used microphones of…
Psychedelia on Tape: How Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” Captured Psychedelia in Song
Written by Caitlin Vaughn Carlos In the Summer of 1967, San Francisco found itself in the midst of a cultural revolution – the Summer of Love - as thousands of young people with similar social, cultural, and artistic values all…
Acoustic Guitar and Vocal Recording Tips: How to Nail Your Takes
If you’ve spent any significant amount of time experimenting with recording on a professional or just a hobbyist level, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to capture a singer-songwriter before. In today’s world of modern digital recording, our natural…
Hooktheory Hookpad Review: The Ultimate Musical Sketchpad
As we all know, songwriting isn’t easy—if it was, everyone would be doing it. We can have ideas in our head, but sometimes translating those through our instrument(s) and into our DAW becomes tedious and uninspiring. Sometimes we’ll sit down…
Finding the Best Guitar Capo (For Acoustic & Electric)
As you become more and more invested in playing guitar, you’ll find that the capo is one of those inexpensive accessories with a major impact on the instrument’s sound. Everyone should own one, even if it’s just to experiment with…
Do You Need a Portable Vocal Booth?
Portable vocal booths cater to home studio enthusiasts looking to isolate their recordings. Having too many room reflections is one of the biggest problems of recording at home. Apart from sounding echoey, untreated reflections also produce comb filtering for a…
The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’ with the Tascam Model 24 (Rock Cover)
We've been asked to demo this one A LOT! We recently saw the Tascam Model 24 in action with a recording performed by Unsung, a talented group of musicians with fantastic energy! In a recent recording session, the band decided…
Bluebird SL Condenser Mic Review
The Bluebird SL by BLUE Microphones is a low-cost, all-around condenser that’s suitable for a range of applications. We’ll take a look at whether you should add one to your mic locker! The Bluebird SL cardioid condenser microphone is a…
Interview with Grammy-Winning Producer and Mixer David Bottrill – Part 1
\ As a three-time Grammy award-winning producer and mixer, it's clear that diversity is at the heart of David Bottrill's impressive discography. With a diverse range of artists including Peter Gabriel, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Muse, Silverchair, Staind, and Rush, David's…
The 12 Best MIDI Controllers for Music Production in 2024
Wondering which is the best MIDI controller for you? Take your pick from 12 of the top choices, whether you’re after a portable 25-note controller for production on-the-go, or a full-sized keyboard for ultimate playability. What Is MIDI? MIDI is…
Best Resources for Drum Loops in 2023
Drum loops are a quick and easy way to set up the foundation of a song. We’re lucky to have so many ways to chop up loops and samples, so they can actually become an integral part of any production…
Friedman Pink Taco Review: An Updated Take on a Classic Combo
Tone connoisseurs know all about the critically acclaimed amps by Friedman. For over 25 years, amp builder, modifier, and repairer, Dave Friedman, has helped cultivate the sounds of such legendary guitarists as Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens, and Jerry Cantrell.…
Here Are the Best Ways to Make Money in Music in 2023
The music industry’s landscape has changed pretty dramatically over the last 15 years. Whether you’re in a band or a solo artist, or working behind the scenes in music production or the music business, the industry has evolved and continues…
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Review: The Headphones Studio Professionals Swear By
In this Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review, we’ll take a look at one the industry’s enduring pairs of iconic headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones Are a Studio Workhorse Beyerdysweenamic has a been a manufacturer of professional audio equipment…
Exploring The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Welcome to The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, where some of the biggest names in the music industry have come to record their hits. From Spoon to Big Thief to The Black Keys, this world-renowned recording space has seen it all.…
The Best Mobile Music Production Apps in 2023
Musicians’ creativity doesn’t come to a halt when they’re on the road. In a perfect world, we’d all have access to the comfort of our home studios 24/7, efficiently churning out music as often as we’d like. But whether you’re…
The Best USB Audio Interfaces For $100 or Less in 2023
Some time ago, we took a look at the best USB audio interfaces for home studios on a budget. The idea behind the list was to compile some of most tried-and-true interfaces for the home recorder likely needing no more…
Songs That Changed Music: Fire and Rain
James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and the Dawn Laurel Canyon Singer-Songwriters Written by Caitlin Vaughn Carlos The start of the seventies was an incredible time of powerful songwriting and self-expression. This was epitomized in the talents of a group of…
Loopcloud 6.0 Review: Changing the Way You Produce Music
Electronic music production has exploded over the past several years. More than ever before, non-instrumentalists are getting into music-making using just their laptops, DAW, and a selection of royalty-free samples. Loopcloud is a provider of over 4 million loops and…
Neural DSP Quad Cortex: Next Generation Modeling
The Neural DSP Quad Cortex is the most hyped piece of gear for guitarists right now. Neural have already garnered praise for their high-quality plugins, and their first foray into hardware appears to be a game-changer. Neural DSP Quad Cortex…
Output Exhale Review | Vocal VST
Output Exhale has been out for some time now, but it’s no less relevant than it was at release. Catering to today’s modern producers who want heavily stylized vocals in their productions, Exhale is a virtual instrument full of rich…
Recording & Mixing Jazz Fusion From Start To Finish – Hybrid Setup
Today I am so excited to be sharing this beautiful Jazz Fusion recording! With Michael Humphries on Guitar, Jesus Molina on the Keys, Joe Cleveland playing Bass, and Payge Cooper on Drums, they created a Jazz masterpiece! What is Jazz Fusion? A…
The Best Earplugs for Musicians: Protecting Your Greatest Asset
It should go without saying that a musician, engineer, or producer’s greatest asset is his or her hearing. We rely on it for quite literally everything we do related to music, from gathering inspiration to writing, recording, and mixing. The…
Happy New Year! – Download Over 50 Sets Of Multitracks For FREE
Happy New Year everyone! We want to thank you all so much for being such an incredible community! Thank you for all the support you've shown each other and for making this community such a wonderful thing to be a…
Spectrasonics Keyscape Review
Spectrasonics Keyscape is a virtual instrument featuring an extensive set of ‘collector keyboards.’ Everything from iconic pianos to more obscure instruments were sampled to create this expansive collection. Spectrasonics Keyscape: A Studio Must-Have? Keyscape was ten years in the making.…
Akai Professional MPK249 Review: The Best Mid-Range MIDI Keyboard?
The Akai MPK series is hands-down the number one choice for countless musicians and producers. Akai is a name that ensures a combination of useable features, balanced pricing, and rugged reliability. If you’ve graduated from the ever-popular MPK Mini, then…
Open Back Headphones: What You Need to Know
Studio headphones come in different styles, with the two most common designs being closed back and open back. Many engineers prefer open back headphones for critical listening applications like mixing and mastering. Let’s find out why! What are open back…
Seventh Heaven Reverb | Convolution Reverbs
LiquidSonics Seventh Heaven reverb is a plugin reproduction of the Bricasti M7 hardware unit. The company is known for their superior convolution modeling, which Seventh Heaven has in spades! Seventh Heaven Reverb: A Convolution Masterpiece Convolution digitally simulates an actual…