BLEASS Arpeggiator

Classic synth-based arpeggiators' up-down patterns can be tedious, says Stuart Adams. Can Arpeggiator bring the variability he craves?

MODALICS BITFUZZER

Distortion can be a great effect for enlivening and mashing up sounds, and this month we've got you a plugin that can do both

Sidechain compression

Sidechain compression is an excellent mixing tool and in this tutorial we pick apart this essential process

How to make a rave-style techno track

Prepare to get fists in the air as we learn the tools, tricks and tempos for nailing the basics of rave-ready techno

MARIA W HORN

An avid explorer of sound's spectral properties, Maria W Horn's work realises the potential of long-forgotten spaces. Via instrumental textures, room responses, the human voice and a specialised computer language, she synthesises entirely new sonics. We heard more about her processes and the at-times chilling story behind her affecting new album, Panoptikon

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CREATIVE REVERB

Reverb has been relied on for its evocative sonic character ever since the first homo sapien warbled expletives into a dark cave. The transformative power of space is still a vital mix ingredient

Wavetick: forging an equitable music market

Promising an artist-focused service that gives musicians, beatmakers and producers a free marketplace to trade their sonic wares, Wavetick aims to disrupt the current sample website paradigm in the creator's favour. Let's find out more...

Craft Avicii-style melodies

We pay tribute to the modern dance pioneer who, in his short time, set a standard for songwriting in the genre

15 questions with... Canblaster

It's becoming increasingly common to find electronic artists and creatives having a hand in the development of the types of creative tools they themselves want to use.

PETRI ALANKO

Weaving the dramatic and tension-stoking soundtrack to one of the most critically acclaimed games of the last year, Petri Alanko built a score for Alan Wake 2 that harnessed an arsenal of plugins with DIY instruments and a huge array of hardware and software synths. We spoke to Petri about his idiosyncratic approach and its exhilarating results

Leapwing Audio: their own best customers

One of the mixing world's most prolific software innovators, Leapwing Audio's incredible range of intuitive, incisive plugins have let users perform forensic mix surgery with ease, with the company's sideline in emulating the tones of iconic producers merely the cherry on the cake. We gave 'em a call...

Mixing Night Audio: pro results with LOLS

Born out of their popular series of YouTube-based producer masterclasses, Mixing Night Audios quirky and innovative first releases have turned quite a few heads with both their gamified design and pro-level results. We catch up with the company’s respected founders to discuss LOLCOMP the underpinning idea, and how their technology serves to arm their audience

Germanic Monos + Bass

Were taking the autobahn back in time to tap the sound of those 1970s German pioneers. We'll throw in some deep bass for good measure. KUhI!

Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 7 £179

Native Instruments’ guitar rack modelling standard is updated with newly modelled amps and effects. Is it seventh heaven asks Andy Jones?

Phase distortion synthesis with BazilleCM

In the first of a new series exploring our CM Plugin Suite, we prove that phase distortion synthesis doesn't have to be perplexing, using the mighty BazilleCM

SIGN LIBRA

Fashioning a hypnotic sonic universe, which melds expressive vocalisations with lush use of software synthesisers, Latvian artist Sign Libra makes music quite unlike much we've heard before. We caught up with her to find out more about her journey in expressive music-making, and how she shapes her boundless galaxy of sound...

15 questions with...Aaron Horn

Stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father, Aaron Horn has charted a unique journey across the music industry. From collaborating with Doja Cat on the Grammy-nominated Woman, to being part of colourful pop trio Sam and the Womp, Aaron is also a keen explorer of the effects of music in a healing context...

PERFECT PIANO PRODUCTION

All pianos are the same, right? Wrong. There's a ton of variety in brands and models, and knowing your pianistic onions starts with the right instrument

IK Multimedia Pianoverse

IK's new instrument ecosphere promises to deliver pristine piano sounds. With the assistance of a robot or two... Does it tickle Andy Jones' ivories?

Mixing Night Audio LOLCOMP $149

Fancy introducing some colour back into your plugin life? This multi faceted processor could be just what you need

Using inserts vs auxiliaries

Inserts and auxiliaries provide different ways to process audio, and this month, we'll demonstrate how you can use them

CLASSIC SOUND DESIGN

The history of sound design is littered with synth and sampling techniques that could transform your sound.

15 questions with...Shida Shahabi

With a stripped-back production process but a heavyweight sound that mixes electronic processing and classical textures, Shida Shahabi is claiming her own calm space in music. It's an approach that means largely ignoring outside influences, 'best practice' and orthodox methods. Perhaps it's an ethos we can all learn from...

Brainworx AMEK Mastering Compressor

If it transpired that God's own compressor was the basis of Brainworx' latest AMEK-branded plugin, we wouldn't be surprised

CHRIS LAKE

Landing in the UK still buzzing from an extraordinary Coachella set, and the recent release of the pumping, Aluna-guesting Beggin', we seized the rare opportunity to speak with DJ and modern house titan Chris Lake, and find out more about his epic 20+ year journey as a music-maker, his label Black Book Recordings and get his viewpoint on the industry's latest innovations...

De-essing vocal tracks

Unresolved sibilance can cause problems later. Here are various ways to get it sorted in a snap

Creating an ethereal glass pad

If you need a pad that shimmers but doesn't get in the way of your mix, the ZebraCM is on hand, and it's sounding ethereal!

DAACI: More than an AI composer

DAACI is an innovative new 'meta-composition' tool that its creators say will revolutionise producer workflows across the board. But unlike other models, they claim, this one will put human beings right back at the centre. We found out more...

MASTERING IN THE BOX

Budget won't stretch to a trip to a mastering engineer? Or fancy some DIY? Get started here...

Spitfire Audio PC MAC - British Drama Toolkit: Brass and Reeds £169

Whether youre scoring a film or scouting for evocative textures, Spitfire has a dramatic new proposition to capture your imagination