The Yamaha MODX M and Roland MC-707 make a surprisingly elegant pair when you stop thinking of them as separate instruments and start treating the MC-707 as a MIDI recorder and playback brain for the MODX. In this setup, the MODX becomes your hands and sound engine, while the MC-707 becomes the place where performances are captured, edited, looped, and arranged. It’s a simple idea, but it unlocks a very fluid, performance-first workflow. ...

My Favourite Arists & Bands 90s Dance Awesome 3 Cappella D:Ream Hyper Go Go Shades of Rhythm Dance / Electronic Jeremy Ellis Mezerg Funk & Jazz Jamiroquai Matt Johnson Funky House Purple Disco Machine Instrumental Al Marconi Jean-Michel Jarre The Piano Guys Pop Bronski Beat Calvin Harris Coldplay Craig David Curiosity Killed The Cat Daði Freyr Deacon Blue Dead Or Alive DJ Fresh Enimga Enya Erasure Gloria Estefan Howard Jones Jimmy Somerville JLS Josh Groban Kool & The Gang Kylie Minogue Level 42 Lighthouse Family Limahl Maria Carey Michael Bolton Michael Jackson Paul Hardcastle Pet Shop Boys Rozalla Spandau Ballet Take That Technotronic The Communards Tony Mortimer Westlife Whitney Houston Years & Years Youngr Rock Eagles Fleetwood Mac The Beach Boys The Cure Singer Songwriters Barry Manilow Carpenters Christopher Cross Stevie Wonder Synthwave Sunglasses Kid Trance Above & Beyond Armin Van Buuren My Favourite DJs Hard House Andy Farley Andy Whitby BK Carl Nicholson Guyver Paul Glazby Paul Maddox Trance Andy Bagguley Armin Van Buuren Other Jaguar Skills My Favourite Keyboard Players & Pianists Anthony Marinelli Barry Manilow Bartek Krzemiński Bert Smorenburg Howard Jones Jean-Michel Jarre Jordan Rudess Matt Johnson Robby Sharp Simeon Amburgey Stevie Wonder Thiago Pinheiro My Favourite Composers Alan Menken Disney Aladdin Beauty and the Beast Hercules Pocahontas Tangled The Little Mermaid … Andrew Lloyd Webber Cats Jesus Christ Superstar Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Phantom of the Opera … Dario Marianelli Everest Hans Zimmer Gladiator Inception Interstellar The Dark Knight The Last Samurai The Lion King … James Horner Aliens Apocalypto Apollo 13 Titanic … John Williams A.I. Artificial Intelligence Catch Me If You Can E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Harry Potter Home Alone Jurassic Park Saving Private Ryan Schindler’s List Superman … Tom Salta - ASCAP award-winning and BAFTA-nominated composer Tom Salta is one of the most versatile and prolific music artists/producers working in film, television, advertising, and video games Halo Prince of Persia Tom Clancy franchise … Concerts Erasure Wild! - London Arena (1989-12) Howard Jones London Palladium (2023-10-17) Pet Shop Boys London (TBC) Prince Lovesexy - Wembley Arena, London (1988-08) Theatre Shows Cats Les Miserables Mary Poppins Prince Edward Theatre, London (2022-06-04) Phantom of the Opera Woman in White

Playing by ear - discovering by accident The Joy of Surprise I don’t play the piano to master it. I play it because sometimes it surprises me. That sounds backwards, especially in a world obsessed with progress, scales, grades, and measurable improvement. But the thing that keeps pulling me back to the keys isn’t control - it’s discovery. It’s that moment when my fingers land somewhere they’ve never quite been before and something clicks. A sound appears that I didn’t plan, didn’t predict, and definitely didn’t know I knew. ...

How to Work Out the Number of Sharps in Each Major Scale Understanding the number of sharps in major scales is easier than it sounds once you know the circle of fifths and the pattern of sharps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it simple. 1. Start with C Major C Major is your reference point. It has: No sharps or flats Notes: C D E F G A B Think of C Major as the “home base” of all major scales. ...

Roland has long been a cornerstone of electronic music hardware, and two of its most popular modern devices—the TR-8S Rhythm Performer and the MC-707 Groovebox—often come up in the same conversation. While they overlap in some areas, they’re built with very different goals in mind. This post brings together everything you need to know to decide TR-8S vs MC-707, including workflow, genres, live use, and how they can even work together. ...

