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

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22. To add interest, process a small section of the whole track radically differently. Try 'telephone' EQ, distortion, phasing and filtering. You can use more than one technique per track - it all adds to the 'ear candy' nature of modern pop.

23. Creating and maintaining energy is very important, but you don't want everything to just happen at once. The intro needs some attack, but then drop back and build things through the verse and bridge. If you find the chorus doesn't really arrive in the way you want, consider removing some elements from the section just before, rather than just adding more to the chorus.

24. A good way to imply energy and smooth transitions from one section to the next is to use sounds that bend in pitch. In its simplest form, sweeping white noise can do the job, but look more closely at the instruments at your disposal and you'll find many more options. From guitar and bass slides, to harp and keyboard glissandos, string runs or simply some more vocals (yes, more vocals!), that 'takeoff' effect can work wonders.

25. Modern pop music tends to be quite unadventurous in its structure, relying far less on structural interest than in the past and far more on sonic interest. Bear this in mind if you're presented with a track that includes too many 2/4 bars, linking sections or just seems unfocused generally. Try to establish which sections repeat, and work with the writer or artist to create a three- or fourminute gem, rather than a six-minute epic.