Softube Saturation Knob has been around for a long time, but that doesn’t make it any less great than it was when it first came out. This plugin from Softube is easy to use, sounds great, and best of all,…
The Chuck Ainlay Interview: Inside The Mind On Creating Exceptional Music
Sennheiser e835 vs Shure SM58: Which Is Right for You?
Today, we’ll have a look at the Sennheiser e835 vs Shure SM58. These are two popular handheld dynamic microphones for live use. How does the SM58, a longtime favorite since 1966, stack up to the competition made almost thirty years…
Vital Synth Review: The Best Free Synth VST in 2022?
Freeware developer Matt Tytel, known for the lauded open-source synthesizer Helm, has a new project out. Vital Synth is a highly anticipated spectral warping wavetable synthesizer, and you can get it for free. Vital Synth Has a Free Edition New…
Talkbox vs. Vocoder: What’s the Difference?
Talking effects have had prominent places in music, especially throughout the ’70s and beyond. What is, then, the difference between a talkbox vs vocoder? Talkbox vs. Vocoder: Are They the Same Thing? If you’ve never used one before, you’re probably…
MXL 990 Review | Best Budget Condenser?
MXL produces a range of cost-effective microphones. The MXL 990 is one of their most innovative creations, pairing high-quality sound with an unbeatable price. About MXL MXL Microphones is the pro audio sector of Marshall Electronics (not to be confused…
Arturia MiniLab Mk2 Review
The Arturia MiniLab MK2 is a portable USB MIDI controller for end-to-end music creation. While its predecessor emphasized a huge bundle of included software, Mk2 pares that down and instead focuses on the quality of the hardware. Arturia MiniLab Mk2…
How Diminished Chords Work
Diminished chords are native to both major and minor keys. You’ll find them as the seventh chord of the major scale, and the second chord of the natural minor scale. They get a bad rap for being dissonant, but they…
The Lasting Legacy Of One Of America’s Greatest Songwriters – The Jimmy Webb Interview
Headrush Gigboard Review: The Last Effects Processor You Will Need?
We’ve seen a lot of amp sims and multi-effects pedals, and now we’ll be checking out the Headrush Gigboard in this rundown and review. What Is the Headrush Gigboard? The Gigboard by Headrush is a compact amp modeler and multi-effects…
How to Make Soft Synths Sound Analog
Digital synthesizers have gotten really, really good. We have analog emulations of classic synths that sound pretty darn incredible, and we have fully digital virtual instruments which are different beasts altogether. That said, there are still moments we’re left wondering…
Monitor Isolation Pads | Home Studio Accessories
Monitor isolation pads are a small but important addition to any home studio arrangement. In this article we’ll look at what they are, whether they’re 100% necessary, and how you might make some of your own! What are monitor isolation…
Get HUGE Drum Sounds On A Minimalistic Recording Setup + Free Samples
What Does a Cloudlifter Do (And Should You Be Using One)?
Having trouble moving the meters with low-output microphones? Is your preamp tapped out and introducing noise? You might need a Cloudlifter. What Is a Cloudlifter? The Cloudlifter CL-1 is an inline gain boost designed and made by Cloud Microphones. It…
Boss Katana Air Wireless Guitar Amplifier Review
The Katana amp series by Boss has a fantastic price-to-features ratio, making it one of the go-to choices for beginners as well as experienced players in need of a solid practice amp. The lineup is extensive, and today we’ll be…
Sonnox Inflator Review: Loudness without Compromise
The Sonnox Inflator plugin has been around for almost two decades. It’s sort of a mysterious desert island tool for many engineers, somewhere in between a compressor and a limiter. The Inflator is able to increase perceived loudness, and it…
Aston Microphones Halo Reflection Filter Review
Aston Microphones is a young British company founded in 2015. They burst onto the market with the Origin large diaphragm condenser — a stylish and very original looking transducer, recognized by its brushed metal body and wire mesh grill. Over…
Sonnox Oxford Limiter Review
The Oxford Limiter often pops up in conversations regarding the best limiting plugins. It has a few unique features that set it apart from others, but it’s the promised “night and day” difference that intrigues most users. With seemingly endless…
Squarp Pyramid Review: 64-Track Sequencer
The Squarp Pyramid Mk3 sequencer is considered ‘the perfect brain for your musical setup, from studio to stage.’ It combines a powerful 64-track sequencer, a looper, a rhythm generator, a real-time effects processor, a MIDI controller, and an I/O interface.…
King Crimson – “The Drummer’s Drummer” – The Pat Mastelotto Interview
The Best Wireless Microphone for Singers [2023 Guide]
The best wireless microphone sounds great, is reliable, and most importantly, lets a performer roam the stage without restriction. Historically, there’ve been reservations about wireless systems, namely due to questions about interference, sound quality, and overall reliability. The truth is,…
Top Lessons Learned My First Year in the Studio
Being a professional engineer isn’t always easy. It’s as much about perseverance and resilience as it is about technical skill and creative talent. I believe you figure out very quickly whether the life is for you, and these are the…
LEWITT Announced the MTP-W950 Handheld Microphone
Legendary Musician – Trey Gunn Interview (King Crimson, David Sylvian, Robert Fripp)
What Is an ISRC Code and How Do You Get One?
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. Publicly released songs are stamped with this 12-character identifier as a means of keeping tabs on important data pertaining to the song(s). What Is an ISRC Code? ISRCs are embedded into the metadata…
What is Audio Bit Depth?
Bit depth in digital audio is one of the settings that affects the recording’s overall resolution. In technical terms, it’s the actual number of bits (binary digits) in each sample. What is bit depth? Bit depth and sample rate work…
Songs That Changed Music: Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Apogee Duet 3 Review: Ultimate Portable Interface?
Fourteen years ago, Apogee revolutionized audio interfaces. The original Duet combined professional quality with portability in a never-before-seen way which changed the digital recording landscape. Over the years, they’ve consistently improved the original design, and in 2021, the Apogee Duet…
The Proximity Effect: 3 Tips To Reduce It
Proximity effect happens as you move a microphone closer to the sound source. The result is an increase in low-frequency response for a bigger bass boost than what is natural. It can be useful in some situations; but in others,…