How Streaming Changed the Way We Produce Music

Algorithmic music discovery and online digital platforms have transformed music consumption. We look at how streaming changed the way we produce music.

Guitar Case Guide: Should You Buy Soft or Hard?

Guitar cases are vital for instrument care. Do you invest, or should you cheap out? Check out this guide to find what works for you.

Big Guitar Tone 2026: Why Does a Guitar Actually Sound Huge?

Big guitar tone: a Les Paul with humbuckers, a 100-watt tube amp, a 4x12 cab, and plenty of gain? That's not always the whole story.

Your Browser is Your New Best Friend – Synth Journal

Your browser might just be your new musical best friend with more and more clever tools appearing every week!

Hidden Gem Recording Gear: If You Know, You Know

We explore a selection of hidden gem recording gear, including items that can expand the capabilities of your recording setup and produce better results.

Ocean Swift Big Up the Massive X – Sounds and Presets

Native Instruments Massive X gets some big love from Ocean Swift with two new banks, plus sounds for Dune 3 and Hive 2, too!

This Is the Gear Legends Use: William Orbit and the Sound Behind “Ray of Light”

William Orbit built pop hits on minimal gear like the Korg MS-20 and Roland Juno-106, from the Ray of Light sound to his final albums.

Neumann U87 Alternatives: Workhorse Condenser Mics

We're looking at Neumann U87 alternatives for vocal recording in your home studio. Are there other ways to get that classic vocal sound?

Best Guitar Stands: 5 Reliable Choices for Every Budget

Guitar stands should be an essential part of your set-up. We must do everything we can to protect our guitars, so check out these stands for every budget.

Affordable Studio Upgrades to Improve Your Recordings

Creating a productive studio environment is always a challenge, but with these affordable studio upgrades, you can iron out some of the creases.

Goodness Gracious, Great Fireball Patches! – Sounds and Presets

This week features presets for one of the smallest synths on the market, the Nanobox Fireball, as well as patches for The Messenger, ESQ-1, and Proxima!

The Best DAW Controllers to Improve your Production Workflow

Is using a mouse too clinical? We discuss control protocols and check out some of the best DAW controllers for your home studio setup.

The 15-Minute Seasonal Guitar Setup Check

Is seasonal humidity messing up your guitar action? Fix string buzz and tuning issues with this simple 15-minute 4-step setup check.

Sounds for the Oberheim Matrix-6, Amazing Freebies for ESQ-1 & DX7-II – Sounds and Presets

This week has new sounds for the Matrix-6 plus free sounds for the Mk.II DX7 and Cherry Audio's ESQ-1.

Budget 500 Series Modules: The Cheapest Way To Get Analogue Gear

Tired of analogue modeling software plug-ins? We check out some of the best budget 500 series modules for producing music at home.

Vive La France! How the French Have Conquered the World of Synths!

We look at how French synth designers and manufacturers have increasingly dominated the synth market in recent years.

Audio Plugins That Became Industry Standards by Accident

We look into the backstories of some of the unlikely heroes in your DAW: audio plugins that became industry standards unintentionally.

End of the Road for Chompi? – Synth Journal

Chase Bliss admits defeat with Chompi, but might it live on? Also, we mourn the loss of Roger Bolton, and Isla Electronics teases a new plugin!

Studio Gear You’ll Keep For Life: Equipment That Lasts

We explore studio gear you'll keep for life, a range of recording equipment that stands the test of time in professional and home studios alike.

Handcrafted Mallets and Metallic Resonances – Sounds and Presets

Handcrafted Mallets flies in the face of all you ever thought chromatic percussion was capable of, plus resonant metallic textures and K2000 sounds!

The Traveling Studio: Portable Studio Gear

Welcome to the world of portable studio gear, where you get to take your musical ideas and creative toys with you wherever you go on your travels.

Psychedelic Synthesizers: What Makes a Synth Trippy?

What are the best synths for out-there music? Come along as we explore psychedelic synthesizers.

Essential Plugins for Pop: Polish and Shine

With these essential plugins for Pop music production, you can improve the quality of your vocals and ensure that they cut through even a dense mix.

Put These In Your Steampipe & Smoke ’em! – Sounds and Presets

Some freebies for Erica Synth's Steampipe and a free piano for Kontakt, plus sounds for Dune 3 and UVI Falcon!