CATEGORIES

MIXING DRUMS

Mix a drum kit to perfection with our step-by-step guide to processing and balancing along with some top tips

LOGIC VS LIVE

When Logic Pro X 10.5 showed up to the party attired with a Live-tastic new feature list, we geared up for a faceoff!

THE PERFECT KICK DRUM

A good drum track starts with the bass drum – find out here how to make sure yours kicks ass

Arturia OB-Xa V €199

Growl… da… da… da… da-da… daa… da… da… da da daaaa’. Now you too can ecreate one of the most ‘iconic’ synth intros of all time. But please don’t

THE PERFECT HI-HATS AND CYMBALS

So you’ve got your kick and snare – now let’s add some sizzling metalwork to complete the kit

Free software PULSAR SMASHER

Engage ‘all-buttons-in’ with this issue’s free plugin from Pulsar Digital. It’s smashing. Let’s rock…

GET REAL!

You might not be a drummer, but that needn’t prevent you from programming your own totally convincing ‘live’ drum tracks. All it takes is a good set of sounds and a bit of MIDI know-how

15 questions with…THE DANDY WARHOLS

Peter Holmström is the guitarist and founding member of The Dandy Warhols. With their new record taking a few technology twists and turns, it’s time for 15 questions…

Tracktion Software Waveform Pro 11

Does 2020’s update to this resolutely ‘different’ DAW add enough to keep things moving without compromising its unique proposition?

15 Questions With…RAC

Portugal-born, US-raised André Allen Anjos is a Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, with no fewer than 250 remixes to his name, from Kings Of Leon to Lady Gaga, plus TV/film credits. He’s just released his LP, Boy, through Counter/Ninja Tune

SYNTH BASS

Synthesis is one of the quickest and, potentially, the easiest methods of creating awesome bass sounds from scratch. Here’s how it’s done…

BABY COMEBACK CM

We’ve got a cracking d-d-d-delay which has been d-d-developed just for readers. That’s you (you, you)!

Apple Logic 10.5

Apple’s venerable DAW takes the fight to Ableton Live, with a couple of familiar additions, but can it compete?

SUB BASS

If you don’t reach the bottom, how can you hit the top? Get the lowdown on making your subs sound sweet

Oeksound soothe2 €199

After the runaway success of version 1, the second iteration of this already-excellent plugin takes the dynamic EQ concept to new heights

Mastering The Mix Mixroom £49

Intelligent plugins make mixing a quicker and more reliable process. Let’s see how this latest EQ can help with your mixing and mastering.

SLEAFORD MODS

Nottingham duo Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn share the tech secrets that have given them three Top 20 albums

212 TECHNIQUES - Make music from start to finish

The shortcuts and techniques you need to create, record, mix and master music, get the gear and even a career!

What's on your hard drive?

Dualist Inquiry Delhi-based producer, Sahej Bekshi is spearheading the new wave of Indian electronica, with some help from a raft of great plugins

Eduardo Tarilonte NADA Meditation Sounds £179

Meditation music uses an eclectic but focused sound set. Will this new sample instrument trigger your inner creative flow? Let’s find out

Mercuriall Euphoria $100

How would you like an accurately-modelled boutique amp with a bunch of classic pedals and a fresh new interface? Yes please…

Kali Audio IN-8 £699

The IN-8s are new speakers from a company which have already taken the studio world by storm, offering both great value and great results

Universal Audio Luna

FREE (for registered users) Universal Audio make some of the best plugins and interfaces in the world, but does that world need another DAW? Enter the Lunaverse…

CM Producer Masterclass SUB FOCUS

Sub Focus – aka Nick Douwma – shows us the tech that’s helped make him one of the UK’s most respected drum ‘n’ bass producers

cm/backchat

One of the plusses of lockdown is that people have more time to write to magazines like us! So here are some of the best – and most bonkers – mails we’ve received in a new (and hopefully regular) slot… Email andy.jones@futurenet.com

CM mini reviews

A rapid-fire round-up of sample libraries, ROMplers and music gear

15 questions with…JOHN FOXX AND BENGE (AKA JOHN FOXX AND THE MATHS)

It’s a new feature for the times as we celebrate those artists attempting to release music and tour during these unprecedented world events… by giving them some tough tech questions to answer. For this inaugural event, step forward a synth icon and iconic synth collector

9 Tips For Productive Production In Self-Isolation

Many of us have been confined to our homes of late, so here are some irreverent tips to make these hours as musically productive as possible…

TRANCE

Come with us to a hypnotic, trippy dimension and produce a track in one of the 90s’ best genres…

Top collaboration tips

Stuck at home? You’re certainly not alone. It’s time to get out and meet people – at least virtually – and make some music!