Latest articles by Andy Jones
He coined the term EDM and created the electronic drum kit... meet Richard James Burgess
The unsung hero of music production, Burgess has been there or thereabouts in just about every major innovation of the last 50 years…
“v3 delivers a well rounded mix of ‘must-haves’ and ‘wants’”: Korg Gadget 3 review
Korg’s Gadget is unusual in that it made the move from iOS to desktop, but is there room for it in 2024?
“A surprisingly capable and very easy to use EQ that you can go as deep with as you wish”: Wavesfactory Equalizer review
Another day, another smart EQ, but does this rather blandly-named processor do a great job without stressing you out?
“One of the easiest and classiest-sounding drum instruments in its price range”: Modalics MINDst Drums review
It might be a bit too purple, but behind its simple UI, MINDst Drums delivers all the mix-ready, real beats you could need…
The genius of 'anti-producer' Steve Albini
This month in our Pioneers series, we explore the influence of an engineer whose uncompromising approach helped to shape the sound of albums from Nirvana, Pixies and PJ Harvey
Best Waves plugins 2024: Our pick of effects to help make you a better music producer
From emulations of iconic studio hardware to the most out-there multi-effects and versatile vocal tuners, we round up the Waves effects that matter in music production
Studio designer Jim Keller on Martin Gore’s studio: "He had the most equipment that I've ever seen"
Jim Keller's Sondhus has created extraordinary studios for bands including a-ha and Depeche Mode. What can they teach us about making our own spaces work to our advantage?
Best audio interfaces under $200/£200 2024: Make high quality recordings that won't break the bank
Our pick of sub-$/£200 audio interfaces from Focusrite, Audient, Arturia and more
"We’re getting our hardware and software worlds to collide and make beautiful music together": The ultimate guide to studio workflow
Want to marry up your digital desktop or mobile DAW setups with hardware synths or a Eurorack? Get the best from all worlds as we unite analogue and digital in sweet harmony…
"If you want to write a classic pop song, use these chords: Ab, Bb, G minor 7th, C minor. You can’t go wrong with that": How to make a track that sounds like The Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys have just released a new album, Nonetheless, so it’s a great time to show you how to create some of their signature sounds for free
“One of the best sound design tools around”: Arturia Pigments 5 review
Arturia’s Pigments is one synth to do it all, in as slick a way as possible. And v5’s additions are a lot better than they sound
“Fantasic for those who like the feel of console mixing and the SSL sound”: SSL UC1 and 360 Link review
SSL’s UC1 is now capable of controlling all of your plugins thanks to the company’s new (and free) SSL 360 Link plugin. Is it time for a reappraisal?
How Jean-Michel Jarre brought the synthesizer to the masses
With little around to compete with the single Oxygène when he released it nearly 50 years ago, Jean-Michel Jarre became the pinup of synth pop, and has continued to embrace the cutting-edge ever since. A true pionnier du synthétiseur…
Best synthesizers 2024: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
From cheap monosynths to the best high-end polysynths, our experts have hand-picked the best synthesizers for every budget
How to recreate the sound of Kraftwerk's Autobahn in your DAW
This year marks an incredible 50 years since Kraftwerk released Autobahn, the track that brought electronic music to the masses, and even the charts
“Holds its own in the shadow of its older Oddity sibling, sporting some really beautiful synthetic textures”: GForce Software Axxess review
Recreating a classic (though not very obvious) ARP synth with characteristic aplomb. We get Axxess all areas…
“You now get close to 40 instruments in total which is quite incredible”: Arturia V Collection X review
Arturia’s mighty V Collection reaches generation X, but now its focus is not just on classic keyboards but new ones too
“A magnificent synth and worth the large outlay if you make the most of the year's All Access content”: Minimal Audio Current review
Deftly side-stepping the subscription saga, we spent some quality time with Minimal Audio’s dexterous flagship. Here’s our findings…
“One of the great 21st-century polysynths”: UDO Audio Super Gemini review
Just like the astrological sign Gemini, UK company UDO’s “bi-everything” synth is double the fun
We'd forgotten quite how many Depeche Mode bargains Alan Wilder shifted in his legendary auction
An Oberheim and Minimoog went for a song, but it was a Martin Gore guitar and E-mu sampler that stole the show
The story of Depeche Mode's Songs of Faith and Devotion album and tour is the most rock 'n' roll ever
Near-death experiences, breakdowns, talking puppets, heart attacks, sleeping in coffins… Just another Depeche Mode album, then
Is Casio's 'recording studio in a boombox' the most bizarre music-making product of all time?
Synth workstation? Karaoke machine? Recording studio in a ghetto blaster? Answer: all - and none - of the above…
"Computers are the worst thing that has happened for the musician": classic Vangelis interview reveals his studio wrath
The late composer might have been known for his cutting-edge synth use, but he didn't agree with every studio breakthrough
