Swing can help bring your beats to life. There’s not much to it on paper: sometimes just a few milliseconds of delay. But these small deviations from the rhythmic grid can inject your beats with personality, propulsion, and humanity. In short, swing in music helps transform a beat into a groove. All that sounds a little abstract. So what is swing in music exactly? Is it a rhythm or an attitude? In this tutorial, we’ll answer these questions in detail, giving you a solid grounding in swing. We’ll also demonstrate how to use DAW swing functionality and other tools to add groove, realism, and c ..read more

The humble synth pad doesn’t always get its dues. This subtle supporting element is widely used in electronic tracks, film and video game scores, and beyond. But it’s easily missed by listeners. Whether it’s filling out an arrangement, adding emotional depth, or heightening atmosphere and tension, synth pads play a crucial role in much modern music. So what are synth pads exactly, and how should you use them in your music? In this article, we’ll dive deep into pads. We’ll explain their key characteristics, explore the best synth for pads to suit your project, and show you how to make your ow ..read more

You know that feeling when a track tickles your gut, moves your heart, and resonates with your soul? That’s the magic of sub bass. Whether you’re banging out an electrifying dance anthem or pouring your heart into a touching ballad, getting your sub bass right can really take your tracks from good to unforgettable. In this guide, we’re going discover what sub bass is, how to make sub bass from scratch, and the best ways for how to use sub bass in your own music. We’re talking everything from basic sound design to those pro tips that will make your sub bass feel just right. So, gear up for a ..read more

Famous drum breaks (or breakbeats) are more than just beats – they’re actually the foundation of genres like hip hop and drum and bass. Drum breaks provide plenty of soul to get bodies moving and groovin’. So, whether you’re just learning how to produce music or you’ve been at it for ages, they’re worth learning about! In this piece we’ll explore what drum breaks are, dive into some of the most iconic breakbeats throughout history, and show you how to create your own. Ready to break it down? Jump to these sections What are drum breaks? The best drum breaks of all time “Amen” “Funky Drummer ..read more

As a producer or beatmaker, you might assume that focusing on the beat or melody is where your focus should lie. But if you want to infuse variety and complexity into your music, you should gain a good understanding of chords and their role in music production/beat making. Whether you’re looking for different types of guitar chords or piano chords, having some insight into chords and harmony will enhance your musicality – allowing you to create richer chord progressions, giving you a language to communicate with other musicians, helping you choose and flip appropriate samples, and more. In t ..read more

If you’re new to the world of music production, you may find yourself wondering about the terms ‘tempo’ and ‘BPM’, and how they relate to making a piece of music. Tempo refers to how quickly a piece of music is played, and it’s a crucial element that sets the overall pace and feel of the music. One can imagine it as the heartbeat or rhythm of a musical composition. Some songs are slow, and others are fast, and we can think of this like the speedometer of a car. Typically slow-moving pieces of music are more relaxed, and faster pieces are more exciting. In this guide to tempo we’ll answe ..read more

Welcome to the pulsating, vibrant world of electronic dance music (EDM). EDM producers create music that sets the dance floor ablaze. It’s a journey of endless creativity, where each beat, synth, and drop tells a story. In this blog, we will explore the depths of what EDM music really is and share insights and experiences to guide you in creating your very own EDM tracks. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been mixing beats for years, these tips will offer valuable techniques from the world of EDM production that can help you produce a track that sounds like this: NativeInstrument ..read more

If you’re a composer or producer focusing on the world of orchestration, it’s critical to understand the nature of the instruments you work with. Just as sound designers need to master synthesis, composers must master orchestration and arrangement. The proper use of woodwind arrangements, for instance, can greatly influence your compositions. Until now you might not have had the space to explore these orchestral instruments due to a lack of access to a woodwind section. With the release of Action Woodwinds making this section accessible, now is the best time to learn how to arrange woodwinds ..read more

Melodic bass music, known for its emotional depth, powerful bass lines, and memorable melodies, is one of the fastest growing sub-genres of EDM. Whether you’re looking to catch the feels at a massive music festival or you’re in need of a good cry on a long road trip, melodic bass music always seems to resonate with the heart while moving the body. In this tutorial, discover what melodic bass music is and learn how to make melodic bass music that sounds like this: NativeInstruments · 01 Be The Light by Arthur Kody Jump to these sections: What is melodic bass music? What’s the difference ..read more

Color box plugins can add depth, warmth, and sonic personality to your digital recordings. In this guide, we’ll learn more about color box plugins and how they impact your sound, as well as explore five of the best color box plugins for music production, each with unique features that can help breathe life into your tracks. The plugins featured in this list include WUNDERLICH, Trash, SILVER BULLET mk2, HG-2MS, and SA2RATE 2. Jump to these sections: What is a color box plugin? 5 color box plugins for music production: NEOLD WUNDERLICH iZotope Trash Louder Than Liftoff SILVER BULLET mk2 Blac ..read more