Music Production Resources

Explore in-depth guides, hardware reviews, and synthesis techniques for modern music production. This section covers digital audio workstations (DAWs), plugin ecosystems, synthesizer design, and workflows for producers using tools like Ableton, Cubase, and Native Instruments. Whether you’re learning synthesis fundamentals or optimizing your production setup, you’ll find practical resources and artist inspiration to elevate your craft.

Roland Fantom EX

About The Roland Fantom EX is a series of professional-grade synthesizer workstations aimed at musicians and producers. It’s known for its versatility, high-quality sounds, and powerful features. Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics: Sounds Diverse sound library with over 7,000 tones covering various musical styles. Roland’s sound engine technologies like ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) for realistic analog sounds, ZEN-Core for sample-based sounds, V-Piano for superior piano tones, and SuperNATURAL for rich and expressive acoustic instruments. Access to premium sound content through Roland Cloud for further sonic exploration. Hardware and User Interface Comes in three models: Fantom 6 EX, 7 EX, and 8 EX, differing in the number of keys. User-friendly interface with a combination of buttons, knobs, sliders, and a large, dynamic color touchscreen for intuitive control and sound shaping. Option to personalize the interface with custom images. Workflow and Features Onboard sampling and composition tools for creating and arranging musical ideas. TR-REC step sequencer for programming drum beats and rhythmic patterns. Real-time recording with piano roll editing for capturing and editing musical performances. RGB pads for triggering sounds, samples, and launching clips. Various effects processors for adding depth and character to sounds. Here are some additional points to consider ...

June 17, 2024 · 4 min · James M

Yamaha Montage M

About The Yamaha Montage M was released in the UK on 10th October 2023. It is the next-generation flagship synthesizer from Yamaha, building on the success of the original Montage. It boasts several improvements and new features designed to enhance the sound, control, and workflow for professional keyboardists. Here is a summary of the key aspects of the Yamaha Montage M Three Powerful Engines - Like its predecessor, Montage M features three sound engines: AN-X, AWM2, and FM-X. These engines offer a vast sonic palette, allowing you to create warm vintage analog tones, cutting-edge FM sounds, and ultra-realistic acoustic instruments. Increased Polyphony - A significant upgrade is the 400-note total polyphony, a jump from the original Montage’s 256 notes. This allows for more complex and layered sounds without worrying about dropped notes. New AN-X Virtual Analog Engine - This engine offers a fresh take on virtual analog synthesis, providing more detailed control over sound shaping. Improved User Interface - The Montage M features a redesigned user interface with new easy-edit pages and shortcuts, making sound creation and editing more intuitive and efficient. Additional Knobs and Encoders - More physical controls give you more immediate access to tweak parameters and add dynamics to your performance. VCM Rotary Speaker Effect - This new effect accurately emulates the classic sound of a Leslie speaker cabinet, adding warmth and movement to organ and electric piano sounds. Powerful USB Audio Interface - The Montage M functions as a 6-in/32-out USB audio interface, allowing you to record audio directly to your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for seamless integration into your studio workflow. Overall, the Yamaha Montage M is a premium synthesizer workstation offering a powerful combination of sound quality, versatile sound engines, improved control options, and seamless studio integration. It caters to professional keyboardists who demand the best in performance and production capabilities. For my long-form impressions after living with the M8X, see The Yamaha Montage M: 6 months in real-world usage. ...

