The hardest thing an artist can do these days is have their music played. That’s partly because the democratization of the music industry has made the market overwhelmingly saturated. However, there are still ways to get yourself out there in…
![21 Best FREE VST in 2021 [with Links!]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21-Best-FREE-VST-in-2021-with-Links.jpg)
21 Best FREE VST in 2023 [with Links!]
Steinberg developed Virtual Studio Technology in 1996 to bring synthesizers and effects into digital audio workstations. It’s a plugin format that numerous major DAWs host, like Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, Digital Performer, and Reaper, amongst others. VST instruments are a…
Korg Opsix Review: The Ultimate FM Synthesizer?
Korg graced the synthesizer space with two new releases in 2020. One, the Wavestate, made its full debut at Winter NAMM that year, while the Opsix was yet an unmarked prototype. Despite the many ups and downs of a now…
Understanding Music Modes and Their Role in the Studio
There are seven total music modes including the major and natural minor scales. Why learn them at all? Songwriters and producers can always benefit from music theory; when you know the rules, or at least the basics, it can help…
13 Best Vocal Plugins For Home Studios in 2023
When it’s time to mix a singer, you should be armed with some of the best vocal plugins you can get your hands on! We’ll be looking at a variety of compressors, EQs, and other plugins that really shine on…
Audio Test Kitchen Review: Test Up to 300 Mics for FREE!
Audio Test Kitchen is an incredible free resource for recording enthusiasts. One of the biggest challenges engineers face is becoming knowledgable about mics. And there’s really no way to do that without trying them on practically every instrument over the…
5 Best Overhead Drum Mics for Detail & Clarity
Overheads can be the difference between a great drum recording, or one that’s so-so. The best overhead drum mics will glue the whole kit together in a brilliant way and do more than just capture the sound of the cymbals.…
Aaron Marshall of Intervals Redefines Instrumental Guitar Music
Intervals is the brainchild of guitarist/composer Aaron Marshall. Since the project’s inception in 2011, Marshall has explored sounds within the instrumental progressive scene. His latest full-length, Circadian, is a complete realization of Marshall’s unique voice on the guitar and his personal take…
UA Console Application Explained
The UA Console application is the key to Apollo interfaces’ Realtime UAD Processing capabilities. It lets you insert and control UAD plugins, as well as route and monitor audio. UA Console: Recording Through Plugins Perhaps the main feature of UA’s…
What Is Saturation (And How Do I Use it)?
Saturation is an engineer favorite. It’s one of those tools that, used effectively, can take an instrument or mix to the next level. If you’re asking yourself “what is saturation?”, they you’ve come to the right place! What Is Saturation…
McDSP FutzBox Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Distortion Designer
Messing up audio signals can be a lot more fun than making them sound pretty. Not only is it a good time, but it’s often a stylistic necessity, especially in the realm of post-production. The FutzBox by McDSP is a…
5 Piano EQ Tips to Improve Your Mix & Achieve Awesome Tone
Piano is a beautiful instrument, but when you put anything under a microscope, you’re bound to find some flaws. Such is the case with piano EQ. Never a one-size-fits-all technique, learning how to squeeze a piano in a mix is…
Four Producers Reviewing The NEW Magma Tube Channel Strip
Are you tired of flat and lifeless digital mixes? Feeling confused on which plugins can take your mixes to that epic level? Well, we might just be reviewing the plugin for you. Waves has introduced the Magma Channel Strip, a…
The 12 Best UAD Plugins in 2023
Universal Audio has a decades-long reputation as one of the premier manufacturers of pro audio equipment. Bill Putnam started the company in 1958 and was a pioneer his entire life. Putnam designed many products under different companies throughout the course…
ART P16 Patchbay Review: The Ultimate 16-Channel XLR Patchbay
Applied Research and Technology (ART) are well known producers of affordable recording equipment, including everything from power conditioners to microphones and outboard gear. In this review, we’ll be considering the ART P16 patchbay and how it can simplify connections in…
The 10 Best Small Tube Amp Options for Home Use in 2023
Being a guitar player sets you on a path of tone chasing — there’s no way around it! There are so many ways to tweak the sound of our instrument, from the guitar itself, to pickups, pedals, strings, plectrums, and…
The 8 Best AKG Headphones for Any Budget [2023 Guide]
So you’re looking for a new pair of headphones…you’ve come to the right place. Shopping around can be overwhelming with how many companies are making top-notch stuff. If you’ve narrowed your search to AKG headphones, this list should help you…
The 8 Best Synthesizer Apps For iOS Mobile 2023 [FREE & PAID]