Software synthesizers in 2025 are a study in contrast and creativity - flagship instruments with deep sonic universes, hybrid engines merging sampling with synthesis, and tools that make sound design feel like both art and play. Below is a panoramic view of the top soft synths this year, each with its release timing and why it matters to your creative workflow. Synth Developer Release / Update Notes Absynth 6 Native Instruments 2025 Revival Expanded synth engines, polyphonic expression (MPE) support, ideal for cinematic pads and complex timbres. Cherry Audio Spirit Cherry Audio 2025 Reissue Modern plugin version of Crumar Spirit, faithful sonic character, fun and characterful addition to any collection. Falcon 3 UVI 2025 Workflow Enhancements Hybrid synthesis and sampling environment; faster loading, expressive scripting, expanded additive and spectral engines. Korg Collection 6 Korg October 2025 Adds PS-3300 & Trinity modules; full emulations of rare classic synths. Omnisphere 3 Spectrasonics October 21, 2025 Tens of thousands of patches, granular and wavetable engines, expanded effects, deep hardware connectivity. Phase Plant 3 Kilohearts 2025 Updates Deeper routing, extended modulation, creative blocks for experimental synth architectures; no single release date. Pigments 7 Arturia December 16, 2025 Redesigned Play View, new tone-shaping tools (Rage, Ripple, Reverb, Corroder), more presets, expanded wavetables, samples, tutorials. Serum 2 Xfer Records March 17, 2025 Spectral morphing, multisample and granular oscillators, richer modulation; retains original workflow. Vital Pro 2 Matt Tytel 2025 Update Deeper wavetable morphing, AI-assisted content generation, light CPU use. VPS Avenger 2 Vengeance Sound 2025 Evolution Live macro morphing, new oscillators, creative grid for fast sound sculpting; performance-oriented powerhouse. Closing Thoughts What sets 2025 apart isn’t just feature lists or spec sheets - it’s integration and expressivity. Synth engines interweave sampling, granular processing, and spectral manipulation. Interfaces are more dynamic and interactive than ever. And tools like Pigments 7 are teaching users as they play, turning complex sound design into a tactile experience. Whether you’re scoring films, designing textures, or producing club‑ready tracks, this year’s synth roster delivers both power and inspiration.

Whether you’re sketching out your first track, pumping out hip‑hop beats, scoring films, or mixing for a full band, 2025 offers an exciting landscape of music production software (DAWs) with something for everyone. A digital audio workstation (DAW) is where ideas become demos and demos become finished releases - so choosing one that fits your workflow is crucial. Here’s where you’ll want to start. Ableton Live 12 – Creative Powerhouse for Electronic & Live Artists Ableton Live has long been the darling of electronic producers, DJs, and experimental musicians thanks to its uniquely flexible workflow and loop-based Session View. In 2025, Live 12 continues to lead with fluid real-time manipulation, robust MIDI and audio tools, and deep integration with controllers and hardware - all of which make it a standout choice whether you’re performing or producing. ...

My Music Production Hardware (Current) Audio Interfaces Native Instruments Audio 6 MK1 Computers Laptops Alienware M17 (Windows 11) Macbook Air M1 (macOS Sonama) Computer Peripherals External Hard Disks Western Digital Elements (5TB) Flash Drives Integral USB 3.0 (128GB) SSDs Crucial P3 M.2 PCIe Gen3 (1TB) Fikwot FN501 Pro NVMe (1TB) Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD (1TB) SSD Enclosures Orico M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Controller Keyboards Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Novation LaunchKey 61 DJ Controllers Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 Drum Machines & Grooveboxes Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Roland MC-707 Portable Keyboards Yamaha EZ-300 Synthesizers Yamaha MODX M8 Yamaha Motif ES8 My Music Production Hardware (Past) Computers Desktops Commodore 64 Commodore Amiga (500, 600 & 1500) Tower Dell T5400 Twin Quad Core Xeon 3.0Ghz 16GB RAM Computer Peripherals Commodore 64 Music Maker keyboard Commodore Amiga Microdeal PRO-MIDI Interface Drum Machines KORG ElecTribe R (ER-1) Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Keyboards Casio PT-50 JVC KB-700 Sound Modules Roland Edirol SD90 Synthesizers Casio CZ-101 Yamaha SY85 My Music Production Software (Current) Ableton Ableton AG is a German music software company that produces and distributes the production and performance program Ableton Live and a collection of related instruments and sample libraries, as well as their own hardware controller Ableton Push ...

