Blog - Tips & Tutorials

Learn how to sample vinyl records, where to download royalty-free samples that you can use in your music, and how to chop and manipulate samples.

Learn what a preamp does and how preamps work. Explore different types of preamplifiers and their applications in recording studios and the world of live sound.

If you don't know when to use a DI box, you might be damaging the quality of your guitar and bass recordings, and hurting your sound when performing live.

Did you know phantom power can damage audio equipment? If you aren't sure when to engage +48V phantom power on your audio interface, your microphones could be at risk.

Learn about the 1176 compressor developed by Universal Audio (UA) and United Recording Electronics Industries (UREI).

Learn about the history, function, and lasting impact of the talk box, popularized by 70s rock and modern pop music icons.

Learn how to select the best online music production course that offers practical experience, expert guidance, and flexible learning for a great value.

Learn how saturation adds warmth, depth, and character to your music, and discover the best digital tools to recreate these effects in your mix.

Learn about the definition of perceived loudness, how it affects audio consumers, and how to control perceived loudness levels.

Learn which features to look for in a turntable. Find a turntable that matches your needs and budget.

Learn how nine essential musical composition techniques can help you write songs with a solid emotional impact.

Explore the transformative impact of AI on music production, fostering creativity, enhancing learning, and addressing industry challenges.

Explore the signs of music production addiction and the importance of balancing passion and well-being for a fulfilling and healthy music-making journey.

Learn the risks of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and simple steps to prevent hearing damage.

Learn the eight personality traits essential to become a successful music producer, including creativity, attention to detail, patience, technical proficiency, adaptability, passion, communication skills, and business savvy.

Create a dialogue processing chain that includes noise reduction, compression, EQ, and limiting. Make your voiceovers and podcasts sound professional.

Learn about unusual mastering techniques like using reverb and leveraging multiple limiters.

Discover which online music production course is right for you. Learn about music theory, composition, sound design, recording, mixing, and mastering.

Start developing VST, VST3, RTAS, AU, and AAX plugins using C++ and JUCE.

Learn how to use your DAW's built-in signal routing features to streamline the process of mixing music.

Learn how using smart home devices can help you produce music faster, protect your gear, and streamline your workflow.

Learn which virtual instruments and audio effects will help you write the most brutal, aggressive, and raw metal music.

Learn how to remove background noise from dialog, vocals, and instruments in the studio and on stage using a noise gate.

Learn how the processes of mixing music and mastering music are different from one another.

Discover the best podcast shows for music producers. Learn about music production, audio engineering, and music business on the go.

Overcome common music production pitfalls and instantly improve the quality of the songs that you write.

Streamline your music production workflow and write better songs with these Ableton tips.

Learn how to dive into music production and start producing songs with no musical background.

Record yourself playing acoustic or electric guitar at home in 6 steps.

Learn how to pitch correct vocals using Antares' Auto-Tune software. Gently tighten pitch or create T-Pain style vocal effects.

Learn how to make more money with your music using these marketing and promotion tips.

Avoid costly mistakes by investing in computer parts that will improve performance when producing music, saving on components that won't, and more.

Develop your photography, videography, graphic design, and web design skills to create a more powerful artist brand.

Learn about 3 of the most popular hardware vocal compressors on the market and discover recommended vocal compression settings.

Learn how to connect two computers to your home studio setup, and toggle control of peripheral devices using a switch.

Learn how to produce better music without spending more money on plugins and gear.

Discover the 4 simple steps you can take to take to turn your home guitar recordings into the crazy amped-up guitars you hear in rock and metal songs.

Discover how mixing with headphones compares to mixing with studio monitors and learn 4 tips to produce better mixes using headphones.

Learn how to use a vocoder to create robotic vocals. Control a vocoder, like Waves' OVox, using its built-in synth or Xfer Records' Serum.

Learn how clippers and limiters differ from one another by taking a look at Kazrog's KClip 3 and FabFilter's Pro-L 2.

Learn about the pros and cons of mastering your music going the DIY route, using an automated AI mastering service, and hiring a pro mastering engineer.

Learn what a music producer does and what's involved in the production process, as well as how to start producing music.

Learn the difference between mic-level signal, instrument-level signal, line-level signal, and speaker-level signal.