Making music on the go has never been easier! We’ve already covered some of the best DAWs for iOS and Android, and now it’s time to take a look at best synthesizer apps to go along with them. Mobile synthesis…
Kilohearts Phase Plant VST Review
Phase Plant is an award-winning, semi-modular software synthesizer. Its unique workflow and functionality make it a go-to virtual instrument for many music producers and sound designers. With virtually limitless combinations of generators, modulators, and effects, you can spend hours creating…
The Different Kinds of Microphones and Their Applications
The more you get into the recording craft, the more you’ll start to recognize different kinds of microphones. There’s a huge world of mics out there, but knowing the major types will help you decide what to use. When you’re…
How Sam Cooke Reimagined the Protest Song and Created a Civil Rights Anthem: “A Change is Gonna Come”
Written by Caitlin Vaughn Carlos In the late fifties and early sixties, Sam Cooke had charted a new path in Black-pop music with Sweet Soul, a genre of crooner ballads and softer pop singles, infused with the influence of gospel,…
Pro Tools Shortcuts for Faster Session Navigation
Keyboard shortcuts are the quickest way around your DAW. They let you do in one keystroke what would normally take extra time sifting through menus. If you hope to become a proficient engineer, then key commands are indispensable! Here are…
The 5 Best Online Sequencer Options in 2023
Imagine telling a producer or engineer in the ’70s, “Fifty years from now, people will be making music on the internet, sitting on on their couch.” “The what?” would be their obvious response, but time-traveling aside, technology has really revolutionized the…
AU vs VST: What Are Audio Units?
Plugins come in various formats, with Audio Units being specially designed for Mac operating systems. Introduction: What Are Audio Units Audio Units (AU) are simply a type of plugin. They’re one of the most popular formats alongside VST2 (Virtual Studio…
![6 Best Laptops for Podcasting [Any Budget]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/6-Best-Laptops-for-Podcasting-Any-Budget-909x606.jpg)
6 Best Laptops for Podcasting [Any Budget]
The best laptop for podcasting sports enough horsepower for modest recording needs. Realistically, you’ll want a machine that’s stable above anything else, because you don’t want crashes to interrupt the flow of a monologue or conversation. Obviously, your needs will…
EP vs LP: What’s the Difference & When Would You Release One?
Many artists want to better understand the difference between an EP vs LP, especially in terms of what it means for releasing their own music. There’s the simple distinction that one is shorter than the other, namely due what was…
JamKazam Review: Collaborate Remotely
We’ve come to understand the importance of remote video conferencing more than ever before over the past year. For musicians, though, software like Zoom doesn’t quite cut it. In order to jam or rehearse remotely, you need low latency, high-quality…
Ableton 11: Updates, New Features, & More
Ableton is already one of the industry’s top DAWs for music production. It’s unique features and workflow set it apart as the top pick for EDM/pop/hip-hop production. 2021 marks the debut of Ableton 11, full of impressive updates, brand new…
Flux BitterSweet v3 | Free Transient Designer Plugin
The first transient designer came out in the late ’90s. It was a whole new concept that left lots of people wondering whether it was a compressor, or a noise gate, or something else entirely. The real answer is the…
Arturia KeyStep Review | MIDI Controller
The Arturia KeyStep is a riff on the portable MIDI controller, combining classic keyboard functionality with polyphonic step sequencing. It can control both digital and analogue gear thanks to a variety of I/O, and the 32-key layout offers a bit…
11 Best DAWs for Mac in 2023
Most major DAWs are cross-platform, meaning your options aren’t limited by the type of computer you’re running. This is great because it evens the playing field whether you’re comfortable on Windows or Mac operating systems. Apple users do have a…
The 10 Best Dynamic Microphones for Any Budget in 2023
Looking for the best dynamic microphone to fill out your recording arsenal? We’ve tracked down a number of them for various applications. What Is a Dynamic Microphone? Dynamic mics are a style of passive microphone that operate on the principle…
9 Best Open Back Headphones for Mixing 2023 [Any Budget]
Searching for the just the right pair of open headphones to mix on? We’ve done some digging and come up with the best open headphones ranging from $50 to $500 — there’s a pair for every budget! What Are Open…
Best Home Studio Monitors for 2023
If you’re shopping for a pair of studio monitors to fit your home studio, you’ve come to the right place. Flat, neutral monitoring is one of the keys to getting the best mix you can—and it all starts with the…
Vocal Compression for Beginners
Learning to mix an up-front, in-your-face vocal takes practice. Understandably the most important aspect of a song across numerous genres, a great sounding, competitive vocal has the power to stand out from the pack. But how do we even get…
Positive Grid Spark Amp Review | Is It Worth It?
