Synths & Sound Design

Editorial | Nov 10, 2013 by G.W. Childs IV

30 years on and MIDI is alive and kicking. But what about the next 30 years? What about current and future alternatives? G. W. Childs investigates the emerging technology for musicians.

Tip | Nov 08, 2013 by Hollin Jones

Put away your mics and forget about hiring that upright acoustic piano (for now!)... Native Instruments' The Giant piano instrument is here to provide a realistic alternative as Hollin Jones find out.

Tutorial | Nov 07, 2013 by Ben Balser

You may have heard it's possible for Logic Pro X to read FCPXML! Ben Balser explores the best ways possible to create a successful workflow between Apple's pro video and audio workstations.

Tutorial | Nov 06, 2013 by Darren Burgos

In this article Darren Burgos examines three third party plug-ins that use frequency ducking to attain a better sounding kick/bass combination. Waves, Brainworx and WaveFactory are in the lab.

Tutorial | Nov 04, 2013 by Darren Burgos

Bass amps are for bass players only? Nope! Kick open Logic Pro X and follow this excellent tutorial by Darren Burgos as he shows you how to use Bass Amp Designer in new and novel ways for synths.

Tutorial | Nov 03, 2013 by Rory Dow

Akai's APC40 is an awesome bit of kit for DJs & producers. Rory Dow, master synthesist and Ableton Live user, explores how to make it even better using Max for Live. (Part 2/2)

Tutorial | Nov 01, 2013 by David Earl

David Earl (aka SFLogicNinja) is here on a mission. The mission is to explain the history of FM synthesis (you know, Ghostbusters basslines, etc). In this fascinating article David does that and more.

Tutorial | Oct 31, 2013 by Darren Burgos

When mixing we often think of EQing and Compressing as quite separate processes. Darren Burgos sets out to show you how the two have more in common than you might think.

Tutorial | Oct 30, 2013 by Tadhg Leonard

You're playing live. Triggering samples in Ableton Live 9. But you've got 132 to choose from... Yikes! Tadhg Leonard shares some super tips on using the pitch plug-in to trigger samples in an instant!

Tutorial | Oct 21, 2013 by Darren Burgos

If your mix is sounding a bit flat or instruments feel hidden away it's time to employ some top tips to give your tracks more punch! Darren Burgos shows how to do just that in Logic Pro X.

Tip | Oct 19, 2013 by G.W. Childs IV

NI's Razor is appreciated for its cutting-edge sonic capabilities. In this tutorial, G. W. Childs slices through the many layers of this complex synth with a mind to get vocoding.

Tutorial | Oct 18, 2013 by Mo Volans

Getting started creating EDM? Here are 5 excellent tips for producing electronica in Steinberg's Cubase, courtesy of Mo Volans.

Tutorial | Oct 17, 2013 by G.W. Childs IV

The Trap music genre seems to be constantly evolving... and borrowing from other more established styles too. In this tutorial, G. W. Childs shows how to make Trap style beats in Propellerhead Reason.

Tutorial | Oct 14, 2013 by Tadhg Leonard

Make the most of those versatile dummy clips in Ableton Live 9 with this creative tip by Tadhg Leonard. Learn how to use them for advanced control of your effects via different launch modes.

Tutorial | Oct 11, 2013 by G.W. Childs IV

In this tutorial, sound designer, G. W. Childs, delves into a Macklemore and Lewis track, Can't Hold Us. Using FL Studio 11's Poizone, G.W. shows how to recreate its minimal synth sound.