The modern DJ requires software to help them manage a vast digital music library as well as mimic the classic two-turntable setup for mixing songs. While many of the same elements of “analog” DJing are still present (i.e., controllers and…
![9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins Available [FREE & PAID]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/9-Best-Stereo-Imaging-Plugins-Available-FREE-PAID-1077x606.jpg)
9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins Available [FREE & PAID]
Stereo imaging is a pivotal part of any mix. It mostly has to do with with the spatial locations of each sound source, both side-to-side and front-to-back. A well-mixed stereo image means listeners can easily identify where sounds are coming…
JZ Vintage 67 Review: High-End Performance in a Vintage Style Mic
JZ Microphones was founded in Latvia in 2007 by Mr. Juris Zarins. He’d spent the better part of two decades researching and developing successful microphones with companies like Blue before striking out on his own as JZ Microphones. Today we…
How the ‘Loudness Wars’ Made Music Sound Worse (And What We Should Learn from It)
Science tells us that people prefer their music loud. As sounds get louder and louder, their overall frequency curve begin to flatten out, so you can more easily hear the whole “picture.” The “louder is better” philosophy usually begins with artists…
PMC Result 6 Review: Top of the Line Analog Active Monitors
PMC Result 6 monitors are two-way active nearfields providing more affordable access to some of the industry’s best monitoring. These speakers inherit all of the same qualities that have established PMC’s reputation as one of the finest developers in the…
Decoding Mid/Side Miking Techniques
The mid/side (M/S) miking technique is a common stereo recording device involving two microphones. It provides some serious advantages over other stereo recording techniques, and is an incredible tool in the studio. What Is Mid/Side Stereo Recording? Legendary EMI electronics…
Arturia FET 76 Review: Getting a Legendary Studio Compression Sound
Founded in 1999, Arturia began their journey in music-making software. Fast forward to the present, and they’re a celebrated producer of analog-emulated classic keyboards and synthesizers, effects, and hardware of their own. Today, we’re diving into a review of the…
Should Studio Monitors Be Vertical or Horizontal? (5 Placement Tips)
A common question frequently heard is should studio monitors be vertical or horizontal? There’s good reason to wonder, and there’s a simple answer to that query which we’ll get into shortly. The underlying premise here is that optimal monitor placement…
Why Does My Subwoofer Sound Weak? (7 Common Causes)
Subwoofers convey a ton of low-end information and give us a feeling of fullness and power. In many cases, sub frequency content is felt more than heard, as in you can’t always pinpoint a fundamental frequency or pitch, but you…
ASM Hydrasynth Review: Powerful Synth Sounds Catered to Your Needs
Ashun Sound Machines consists of a small and dedicated team of diverse talent and background. Their primary goal is to bring high-quality creative tools to musicians that seamlessly blend iconic sounds we’ve come to know and love with all of…
Lauten Audio LA-120 Review: The Ultimate Small-Diaphragm Condenser Mic Pair?
Lauten Audio is a family-owned and operated company introducing innovative designs into the world of traditional microphones. Their inspiring lineup of mics marries classic sonics with modern utility, resulting in versatile, multi-purpose tools for any project. Today, we’re breaking down…
Lindell Audio 902 De-Esser Review: Is It Worth It?
The Lindell Audio 902 de-esser plugin digitizes one of the most popular “intelligent” de-essers of the ’80s — the dbx 902. The original hardware is renowned for its ease of use, employing just two parameters. In this Lindell Audio 902…
DIY Bass Traps: You NEED These in Your Studio
So much of our success in recording and mixing is dependent on where we’re physically doing it. Ideally, this means purpose-built, acoustically unambiguous rooms designed for professional recording and mixing — big commercial studios with a legacy of fantastic sound!…
How To Remix a Song (8 Essential Tips in 2023)
Remixing is hugely popular in the electronic music world. And yet, like most artistic aspects of making music, there isn’t a clear-cut path to pulling it off well. If you’re wondering how to remix a song, here are eight of…
What Is Sibilance (And Is It Always a Bad Thing?)
What is sibilance? We hear about it all the time, and how it’s this ugly sound in vocal recordings that we have to tame. Is that always the case? What Is Sibilance in Audio? By definition, sibilance is a kind…
Lynx Hilo Review: A World-Class Digital Converter & Monitor
Lynx has been known for industry-leading conversion since the company’s inception in 1998. For decades, Lynx has provided the link between professional audio equipment and computers for digital recording, mixing, and mastering. We’ll be looking at the Lynx Hilo in…
PMC 6-2 Review: A New Generation of PMC Studio Monitors
What makes a studio monitor one of the absolute best in its class? It unequivocally starts with expert design, in which the PMC 6-2 was developed over the course of five years as part of a complete lineup of modern,…
Foam Mic Cover vs Pop Filter: Which One Should I Use (And When)?
