Latest articles by Si Truss
What's the difference between different microphone designs and how do they work?
If you've heard the terms dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mic before and wondered what they actually mean, we're here to help
8 essential tips to help you get the most out of Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Version 5 brought a ton of fantastic new features to this increasingly powerful DAW. Get stuck in with our top tips
The best free VST drum plugins 2023: drum machines, samplers and grooveboxes for budget-friendly beatmaking
Top quality free drum synths, ROMplers and percussion plugins
Cableguys FilterShaper XL review
The modulation-obsessed developer turns its attention back to its classic filter plugin. We get moving…
Cinthie: "My studio is pretty much a Roland museum. All these old machines are all still very relevant"
As a DJ, producer, label boss and owner of the Elevate record store, Cinthie is a cornerstone of Berlin’s contemporary house scene
5 classic house bass sounds and how to make them
We cook up some of house music's most iconic low-end patches
The definitive guide to producing house music in 2023
It's the genre that gave birth to DJing and clubs as we know them, spanning from black and queer roots in Chicago to arenas, festivals and pop charts across the world - but how is it made?
Gear Talk: Is Roland's Gaia 2 a worthy successor to the original? | Is digital hardware a waste of money? | Why is Behringer calling out gear reviewers?
We discuss the month's burning music tech questions in our new video series
Roland Gaia 2 review
Roland’s ‘hands-on’ virtual analogue returns with some fresh tricks up its sleeve. But does it still have one foot stuck in the past?
8 interesting ways to transition from one part of a track to the next
Bored of using the same old risers? These transition tips will help you get from A to B without catching any Zs
Make some freaky sounds with these experimental sound design tips
Sometimes the best way to inspire new sounds is to go leftfield. Think outside the box with these tips…
12 tips, tricks and ideas for making better beats
Drums are the backbone of most electronic tracks, so giving them a distinctive sound is vital. Here are some tips to help get them on the right path
Pro Tools Sketch: industry-standard DAW gets Ableton Live-style clip launching and a free iPad app, but will it convince you to switch?
Avid makes its pitch to loop-based music makers
James Hype: "The kick drum is everything in dance music. The best way to fix a shit track is to change the kick"
The in-demand DJ and hit-making producer demonstrates his approach to crafting bootleg edits
10 artists share 50 ways to make your music better: "If something in your mix sounds crap, it’s probably you - not the gear!"
Chris Lake, MEDUZA, CHLOÉ and more dish out 50 essential production tips for aspiring music-makers
Roland S-1 Tweak Synthesizer review
The S-1 is one of the smallest polysynths on the market but there’s more here than meets the eye
Minimal Audio Fuse Compressor review
Fuse aims to make multiband compression easy. But does that come at the cost of versatility?
200bpm breakcore, blasts of feedback and blinding visuals: Aphex Twin's Forwards Festival set was a divisive, high-octane victory lap
Richard D. James' hybrid live-come-DJ performance in Bristol cemented his reputation as one of the very best
6 tips for mixing effectively on headphones
Whether you're using cans as a secondary mixing tool or ditching studio monitors altogether, here are six essential tips to help you mix better on headphones
Why is it so hard to finish a track? We explain how you can break free of the 4-bar loop and actually make some music
Turn your unfinished ideas into release-ready records – fast!
Quick Tips: How to identify and fix phase issues
You might know how to spot when this common problem besets your music but how do you fix it? We explore some options here…
Arturia MicroFreak v5 review
The eccentric digital synth gets some solid sampling capabilities. We go granular
The iconic Roland TR-808 tracks that made a legend
Key cuts from seminal artists, including Kraftwerk, Marvin Gaye, Aphex Twin, New Order, Afrika Bambaataa and more
