If you’ve recorded vocals and wondered why you heard loud bursts of air when the singer hits certain consonants, then you already understand the use of a pop filter. While it isn’t the most earth-shattering piece of studio equipment we…
Who is Plini? “The Future of Exceptional Guitar Playing”
Plini Roessler-Holgate is an Australian, Sydney-based guitar player, who’s been releasing instrumental progressive rock/metal under his own name since 2013. He’s a key figure of the current instrumental prog scene, alongside other pivotal artists like Intervals, Polyphia, Jakub Zytecki, David…
EQ/Compression Plugins Modeled After Analog Gear
Not all, but many of the plugins we reach for while mixing in-the-box are modeled after analog gear. Engineers made some of the best sounding records of all time well before any of us started recording in our bedrooms; and…
Slate Trigger: Industry Standard Drum Replacement
Drums are difficult to mix. Just the sheer number of mics creates unique challenges we don’t encounter with other instruments. This is probably why there are so many plugins dedicated to drum mixing; and Slate Trigger tops the list as…
What Is the Overtone Series & How Do Overtones Work?
The overtone series, also called the harmonic series, naturally occurs due to the way sound waves vibrate. Practically speaking, it helps define an instrument’s timbre. What Are Overtones in Music? A fundamental frequency is that of the primary note being…
Cordoba Iberia C5 Review: The Best Entry-Level Nylon Guitar?
In this Cordoba Iberia C5 review, we’ll have a look at what’s considered one of the best nylon-string guitars for beginners or first-timers to this style of instrument. Cordoba Is Known for High-End Acoustic Instruments Since 1997, Cordoba has been…
11 Weird Musical Instruments You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Human ingenuity seems never in short supply, as witnessed here in 11 weird instruments. Some clever and others downright bizarre, these unique inventions stray a long way from tradition. 1. Marble Machine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1QVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled:…
How to Sidechain in Ableton (Beginner’s Guide)
Sidechain compression in Ableton is a useful mixing technique that allows you to do things like separate the bass from the kick. For Ableton users working in EDM/hip-hop/pop, where there’s lots of competing low-end information, sidechain compression is indispensable! What…
Mid/Side Processing Explained
Mid/side processing is a means of further separating stereo information for detailed control while mixing or mastering. The mid channel contains information we perceive as the center, which is actually the sum of the left and right channels. The sides…
SSL Fusion: The Vintage Drive You Need?
Founded in 1969, Solid State Logic is renowned as one of the finest manufacturers of high-end consoles and recording equipment in the world. In the ’80s, their famed 4000 E series console set the benchmark for recorded music, becoming a…
PMC 8-2 Review: The Best Midfield Active Monitor?
The PMC 8-2 is a high-end active three-way midfield monitor for professional studios. The 8-2 speaker is the culmination of several years of research and development, fully loaded with all of the cutting-edge technology that puts PMC speakers in a…
Barefoot Monitors: Footprint 01 vs Footprint 02
Barefoot monitors are known for their innovative design, clean sonics, and exceptionally high price tags. The Footprint line of powered nearfields offers the same outstanding quality as their larger speakers, for those with smaller rooms. The Barefoot Footprint 01 The…
The 9 Best Rhodes VSTs [Free & Paid]
The Rhodes electric piano was an incredibly popular instrument throughout the ’60s and ’70s. Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek was one of the first prominent musicians to start playing the Rhodes, picking up one of the earliest models in 1965. Its…
What Is Lo-Fi Music and How Do You Produce It?
Lo-fi music has exploded in popularity over the last several years, its cornerstone being a mellow, “rainy day” kind of sound and feel. The genre has a massive following on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, so you’ve almost certainly come…
8 Best LED Lights That Sync with Music for Your Home Studio
LED lights that sync with music are the recording industry’s best-kept secret behind multi-platinum hits. Okay, that isn’t true, but colorful lighting is definitely a great way to step up your studio’s aesthetics. And when you’re working late into the…
Bass Compression: The Foundation of Any Mix
Bass compression is easily one of the most important parts of a mix. Bass gives music that energy which is often felt more than heard. Low-end energy is critical because it has the power to produce a defined groove and an intelligible…
What Is a Line Level Signal and Why Does It Matter?
