CATEGORIES

15 questions with... The Maghreban

With three decades of production in many different genres under his belt, Ayman Rostom's latest album, Connection, could be described as a bit of a melting pot' of different styles. But with praise from Pitchfork, The Quietus and Resident Advisor, plus fans including Ben UFO, Benji B and The Horrors, it might well be a candidate for dance album of 2022...

Karanyi Sounds Poly Space $49 PC MAC

This latest reverb plugin will take you to outer space, but only has a couple of controls to get you there. Can ‘simple’ really sound ‘great’?

Techivation T-Clarity $29 PC MAC

Offering a different solution to straight-up EQ, maybe this new plugin can help resolve your mid range issues

Audient EVO 16 £399.99 PC MAC

Good value is hard to come by right now, but if you want to tickle your bargain sensors look no further than Audient’s new EVO 16

IK Multimedia MODO Bass 2 €299.99 PC MAC

Refining their low-end generator with new tones and stylistic options, IK Multimedia affirm their brilliance for making virtual session players

Roland Jupiter-4 $199 PC MAC

When great plugins come around, the very best stay in a perpetual orbit of use. We revisit the reincarnation of Roland’s original planetary gas

Toolroom Academy Infinite £49.99 PC MAC

Need a simple way to finesse your builds and drops? This new plugin from Toolroom Academy could be the answer

15 questions with… AmyElle

With an upbringing during which she enjoyed her parents’ “stupidly big” CD collection, AmyElle’s influences include everything from classical music to Detroit techno. But it’s her house tracks that have given her millions of streams and support from Radio 1, and helped launch a DJ career that’s seen her play live at Amnesia, Tomorrowland and across the States

BARGAIN BEATS

Over the next 20 pages we’re going big on drum machines: programming, sounds, the best plugins and more. And for less cash too!

Spitfire Audio Resonate £199 PC MAC

If you combine one of the UK’s leading sample library companies with a grand Dame, you are probably going to find something pretty special…

KELLY LEE OWENS

Her recent album made the UK Top 30 and she’s collaborated with the likes of Björk and St. Vincent, but the Wales-born producer insists on keeping her music joyfully chaotic

Native Instruments Alicia’s Keys £89

reviews: virtual pianos roundup

Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) Synchron Prime Edition €595

If you’re considering dipping your toe in the orchestral palette, VSL may have the prime package for you, as their new edition gets Synchron-ised

Softube Model 82 €99

It’s the return of the unintended vintage classic! Softube revisit 1982 and teach us a thing or two about old-school charm with their 101 clone

Bitwig Studio 4.3 €399

Each regular update makes genuine additions to this impressive contemporary DAW. Let's see what the latest has to offer

Synthogy Ivory II Studio Grands £285

reviews/virtual pianos roundup

Orchestral Tools Vivid Keys €79

reviews/virtual pianos roundup

Softube Model 82 €99

It’s the return of the unintended vintage classic! Softube revisit 1982 and teach us a thing or two about old-school charm with their 101 clone

The Pro Producer's Guide To Headroom and levels

How loud can you go? Where's your head(room) at? Why do you have to be careful with levels? Here's our guide to signal-to-noise ratio, gain staging, headroom and a lot more as we continue our Back To Basics journey through some of the first principles of music production...

CHICANE

Dance music legend Chicane, aka Nick Bracegirdle, is back in the UK and revisiting the blissed-out, Balearic beats he’s renowned for – his new release celebrates the 25th anniversary of his debut album Far From the Maddening Crowds, produced with an all-digital computer music setup

Kate Bush's synth sound

Recreating a synth sound from an '80s classic? Stranger things have happened, and that's the hill we're attempting to run up this month

DELAY TACTICS

The delay effect is the pro producer’s favourite effect. Here’s how to get creative and cost effective with your own set of delay tactics

15 questions with...Jimi Jules

If you haven't yet heard Jimi Jules' irreverent dance music, his latest album should serve as a fitting introduction to his extraordinary sound. Packed with personality,+ is an eclectic collection that brings to mind the synth-laced extroversion of artists like DJ Koze and Modeselektor, serving up productions with a wink, a nudge and a wry smile

Spitfire Heirloom

Get your hankie ready as Spitfire's latest toolkit promises quick-fire access to devastatingly affecting instrumental flavours. But are Heirloom's emotion-tickling samples worth your money?

Tracktion Waveform Pro 12

With multiple new features, now could be a good time to try this impressive and competitively priced DAW

Baby Audio Crystalline

Baby Audio are on a roll with their releases, but can they crystallise their reputation with their latest algorithmic reverb? The answer's crystal clear

Free software PC MAC: JMG AUDIO HYPERSPACE CM²

Are you a reverb lover with control freak tendencies? You'll love this newly updated CM Suite plugin

The Pro Producer's Guide To DIGITAL AUDIO

If you want to achieve the best mixed and mastered tracks within your DAW, an understanding of how digital audio works is essential. Let's find out exactly what's going on 'inside the box' as we go back to first principles

Toontrack EZdrummer 3

As night follows day, so does this much anticipated update from Toontrack, but does the magic follow the number? We find out!

Aphex modulation pad

Pads can do far more than fill out chords. This month we create a set of Aphex Twin-inspired modulating pads