15 questions with...Tom Salta

Not content with being one of the video game industry's most acclaimed composers, Tom Salta has turned his attention to plugin development, with the wonderful Auto-Bounce taking the sting out of finalising Logic productions. We spoke to Tom about this life-saving new tool and what motivates his creativity....

ARRANGE TRACKS LIKE A PRO

Taking the time to work up your sketches into fully-fledged tracks can be a tricky process. That's why it's important to understand how an effective arrangement works to take listeners on a journey...

GForce Software Minimonsta2

What's that coming over the hill? It's the latest incarnation of the Moog Model D from soft-synth pioneers GForce Software...

Rhodes V8

The Rhodes is back! The new Mk8 electric piano is now joined by the V8 software, with plenty of surprises under the virtual Rhodes lid

Audient EVO SP8

Audient call SP8 the world’s ‘smartest mic preamp’, which might not set your heart racing, but it could also be the desktop expander you need

Steinberg HALion 7

Steinberg's do-everything sample-based instrument now does a lot more, is easier on the eye and, importantly, is a lot easier to grapple with

MAKING IMMERSIVE LONDON WITH ARK360⁰

Are you ready for a post-stereo world? For the Immersive London project, spatial experts ARK360° took a host of emerging Londonbased artists on a quest to expand their understanding of immersive sound. The results, as heard on a new compilation, may serve as an example to the rest of us...

Modulating gates on synth pads

Gating a pad has long been considered a classic effect. Adding real-time control takes pad-gating to the next level!

The future of (free) software

More software has become free or so cheap that you might wonder how long people will be willing to pay for it. While we’re pondering, just what do those new subscription models mean for us all? Time to look ahead…

Bundles of free fun

Last time we looked at freeware, we suggested a bunch of different bundles for different uses, so here's a recap, plus some you can download in one go

BUILD YOUR ALL-NEW FREE STUDIO

No, it's not just another freeware roundup of titles you've seen in countless 'best of' lists before. This time we're ditching the old guard, going for quality rather than quantity, and looking at some of the newest and most exciting freeware releases around and how to use them in your music productions. And all for free, of course!

15 questions with...Gryffin

With millions of YouTube and Spotify streams, and successful collaborations with Maroon 5, Carly Rae Jepsen and One Republic under his belt, there’s no stopping the meteoric rise of US producer and songwriter Gryffin. Here he describes how going from AC/DC to deadmau5 and classical piano to Ableton Live helped him launch his bid for Spotify superstardom

Fluid Audio Image 2

Fluid Audio might well be known for less costly speakers, but Image 2 will certainly change that… and possibly the world of studio monitoring

Best reverb plugins

We reveal the best plugins for adding atmosphere and pro polish to your mixes! It's time to make 'space' for these on your hard drive

Audient iD24

If input audio fidelity is important to you, Audient's latest analogue-inspired desktop interface could be exactly what you need...

Arturia MiniFreak V

Having emulated practically every significant synth ever made, Arturia turns its attention to one of its own creations

Modartt Pianoteq 8

The highly-regarded piano - and so much more - instrument reaches version 8, but is Pianoteq still one of the best you can buy?

Metering tools

Mixing might be mostly about using our ears, but there are other senses we can bring in too, specifically our eyes

Create classic Depeche Mode sounds

This month, to celebrate the new Depeche Mode album, Memento Mori, we take a look back at some of the band's classic sounds and sequences: from See You to, yes, The Last Of Us!

The composer's core toolkit

With such a massive array of soundtrack-aimed products out there, it can be tricky to know how to start. From expansive orchestral libraries, malleable atmosphere-carvers and thunderous impact engines, let us guide you through some of the best big-screen tailored tools around...

SECRETS OF SOUNDTRACKS

Making music for picture is now one of the most rewarding roads that a music-maker can travel. So, sit back as we arm you with the knowledge and tools to start your own soundtracking journey...

15 questions with... The Maghreban

With three decades of production in many different genres under his belt, Ayman Rostom's latest album, Connection, could be described as a bit of a melting pot' of different styles. But with praise from Pitchfork, The Quietus and Resident Advisor, plus fans including Ben UFO, Benji B and The Horrors, it might well be a candidate for dance album of 2022...

Karanyi Sounds Poly Space $49 PC MAC

This latest reverb plugin will take you to outer space, but only has a couple of controls to get you there. Can ‘simple’ really sound ‘great’?

Techivation T-Clarity $29 PC MAC

Offering a different solution to straight-up EQ, maybe this new plugin can help resolve your mid range issues

Audient EVO 16 £399.99 PC MAC

Good value is hard to come by right now, but if you want to tickle your bargain sensors look no further than Audient’s new EVO 16

IK Multimedia MODO Bass 2 €299.99 PC MAC

Refining their low-end generator with new tones and stylistic options, IK Multimedia affirm their brilliance for making virtual session players

Roland Jupiter-4 $199 PC MAC

When great plugins come around, the very best stay in a perpetual orbit of use. We revisit the reincarnation of Roland’s original planetary gas

Toolroom Academy Infinite £49.99 PC MAC

Need a simple way to finesse your builds and drops? This new plugin from Toolroom Academy could be the answer

15 questions with… AmyElle

With an upbringing during which she enjoyed her parents’ “stupidly big” CD collection, AmyElle’s influences include everything from classical music to Detroit techno. But it’s her house tracks that have given her millions of streams and support from Radio 1, and helped launch a DJ career that’s seen her play live at Amnesia, Tomorrowland and across the States

BARGAIN BEATS

Over the next 20 pages we’re going big on drum machines: programming, sounds, the best plugins and more. And for less cash too!