Latest articles by Roland Schmidt
The intricate music theory and lyrical weight of a Tears for Fears classic
A cover of the song would later be a Christmas number one for Gary Jules, but the dense arrangement of the original remains hugely impressive
How close listening to Chic can teach us about the integral relationship between the kick and bass
If you want to add more punch to your production, start at the foundation of your track, with the kick and bass
“Ozone 12 feels like a rite of passage, with a considerable number of enhancements that will make this a worthy upgrade”: iZotope Ozone 12 Advanced review
An industry standard in mastering, Ozone gets an upgrade to version 12, but does it do more than just pump up the volume?
“Built upon the strengths of the original, it takes this vintage classic to contemporary heights”: Cherry Audio Mercury-8 review
Completing the Mercury trilogy, Cherry Audio answers the prayers of its user base, with a recreation of the mightiest of ’80s polysynths
The true meaning and dense theory of one of Gary Numan’s most beloved tracks
The true meaning and dense theory of one of Gary Numan’s most beloved tracks
How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
We lift the bonnet on a foundational piece of synth genius, and demonstrate how you can achieve its distinctive sound yourself in your DAW
How unquantizing your tracks can make them stand out from the AI-dominated crowd
If your music is sounding a little mechanical, maybe it deserves a sprinkle of organic nurturing. We invite you to un-click the quantize!
The elegant simplicity of Radiohead’s second biggest song
What happens if you cross the inspiration of Pet Sounds with lyrics that convey a sense of resignation, and frame it within one of the most soothing arrangements of all time?
Unpacking the technical genius behind one of the most iconic rock songs of the 1980s
Take an old 4-track demo, add a splash of expensive 80s tech, and the results might be a good enough reason for a band of prog legends to reform!
The fascinating music theory behind the kicked-around track that Prince shaped into a hit
What happens when you write a hit for another band, but you want it back? We find out as we trace the complicated history and intriguing theory behind an iconic Prince classic
“One of the most unique, stylish and feature-packed workhorses available”: Spectrasonics Omnisphere 3 review
The flagship synth from Spectrasonics gets a major upgrade, but does it continue its omnipresent status?
“The stunningly impressive sonic and visual attributes immediately inspire, at a price which is affordable to all”: Cherry Audio Crumar Spirit review
Cherry Audio captures the Spirit of an Italian Mini, with a meticulous recreation of a unique classic
Just why are some producers so obsessed with tape?
Analog tape machines have played a central role in music production history. But why, in today’s digital domain, do some still lust after the sound of tape?
“It’s versatile and perfect for live performance and Hammond action!”: Nord Organ 3 review
If the thought of ‘Green Onions’ turns you to a ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’, Nord has something in mind, as its legendary Organ series climbs to version 3
How to record a real piano perfectly
Nothing adds organic character to a track like live piano, but recording one isn’t easy. We lift the piano lid and talk about pianistic logistics!
How Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush brought one of the most emotive songs of the 1980s to life
What happened when two musical icons joined forces? The birth of a timeless duet with a surprising country origin…
Ever wondered how a microphone really works?
If microphone terminology confuses more than it helps, this guide will illuminate the microphone basics
“It could be easy to think that the strings and brass sections are somehow weaker than their synthesizer counterpart, but this would be an enormous mistake”: Cherry Audio Trident mkIII review
Cherry Audio’s new mythological synth provides a three-pronged attack on an early '80s and underexploited classic
From the Prophet-5 to the Fourm, the story of Sequential in 10 synths, sequencers and drum machines
As the company releases its most accessible synth yet, we chart the rise, fall and revival of Sequential
The true meaning and dense theory of one of Gary Numan’s most beloved tracks
The true meaning and dense theory of one of Gary Numan’s most beloved tracks
The music theory behind a Depeche Mode classic
Dissecting one of Depeche Mode’s most cherished and universally beloved songs reveals some compelling inner-workings
“A fine example of modelling software, providing some really engaging sounds, particularly for the contemporary domain”: Expressive E Soliste review
Expressive E adds MPE to the physically-modelled world of solo strings. We pick up a bow and apply some virtual rosin
“An excellent build and pretty formidable soundset make it a desirable studio-based keyboard”: Arturia AstroLab 88 review
Arturia brings us a galactic-sized update to the AstroLab series, with a full 88 notes, more sounds and extended functionality
