<![CDATA[ Latest from MusicRadar in How-to ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/how-to Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:47:20 +0000 en <![CDATA[ "Record everything all the time – and keep it all": 8 pro techno producers explain how they create their tracks ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/record-everything-all-the-time-and-keep-it-all-8-pro-techno-producers-explain-how-they-create-their-tracks rzjbZeMwkhwmgNsuxj5RYR Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:47:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/guitars/there-isnt-one-correct-answer-6-things-you-need-you-need-know-about-how-to-clean-and-condition-your-guitar-fretboard DyWQfv7mh8SsXihVdyU5r4 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:21:17 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:28:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The lower the instrument in pitch, the closer to the centre of the stereo image it should be placed”: How to pan like a pro and spread your mix across the stereo image ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/the-lower-the-instrument-in-pitch-the-closer-to-the-centre-of-the-stereo-image-it-should-be-placed-how-to-pan-like-a-pro-and-spread-your-mix-across-the-stereo-image zzkqenrnNtWuTWUFZGLnWk Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:14:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The moment you feel the signal is getting too aggressive, it's time to back off”: The difference between distortion and saturation and how to effectively get a gnarly sound ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/the-moment-you-feel-the-signal-is-getting-too-aggressive-its-time-to-back-off-the-difference-between-distortion-and-saturation-and-how-to-effectively-get-a-gnarly-sound YhJN3MHBKuxqoe9wBcoGh6 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:51:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ “How did the zap migrate from its association with Klingons, to its more common description of Hi Q?”: How to conjure the spirit of early techno and trigger your own retro zaps in software ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/how-did-the-zap-migrate-from-its-association-with-klingons-to-its-more-common-description-of-hi-q-how-to-conjure-the-spirit-of-early-techno-and-trigger-your-own-retro-zaps-in-software gajFAGVRryNRoVrSfQRL4T Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:27:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ “One day in Berlin, Eno came running in and said, ‘I have heard the sound of the future’”: How to replicate the trailblazing pulse of I Feel Love ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/artists/one-day-in-berlin-eno-came-running-in-and-said-i-have-heard-the-sound-of-the-future-how-to-replicate-the-trailblazing-pulse-of-i-feel-love R3XkJg6VsvcEXcL8HPFkYH Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Improve the impact of your basslines by quickly learning the basics of bass compression ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-recording-tutorials/improve-the-impact-of-your-basslines-by-quickly-learning-the-basics-of-bass-compression MzCHuvskThv6efgN6cwxt7 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:16:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ How Harry Styles brought the sounds of minimal techno to the world of pop with new single, Aperture: 5 essential production elements explained ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/how-harry-styles-brought-the-sounds-of-minimal-techno-to-the-world-of-pop-we-break-down-the-5-essential-production-elements-behind-his-new-single-aperture gEddxXRuje7qWhhYCXZaw8 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:50:27 +0000 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:33:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ How close listening to Chic and a selection of other artists can teach us about the integral relationship between the kick and bass ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/how-close-listening-to-chic-and-a-selection-of-other-artists-can-teach-us-about-the-integral-relationship-between-the-kick-and-bass 5aQZLUukwVFe7d3oEh3PYe Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:12:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I do not think I have a talent for pop music. I’m much better if I slow it down a bit, make it a bit menacing, add a hint of mystery or oppression, I’m in my element at that point”: How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-do-not-think-i-have-a-talent-for-pop-music-im-much-better-if-i-slow-it-down-a-bit-make-it-a-bit-menacing-add-a-hint-of-mystery-or-oppression-im-in-my-element-at-that-point-how-to-emulate-the-sound-of-gary-numans-synth-pop-classic-cars un7bzPzGo3TPpihKsL9mHE Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:02:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ How unquantizing your tracks can make them stand out from the AI-dominated crowd ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/how-unquantizing-your-tracks-can-make-them-stand-out-from-the-ai-dominated-crowd ADfuK2e6LySGW2mpCD3Dje Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:22:08 +0000 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:39:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ Stuck for ideas? Here's how to create fresh basslines and melodies with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/stuck-for-ideas-heres-how-to-create-fresh-basslines-and-melodies-with-ableton-live-12s-midi-tools vdQeY6mP2DniwLZeu6DVfK Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:50:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Don't get trapped by writing all your loops on a four bar cycle”: 7 great house and techno tips from Don’t Be Afraid boss Semtek (aka DJ Persuasion) ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/artists/dont-get-trapped-by-writing-all-your-loops-on-a-four-bar-cycle-7-great-house-and-techno-tips-from-dont-be-afraid-boss-semtek-aka-dj-persuasion L9YJBZ6HgWErBrYs8bUVu6 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:22:00 +0000 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:20:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ “As soon as I've just finished a song, I'll double the lead part right away, while it's still completely fresh in my mind”: Four big-name guitarists spill their recording secrets ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/recording/guitar-recording-tips-rw-repub QE4ddyCh9xP2tWoT4wxtwQ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:07:25 +0000 