MusicRadar

iZotope Vinyl can add vinyl grunge, while Melodyne can fix dodgy tuning – or create weird sounds

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16. With so many software tuning options available, fixing up a below par vocal performance has never been easier. But that doesn't mean you can just slap on a real-time tuning plug-in. Take time to perfect the tuning and timing of the lead vocal line - remember, it's going to be quite loud.

17. Often, when a track becomes very busy, it's difficult to drop in additional melodies without them getting lost in a mush of clashing frequencies. One trick you can use that's stolen from classical composition is to introduce a high-frequency percussive sound, such as glockenspiel or xylophone. A good starting point for synthetic bell sounds is an FM-based synth.

18. With broadcast limiters squashing the life out of your track, it's important to concentrate on two things. Firstly, keep your main beats (ie, the main four beats in a bar) loud, upfront and punchy, so that even under heavy limiting they remain audible. Secondly, be aware that excess sub frequencies will kick any limiter into overdrive, causing the volume of your track to drop. If you don't have sub monitoring, try a frequency analyser plug-in, and compare your mix to some professionally-produced pop tracks.

19. Although live instruments are experiencing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, you'll find that most pop music still makes use of many synthetic sounds. Whether it's a synth electric guitar patch, an artificial string sound, or the use of samples to add punch to a drum kit, combining the real and the processed is all part of pop.

20. In many respects, pop tends to be quite restrictive - single format and with a simple structure, for example. However, in terms of the sounds used, it will happily steal from the latest urban or underground music. Try replacing your standard sounds with some more cutting-edge ones, so that the part stays the same musically but the sound is more contemporary. Pick from a more obscure genre and you might even create a new trend in pop!

21. Double-tracking vocals and instruments gives them a solid feel but sometimes it's not an option. In this situation, you can use some processing instead to achieve a similar effect. Whether it's a harmoniser like Waves Doubler or a simple chorus, if you're after that swirling, processed sound, these are the effects to go for.

Structure and energy