Best grooveboxes 2023: all-in-one groove machines that bring the fun back to music production
With instant tunes, inspiring ideas and not a computer in sight, these are the best machines for getting your groove on
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Fantastic (free) synths and how to use them: Magical 8bit
Discover the magic of 8-bit sounds, chiptune and video game soundtracks with this free synth plugin
How to use AI to build a responsive reverb with Adaptiverb
Find out how to use Zynaptiq's Adaptiverb, a plugin that adapts its reverb to your source audio using artificial intelligence
Best drum machine plugins 2023: sample and synthesis VSTs for beatmaking
From 808 and 909 emulations to innovative drum synths and AI-assisted samplers
EastWest String Machine review
- £170
Summoning the spirit of the string machines of the pre-digital age, EastWest’s latest VI brings retro-future textures to the 21st century table
Best synth plugins 2023: synth VSTs to suit all styles and budgets
From virtual analogue to wavetable, these are plugins you need on your hard drive
Fantastic (free) synths and how to use them: Dexed
We take on Digital Surburban's stellar recreation of the iconic Yamaha DX7
How to create an ambient synth drone using two plugins
In this tutorial we layer evolving sounds from two different synths to produce a drone-like texture
Best reverb plugins 2023: amazing space-makers for your DAW
Add atmosphere and pro polish to your mixes with these powerful reverb plugins
Best creative multi-effects plugins 2023: transform your tracks with these cutting-edge creative tools
Supercharge your samples and take those tired old synth sounds to a new level with our choice of the top multi-effects plugins
Pittsburgh Modular's Taiga is a new semi-modular that "pushes the boundaries of analogue synthesis"
East Coast meets West Coast in the design of this three-oscillator synth, equipped with a six-stage wavefolder and Pittsburgh's unique Dynamics Controller
How to create microtonal music using Ableton Live's Microtuner
This plugin, free to Live 11 users, enables you to escape the boundaries of conventional western tonality
5 absolutely free tools for soundtracking
Channel your inner cinema auteur – for much less than a bucket of popcorn
Best mastering plugins 2023: 10 plugins to make your mix streaming ready
Ensure your mix is able to compete in the loudness war with our top mastering plugins from iZotope, Waves, Softube, and more
Yamaha’s AG08 continues the flow of new live streaming and podcasting mixers
Capture your conversations or broadcast to the world
Total control: how the latest MPE, touch and gesture controllers could revolutionize your music production
From squidgy keys to wearable rings, bounceable beat-makers and distance-sensing crystal balls, the array of unusual MIDI control options today is expanding exponentially
Rhodes MK8 electric piano vs Rhodes V8 plugin: can producer Steve Levine tell which is which in a blind listening test?
More to the point, can you?
6 of the best free mixing plugins
These freeware mixing plugins really clean up - and will do the same for your tracks
Fantastic (free) synths and how to use them: DiscoDSP OB-Xd
We open the hood on a powerful (and free!) Oberheim emulation and dive into the world of analogue modelling