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:05:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Subtle changes to note timings at certain points can have a greater impact than you might expect”: 37 heavyweight bass production tips ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/bass-tips-recording-week 5SVfHHnLUfLkdiGrkCcxC7 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:36:52 +0000 <![CDATA[ Creating chords for electronic music: 3 ways to generate more interesting progressions in Ableton Live 12 ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/daws/creating-chords-for-electronic-music-3-ways-to-generate-more-interesting-progressions-in-ableton-live-12 kMdcREYwTu6QJ6bwUYaHq3 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:39:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ How To: Get prepped and make the most of Spotify Wrapped ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/how-to-get-prepped-and-make-the-most-of-spotify-wrapped Br3qL8hdnfqv7yDGR8dLtg Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:18:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The best placement for a vocal mic is actually slightly above your vocalist, as it forces them to tilt their head back slightly”: 25 recording tips and tricks everyone should know ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/25-recording-tips-2025-repub ngWPcWzjGuhxtonHtfrbvZ Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Produce better music with our ultimate compression cheat sheet ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/recordingweek-compression-cheats-repub QfXhDA9hSFJAo9u5GwZ2xD Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:09:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ Ever wondered how a microphone really works? ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/microphones/ever-wondered-how-a-microphone-really-works ZCTxyEcMCjVYXsfkGpdWwG Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:30:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:04:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to stress test a laptop for music production in any DAW - and why every producer should do it ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/laptops-computers/how-to-stress-test-a-laptop-for-music-production z48VrP9imCWVzS67LC7cJJ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:00:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Never miss a MusicRadar thing: Google has made it easier to keep us in your feed ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/gear-gadgets/never-miss-a-musicradar-thing-google-has-made-it-easier-to-keep-us-in-your-feed 8g8mqEYzy5MVykGGxgwQdf Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:40:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Once you finish your arrangement, remove two elements from it. Be brutal”: Why imposing hard limitations could be the secret to finishing more music ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/once-you-finish-your-arrangement-remove-two-elements-from-it-be-brutal-why-imposing-hard-limitations-could-be-the-secret-to-finishing-more-music UDKjY9BuAeMCX6UscixPBV Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:04:52 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:21:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 creative ways to use distortion in Ableton Live: From punchier drums to dub techno delays ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/5-creative-ways-to-use-distortion-in-ableton-live-from-punchier-drums-to-dub-techno-delays 2vQCzJjrRTucgJEeQghrgX Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:28:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Programming realistic, groovy drum parts is well within any desktop producer’s abilities": How to program MIDI drums that sound like the real thing ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/midi-drums-program-drum-week 4SyGXDJdewVsZwZPG8zURA Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This may sound pretty obvious, but we only have 4 limbs. So, as a drummer this means the most drum elements we can play at any one time is 4”: How to think like a human drummer when building software beats ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/this-may-sound-pretty-obvious-but-we-only-have-4-limbs-so-as-a-drummer-this-means-the-most-drum-elements-we-can-play-at-any-one-time-is-4-how-to-think-like-a-human-drummer-when-building-software-beats K6sF8Yqo6YJwHbY6ADzqFS Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "You may as well just remove the front head so that you can get a mic right in on the beater point": 10 tips for recording perfect drums ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-drum-recording-drum-week mNnQTpXd6FjgKd5u8ZT9Ga Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:18:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ “At certain points in music history it became fashionable to place accents on certain beats”: How to score a drum part ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/drum-lessons/acccents-beats-drum-week QjMzGyjsHHb7yQyrnHEaY Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I’m not getting any sound from one of my pads!”: 10 common electronic drum set issues and how to troubleshoot them ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/drums/electronic-drums/electronic-drum-issues-drum-week Ns5ELdz4QeEu39ptRWP6AM Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Isn’t recording drums a total nightmare? No, that’s a myth – recording drums is actually surprisingly easy": The simple guide to recording drums: kit tips, mic placement and setting up your DAW ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-recording-tutorials/recording-drums-easy-drum-week SFyJ6VJxK8pNHmgWPqgava Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:18:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ “If you can hear it, the chances are other listeners will too!”: How to make virtual acoustic drum performances sound like the real thing ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/if-you-can-hear-it-the-chances-are-other-listeners-will-too-how-to-make-virtual-acoustic-drum-performances-sound-like-the-real-thing GxPycvKzz63NkC38yV4N3G Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:30:00 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:08:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Where to start with a drum kit ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/drums/drum-kits/drum-kit-beginners-guide-drum-week HvThpjNdHguqu6BSFJZvy9 