Native Instruments
MIDI pad controllers are not only supremely fun when you have the right tools, but they also provide a creative and intuitive approach to writing music. Especially if you’re not a keyboard or guitar player, it’s an easy way to realize your musical ideas, allowing you to get from thought to creation with faster efficiency. Whether you’re just looking to create a fantastic bottom line, or you’re trying to produce a fully fleshed out track, we’ve got some pad controllers that will get you on your way.
If you’re looking for a more general guide to
If you’re about to become a bedroom songwriter and/or producer, one of the most useful tools you’ll be using is MIDI technology. With that said, if you’ve ever searched online to find out what MIDIaa is or how it works, you might find yourself overwhelmed by how complicated it seems. The ins and outs can get very technical and advanced but for the purposes of recording, you only really need to know the fundamentals, such as what MIDI is and how to use it to make your tracks sound great.
What Does MIDI Mean?
MIDI, which stands for “
If you’ve got a home studio setup, or you work in a more professional studio setting, you’re likely familiar with the vast number of virtual instruments available at your disposal. From guitars to strings and brass, you can virtually play any instrument you want with just the help of a keyboard controller and some basic musical know-how. Certainly, the evolution of virtual instruments and MIDI technology has allowed songwriters and producers to become more independent with respect to producing record-ready tracks in an efficient and affordable
During the holidaze, it's easy to get overwhelmed, and sometimes we forget to get a gift for that someone special. If that someone is a musician, then we've got a list of great gift ideas that won't break the bank and will guarantee to put a smile on their face.
Digital Metronome
For hundreds of years, musicians have used a mechanical musical chronometer, or a metronome, to keep tempo during practice and performances. Any musician will find a metronome invaluable.
The
Native Instruments already has a popular line of MIDI controllers with Maschine and all its variants. How could they ever top these units? By making a stand-alone Maschine—one that requires no computer, no external software, and, in doing so, competes directly against a certain infamous production machine that rhymes with “MVP.”
Feast your eyes on the Maschine+, now available at B&H.
In the era of social distancing, it may seem hard for songwriters and producers to collaborate from their houses. But remote collaboration is not new: just last fall, Robbie Robertson re-recorded his band’s classic hit, “The Weight,” with a globe-trotting lineup of musicians; almost 20 years ago, The Postal Service got its band name from its method of collaboration: its prominent members traded material over the mail.
But there are roadblocks to modern collaboration: producers often use digital audio workstations (“DAWs” for short), but there
Everything about the new Mac Pro tower makes a commanding statement, sending a clear message that Apple is ready to dominate the professional market once again. Not only is it engineered for ultimate performance, but its modular design empowers the demanding engineer with the freedom to customize and expand the Mac Pro effortlessly according to their unique needs. Whether you’re scoring soundtracks, producing chart-topping hits, or mixing on the dub stage for a feature film, the
Native Instruments launched the KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 interface to much acclaim—so much acclaim that the company will follow it up with a next-gen model. Called the KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Mk2, this audio interface offers an upgraded audio path, one that can handle audio up to 192 kHz/24-bit.
Six channels of I/O are on hand. For analog inputs, you get two XLR-1/4" jacks and two line-level ins. The analog output side gives you four DC-
When I first started engineering and producing music, I was, strictly speaking, a complete and utter mess. I would often lose project files, samples, preset libraries—I couldn’t keep track of anything. Sometimes I’d find what I was looking for by sheer luck, other times it would be gone forever.
After several frustrating years of data loss, I decided to get serious about organizing all my music production audio and files, and regularly backing up my projects. And, what do you know? My productivity increased, my system ran more smoothly, and I
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and you want to celebrate the festive season with a rocking holiday party for your family, friends, or even colleagues (if you’re planning the office party). Let’s be clear: music will make or break your soirée and there might not be enough eggnog to keep the merriment alive unless you unleash your inner DJ and put a spin on your holiday party.
DJ versus Robot Playlist
Why even think of DJing your own party when you could have Spotify do all the work for you? Short answer: because it’s fun. DJing lets
Attention! Alerting all beatmakers, composers, electronic musicians, producers, and sound designers! If you create music or soundscapes with software, you should be excited by the news of new goods from Native Instruments. Even if you're well stocked with all the sounds you need, the new Native Instruments hardware controllers will still pique your interest. Strap in, there's much to see!
The KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series includes the 25
Are you looking to beef up your understanding of FM synthesis? Are you at a complete loss when sitting down to program an FM synthesizer? In this article, we’ll dive into the power of FM synthesis and demystify the complexity of this breakthrough technology.
History
The earliest record of Frequency Modulation synthesis can be traced back to the mid-1960s, when Don Buchla implemented the technology in his analog modular setups. Analog FM is a powerful sound-design tool, but it was difficult to keep it stable, especially when playing up and down
Growing up in Miami, FL, in the 1980s and ’90s, I was exposed to a great deal of the Roland TR-808 sound. Found in roller skating rinks, and cars with “tricked out” systems across the city, the window-shaking, bone-shattering Miami Bass sound was literally inescapable. The other-worldly 808, with its long and resonant kick drums and toms, crispy snares and claps, and lighting fast hi hats was so pervasive, even my parents knew what an 808 was.
Roland TR-808
I fell in love with the futuristic bounce of the 808, and it was a big part of what
If you’re just getting into beat making, whether your tastes lean toward Hip Hop, EDM, Pop, or other, the massive number of choices and opinions out there can make you want to quit before you even get started. In truth, music production is much easier and more affordable now than it used to be, but there’s still quite a bit to learn on the subject. Here’s a guide to some of the essentials.
Computers
Buying the right computer is crucial to building your production studio. When selecting your machine, you want to make sure you’re giving yourself