50 Studio Hacks ...To Help You Make Better Music

From creative ideas to mixdown advice, we’re here to make your music making life easier – one tip at a time!

There are plenty of ‘big’ things it’s worth learning when it comes to music-making. Whether that’s mastering an instrument, learning the ins and outs of a new DAW, studying theory or devising a whole new way of being creative. The little things matter too, and we’re focusing on that this issue. Don’t expect any groundbreaking theses on the future of synthesis techniques, or mammoth deep-dives on the development of a certain sound – what follows over the next few pages is a collection of our favourite quick, simple tips. Short, sharp ideas aimed at helping make your music-making life better, from ways to improve your studio layout to beating writer’s block to creative methods for engaging with existing gear. Little by little we hope to help you hack your way to a happier, more productive time in the studio!

6 pro synth programming techniques

Ditch those presets and program standout synth sounds for yourself! Go beyond basic sound design with these quick pro tips

1 Modulation fades

Heavy modulation of oscillator pitch or filter cutoff can sound a little over-the-top if applied to the entire duration of a sound. Many synths allow a ‘fade in’ to be applied to modulation routings though. You might find this as a ‘fade’ parameter attached to an LFO, or within your synth’s modulation matrix. This can be a great tool for adding tremolo to just the release tails of synth chords, or creating bold EDM-style bass with distinctive ‘wobbles’.

2 Looping envelopes