Before the guitar took the center stage as the primary instrument, the saxophone was one of the most popular lead instruments in most bands, especially in pop and jazz. And to this day, its sound is considered classic and vital. Whether in the hands of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, or otherwise, the sax…
The sound of the guitar is beyond iconic. Sure, it has had ebbs and flows in terms of its popularity, but as a lead instrument, it dominated most of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. And while the guitar is often heard in rock and metal these days, that doesn’t mean it’s any…
The sound of an accordion is playful and whimsical. It can often be heard in polkas, country dances, and other native styles across the world. Sometimes, it is even used in jazz. But one thing’s for certain – the sound of an accordion is recognizable, distinctive, and unforgettable. There are other instruments that sound a…
Whether you’re scoring a film or video game, looking for ways to flush out your singer-songwriter arrangements, or want to add an orchestral flare to your metal project, you need the right tools to make your musical visions a reality. So, here are the best orchestral VST plugins.
Running out of ideas? Trying to make a chord progression or riff more interesting? Looking for musical inspiration? Want to create some killer synth lines? An arpeggiator is especially useful when you’re in any above the scenarios and even others. Sequencers and arpeggiator can literally turn three notes into an exciting sequence you’ll be proud…
The sound of a Minimoog is practically indispensable. It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that, since the 70s, it has defined the very construct of synthesizers and electronic music. And it remains an important, timeless sound to this day. What artists, composers, producers, and engineers alike tend to love most about…
The bass plays an important role in music. While it’s certainly possible to make music without it, you won’t find many pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, or electronic songs without a heavy emphasis on that low end these days. The bass helps adds rhythmic emphasis to a track, furnishes it with harmony, and perhaps most importantly,…
No matter what type of musical projects you might be taking on, synths are a practical necessity. They can provide atmospheric backdrops, soaring leads, booming basses, magical effects, risers, and enhance your music in so many other ways. So, what are the best synthesizers, anyway? Synths should be considered a “sexy” category in VST plugins,…
The piano has an unmistakable sound. As a solo instrument it can captivate, inspire, and enthrall. And as a supporting instrument it can fill in the cracks, add a percussive layer, inject texture and character, and more. It’s fair to say it’s an essential for all types of composers and producers these days, and the…
Are your sounds a little too clean, pristine, stale, boring, or neat? Then there’s nothing quite like distortion to amp things up a notch. There are a variety of different types of distortion with different character. Some are more subtle. Others are more extreme. Many claim to do all the above. And they run the…