It’s hard to beat the convenience of a tablet for music production, whether you’re a frequent flyer or just enjoy the flexible workflow. Using a Tablet for Music Production in 2024 The most common use for a tablet in music…
Gear
Audio-Technica AT2020 vs AT2035: Which Mic Is Better?
Audio-Technica has a long standing history as one of the most trusted sources for consumer and professional audio equipment. From turntables and cartridges to headphones and microphones, A-T’s product range is as diverse as it is high-quality. For those looking…
Best Vocoder Plugins 2024: Fun Vocal Effects
A vocoder is an effect we’ve heard in music from the ’70s to the present day. It’s frequently described as the ‘robot voice’ heard in songs like “Intergalactic” by Beastie Boys. Like everything else, vocoders have gone software in the…
12 Best EQ Plugins in 2024 [Free & Paid]
Equalization is one of the most powerful tools we have as mixers. It can make instruments sound better, make instruments sound different, carve out space in a mix, add clarity, remove muddiness, and so much more. In that sense, the flexibility of…
The 10 Best Speakers for Vinyl Record Player in 2024 [Any Budget]
Shopping for the best speakers for a vinyl record player can be a little daunting. With so much variety out there, how do you know which ones are actual quality? What Speakers Do You Need for Your Turntable? As of…
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…
14 Best Open Back Headphones for Mixing 2024 [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-Back…
5 Best FREE VU Meter Plugins in 2024
Before people started working in-the-box, VU meters measured the average level of a signal. You’d see them on consoles and outboard gear for measuring input or output level as well as gain reduction on compressors. The default digital meter is…
The 16 Best Piano VST Plugins in 2024 [Free & Paid]
Looking to add some indelible magic to your productions that nothing but a piano can provide? Well, we compiled a “best piano VST” shortlist that’s still ten entries strong. Take your pick of the best free and paid piano VST…
The 15 Best Dynamic Microphones for Any Budget in 2024
Looking for the best dynamic microphone to fill out your recording arsenal? We’ve tracked down 15 of them for a variety of instruments and applications. What Is a Dynamic Microphone? Dynamic mics are a style of passive microphone that operate…
The 8 Best Wavetable Synthesizers 2024
Wavetable synthesis is a technique used in certain digital music synthesizers to produce natural, note-like sounds. An existing instrument’s note can be sampled and parsed into a sequence of wavetables. Wavetable synthesizers differ from subtractive, additive, and FM/AM synths. In wavetable…
The 18 Best Home Studio Mics in 2024 [Any Budget]
What differentiates a “home studio” mic from a “pro studio” mic is generally the budget of whoever’s purchasing it. Aside from that, the best mics are the best mics! We usually recommend starting out with the highest quality microphone you…
The 14 Best ASMR Microphones for Any Budget
ASMR is one of the most popular, if not slightly unusual, entertainment trends of the last several years. ASMR creators attempt to trigger the listener’s “autonomous sensory meridian response”—a tingling sensation that begins at the scalp and moves down through…
Audiomovers INJECT Review: The Secret to Simplified Routing
Gone are the days of juggling multiple audio interfaces, battling with mismatched sample rates, and wrestling with complex routing configurations. INJECT, a powerful audio plugin from Audiomovers, emerges as an indispensable tool, streamlining your workflow within your chosen Digital Audio…
The 15 Best Compressor Plugin VSTs in 2024 [Free & Paid]
A compressor is one of the most fundamental processors an engineer has at their disposal. We know them to be great at tightening up the dynamic range of a signal—in other words, making a signal more even and consistent in…
The 12 Best UAD Plugins in 2024
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…
The 8 Best Synthesizer Apps For iOS Mobile 2024 [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…
11 Best Saturation VST Plugins Available 2024
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…
6 Best Studio Monitor Stands for Your Studio [2024 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…
The 7 Best Electronic Drum Sets for Your Home Studio [2024 Guide]
There was once a time when an electronic drum set sounded and felt nothing like the real thing. The earliest electric drums, like the Pollard Syndrum, didn’t simulate acoustic kits at all. They could create a variety of different sounds,…
The 15 Best Analog Summing Mixers for Your Studio in 2024
A summing mixer is a very interesting, if not often overlooked or misunderstood, piece of gear. Like most pieces of hardware, summing mixers vary in mileage; some have no more than a few knobs, while others have a slew of…
The 11 Best Headphones for Music Production 2024
Finding the right pair of headphones for music production can be tough. There are so many choices that if you ask engineers what their favorite headphones are, you’ll probably get different answers from each one. We’ve done our diligence to…
15 Best Closed Back Studio Headphones in 2024
Closed back studio headphones are an essential piece of equipment to have on hand. They provide the best isolation with minor sacrifice to sound quality. But because they isolate the listener from the room, they’re the ideal option to use…
The 9 Best Guitar Loop Pedals for Any Budget [2024 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?…
The 8 Best Studio Desks for Home Mixing [2024 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 Practice Amps in 2024
Every guitarist could use a great practice amp, whether they’re a beginner or have been playing for years. The ideal choice should first and foremost provide great tone and flexibility, perhaps come with some onboard effects, and be small and…
The 8 Best Wireless Guitar Systems in 2024
A wireless guitar system is a perfect way to clean up and professionalize your rig. If you’re tired of lugging around long cable runs, then it’s time to go wireless. Why Consider Using a Wireless Guitar System The main reason…
The 8 Best DJ Headphones in 2024 (Our Top Picks for Any Budget)
The best DJ headphones aren’t the same as the best studio headphones. We’ll discover what sets them apart and how to pick the right set for you! Why Having a Quality Pair of Headphones for DJing Is a Must Nearly…
Top 10 Transient Shaper Plugins [2024 Guide]
A transient shaper lets you control the attack and sustain of a signal. Unlike a compressor, they do not affect the level or the entire envelope of a sound. Transient shapers (also called ‘designers’) can increase or decrease the attack,…
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…
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…