welcome

Preparing tracks for release is a process that

Full stream ahead

Minimal Audio brings a ‘non-intrusive’ means of accessing their ever-expanding sample and sound libraries

Pulse-pounding

A solid new entry from the newbies at

App watch

We report on the latest developments in phone and tablet music making

10 years back

Our monthly shake-of-thehead at our earlier selves’ news choices…

Feline filtering

Released in 1976, the Octave Cat was a

Ins & outs

2020 VISION After a seven-year wait, Yotaro Shuto’s

Add instant analogue character in your DAW with Excite Audio Lifeline Console Lite

Download the modular mixing plugin worth $49 with our exclusive coupon

DAACI: More than an AI composer

DAACI is an innovative new ‘meta-composition’ tool that its creators say will revolutionise producer workflows across the board. But unlike other models, they claim, this one will put human beings right back at the centre. We found out more…

Galen Tipton

Galen Tipton’s wildly imaginative approach to electronic music treats sound like silly putty. We find out how MPE, spectral plugins and AI speech-enhancement software shaped the mind-boggling brain scratch

MASTERING IN THE BOX

Budget won’t stretch to a trip to a mastering engineer? Or fancy some DIY? Get started here…

Setup and equalisation

So you want to do some mastering? The first steps could be more vital than you think…

Limiting and compression

Having dealt with some of the tonal aspects of your track, let’s now turn our attention over to dynamic levels and compression

Distortion, saturation, imaging and beyond…

While EQ and compression are arguably the most important elements involved in mastering, there are plenty of other gizmos that can tastefully improve your production

14 software mastering tips

Here’s our hit-list of top tips for mastering mastering!

Creating an ethereal glass pad

If you need a pad that shimmers but doesn’t get in the way of your mix, the ZebraCM is on hand, and it’s sounding ethereal!

De-essing vocal tracks

Unresolved sibilance can cause problems later. Here are various ways to get it sorted in a snap

CHRIS LAKE

Landing in the UK still buzzing from an extraordinary Coachella set, and the recent release of the pumping, Aluna-guesting Beggin’, we seized the rare opportunity to speak with DJ and modern house titan Chris Lake, and find out more about his epic 20+ year journey as a music-maker, his label Black Book Recordings and get his viewpoint on the industry’s latest innovations…

Our promise

We bring you honest, unbiased appraisals of the

What the ratings mean

1-4 A seriously flawed product that should be

Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra – String and Brass Sections $399/$149

Magic awaits us in this new orchestral library, as we prepare to be transported to another world via the back of a wardrobe, or Platform 9¾!

AMEK Mastering Compressor $399

If it transpired that God’s own compressor was the basis of Brainworx’ latest AMEK-branded plugin, we wouldn’t be surprised

Seaboard Rise 2 £1,099

ROLI’s new Rise 2 is a big improvement over the original MPE controller, but are its added extras and dimensions worth over a grand?

EZKeys 2 €179

We can all use a little pianistic virtuosity in our productions, and Toontrack’s much anticipated update keeps you right on the EZ track

Cherry Audio Novachord + Solovox

$59 PC MAC

United Plugins Pluralis €79 PC MAC

A delay with a difference? We’ve heard that before, but Pluralis could well be one of the most creative plugins out there, with twice the appeal

D16 Lush 2 £145 PC MAC

One of the most hotly-anticipated softsynths of a decade ago gets an update. But after ten years, is D16’s Lush 2 still relevant in 2023? Oh yes

Orchestral Tools Peteris Vasks Strings €549 PC MAC

Proving the point that it’s not the size of the orchestra, it’s what you do with it, OT’s new suite shrinks the string section to chamber size

Google MusicLM FREE PC MAC

Google’s AI-powered, browser-based tool uses machine learning to generate an infinite variety of sounds. Is this the future or just a gimmick?

Soundware round-up

Bingoshakerz Progressive House $20.95 Cool house beats, wistful

CAELUM AUDIO CHORIC QUARTET

Chorus is a classic effect, and with up to four voices, this plugin could be just what you’re after

Guitar Rhythm and FX

Classic samples

Loopmasters 325 samples

This month’s demo sample selection highlighting Loopmasters’ latest releases

video

Download this month’s videos: bit.ly/cm325downloads

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