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:01:56 +0000 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:08:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ 6 ways to bring your tracks to life with Ableton Live’s revamped Auto Filter ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/6-ways-to-bring-your-tracks-to-life-with-ableton-lives-revamped-auto-filter ovNjGiWn4KursAWsod3EtZ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:24:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “You’ll find it in everything from the Prodigy to Skrillex”: How to get famous sounds and effects using only Logic’s stock plugins ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/plugins/youll-find-it-in-everything-from-the-prodigy-to-skrillex-how-to-get-famous-sounds-and-effects-using-only-logics-stock-plugins ha9e7tbHKow8p6K96fXKUW Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to emulate a classic analogue recording system entirely with plugins ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/how-to-emulate-a-classic-analogue-recording-system-entirely-with-plugins Z2TYkRbLHrTwhRLcKB3hD5 Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to use reverb to build impressive-sounding filters, reverses, risers and pads ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/pluginweek-reverb-risers-pads WvdM7PNXx7k2B3NtUzrZbb Thu, 03 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Learning how to mix is almost as important as hitting on your original musical idea”: New to the mixing process? Start here ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/pluginweek-mixing-start-here SoRTcx8JqZ7scUsUSaytxC Wed, 02 Jul 2025 08:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to master virtually any software synth ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/synths/how-to-master-virtually-any-software-synth fvU9fcs947HDouXQkn3sRF Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to record virtual and live instruments more smoothly by taking stock of your DAW's sample buffer ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/daws/how-to-record-virtual-and-live-instruments-more-smoothly-by-taking-stock-of-your-daws-sample-buffer KqGevY4kfonEs9hfrwVonV Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: The Wave Warden Odin 2 ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/synths/fantastic-free-plugins-and-how-to-use-them-the-wave-warden-odin-2 AkothyniJ4urUe25j7JvhK Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:58:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ The beginners guide to virtual instruments: What are 'VIs', 'plugins' and 'VSTs' anyway? And how can you make the best use of them in your music? ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/plugins/the-beginners-guide-to-virtual-instruments-what-are-vis-plugins-and-vsts-anyway-and-how-can-make-the-best-use-of-them-in-your-music kHqZwNam7Muyp8VQHSFvHL Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 8 things you can do with Ableton Live's updated Auto Filter device ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-production-tutorials/8-things-you-can-do-with-ableton-lives-updated-auto-filter-device UTUCbB7jrdD2dBU27mtsCZ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:40:23 +0000 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:15:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ Piano basics: the black notes - what are they for and how do you use them? ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/keyboards-pianos/piano-basics-the-beginners-guide-to-black-notes-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-use-them GwjNLLoZDs7r4QtNfQ4ZAY Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:42:21 +0000 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:19:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ From Parlour to Jumbo: The beginner's guide to acoustic guitar body shapes (and which one is right for you) ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/guitars/acoustic-guitars/from-parlour-to-jumbo-the-beginners-guide-to-acoustic-guitar-body-shapes-and-which-one-is-right-for-you fQ6djGGaEWvgxsz7AqYa7V Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:26:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ The ultimate guide to the circle of fifths and how it can help you make better music ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-theory-songwriting/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-circle-of-fifths-and-how-it-can-help-you-make-better-music B3KQWWxeL5oysa8rMQFv3o Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:23:43 +0000 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:57:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: TDR Nova ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/plugins/fantastic-free-plugins-and-how-to-use-them-tdr-nova SzkEbCZZ2zVgeXHbq99tFT Sun, 01 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Sounding your best isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ - it’s necessary if you want listeners to make your show part of their daily routine”: The head of Audacity shares his top 5 tips for beginner podcasters ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/recording/sounding-your-best-isnt-just-a-nice-to-have-its-necessary-if-you-want-listeners-to-make-your-show-part-of-their-daily-routine-the-head-of-audacity-shares-his-top-5-tips-for-beginner-podcasters PKnonhaiyF88AjXo7iBnha Fri, 30 May 2025 10:12:36 +0000 Fri, 30 May 2025 11:21:12 +0000 <![CDATA[ The ultimate guide to pedal board essentials (and what order to put them in) ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/guitars/guitar-pedals/the-ultimate-guide-to-pedal-board-essentials-and-what-order-to-put-them-in sMwWLUEpwaFrG5ezUuJp44 Wed, 28 May 2025 07:22:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ Can you fix your guitar's frets yourself? We try three innovative approaches from MusicNomad to investigate how they might conquer a major cause of fret buzz ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/guitar-lessons-techniques/fix-guitar-fretbuzz-by-filing-your-frets zbs3heTXi2j7FgJQGHM4yi Thu, 08 May 2025 20:35:32 +0000 Thu, 08 May 2025 20:48:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ “If you’ve never encountered modes before, this one tip could change your musical outlook forever”: 10 music theory tricks every producer and songwriter should know ]]> https://www.musicradar.com/tutorials/music-theory-songwriting/10-music-theory-tricks-every-producer-and-songwriter-should-know wYfAiJYQHtTJoxppPwASYh Fri, 02 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000