How to alter pre-made loops to get a customized sound
Pre-made loops are great tools for creative inspiration while you’re recording. A few simple techniques can help make them sound less like stock sounds and more like you. Read the post.
electronic music
Analog synthesizers expand your musical horizons
From mood-setting ambient tones to raucous synth-pop, analog synthesizers have made a mark on music in various genres – and they’re not just for keyboards! Read More.
The Amplifier ADSR Envelope: How to manipulate analog synth parameters
ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release, and each one of these four parameters (or “stages”) of the envelope affects how loud your analog synth sound will play over time. Read More.
Creating and modifying sounds on analog synths
From throbbing bass lines to sinuous hip-hop leads, from effervescent dance atmospherics to grinding industrial riffs, the sounds of analog synths play a huge role across various musical genres. Read More.
How to get the most out of SoundCloud
Thousands of new songs are uploaded and shared on SoundCloud every day. Here are tips to help you get the most out of the platform. Read More.
Producing music with loops? Find a way to make them your own.
When creating music with loops from libraries, taking the time to customize and personalize will make your music more your own. Read More.
Four Unusual Keyboard Instruments That Can Inspire New Music
When you think “keyboard,” you might think of a grand piano or Hammond organ, old-school analog synth or cutting-edge Korg digital workstation. But the possibilities for keyboard instruments go far beyond. Read More.
Going mobile: A look at music making apps
Jordan Rudess, keyboardist for Dream Theater and founder of Wizdom Music, gives us his picks and favorites in the ever growing world of music making apps for your mobile devices. Read More.
Virtual synths and musical instruments on your mobile device
You can transform your mobile device into a Swiss army knife of synths and virtual musical instruments with these recommendations from Dream Theater keyboardist and musical entrepreneur, Jordan Rudess. Read More.
Improve your EDM production skills with close listening
Whatever your style of music, understanding how great music is crafted, layer by layer, will help you become a better producer. The technique of close listening can help. Read more.
How to pitch your music for video games
Game composer Tom Salta and music publisher Jake Versluis advise hooking up with a quality music publisher if you can – or making a strong pitch directly to game-makers if you can’t – but how do you approach either sort of party and get taken seriously? Here’s advice on how to pitch your music for video games. Read more.
Music for video games: advice from a top music publisher
While you may find success placing music in smaller-scale video games, music publisher Jake Versluis (Director of A&R Creative for Position Music) says you need a long-term plan, a big-time work ethic, and really great music to land your work in the big-league titles. Read more.
Virtual instruments – the secret ingredient of film, TV, and video game music
Ever wonder who plays the Hollywood scores? Not so long ago, film scores were recorded in studios and on sound stages. These days, that brilliant score might not have been played by a live orchestra. Technology allows virtual instrument developers to create near-identical versions of real-life instruments. Read more.
The wide world of licensed music in video games
Music in video games is not limited to the standard rock, rap, and EDM. Check out these examples of diverse music found in popular games. Nearly any flavor of high-quality, well-produced music has a shot at finding a home in some sort of video game. Here are just a few examples. Read more.
Placing your music in video games: advice from Halo composer Tom Salta
When it comes to licensing music, most indie artists shoot for the holy trinity of film, TV, and commercials — but an entirely different market for licensing music has blown wide open: video games. Armed with the right knowledge, high-quality tracks, persistence, and a little luck, indie artists can begin to tap into this market. Read more.