Essential audio filters guide: How to use high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass filters

One of the most essential building blocks of electronic music production and mixing is a filter. An audio filter is a processing technique used to manipulate sound signals in a specific manner. It can modify the frequency response of an audio signal, change its tone or texture, remove unwanted noise or artifact, or enhance specific aspects of the audio....

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How to compose your first EP with Tonnerre and KOMPLETE 14

French electronic producer Tonnerre has released his first EP Ripples based on sketches he composed while exploring KOMPLETE 14 Play Series presets. In this exclusive start-to-finish workshop, the Bordeaux-based artist reveals his artistic intentions, his favorite sounds in KOMPLETE 14, and unveils some of his top music production tips. Learn how to:...

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How to make a deep house track: essential 2023 guide

Deep house is a sub-genre of house music that originated in the 1980s and has become increasingly popular in recent years. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating a deep house track from start to finish, covering everything from selecting the right sounds and samples to arranging, mixing, and mastering your final product...

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How to start a song: 5 ways to break through writer’s block

Whether you’re an experienced musician, or just starting out, sitting down to write a song can be a daunting mission. There are a hundred ways to begin, and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. The most memorable songs may seem simple, but the writing process behind them may have been more complex than you realize. Artists can take weeks...

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The 25 best free KONTAKT instruments in 2023

As the industry’s leading instrument-building tool, KONTAKT is your gateway to the widest collection of sampled instruments available anywhere. But more than a sampler, this shapeshifting platform has powered two decades of blockbuster film scores and chart-topping hits, plus thousands of incredible instruments. And with hundreds of officially licensed...

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How to use delay and echo in music production

Delay is a time-based audio effect that creates a repetition of the original sound. On the face of it, delay is simple: It’s the same sound, repeating. But this humble effect has had a profound influence on modern music. From the slapback of rock n’ roll to the cavernous sounds of dub and the artificial spaces of electronic music, delay has done more...

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Sidechain compression demystified: what it is and how to use it

Even if you’re not familiar with the term “sidechain compression,” you’ve heard it before: dance tracks where the kick drum seems to suck everything back in a song while it punches forward, or that whooshing gulp that swallows up a track every time the kick hits. That’s the sound of sidechain compression. Sidechain compression can also be a helpful...

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How to use reverb: the essential reverb guide for music producers

Reverb is one of the most widely used music production tools. It’s also one of the most commonly misunderstood. Reverb is essential to creating realism and cohesion in your tracks, but it’s all too easy to misuse, leading to a muddy mix and an unconvincing soundworld. And reverb’s potential as a sound design tool is vast, but often overlooked. In this...

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What is a flanger? How to use it in music production

A flanger is a type of audio effect that creates a distinctive “swooshing” or “jet plane” sound. It is created by combining a source audio signal with a slightly delayed, modulated version of itself. The flanger might not appear in every production, but when it does you’ll know it. Flanging can give an eerie, metallic sheen to a voice, or hype up an...

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How to write a bass line: 8 key steps to support your song

Bass lines are a fundamental element of practically all contemporary popular music styles, and help give a track its weight and groove. In this tutorial on how to write a bass line, we’ll show you how to select a bass patch, how to write a good bass line from a chord progression, add rhythm and variations, and ensure your bass line is mixed to perfection....

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