One of the first things we learn about a recording system is the variety of audio signals that connect to it. It’s a concept that can initially be tough to grasp, but once you learn it you never forget it.…
MOTU 8pre-es Feature Review
Today, we have a MOTU 8pre-es review in which we check out the features of this highly capable audio interface. MOTU 8pre-es Key Features 24-in, 28-out interface for 52 simultaneous audio channels Eight mic/line/guitar inputs; 16 ADAT optical inputs (24…
Mixing Independent Artists with 10X Grammy Winner Darrell Thorp
Darrell Thorp is a name that every music enthusiast should know. With 10 Grammy Awards and 3 TEC Awards under his belt, he has established himself as one of the most talented and sought-after producers, mixers, and engineers in the…
Moog Grandmother vs Matriarch: Which Synthesizer Is Right for Me?
Pitting two popular synthesizers head-to-head, the Moog Grandmother vs Matriarch are both impressive members of the family. They are fundamentally different machines, however, despite Moog’s naming conventions and various design similarities. We’ll have a look at each in an effort…
The 10 Best Fuzz Pedals to Add Serious Crunch to Your Sound
Keen to learn more about the best fuzz pedals to use for meatier riffage? Look no further than this guide to some of the most popular pedals out there. What Is Fuzz, & How Does It Differ from Distortion? Fuzz…
Gullfoss EQ Plugin Review | Smart Software at Its Best
The Gullfoss EQ plugin by Soundtheory promises to be a better-maker. The adaptive EQ, which does not rely on AI but rather a new form of technology altogether, serves to balance your mixes in the most pleasing way possible. If…
EZDrummer 2 vs Superior Drummer 3: Which Is Right for You?
Toontrack produces industry-leading virtual instruments and sample libraries, including two popular drum plugins: EZDrummer 2 and Superior Drummer 3. While both are powerful in their own right, they tend to serve different purposes depending on what you’re looking for in…
What Is Atmos Music? An Immersive Audio Experience
Dolby Atmos Music hasn’t completely taken over yet, but it’s planting the seeds for the future of audio. It’s is a three-dimensional format, and for film and television, it’s already pretty well established. We’ll take a dive into the fully…
Vocaloid 5 Review: Virtual Singers in Your DAW
Vocaloid is a very unique type of voice synthesizer software. Initially not meant to be a full commercial product, research on its technology began in 2000. Yamaha then got involved during the development process, and the first version of Vocaloid came out in…
My Life’s Work: Interviewed by Marc Daniel Nelson
If you're interested in recording music, whether as a hobby or professionally, you might want to check out Warren Huart and Jerry Hammack's new book, "Home Studio Recordings: The Complete Guide." In this interview with Marc Daniel Nelson, Warren Huart…
Arcade 2.0 by Output Review: Better Than Splice?
Subscriptions have taken over. For a monthly fee, you can access DAWs, plugin bundles, sample libraries, and other music production tools. In this Arcade by Output review, we’ll see how the ever-growing virtual instrument/sample library stacks up against the most…
The 5 Best Tube Preamp Options to Add Some Warmth to Your Sound
One of the best investments we can make as engineers, producers, and home recorders is in a premium microphone signal path. Purchasing a high-quality mic preamp, such as a tube preamp, is a huge way to elevate your recording quality…
How to Design and Use Supersaw Synth
The “supersaw” originated in the ’90s and had a surge of popularity in the early 2000s, featured heavily in genres like trance, future bass, and progressive house. The now-iconic sound is a staple of EDM production. What Is Supersaw? Supersaw…
AKG Perception 120 Condenser Mic Review: Comparing Price and Performance
AKG needs no introduction. The company makes some of the most-used microphones of all time, including the workhorse 414 condenser and the seven thousand dollar C12 tube mic. The AKG P120 is in a different category altogether, at an unbelievable…
Mono vs Stereo: Which Is Best for Mixing?
The difference between mono vs stereo sound is simply the number of channels used for recording and playback. If you’re new to mixing, you may or may not be familiar with the concept of checking your mix in mono. It…
Home Studio on a Budget: Getting Started for Less than $1000
It’s 2019: You can make records in your home studio and spend less than $1000 getting set up! Today’s recording tech has given everybody the opportunity to create high-quality music in their bedroom, even with just the bare essentials. We’ll…
How to Prevent Cymbal Bleed | FAQ Friday
We’re back with another episode of FAQ Friday! As always we have a ton of marvellous questions! Our featured question this week: "When I record my drums I get a lot of cymbal bleed. What am I doing wrong?" There…
Aphex Aural Exciter | Breathing Life into Recordings
The Aphex Aural Exciter is one of the most recognized exciter effects. Its main job is to add a bit of top-end sheen to a signal while imparting some subtle harmonic distortion as well. Lots of engineers like it on…
Testing the Audient iD24 With a Cover of Kill Bill by SZA
The song "Kill Bill" by SZA has captivated audiences with its catchy sound and shocking lyrics. So we decided to do a cover of this song! The cover features a talented group of musicians including Clark Sims on bass, Bianca…
reFuse Mulligan Review
reFuse Software, best known for plugins like Bucketverb and Lowender, recently released a utility app for Pro Tools. Called Mulligan, this standalone piece of software provides users a simple functional advantage over standard keyboard and mouse navigation. In this Mulligan…
SSL Native X-EQ 2 Review (Still the Best?)