June 16, 2024 · 4 min · James M

Music Production YouTube Channels

Below is a list of my favourite music production YouTube channels 343 Labs - teach Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Mixing & Mastering, Composition, Music Theory, Sound Design & Synthesis, Vocal Production and much more Ableton Tips by PML - Ableton Live tips & tricks to elevate your music production game Accurate Beats - music production, music gear and beatmaking Alex Rome - everything related to music production, beat making, and songwriting Alice Yalcin Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy - anything related to electronic music, from advanced production methodologies to music documentaries and vlogs Andrew Huang - Canadian YouTube personality, musician & video producer Andertons - music hardware & software reviews Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) - official YouTube Channel of Applied Acoustics Systems. Physical Modeling since 1998. Arturia - Arturia official YouTube channel BBC Maestro - inspirational online courses taught by the most experienced creators Benn Jordan - music and science BoBeats - videos about synthesizers and music production gear Charles Cleyn - songwriting, music production, and marketing strategies to create and release great music Creative Sauce - helps you on your home recording journey David Bennett Piano - pianist and music lover creating educational music videos about all things interesting in music and music theory Doctor Mix - music production hardware & software reviews, also offers mixing & mastering service All Doctor Mix Reconstructions All My Moog Videos All Prophet Videos All Roland All Yamaha Videos Cubase Videos Doctor Mix Tips Great Drum Machines, Groove Boxes & Loopers World’s Best Synthesizers Dom Sigalas - music producer, film composer, and musicologist E-Clip - official Youtube channel for music release and music production education EDMProd - EDM production blog and resource site EDM Tips - how to produce Electronic Dance Music like a pro! – Techno, House, Trance, Progressive and much, much more Gear4music Synths & Tech - discover the latest synths, samplers, and software, with valuable tips and advice along the way Glenn Main - Norwegian electronic music composer Gospel Musicians - a plethora of instructional videos, software and resources for musicians Guy Michelmore (ThinkSpace Education) Film Scoring Interviews Music Theory Music Tutorials Reviews Sample Library Reviews Sound Tutorials ThinkSpace Education Course Trailers In The Mix - simplifying the recording, production, mixing and mastering process Jef Gibbons - video production, photography & music production Arturia Vids Cubase Basics Cubase Tutorials General Music Production Hardware Synthesizers Maschine+ Maschine Tutorials Native Instruments Expansions Virtual Instruments Joe Luegers Music Academy - step-by-step videos on musical ear training, as well as resources for music teachers of all levels Jordan Rudess - american keyboardist, composer, and software developer - voted “Best Keyboardist of All Time” Junkie XL - grammy nominated multi platinum producer, musician, composer and educator Liam Killen - electronic music producer sharing how to create music Loopop - in-depth electronic music & synth ideas tips, tricks & reviews LotusTunes Academy - learn about deep & organic house music production Martin Stürtzer - an Ambient / Electronic / Dub Techno artist from Wuppertal (Germany). He works with analog, digital, hardware and virtual instruments to create Ambient, Electronic and Dub Techno music Mastering․com - turn self-producing artists into professionally trained mastering engineers in just 9 weeks Mattias Holmgren - guides you in music production, sound design and creativity Mix with the Masters - offers the unique opportunity to work closely with the world’s top music mixers, producers and engineers and to improve one’s skills in music production Multiplier - electronic music production tutorials, reviews, vlogs, Ableton Live & Serum tutorials … muzykujkropka.com - testujemy instrumenty, aplikacje iOS i różne akcesoria dla Apple Native Instruments Native Instruments official YouTube channel Nu-Trix The Synth Guy - synthesizer reviews & music production Output - help you make music Piano From Scratch - resource to help you become a better student and learn the building blocks of music Pick Yourself - helps electronic music producers finish music they’re proud of PlugInGuru - created by John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl (Korg sound designer), home of the amazing Unify plugin Point Blank Music School - music school with courses in London, LA, Ibiza & Online Producing In The Box - how to make incredible-sounding music in the box! ProjectSAM - official channel of the creators of the acclaimed Symphobia Series, Orchestral Essentials Series and Swing! sample libraries Rachel K Collier - Welsh electronic producer & performer who makes songs and performances with Ableton Raveyard Sounds - music production tutorials ReOrder - sneak peek into the life of a DJ and music producer Rick Beato - everything music Rhodes Piano - official Rhodes channel Rob Papen - powerful instruments and plug-ins that bring together innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical, production-grade presets to make your tracks shine Roland - music production hardware SamTheBeardGuy - virtual instrument reviews Sanjay C - music production, gear & tips School of Synthesis Seed To Stage - Anthony Thogmartin creating deeply informative instructional videos for learning how to use Ableton Live Simeon Amburgey (PraiseTracks) - virtual instrument reviews Heavyocity Native Instruments Kontakt Past Livestreams Plugin Guru UNIFY Vienna Symphonic Library Virtual Instrument Reviews Virtual Pianos, Searching For The Best Slynk - Ableton tutorials SonicState - gear reviews, interviews and features Sound On Sound - recording & music technology magazine Sounds Good - educational videos about music Spectrasonics - official Spectrasonics videos for Omnisphere & Keyscape State Azure - electronic music producer from the UK Studio - hands-on learning platform for cultivating your creative side Sweetwater - giving music makers the ultimate shopping experience 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 True Cuckoo - taking synths, bleeps, dance and pop to the stage. Underdog Electronic Music School Venus Theory - music production & reviews Bass Design Bitwig Tutorials Gear and Reviews Hardware Stuff Morning Coffee with Cameron Music Theory Stuff Producer Tips Production Tutorials Sound Design Stuff UVI Falcon Tutorial Series Vir2 Instruments - international team of sound designers, musicians, and programmers who specialize in creating the world’s most advanced virtual instrument libraries Vulture Culture - uncovering the hidden gems of the synth world Woody Piano Shack - music production & reviews Yamaha Global - official Yamaha Corporation YouTube channel Yamaha Music Europe - official YouTube Channel of Yamaha Music Europe

May 17, 2024 · 5 min · James M

Music Production: Analogue vs Digital Synths

Overview Analog & digital synthesizers are both electronic instruments that create sound, but they differ in how they generate and manipulate that sound. Here’s a list of the key differences. Analog Synths Use electrical circuits to produce sound waves These circuits can be influenced by various knobs and sliders, creating a warm, rich sound with subtle imperfections Pros Warm, organic sound, sought-after for genres like classic electronic music, “hands-on” approach to sound design Cons Can be expensive, limited in features compared to digital synths, less polyphony Digital Synths ...