When it comes to recording vocals, a pop filter is an essential studio accessory. You’ve probably seen microphone bundles which include a stand, XLR cable, and of course, a pop filter. We’ll explore the main difference between a foam mic…
Types of Audio Compressors and Their Uses
There are 5 primary types of audio compressors from the analogue world that software emulates. Different hardware makes use of certain internal components and designs for various styles of compression. If you’ve only ever used plugins, you’d be totally forgiven…
Sennheiser e965 Handheld Microphone Review
In today’s review, we’ll cover the Sennheiser e965 handheld microphone — a tough and dependable mic designed to bring the clarity of condensers to live performance. The Sennheiser Evolution 900 Series Was Built to Dominate Live Sound Sennheiser has consistently…
Universal Audio Volt Review: Pro Sound at Home Studio Prices
This Universal Audio Volt review covers several of the company’s affordable entries into premium UA hardware at home studio prices. UAD Now Offers an Impressive & Capable Line of Affordable Audio Interfaces The launch of UA’s Volt series marked a…
Polyphia: Making Metal ‘Hip-Hop’
Polyphia formed in 2010 as an instrumental progressive metal group. Over the years they’ve honed their sound into something truly unique, arriving at a point where they employ hooky lead guitar lines and modern electronic production. Polyphia: In a World…
Using the Camelot Wheel to Mix in Key (What Is It & Why Do I Need It?)
In addition to maintaining energy levels and tempo between songs, mixing in key as a DJ is one of the most critical skills to have. The Camelot Wheel by Mixed in Key makes it easier than ever to keep the…
Sausage Fattener | All-In-One Saturation/Dynamics Plugin
Production duo Dada Life teamed up with Tailored Noise to release Sausage Fattener 10 years ago. Over time it’s become a cult classic in the plugin world, known both for its performance as well as its humorous name and interface. Don’t…
What Are the Best Budget Guitar Cabs (Our Top Picks for 2023)
Curious as to what are the best budget guitar cabs for your brand new tube head? Here are our favorites heading into the upcoming year! What Is a Guitar Cabinet & When Would You Need One? A guitar cabinet is…
Cockos Reaper DAW Review – The Best Value DAW in 2023?
Reaper DAW, developed by a small company called Cockos, originally came out in 2006. The software immediately gained traction from its professional feature set and affordable price, and shows no signs of slowing down in 2022. Could Reaper be the…
![The 7 Best Chorus Pedals for Your Pedalboard [2023 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-7-Best-Chorus-Pedals-for-Your-Pedalboard-2023-Guide-1077x606.jpg)
The 7 Best Chorus Pedals for Your Pedalboard [2023 Guide]
Our top selections of the best chorus pedals will help you narrow down just the right effect for your pedalboard. What Is a Chorus Pedal & What Do They Sound Like? Chorus is a type of effect that falls into…
13 Home Studio Essentials for Beginners
An efficient home studio set-up is essential for producers, engineers, and musicians of any level. And luckily, the time has never been better to get into the game. Rapid advances in digital technology over the past decade have made home…
Soundtoys Decapitator | Grade-A Saturation
Soundtoys Decapitator is one of the most popular saturation plugins on the market. It gives mixers plenty of variety and control in an easy-to-use package. It can do everything from giving an instrument a bit of analogue character to ‘punishing’…
How to Reset Ears & Prevent Listening Fatigue While Producing Music
Ear fatigue is common amongst engineers, especially during marathon sessions. In order to do your best work, it’s best to understand what ear fatigue is and how you can minimize (or avoid) it. What Is Listening Fatigue? When you listen…
The 8 Best Electric Guitar Strings (For Any Skill Level)
Which electric guitar strings are best for you? Consider firstly the gauge, as well as the make, model, and occasionally a few other variables, to determine what sounds and feels right for your playing. Your Strings Help Shape Your Sound…
Softube Saturation Knob | Free Plugins
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
![The Best Wireless Microphone for Singers [2022 Guide]](https://producelikeapro.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Best-Wireless-Microphone-for-Singers-2022-Guide-909x606.jpg)
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…
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…
Tips for Recording Metal Guitar
It’s hard to think of another genre where guitar tone is as important as it is in metal. It’s so essential that an entire subgenre has been nicknamed ‘djent’ — onomatopoeia for a palm muted chug. Recording metal guitar with…
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,…
Sub Bass: EQ and Mixing Tips
Sub bass is the stuff that’s felt more than heard. It’s an important part of a mix because it contributes to so much of the power listeners feel. In some genres sub bass a leading part of a mix, and…