Since its release, Synthmaster—a semi-modular synth by KV331Audio — has garnered heaps of praise from audio critics: Rob Mitchell of Soundbytes wrote that it’s “tough to find something it can’t do.” Musicradar.com labeled the software, “Everything you need in one synth.”
A bit of full disclosure: I’m a contrarian, so Read more...
Behind the gear in your studio is an unseen force: the distributor.
It’s not manpower that you think about very often because, well, you’re not supposed to. Like the guitar or drum tech who keeps a live show running smoothly while lurking in the shadows, distributors make the facility happen Read more...
Tired of the traditional dominance of guitar, bass, and drums in pop music? Here are 9 instruments that have made it into popular music that you either didn’t know about, can’t pronounce, or wouldn’t be able to play without removing from a living creature first.
The Glass Harmonica
The Glass Read more...
A rock opera in 5:44 – that’s what you’re in for with “Rosie.”
It takes a special track to take you on a massive journey in a short amount of time, but this hyperkinetic new single from the rising NYC act Sylvana Joyce + The Moment. Aptly named for lead Read more...
This is the second in a series by Andrew Maury. See his first article, “How and Why Distortion Can Replace the Need for EQ & Compression.”
Something I’ve started doing is EQing very sharp, carefully placed boosts to sub and/or bass frequencies on close-mic’d drum channels or samples. By finding Read more...
The world of electronic instruments once seemed stubbornly esoteric and entirely niche-focused, dominated by huge wooden boxes packed full of knobs and buttons that allowed the average musician no access to their hidden wonders and infinite sonic potential.
Never was this more apparent than in the wondrous world of modular Read more...
Focal is a French company that designs and manufactures a wide variety of speakers and other products in the areas of audiophile, home cinema, headphone and car systems. In the world of studio monitoring, they are known for high end systems including the highly regarded and wallet-flattening SM9 and SM6. Read more...
Space: the final frontier for sound designers.
Any audio artist can go gaga with gadgetry on the teaser trailer for a sci-fi fantasy – it takes something more to exercise discretion.
The assignment: The NYC sound design/audio house HOBO got the nod to sound design a 13-minute short film, the Read more...
As a longtime fan of their Juice Box DI, I’ve been eager to get my hands on Retrospec’s Squeeze Box tube compressor pedal for some time. So when I heard that it was being reissued, I jumped at the chance. (Full disclosure: Retrospec founder and designer Ken McKim gave me Read more...
Modern production and pop music in particular often involves a lot of editing. I’m a big fan of spending more time on tracking and less time on edits – and only when needed.
When edits are needed I like to get them done as efficiently and quickly as possible while Read more...
