Latest articles by Si Truss
Gear Talk: Is Roland's Gaia 2 a worthy successor to the original? | Is digital hardware a waste of money? | Why is Behringer calling out gear reviewers?
We discuss the month's burning music tech questions in our new video series
Roland Gaia 2 review
Roland’s ‘hands-on’ virtual analogue returns with some fresh tricks up its sleeve. But does it still have one foot stuck in the past?
8 interesting ways to transition from one part of a track to the next
Bored of using the same old risers? These transition tips will help you get from A to B without catching any Zs
Make some freaky sounds with these experimental sound design tips
Sometimes the best way to inspire new sounds is to go leftfield. Think outside the box with these tips…
12 tips, tricks and ideas for making better beats
Drums are the backbone of most electronic tracks, so giving them a distinctive sound is vital. Here are some tips to help get them on the right path
Pro Tools Sketch: industry-standard DAW gets Ableton Live-style clip launching and a free iPad app, but will it convince you to switch?
Avid makes its pitch to loop-based music makers
James Hype: "The kick drum is everything in dance music. The best way to fix a shit track is to change the kick"
The in-demand DJ and hit-making producer demonstrates his approach to crafting bootleg edits
10 artists share 50 ways to make your music better: "If something in your mix sounds crap, it’s probably you - not the gear!"
Chris Lake, MEDUZA, CHLOÉ and more dish out 50 essential production tips for aspiring music-makers
Roland S-1 Tweak Synthesizer review
The S-1 is one of the smallest polysynths on the market but there’s more here than meets the eye
Minimal Audio Fuse Compressor review
Fuse aims to make multiband compression easy. But does that come at the cost of versatility?
200bpm breakcore, blasts of feedback and blinding visuals: Aphex Twin's Forwards Festival set was a divisive, high-octane victory lap
Richard D. James' hybrid live-come-DJ performance in Bristol cemented his reputation as one of the very best
6 tips for mixing effectively on headphones
Whether you're using cans as a secondary mixing tool or ditching studio monitors altogether, here are six essential tips to help you mix better on headphones
Why is it so hard to finish a track? We explain how you can break free of the 4-bar loop and actually make some music
Turn your unfinished ideas into release-ready records – fast!
Quick Tips: How to identify and fix phase issues
You might know how to spot when this common problem besets your music but how do you fix it? We explore some options here…
Arturia MicroFreak v5 review
The eccentric digital synth gets some solid sampling capabilities. We go granular
The iconic Roland TR-808 tracks that made a legend
Key cuts from seminal artists, including Kraftwerk, Marvin Gaye, Aphex Twin, New Order, Afrika Bambaataa and more
10 tips for getting started with your Ableton Push 3
Ableton’s reimagined controller balances a familiar workflow with some significant new capabilities. We're here to help you get acquainted...
10 innovative plugins pushing synthesis forward
Discover the latest features from today’s forward-thinking software instruments, and keep up to date with the newest sound generators
What does the future of synthesis look like?
We sat down with some brands working at the innovative edges of synth design to try and find out what the future holds for the next generation of synthesizers
7 easy steps to positioning your studio monitors correctly
Effective monitoring isn't just about buying the right gear. Setting up your studio monitors properly can make all the difference
9 tips for losing the laptop and embracing DAW-less creativity
Whether you’re trying to minimise your DAW’s role or ditching it completely, maximise your creativity with these tips and ideas
Lose the laptop: How to go DAW-less and make electronic music without a computer
We explore the hows and whys of creating a production setup that lets you step away from the screen and puts less emphasis on a traditional DAW
"It's difficult when you’re a DJ and a singer. I'd have ringing in my ears after every show." – Koven why they created their custom in-ear monitor setup
The bass duo's Katie Boyle on her custom live setup from Patchwork London
