This free VST plugins roundup features five quality-sounding instruments. Find sound-making tools that deliver a variety of sounds fit for any genre. Free VST Plugins Each month we search the web for some of the music industry’s most essential freeware instrument and effect plugins. This list of free VST plugin downloads offers five modern instruments for your arsenal. No need to spend a dime or waste time trawling the internet. 1. Native Instruments | Komplete Start Fill your music production toolbox with KOMPLETE START. This free bundle has a selection of studio-quality instruments, effects ..read more

Find ten of the best headphones for music production in this Icon Picks roundup. This buyer’s guide also explains the different headphone types to help you choose the right pair of cans for the job. Photo by Neumann What are Studio Headphones? Studio headphones are an essential monitoring tool for music production, recording, mixing, and mastering. However, there’s a difference between standard and studio headphones. Studio headphones are designed for accuracy, comfort, and durability. In contrast, consumer headphones accentuate frequencies, like bass and treble. They don’t give you an accurat ..read more

What is audio saturation, and what are the best saturation plugins? This Icon Picks roundup features 20 saturation effects that will harmonically enhance your music. What is Saturation in Music? Audio saturation is an effect that generates harmonics and applies soft-clipping compression. Saturation is also the essence of what makes analog hardware sound musical and pleasing. Driving sounds through tape, tubes, transistors, and circuits have long been an essential ingredient in great-sounding mixes. The effect originates from the analog days when audio recordings ran through various pieces of ..read more

A microphone isolation shield will improve the sound quality of your recordings. Here are the ten best isolation shield and reflection filters for recording vocals. What is a Microphone Isolation Shield? A microphone isolation shield is a filter that reduces unwanted noise, ambiance, and sound wave reflection. It also improves the sound quality of recordings by isolating the microphone from the surrounding environment. Reflection filters have dense, uneven acoustic materials that dampen and absorb sound wave reflections. Eliminating unwanted noise and reflections will make your vocal recordin ..read more

This roundup features the latest music industry news and new music technology from Slate Digital, Waves, Arturia, Elektron, Native Instruments, and more. Photo by ApogeeLatest Music Industry News and Technology ICON Collective’s music news roundup is your source for the latest music technology, industry news, gear reviews, announcements, events, and more. Slate Digital Releases INFINITY EQ INFINITY EQ is a 24-band graphical equalizer designed to improve workflow. Execute your musical ideas with minimal mouse movements, clicks, and modifier keys. The slick interface also provides a fast select ..read more

This free VST plugins roundup features a stereo imager, vintage string synth, a Baxandall EQ, a VCA modeled compressor, and a creative delay effect. Free VST Plugins Each month we search the web for some of the music industry’s most essential freeware instrument and effect plugins. This list of free VST plugin downloads offers five modern tools for your arsenal. No need to spend a dime or waste time trawling the internet. 1. Ozone Imager V2 | Stereo Width Effect Ozone Imager V2 by iZotope brings updates to its fluid visuals, full resizability, and a new Stereoize mode. Control the width of y ..read more

Looking for the best studio chairs? This ICON Picks roundup features five high-quality recording studio chairs that offer maximum comfort, adjustability, support, and style! Photo by Herman MillerWhat Are the Best Studio Chairs for Music Production? The importance of recording studio chairs is often overlooked. Finding an ergonomic studio chair is vital to your health and productivity. Especially for music producers and audio engineers who spend long hours in the studio. A substandard chair can force you to sit in an unnatural position, putting unnecessary stress on your lower back, neck, and ..read more

This EDM news roundup features new music technology and announcements from Output, Universal Audio, Akai, Arturia, Moog, Pioneer DJ, Novation, and more. Photo by NovationMusic Industry News ICON Collective’s music news roundup is your source for the latest music technology, industry news, gear reviews, artist interviews, events, and more. Here are ten exciting new products recently introduced at NAMM 2020. Output and Barefoot Debut New Studio Monitors Output and Barefoot are collaborating on a studio monitor expected to release this summer. The Output studio monitors combine sleek, modern des ..read more

This free VST plugins roundup features a Pultec EQ emulation, an advanced tremolo effect, an 808 bass instrument, analog-style saturation, and a classic polysynth emulation. Free VST Plugins Each month we search the web for some of the music industry’s most essential freeware instrument and effect plugins. This list of free VST plugin downloads offers five modern tools for your arsenal. No need to spend a dime or waste time trawling the internet. 1. Analog Obsession | Rare EQ Effect Rare is an analog emulation of the iconic Pultec EQP-1A equalizer. This tube-style equalizer brings sought-aft ..read more

What are the best mini MIDI keyboard controllers? This ICON Picks roundup lists ten quality mini MIDI keyboards for your creative needs. Photo by ROLIWhat are Mini MIDI Keyboard Controllers? Mini MIDI keyboard controllers are an essential piece of music gear. These versatile keyboards enable you to control DAW functions, virtual instruments, and plugin effects. Compact mini keyboard controllers are also ideal for music producers wanting a feature-packed creative tool that’s affordable, portable, and lightweight. The biggest differences between mini MIDI keyboard controllers and standard MIDI k ..read more