Music Production Wishlist - Hardware Arranger Keyboards Ketron EVENT KORG Pa5X (Professional Arranger) Yamaha Genos2 Controller Keyboards Arturia Keylab 88 MkII Expressive E osmose Native Instruments Komplete Control S88 MK3 Digital Pianos Roland GP-9 Digital Piano Yamaha AvantGrand N3X Bösendorfer Grand Piano 214VC Drum Machines & Grooveboxes Ableton Ableton Push Synthesizers Arturia PolyBrute Noir Edition Behringer Odyssey Poly D UB-Xa KORG Modwave Native Wavestate Moog Etherwave Theremin Minimoog Model D Subsequent 37 Roland D-05 JUNO-X JUPITER-X JUPITER-80 Sequential Prophet X Workstations KORG Nautilus AT Roland FANTOM 8 EX Yamaha MONTAGE M8x Music Production Wishlist - Software Bitwig Bitwig Studio boz Digital Labs New York L Bundle D16 Group Phoscyon2 Punchbox TotalBundle Emergence Audio Viola Textures FeelYourSound ChilloutEngine - turns your chord progressions into relaxed keys, smooth basslines, memorable hooks, and lovely arpeggios ChordPotion - MIDI plug-in that turns any chord progression into new riffs and melodies in real-time HouseEngine - turns your chord progressions into expressive piano rhythms, deep basslines, catchy melodies, and sparkling arpeggios MelodicFlow - create and play stunning melodies, basslines, and riffs quickly Sundog Song Studio - experiment with new scales, harmonies, and melodies easily TranceEngine - turns your chord progressions into uplifting melodies, driving arpeggios, deep basslines, and memorable hooks Fors Opal - Rhythm machine & drum synthesizer Superberry - Delicious superwave GForce Software M-Tron Pro - Complete KORG Modwave Native Opsix Native Wavestate Native Minimal Audio Current - virtual instrument, effects suite, and content platform built for endless hours of inspiration Rift - deeply creative multi-effect plugin Modartt Steinway Model B PlugInGuru (many !) Pro Tools - makes music creation fast and fluid, providing a complete set of tools to create, record, edit, and mix audio Pulse Audio Vivid Strings reFX Nexus Rhizomatic Plasmonic - captures the complex acoustic resonances of Physical Modeling, expands on it with more familiar elements of Subtractive Synthesis, and adds a few unique twists Rob Papen EXPLORER-9 Albino-3 - Legacy The legendary Virtual Synthesizer Go2-X - Insane easy to use power Synthesizer LowSane - LoFi FX with additional Filters and the ‘Disrupt Sphere’ BIT-2 - The Ultimate Virtual Analog Synthesizer BLUE-III - Cross-fusion Virtual Synthesizer RevSane - Algorithm Reverb with ‘Disrupt Sphere’ Predator-3 - The Hybride Powerhouse! RoCoder - Vocoder and much more! DelSane - The coolest Delay in this Galaxy! RP-Distort 2 - PowerHouse Distortion FX with Disrupt Sphere! Punch 2 - Power drum machine with synthesis and sample-based BLADE-2 - Cutting-edge Additive synthesis and more Quad - PhaseDistortion and WaveShaper synthesizer| RAW - Cutting-edge EDM synthesizer with a focus on ‘distorted sounds. XY-Transfer - XY-modulation FX multiprocessor BIT - Ultimate virtual analog synthesizer Vecto - Four-oscillator vector synthesizer Go2 - The power of limitations synthesizer RAW-Kick - Edgy Kicks for contemporary dance music. MasterMagic - Adds a touch of magic for your Mix or Master. SubBoomBass-2 - The ultimate bass synthesizer. BLUE-II - Cross-fusion synthesis at its finest. RG - Electric and acoustic guitar grooves. RP-VERB 2 - Most intriguing in RP-VERB 2 – alongside the great sound – is the new ‘Reverser’ section! RP-Reverse - Reverses the incoming audio in a creative way. RP-EQ - Silky smooth-sounding channel, and mastering EQ. Punch-BD - Based on the BD module of the multi-award-winning Punch virtual drum synth, RP-Delay - Delay insanity. Reverser, 6 lines, 8 filters, 4 LFOs, and more. RP-Distort - Wicked FX unit that will distort or alter your tracks. RP-Amod - Spice up your vocal track, liven an instrument, and even beef up your drums. Sonic Academy - EDM production tutorials in Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic Pro, FL Studio & Reason Kick 2 - multi award winning kick drum plugin Spektro Audio ACDGEN - Advanced Pattern Generator Polyform - Polyphonic MIDI Processor Spectrasonics Keyscape Omnisphere 3 Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Orchestra Piano SRM Sounds Max Richter Piano Steinberg Absolute 6 136 GB of content and 7,800 presets Instruments Backbone - Drum Re-Synthesizer Groove Agent 5 (including Prime Cuts, Future Past Perfect, Rock Essentials) HALion 7 Retrologue 2 Synthesizer (incl. Sounds of Soul) The Grand 3 – VST Piano Suite HALion instruments Amped Elektra Anima Auron B-Box Dark Planet Electric Bass FM Lab HALion Symphonic Orchestra HALiotron Hot Brass Hypnotic Dance Model C (Organ) Olympus Choir Micro Skylab Studio Strings Tales The Eagle The Raven Triebwerk Trium World instruments World Percussion Voltage Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos Ivory III Grand Pianos The Crow Hill Company Small String Gestures String Murmurations Toontrack EZbass - two bass libraries, mix-ready presets, bass grooves and a wealth of features for creative songwriting EZdrummer 3 - seven kits, percussion, mix-ready presets, drum grooves and a wealth of features designed with the creative songwriter in mind u-He Hive 2 Repro UVI IRCAM Prepared Piano 2 IRCAM Solo Instruments 2

Hardware sequencers remain essential for producers who want hands-on control over patterns, rhythms, and melodies. Unlike grooveboxes, sequencers are often designed to drive external synths, modular systems, or entire hardware setups. Here’s a detailed look at the top 5 hardware sequencers in 2025, complete with images, prices, and strengths. (reverb.com) Teenage Engineering OP-XY (~£1,799) The OP-XY is a portable sequencer with integrated synth engines and expressive pattern management. It offers parameter locks, modulation lanes, and performance-friendly workflow. Its unique combination of sequencing and sound generation makes it excellent for live improvisation and musical idea exploration. ...