Your first DAWless Setup
So, you’re thinking about starting a DAWless setup. You’re tired of looking at a computer screen all day and just want to get away from the computer and use your hands to make music. That sounds like a lovely goal! But where do you start? What is a DAWless setup? Let’s first talk about what […]
The best drum machine for intermediate to advanced producers
In my previous article I talked about the best drum computer for beginners, this time I’ll cover drum machines for intermediate to advanced producers. When you’ve been producing music for a while, either with software or hardware, you might be looking for a drum machine that’s different than everything else. A machine that will give […]
Send and Receive MIDI with VCV Rack Free
VCV Rack, better known as the Eurorack simulator, is a free piece of software available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. A common question is: ‘How to send MIDI from VCV Rack to your DAW like Ableton or Logic’. This is easy to do with the paid version since it comes as a plugin, but the […]
Photoshop for Audio with Izotope RX
If there was one piece of software I couldn’t live without as a music producer, it would be Izotope RX. A few years back, I had a Wurlitzer recording with a broken power supply that started to hum halfway through the recording. Re-recording the parts wasn’t an option, so I went to Google to look […]
The Best Multitrack Recording Setup
When you love Analog equipment, there comes a time when your 2 channel audio interface doesn’t cut it anymore. If you’re tired of patching cables all the time or if you want to record more than one instrument at once, it might be a good idea to expand your setup. In this article, I will […]
8 Essential Plugins Every Music Producer Needs
Every Digital Audio Workstation comes bundled with a ton of instrument and effect plugins. These default plugins are more than enough to get you started. More experience music producers however might want to take it one step further and invest in some essential plugins to improve their productions. That’s why I made this list of […]
Best studio headphones for mixing & mastering
Headphones are essential in the studio, not only for recording but also for mixing and even mastering. To achieve better-sounding music productions and mixes, you need an accurate listening environment. However, acoustically treating your room is an expensive endeavor that is not possible for everyone. Especially if you’re just starting out with music production, there […]
9 Music Production Myths Busted
Music Production is surrounded by myths and general internet advice like ‘use your ears’ or ‘don’t record with effects’. A lot of advice that is doing the round online or even in music education is outdated, and can even affect your music negatively. Some of these rules are created as a guideline to help beginning […]
The #1 thing to make your music sound better
One question I regularly get is: ‘why does this track from artist X sound so fricking good? What’s the secret to making my music sound professional?’. Well, that’s a tough question I’ve been thinking about lately. And by now I believe I’ve found the answer. The key to solving this problem has to do with […]
3 ways to record audio from VCV Rack 2
Recording audio in the free version of VCV Rack 2 isn’t as easy as you might expect it to be. In this video, I’ll show you how to record audio in 3 different ways. 1. VCV Rack Recorder Module The first method uses VCV Rack’s own Recorder Module. All you need to do is Patch […]
Patching LFO’s in VCV Rack 2
VCV Rack 2 a.k.a. the Eurorack simulator is an amazing piece of software to learn modular synthesis. When you’re just starting out with modular synthesis, I usually recommend patching your own subtractive mono synth. In my previous tutorial, I’ve talked about Sequencers. In the video above I’ll dive into LFO’s or Low-Frequency Oscillators. When you’re […]
Adding punch to your mix with parallel compression
Parallel compression is the perfect way to add punch to your mix. By using compression as a send effect you can use heavy amounts of compression to bring up all the little details of a track without ruining dynamic range. By adding an EQ after the compressor you can shape the sound even further. This […]
How Does Music Leak?
The word ‘leak’ is enough to send shivers down any music industry player’s spine. A leak can be accidental, or deliberate; it could go viral, or be unnoticed — so what does it mean to leak something?
Online Resources for Musicians
If you’re a musician and you’re looking to improve your instrumental skills check out the following online resources for musicians. I’ve personally learned a lot from these people and I still do. I’ve also added resources for composing and songwriting. Marketing and sync-licensing is also something that brings up a lot of questions. Drums Drumeo […]
Production Basics #22 – Transition Effects
In the previous part about music production basics, we’ve learned the basics of tension & release. It’s good to have contrasting sections in your music but sometimes you need to gradually change from one section to another. This is where transition effects come into play. What are transition effects? Transition effects in music production are […]
Production Basics #21 – Tension & Release
It doesn’t matter what genre you make. Keeping listeners interested is essential in all genres. Contrast is the most important tool you have at your disposal in keeping people hooked. People are always looking for patterns, breaking up those patterns will be unexpected and thus interesting. Music is supposed to ebb and flow. Let’s talk […]
Production Basics #20 – Mixing with Inserts v.s. Send Effects
Now that you know a little bit about effects and how to use them, it’s time for some practical information on where to place them. Yes, there’s actually more than one position to put your effects. One is called an insert effect and the other is called a send effect also known as aux (auxiliary). […]
Production Basics #19 – Mixing with Distortion
In part 14 of this series about music production basics, we’ve introduced distortion & saturation effects. If you ever listened to rock or metal music you know that distortion is used on guitars all the time. But did you know that distortion is used in almost all types of music? Especially modern genres like EDM […]
Production Basics #18 – Mixing with Modulation Effects
In part 14 of this production basics series, we’ve introduced a few modulation effects. A modulation effect is basically every effect that is automated over time. Modulation effects are powerful tools that can add movement and interest to a mix. Let’s look at some examples. Chorus As we’ve seen previously, phaser, chorus and flanger are […]
Production Basics #17 – Mixing with Reverb & Delay
In the previous parts, we’ve learned how to mix with EQ and compression. This time, we’ll get to know reverb & delay. In part 14 we’ve seen a quick overview of different reverb & delay types. Now let’s dive a little deeper into the various parameters we can use. Delay Most delay plugins have the […]
