Latest articles by Roland Schmidt
“An absolute triumph, with a depth of colouration that’s flexible in many settings”: Freqport Freqtube FT-1 review
Fancy adding some analogue impurity to your DAW? It's time to turn on, plug in and freq out…
How to work with effected vocals in your mix: "Vocoders generally react well to signals that have heavy transients"
Knowing where to use vocal processing could make or break your track. We take a look at where you might choose to add some electronic vocal colour
Classic vocal effects, explained: "Contrary to many people’s assumptions, the vocoder itself is not actually a synthesizer"
Never mind AI, we’re getting the robots involved in production, as we demystify vocoders, talkboxes, hard-tuning and harmonisers!
“A unique world of realism, which in piano terms makes this a Holy Grail”: Synthogy Ivory 3 German D review
One of the most highly regarded piano libraries around gets an update. Does it strike a chord?
“Armed with 450 presets, it has the capacity to impress with its scope for diverse sounds and creativity”: Cherry Audio Pro Soloist review
A bit of a diva in synth clothing? We travel back to 1972 for a reimagining of an ARP classic with soloistic tendencies
How to design a filter-thumping bass patch
Following our deep-dive into the oscillator section of BazilleCM, we follow the signal flow to create a beastly bass sound
“Accurate and very usable results in all stylistic scenarios”: Mastering the Mix RESO review
If pesky frequency spikes are troubling your instrument channels and mixes, maybe it’s time to find some RESOlution
“These SDX packs are best in class”: Toontrack Stockholm & Stories SDX Expansions review
In its quest to create the most flexible drum suite on the planet, Toontrack hit the road. We are hot on its tail
How to design a fractal sync tone: "When it comes to lead synth sounds, oscillator sync is about as iconic as it gets"
In part two of our new deep-dive into our Computer Music Plugin Suite’s best software, we take another look at BazilleCM’s oscillators, and harness some fractal resonance!
“The most fantastic-sounding Moog package, which can provide a ton of synth bass detail”: Moog Mariana review
Looking for absorbent synth bass sounds? Moog’s new software synth bass plumbs new trench-like depths
“Boundless amounts of creativity in the smallest of footprints”: Waldorf Iridium Core Desktop review
Waldorf’s latest desktop synthesizer shrinks the groundbreaking Iridium to its Core element. We push the button
How to design a bass sound using phase distortion synthesis
In the first of a new series exploring Computer Music's Plugin Suite, we prove that phase distortion synthesis doesn’t have to be perplexing, using the mighty BazilleCM
“A brilliant facsimile which has some serious depths in its detail”: Cherry Audio PS-3300 review
Cherry Audio’s latest software adaptation recreates a mythical beast, Korg’s PS-3300. We go hands-on with a legend reborn
“Like having the greatest hits of synths on speed-dial”: UVI Synth Anthology 4 review
From the very old to the über new, UVI’s latest library has been collated with care. We blow off the dust on some classics
“The next best thing to a ‘real’ OB”: GForce Software OB-X review
First they brought you Vintage Synth Trumps, now GForce add this bona fide classic to the fold
How to design a gated synth sequence
Adding motion to a characterful synth pad can completely revitalise your track. We take two LFOs and get modulating
How to design a funky synth patch that sounds like the Clavinet
Recreate the distinctive sound of the Clavinet, a keyboard favoured by everyone from Snarky Puppy to Stevie Wonder
How to design a 'glide and rise' lead synth patch
Creating an interesting synth lead for an arpeggiated hook in your track isn’t difficult. We just glide ’n’ rise!
How to design a tape-inspired string synth patch like Moby's Porcelain
When you want a hint of vintage, but you’re keeping things contemporary, try programming this tape-inspired string synth sound