In the vast world of software EQ, is there still a place for hardware titans Solid State Logic? Let’s decide in this SSL Native X-EQ 2 review. SSL Native X-EQ 2 Review SSL calls the Native X-EQ 2 a mastering…
The 5 Best LEWITT Microphones for Your Studio
Founded by Roman Perschon in 2009, the Vienna-headquartered LEWITT Microphones is one of the fastest-growing companies in the market, on track to become the industry’s not-so-best-kept secret. The design philosophy and manufacturing techniques behind all their products challenge the legacy companies…
FM Synthesis: The Classic Synthesizer Sound
Lots of classic keyboards like the Yamaha DX7 use FM synthesis to generate sounds. If it seems daunting at first, that’s because FM synthesis really is more complex than other types of synthesis. FM is much more theory-driven, so trying…
IT’S HERE: The Ultimate Guide to Home Studio Recording
I am beyond excited to share with you the culmination of my last three years of hard work. Together with my good friend Jerry Hammack, known for his "The Beatles Recording Reference Manuals," we have created the most comprehensive book…
Dexed VST | Free Yamaha DX7 Plugin
Dexed VST by Digital Suburban is a free software emulation of the coveted Yamaha DX7. The first successful digital synthesizer ever, the DX7 changed the course of modern synthesis. Free VST Plugins: Dexed Dexed VST is a multi-platform, multi-format plugin…
sE Electronics RF SPACE Review: The Best Reflection Filter Acoustic Dampener?
sE Electronics set the standard for, and popularized, reflection filters after the debut of their Reflexion Filter (RF) PRO back in 2006. Eight years later they debuted the RF SPACE, marking a substantial design improvement over the already successful original.…
Roland JD-Xi Review: A Crossover Synth Offering the Best of Both Worlds
For decades, Roland has been a frontrunner in synthesizers, sequencers, effects, amplifiers, and everything sound-making. It’s no surprise that the JD-Xi packs a hefty amount of tech into a small package. In this Roland JD-Xi review, we’ll take a look…
Tyrell N6 Review: The Best Free Synth?
The Tyrell N6 is a free software synthesizer designed by u-he founder Urs Heckmann. A “compact, sporty synth,” Nexus 6 boasts a huge array of classic analogue sounds in a streamlined, intuitive interface. How the Tyrell N6 Was Born Tyrell…
Near Field Monitors vs Far Field: What’s the Difference?
Much of the detailed work on a mix or master takes place on near field monitors. Far field monitors are an additional reference, and they’re also great for impressing clients and keeping a packed room engaged. For the majority of…
14 Songs with a LOT of Bass (Best Songs for Subs)
Bass is responsible for a lot of the visceral connection we have with music. Sub bass, especially, physically resonates with us if it’s loud enough at a concert or club, for instance; bass is a huge part of music and…
PMC Wafer Review: The Best In-Wall “Stealth” Speakers?
PMC Speakers are changing the reputation of in-wall hi-fi units through their groundbreaking work with the Wafer1 and Wafer2. Designed for the home theater or audiophile system, the Wafer lineup delivers exceptional sound quality with a completely unobtrusive footprint. Can…
Digital Audio Tools: Linear Phase EQ
Anytime you change the frequency content of a sound source with an equalizer, a tiny amount of phase ‘smear’ occurs. This is a normal result of latency being added to the signal whenever you alter the amplitude of specific frequency…
Avid Pro Tools First | Free DAW Overview
Avid Pro Tools is the industry standard. It’s the platform for virtually every studio because it excels at tracking, editing, mixing, and production. Pro Tools First provides an introduction to the gold standard DAW without committing to a pricey monthly…
Samson SR850 Review: Best Budget Closed Back Headphones?
In this Samson SR850 review, we’ll determine whether it’s possible to get pro studio sound from sub-$50 headphones. Samson SR850 Review At the time of writing, the SR850s are on sale for $35. That makes them among the least expensive —…