Feature-packed practice amps are all the rage. Though not a new concept, these portable desktop devices—or, ‘coffee table-top,’ ‘sofa-top,’ you name it—started to incorporate tech beyond what we’ve seen in standard practice amps of yesteryear (like in the long-running Line…
PreSonus vs Focusrite Audio Interfaces 2023
An audio interface is one of the first things you’ll buy for your home studio. Typically two inputs are enough for the majority of home recordings, and there are tons of affordable entry-level interfaces. In terms of PreSonus vs Focusrite,…
Inspired Acoustics Inspirata Reverb Review
Inspired Acoustics isn’t necessarily one of the better known plugin developers out there. The reason being, they’re responsible for an impressive collection of virtual pipe organs which is a pretty niche offering. No matter, the level of detail the Inspired Acoustics…
11 Best Saturation VST Plugins Available 2023
Saturation is the secret weapon for adding some grit back to pristine digital recordings. Whether you just want to add a bit of body and richness to an instrument, or make it unrecognizable with blazing distortion, saturation is one of…
![The 6 Best Guitar Loop Pedals for Any Budget [2022 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/The-6-Best-Guitar-Loop-Pedals-for-Any-Budget-2022-Guide-909x606.jpg)
The 6 Best Guitar Loop Pedals for Any Budget [2023 Guide]
Many guitarists don’t considerate it, but a guitar loop pedal is one of the best upgrades for your board. From a creative standpoint, loop pedals can completely change the way you write and practice music. What Is a Loop Pedal?…
7 Best Reamp Boxes in 2023
Reamping takes place in two stages during both the recording and mixing phases. A reamp box is a specially designed device that allows you to send a clean guitar signal from your DAW to an amplifier, letting you tweak tones…
8 Best Bass Guitar VSTs in 2023 [Free & Paid]
Virtual Studio Technology (VST), developed by Steinberg in 1996, is a plugin format compatible with a majority of DAWs and operating systems. VSTs include both effects and software instruments, and it’s the closest thing we have to a universal plugin…
The Best Guitar Picks for Any Playing Style in 2023
Experimenting with different guitar picks is one of the best and simplest ways to completely change the sound and feel of your playing. It’s often an overlooked accessory, especially if you’re new to playing, but the difference it can make…
A step-by-step guide to mixing Modern Metal
Finally... A Step-By-Step System To Achieving That Massive, Modern Metal Sound! If you are a modern Metal producer or mixer, your standards are VERY high. Not only do you want to create that brutal and RAW energy Metal is known for.…
The 14 Best Drum VSTs for Any Budget [2023 Guide]
The best drum VSTs we’ve gathered run the gamut between $89 all the way up to $700! Thankfully, this means there’s a variety of choices to suit any budget. Of course, there are free options as well so you can…
Yamaha P45 vs P125: Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Studio?
Today we’ll be comparing the Yamaha P45 vs P125 “portable” digital pianos. Yamaha has been a premiere manufacturer of both digital and acoustic pianos for years, so the brand has decades’ worth of experience in crafting quality entry-level instruments. Both…
The 5 Best Studio Desks for Home Mixing [2023 Guide]
The studio desk is the centerpiece of your creative space. It should have everything you need at arm’s length to keep the inspiration flowing! Not only that, but it should be comfortable, fit your space, and keep your workflow neat…
![6 Best Studio Monitor Stands for Your Studio [2022 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/6-Best-Studio-Monitor-Stands-for-Your-Studio-2022-Guide-1006x606.jpg)
6 Best Studio Monitor Stands for Your Studio [2023 Guide]
Studio monitor stands can substantially improve your working environment. They’re not the most glamorous of upgrades in the grand scheme of things—considering all of the “fun” studio stuff we could buy—but speaker stands are an easy, effective way to make…
![Splice Sounds Review- Is the Subscription Worth It [2022 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Splice-Sounds-Review-Is-the-Subscription-Worth-It-2022-Guide-1063x606.png)
Splice Sounds Review: Is the Subscription Worth It [2023 Guide]
One of the most important assets for any music producer is access to high-quality, royalty-free samples. Splice offers millions of one-shots, drum loops, instrumental loops, and sound effects. Over the years, it’s developed into a complete online community for producers…
![The Best 5-Watt Tube Amps for Any Budget [2023 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-Best-5-Watt-Tube-Amps-for-Any-Budget-2023-Guide-908x606.jpg)
The Best 5-Watt Tube Amps for Any Budget [2023 Guide]
A 5-watt tube amp is the best way to achieve natural tube saturation at a reasonable volume; add some pedals, and you’ve got yourself a nice outfit! The Beauty of a 5-Watt Amp (& Why You Need One) High-wattage tube…