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Free VST Plugins You Should Actually Get

There are a lot of free plugins out there, and you can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the paradox of choice. Thankfully, we've done the hard work, so you don't have to. Here’s a carefully curated list of the best free plugins that pretty much any music producer can benefit from. We’ve been especially considerate of plugins with a wide appeal and scope of use. That’s to say: ones that will likely come in handy to everyone across the music production sphere. In this list, you’ll find the best pl

Manufacturer Focus: Kilohearts Q&A

Kilohearts has built a reputation for giving producers and sound designers tools that spark creativity in unexpected ways. In this exclusive Q&A, we uncover some overlooked features, underrated plugins, and surprising ways artists are pushing the Kilohearts ecosystem beyond the usual. 1. Is there a 'hidden feature' or lesser-known tip for using one of your plugins that you wish more people knew about? One of the most powerful but often overlooked features in the Kilohearts Ecosystem

9 of the most Iconic Synth Sounds – and How to Recreate Them

We pick apart nine key synth sounds from years gone by, and how you can use plugins to emulate the sounds yourself Most people will get a song stuck in their head from time to time. Sometimes it’s the lyrics, or maybe a melodic hook that’s guilty of being an earworm. For us producers though, who are prone to mentally picking apart the music we’re exposed to, we might even get a specific synth sound or patch stuck in our head. This can leave us pondering how the sound might have been made.

Claim your FREE copy of BEATSURFING's RANDOM or 7DeadlySnares

Exclusively free with your purchase this month, you can claim your free copy of BEATSURFING's RANDOM or 7DeadlySnares at the checkout with any eligible purchase. Important note: Rent To Own plans are not eligible for the free transaction gift. Ends 31st October 2025 How It Works: Make sure you have a registered Plugin Boutique account. If you do not have an account, you can create one HERE. Add any paid-for product to your basket (This offer is not valid on free products

10 Inspiring Methods and Plugins That'll Help you Start More Tracks

Get your head nodding and spark off inspiration with these techniques and producer games for starting off new tracks Sometimes, the hardest part of making a track is simply getting started. We’ve all been there… You have some time spare to produce and are excited to come up with some fresh sounds. But as soon as you get set up at your workstation, creative block sets in, and no matter what you chuck at the wall, nothing seems to stick. You’re not alone, and we understand how frustrating

How to Write a Great Bassline for your Chord Progression

Struggling to get the feel? Find your track’s footing with our guide to composing or programming the right bassline in your DAW There are lots of skills needed to produce music. Can every producer be expected to be a synth programmer, a finger drummer, a songwriter, a mixing engineer and a mastering engineer, all at the same time? While it’s possible to get a handle on a few of the techniques and abilities required for producing music, being a genius at all of them is a lot to ask of anyone.

KSHMR on Bloom: The Vision Behind His New Plugin

Following the release of Bloom KSHMR, we sat down with the acclaimed producer to dive into the inspiration, design, and creative intent behind his first instrument Bloom KSHMR. Known for fusing cinematic depth with global influences, KSHMR brought his signature style and cultural roots into this powerful new instrument - packed with authentic Indian sounds, rhythmic sequences, and a uniquely visual interface. In our conversation, he shares the story behind the project, his favorite features, and

How to Make Synth Presets Your Own

Here are seven ways you can move beyond the factory bank and build on your favourite synth’s patches Sound synthesis is a huge skill to have, and there are some super-talented preset designers out there, whose job it is to cook up every synth’s Factory Bank, making it sound as good as it can possibly be. Load up any modern synth and surf through its presets, and you’ll be treated to a seriously tasty buffet! But unless you’re also a top-of-the-line sound designer, how can you possibly take

Sounds You Can't Google – The Synth Patches You Need to Know

What’s that sound? Discover 11 synth sounds that not everyone can put their finger on in this blagger’s guide to sound design staples Any artist should know the standards of their art. Just as jazz musicians need to know Autumn Leaves, or painters should be familiar with the iconic uses of each medium and paint type, sound designers would be very well advised to learn the key sonic fingerprints of the past in order to produce the iconic sounds of the future. In this article, we’ll list the

The Music Producer's Guide to Content Creation: What you Need to Know

If you’re seeking to level-up your content creation for promoting your music, look no further than this comprehensive, all-in-one guide Social media has become a vital cornerstone in marketing and promotion online, and as musicians, we’re no exception to the rule. Content is king in the modern world, and if we want our music to reach the desired audience, it’s essential for us to implement some kind of content-creation strategy. Luckily, it’s becoming more accessible for everyone, no matte

15 Ideas for Coming up with Basslines

There’s nothing that gets your listeners’ bodies moving more than a well-written bassline, so here’s 15 ideas to make your own Some people start with the bass. Some add it last. Others are somewhere in between. Well, we’re here to tell you there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to composing funky basslines. Although, if you’re struggling to find your groove with the grooviest element of your tracks, perhaps this list of 15 inspirational ideas for creating basslines will be of assis

10 Inspiring Ways to Program Beats

Get beyond your piano roll and step sequencer lanes with these innovative and exciting beat programming plugins Sometimes, using the same creative methods over and over becomes monotonous and draining. As musicians, we need to continually put measures in place to keep ourselves inspired and to avoid falling into creative block. That’s exactly why we’ve put together this carefully curated list of plugins to keep your beat programming process as new and exciting as possible. Once you’ve fami

Manufacturer Focus: Wavesfactory Q&A

In this exclusive Q&A, Wavesfactory founder Jesús Ginard reveals the inspiration behind plugins like Trackspacer, Quantum and Cassette. Discover his design secrets, hidden features, and what’s coming next. 1. How do you stay inspired when designing tools for people in music? I’m a very bad mixer—so I welcome all the help I can get! That’s usually the starting point. If I struggle with something, like making space for vocals, I start thinking, “What if I could just build a tool to make

Mastering for Width: Stereo Techniques and Tools

Learn the ins and outs of mastering for width, and the best plugins for the job Mastering is the final stage in the journey of making a track in any genre. It provides extra polish and adds the finishing touches to ensure your music is ready for playback across a range of platforms – whether that’s a streaming service, the radio, vinyl, or a DJ set. When you think of mastering, you may think of loudness. That’s certainly an important part of the process. Mastering engineers ensure that the

Music Producers: Why Compress? And When Not To

To compress or not to compress? Well, it depends… Alongside equalisation, compression is one of the most essential tools available to anyone working in audio. Whether you’re an audiobook or podcast producer, a video game or movie sound designer, music producer or mixing engineer – almost everyone who works with audio will reach for a compressor at some point during their week. But what exactly does a compressor do? The most traditional use for an audio compressor is to reduce dynamic ra