Latest articles by Roland Schmidt
"A painstaking facsimile of the original in software form": Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin
Described as the ‘return of a legend’ in software, we reheat some wavetables with Waldorf’s reincarnated classic
“It’s a favourite with jazz and funk players, but it's just at home in hits by artists such as Jessie Ware”: Expand your chordal colours with 9ths
Building an extension to a chord doesn’t require planning permission, but it might require a degree of design. We add 9ths to our extension palette
“The net result of this process is a progression which sounds smoother, calmer and more musical”: The value of adding chord inversions
If your chord progressions sound a little clunky, try approaching your harmony in an inverse way.
“When used in conjunction with other unextended chords, it will sound amazing”: How to enhance your songwriting with major sevenths
From bossanovas to Carole King and even James Bond villains, the major seventh can completely change your song’s mood.
How to create low-key ambient techno beats in your DAW
Creating an ambient techno groove can be far from a chilled affair, so we take you through the basics of generating a low-key pattern.
The music theory behind laying down the perfect groove explained
If you’ve ever wondered why your tracks don’t have that extra exuberance, it could just all be a matter of groove.
Use this classic free Computer Music synth to generate movement across your track
One of the magazine's most beloved freebies is the perfect tool for creating a sense of movement in your mixes
“At certain points in music history it became fashionable to place accents on certain beats”: How to score a drum part
We explore the theory behind beats, and how we score kicks, snares, hats and percussion
Make your instrument sounds go further with this slick modulation hack
Sometimes the best way to make your track feel more kinetic is to eschew plugins and get creative with your instruments
The quick guide to the theory behind tempo and bpm
"The next time a musician says to you 'shall we try this a little more allegro?' you will know exactly what they mean"
“Atomika goes an awful lot further than the original Polivoks”: Cherry Audio Atomika review
If you’ve previously been tempted by a vintage Polivoks monosynth, but never fancied having to translate the front panel, Cherry Audio has something very special for you!
"These chords are used on everything from The Beatles to Billie Eilish": How to learn triad theory
The triad is one of the cornerstones of music theory, and vital for creating harmony. We examine the three points of the chord.
Exploring the theory behind making beats and the importance of time signatures
If you are involved with commercial music, you’ll be familiar with the term ‘four-to-the-floor’. But why is four suddenly the magic number? We explore the myth of time signatures.
14 tips for modulating your sounds better
If you are still unsure about the best way to approach modulation and movement, check out our top tips for complete success.
How to create Jean-Michel Jarre-style phasing with delay in your DAW using a free synth!
How to create that vintage Jarre sound, created from a single synth, that conjures a huge sound-stage.
Learn how to understand and use dominant 7th-style chords
If you woke up this morning, feeling a little blue, you’re going to need to use some 7ths in your music. Let us help you get over your gloominess and show you how they work.
“A flexible professional grade keyboard, which can go way beyond the traditional realms of a stage piano”: Roland RD-2000 EX review
We explore the SuperNatural planes of Roland’s latest update to its flagship stage piano
How to use diminished chords effectively in your songs
"They unite Lennon and McCartney, Michael Jackson and even the classic work Mars by Gustav Holst"
How to augment chords for dramatic effect
If you take a triad and stretch it, what happens? We take a closer look at how augmentation works, but in reality.
How to get started making ambient techno in 10 steps
Keep it chilled, with our 10-step guide to creating the perfect starting point for ambient techno.
How varying your chord voicings can make your music sound more expansive
Now you’ve composed the chords for your song, it’s time to find your inner voicing!
Exploring the history and techniques of the pioneers that brought static sounds to life
The extraordinary history of adding movement to flat sounds will inspire you to give your music direction and drive.
Exploring the origins and evolution of the ambient techno genre
“A friend left music quietly playing for Eno while he was in hospital, which was thought to have inspired his initial idea for Music for Airports”