Learn how to set up and use a patch bay to create customizable signal processing chains using hardware like mic preamps, EQs, compressors, reverbs, and delays.

Learn how to prepare your mix correctly for a mastering engineer. Discover the export settings you should use when exporting your songs, along with other tips to ensure the mastering process runs smoothly.

Learn what an aux (return) track does and how to mix songs faster using aux tracks (tips for all DAWs). Use 4 go-to aux track templates to simplify the process of mixing.

Learn how to wrap audio cables using an over-under cable wrapping technique to wrap cables perfectly every time.

Music publicist, Kari Zalik, explains how to grow your fanbase using an 8-step public relations campaign formula.

Learn how to build a budget-friendly vocal recording booth at home in under 45 minutes.

Learn which freelance websites will help you make the most money by selling your services as a musician and music producer.

Learn how to build high-quality DIY acoustic panels for a fraction of the cost of store-bought acoustic panels.

Learn the difference between mono and stereo audio files, playback, and recording.

Learn how to prevent frequency masking using the FabFilter Pro-C 2's external sidechain input.

Learn how clipping can improve your masters and how to effectively apply clipping step-by-step.

Learn how to overcome the roadblocks holding you back from working full-time in the music industry.

Learn how to use a 5-step process to capture better bass recordings.

Learn how a mastering DAW, like Steinberg's Wavelab Pro 10, allows you to perform loudness level matching, create DDP images, and more.

Learn how to find your place in the music industry by following your interests, making your own opportunities, and more.

Learn how to turn phase cancellation, a common audio problem, into a creative mixing tool.

Learn how to remove clicks, clips, crackle, hum, reverb, and noise from damaged audio recordings.

Learn how to create better masters using iZotope Ozone 9's most exciting features.

Learn music production faster by writing down unfamiliar concepts, watching YouTube videos, using an RSS reader, and more.

Learn what an audio interface does, why you need an audio interface, and which audio interface is right for you.

Learn about the tools, supplies, and skills you need to make instrument and microphone cables.

Learn how arranging your mix into the shape of a tree can result in improved mono compatibility.

Learn how mastering in a virtual studio, using a headphone EQ, auditioning your masters using earbuds, and more will help improve your music.

Learn about the pros and cons of open-back and closed-back headphones, as well as which type of headphones are best for you.

Learn what vocoders sound like, how vocoders work, and how to set up Ableton's vocoder.

Learn how you to organize your first soft ticket sales tour as a DJ/producer. No fan base required.

Learn how to use saturation to make your basslines audible, your drums aggressive, and more.

Learn how to get booked more often and make more money from your music by building a better artist brand.

Learn what mastering is, how to set up your mastering studio, and how to master your music for streaming services.

Learn what it takes to quit your day job and work full-time as a beatmaker.

Learn how to mix electric guitar using a variety of the latest and greatest audio plugins.

Learn how to provide song feedback in a way that artists will be receptive to.

Learn the difference between a regular compressor and a sidechain compressor, and how to use sidechain compression in Ableton Live.

Learn how to finish writing and producing songs using 10 proven songwriting techniques.

Learn what makes a good studio monitor, how studio monitors work, and how to choose the right studio monitors.

Learn about music theory concepts like pitch, notes, intervals, major and minor keys, chords, and chord progressions.

Learn how to use transient shaping, gated reverb, glue compression, slapback delay, parallel compression, and more.

Learn about the benefits of mixing on headphones in addition to studio monitors.

Learn how to use compression to tame transients, highlight transients, and create space in your mix.

Learn how to correctly apply acoustic treatment to your music studio and build acoustic panels for as little as $25.

Learn how room modes, standing waves, nodes, and anti-nodes cause you to mix your bass too quiet/loud.

Learn how to improve your listening environment by placing your desk and speakers correctly within your studio.

Learn how to profit off of your music video haters by using their comments to boost organic social interaction.

Learn how to create powerful basslines by controlling your arrangement, shaping ADSR at the source, and more.

Learn how to successfully work with other music producers using 4 simple collaboration strategies.

Learn how to reduce the time you spend mixing by recording quality audio, learning your mixing tools, and more.