April 20, 2024 · 2 min · James M

Music Production: Ableton Live 12

Overview Ableton have just released Ableton Live 12 Ableton Live 12 Shop Whats New UI Improvements Improved layout Filter based on tags in Live’s Browser Improved Workflow New Devices Meld (Synth) Granulator III (Sampler) Roar (Saturation Effect) New MIDI Tools Reshape MIDI patterns Generate new ideas Join, split & chop notes Stay in key across devices Additional Features Uncover new textures Performance Pack Lost and Found Pricing Live 12 Intro - £69 Essentials – 16 tracks and 5+ GB of sounds Live 12 Standard - £259 Full features – 38+ GB of sounds and more instruments and effects Live 12 Suite - £539 Complete studio – 71+ GB of sounds, Max for Live and all instruments and effects YouTube Playlists Learn Live 12 YouTube Videos Ableton Live 12: Explore what’s new BIG UPDATE: Ableton Live 12 preview - Our top 5 favorite features Ableton Live 12: Yes or no? Ableton Live 12 - First Look - Sonic LAB Presentation

March 5, 2024 · 1 min · James M

Music Production: NAMM 2024

About The NAMM Show is an annual event in the United States that is organized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), who describe it as “the industry’s largest stage, uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology communities”. Homepage Inaugurated: January 1902 YouTube Videos 10 Crazy & CREATIVE things at NAMM 2024 20 AMAZING things at NAMM 2024 Doctor Mix At NAMM 2024: Synthesizer Supervlog Jordan Rudess Interview NAMM 2024 Jordan Rudess Demos The Pocket Piano KORG Grandstage X Stage Piano Korg’s Latest Gear Korg microKORG2 Korg PS-3300 Demo & Overview Korg PS-3300 FS Deep Dive at NAMM 2024 Nord Grand 2 Oberheim Inspired Analog Synth - Shear Electronics Relic | NAMM 2024 PWM - Mantis Studiologic at NAMM 2024: Justin-Lee Schultz Teenage Engineering - K.O. II - OB4 Yamaha - Montage M ESP Yamaha - Seqtrak

January 28, 2024 · 1 min · James M

Music Production Blogs

Bedroom Producers Blog (bpb) logicxx Native Instruments Point Blank Music School Sound On Sound WA Production

January 19, 2024 · 1 min · James M

Music Production Courses

Ableton Ableton Certified Training ADSR Ask.Video Coursera Groove3 London Academy of Music Production MacProVideo Point Blank Music School Producertech Skillshare Udemy Tomas George - music producer, composer & audio engineer Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live - learn music production, recording, editing, music mixing, songwriting & music theory Cubase Ask.Video Groove3 London Academy of Music Production Sonic Academy Steinberg Logic Pro Udemy Tomas George - music producer, composer & audio engineer Music Production in Logic Pro X - The Beginners Guide! - learn the basics of setting up, creating music & music production in Logic Pro X Music Production in Logic Pro X - The Complete Course! - creating, recording, mixing music & mastering in Logic Pro X Maschine ADSR Ask.Video MacProVideo Maschine Tutorials Producertech Masterclass Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking Mix With The Masters Learn the entire process of music production, mixing and mastering from the world’s top engineers and producers through seminars and online videos ...

January 19, 2024 · 2 min · James M

Music Production Websites

Ask.Video - Ableton, Cubase, Logic Pro, Native Instruments … Audio Plugin Guy - plugin deals Born to Produce Coursera Groove3 - Ableton, BitWig Studio, Cubase, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Maschine … London Academy of Music Production MacProVideo Point Blank Music School Producertech Skillshare Sonic Academy Steinberg Udemy

January 19, 2024 · 1 min · James M

Music Production: Ableton Max for Live Devices

Ableton Packs Creative Extensions Creative Extensions is a free addition to Live 10 Suite created with an experimental approach to sound processing and generative composition. Inspired by Nature Inspired by Nature is a playful collection of visual Max for Live devices created in collaboration with Dillon Bastan. Produce generative soundscapes, unpredictable melodies and evolving modulations with devices inspired by physical forces and the natural world. YouTube Videos 6 Max For Live Devices you NEED to Try Max For Live Pack Inspired By Nature | Physics-Based Generative MIDI Max for Live Essentials Max for Live Essentials is a collection of audio and MIDI effects, synthesizers and control devices made with Max for Live ...

January 14, 2024 · 2 min · James M