Learn how you can use an EQ to make room for your low-end, remove inaudible frequencies, and more.

Learn how to make wider mixes using panning, stereo imaging plugins, synthetic doubles, and more.

Learn about the concept of phase and how you can use phase alignment to create songs that playback punchier.

Learn how to pitch correct vocals using pitch correction software like Celemony's Melodyne and Antares' Auto-Tune.

Learn how to internally record and process any of the audio played back by your Mac. Make Netflix audio louder too.

Learn how to use outboard gear with your computer. Record through hardware EQs, compressors, and reverbs.

Learn where to place your subwoofer and how to set your subwoofer to the correct level and crossover frequency.

Learn about how phasers and flangers process audio and how to tell them apart by ear.

Learn about the first step in quitting your day job and making music production your full-time career.

Learn how to record professional quality vocals by choosing the right recording space, microphone, and more.

Learn how to make your mixes sound great on phone speakers, laptop speakers, and car stereo systems.

Learn how dynamic EQs and multiband compressors work, and how they're different from one another.

Learn how to record acoustic guitar using the right microphones and recording techniques.

Learn how computers work and what specs to look for in a computer built for music production.

Learn how to make business deals, network in small and big cities, and judge the quality of business connections.

Learn how transient shapers and compressors apply processing, and when to use one over the other.

Learn how to afford expensive music studio equipment by making use of financial management apps, and more.

Learn how synthesizers work by exploring oscillators, voicing, envelopes, LFOs, filters, effects, and more.

Learn how to identify and memorize different musical intervals using your ears.

Learn how to identify and transpose the notes that your drum samples are playing.

Learn which RSS feeds are the best for music producers interested in learning more about music production.

Learn how hearing works by exploring the structure of the outer, middle, and inner ear.

Learn how to produce professional quality mixes using Ableton's stock audio effects.

Learn about analog vs. digital cables, types of analog cables, levels of analog audio signals, and more.

Learn how to produce professional-quality mixes using 6 music production hacks.

Learn how to make large distorted 808s using Native Instruments' Massive synthesizer.

Learn about audio aliasing and how you can prevent it from ruining your recordings.

Learn how to use a compressor. Discover the best plugin compressors for music production and post-production work.

Learn how to turn boring, lifeless compositions into interesting and captivating arrangements.

Learn how to effectively release your music by promoting it to the right people. Turn new listeners into long-term fans.

Learn how to turn the convoluted art of mixing music into a streamlined 6-step process.

Learn what you need to stop doing if you want to improve the quality of your mixes.

Learn how you can familiarize yourself with Ableton Live and begin producing music within 15 minutes of installation.

Learn how you to create your own live loop performances using a loop station or Ableton Live.

Learn how to turn the messy process of recording vocals into a streamlined, step-by-step procedure.

Learn what reverb is and how you can use this creative effect to manipulate the perception of space in your mixes.

Learn how to produce songs that are competitively loud and playback seamlessly in DJ sets. Win the loudness wars.

Learn how to produce music faster in Ableton Live using project templates, default audio effect presets, and more.

Learn how to start collecting streaming royalties, performance royalties, mechanical royalties, digital performance royalties, and sync fees.

Learn what mastering is and what you can realistically expect when you hire a mastering engineer.

Learn why you should or shouldn't go to school for music production. The right choice depends on your goals.

Learn how you can coach a vocalist to deliver a high-quality vocal performance.

Learn how to create additional return tracks in Ableton Live by adding Chains to Audio Effect Racks.

Learn how to achieve a clean low-end using sample selection, EQ, dynamic EQ, sidechain compression, and more.

Learn the difference between analog and digital mastering, and discover which one is right for you.

Learn about pop filters, gain automation, and how to make a de-esser using a multiband compressor.

Learn which YouTube channels are the best for learning music production online.

Learn the difference between sample rate and bit depth. Discover the settings to use when you export your music.

Learn how to use parallel reverb, delay, compression, saturation, stereo widening, and excitation.

Learn what dither is. Discover when you should apply dither to your music, and when you shouldn't.

Learn how to use pink noise to simplify the process of setting your song's track levels.

Learn how to beat writer's block through stream of consciousness writing, drawing mandalas, and more.