How to Stretch an Audio Clip in Cakewalk Sonar
By Jack Barton
Sometimes, you need to make an audio clip longer or shorter without cutting it up. Here’s how to stretch your audio in Cakewalk Sonar.
How to Bulk Change MIDI Track Channels & Events in Sonar
By Jack Barton
Sometimes, MIDI tracks won’t work properly with your VST plugins. Here’s how you can change the MIDI track channels and events in Sonar.
How to Record Audio in Cakewalk Sonar
By Jack Barton
Recording audio is an essential function in any DAW. Learn how to record audio in Cakewalk Sonar for music, podcasting, and more.
Cakewalk Sonar Keeps Crashing at Startup? Try This Simple Solution
By Jack Barton
It’s incredibly frustrating when Cakewalk keeps closing during startup. When that happens, you can try this super-easy solution.
How to Install VST Plugins in Cakewalk Sonar
By Jack Barton
If you’re new to Cakewalk Sonar, you may be wondering how to install those new VST plugins you just downloaded. We’ll show you what to do.
The Best Free DAWs for Windows
By Jack Barton
You don’t need to pay anything to record audio or make music on your PC. See our picks for the best free DAWs for Windows computers.
Sixth Month June: A Brilliant Juno-6 Emulation That Shows Its Age
By Jack Barton
Sixth Month June is a free Juno-6 emulation. It’s impressive for what it is, but its age makes it a buggy plugin by today’s standards.
TAL-U-NO-LX by TAL Software
By Jack Barton
The TAL-U-NO-LX is a stunning recreation of the Juno-60 synthesizer with some welcome upgrades. Learn all about this amazing software synth.
TAL-U-NO-62: This Free Juno-60 Emulation Still Holds Up
By Jack Barton
TAL-U-No-62 is a surprisingly faithful recreation of the classic Roland Juno-60. Learn all about this free plugin in our review.
The Original Sample Libraries Used in Ocarina of Time
By Jack Barton
It’s well-documented that Koji Kondo used sample libraries to make the Ocarina of Time soundtrack. Let’s take a look at those classic products.
5 Shure SM7B Alternatives That Don’t Suck
By Jack Barton
The Shure SM7B is one of the most celebrated microphones ever made. It sounds incredible, but it has some issues: USB mics like the Shure ...
Shure SM7B vs SM7dB: Which Is Right For You?
By Jack Barton
Shure’s SM7B is a legendary microphone. But the revised SM7dB is just as compelling. Find out which one is right for you.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs Komplete Audio 2: Which Is Better?
By Jack Barton
The Scarlett 2i2 is one of the best-selling audio interfaces for a reason. But could the Komplete Audio 2 also be worth it?
Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs Komplete Audio 1: Which Is Best for Beginners?
By Jack Barton
Both the Scarlett Solo and the Komplete Audio 1 are top-quality audio interfaces for beginners. Find out which one is the better value.
Komplete 14 Standard vs. Ultimate vs. Collector’s Edition: Differences Explained
By Jack Barton
Komplete 14 comes in three premium bundles. Find out what’s the same and what’s different between Komplete 14 Standard vs Ultimate vs Collector’s Edition.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo vs Behringer UM2: Which One’s Right For You?
By Jack Barton
The Scarlett Solo and Behringer UM2 are two of the most popular entry-level audio interfaces. See which one is worth your time.
The Best Beginner Audio Interfaces of 2024
By Jack Barton
So you’ve just started putting together your first home studio, and now it’s time to get an audio interface. Awesome! You don’t need a complicated ...
Condenser Microphones: What Are They, and How Do They Work?
By Jack Barton
Condenser microphones offer a wide spectrum of sound with incredible clarity. Learn more about what they are and how they work.
4 Yamaha DX7 VSTs for Glassy FM Glory
By Jack Barton
Looking for lush, FM synth sound? These Yamaha DX7 VST plugins will give you the thick, glassy tones that defined ‘80s music.
5 ComposerCloud Alternatives You’ll Actually Own
By Jack Barton
EastWest’s subscription service isn’t for everybody. Here are 5 ComposerCloud alternatives that you’ll actually own after paying for them.
What is Legato in Music Production?
By Jack Barton
Legato is a term that means “smooth and connected”. In music, it describes a series of two or more notes that have little to no ...
4 Minimoog VSTs That Perfectly Replicate the Original
By Jack Barton
Moog's Model D is one of the most iconic synths ever. Now you can capture its magical sound with these faithful Minimoog VSTs and plugins.
UAD Minimoog: An Incredibly Faithful Recreation of the Original
By Jack Barton
The UAD Minimoog is a perfect digital recreation of the original Model D synthesizer. It looks, sounds, and feels like the actual hardware.
Cakewalk Next Has Arrived! Here Are My Early Impressions
By Jack Barton
Cakewalk Next is the latest addition to the Cakewalk family. Listen to a demo and read some of my early impressions.
What is an Audio Interface? And Why Do You Need One?
By Jack Barton
An audio interface is an essential piece of gear for recording and broadcasting audio. Find out what it does and why you need one.
10 Shure MV7 Alternatives to Save You Money
By Jack Barton
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Shure MV7? Check out these great microphoness that won't break the bank.
Recreate the Super Mario 64 Soundfont Using Original Sources
By Jack Barton
Love N64 music? Here are some of the original instruments and sample libraries Koji Kondo used to create the Super Mario 64 soundtrack.
Kontakt Player vs. Kontakt 7 Full – What Are the Differences?
By Jack Barton
Kontakt is an essential plugin every composer should have in their toolbox. But if you’re new to Kontakt, you might be confused between the full ...
Dexed: The Free Yamaha DX7 VST You Can Download Right Now
By Jack Barton
Dexed is a free Yamaha DX7 VST that faithfully captures the glassy FM sounds of the original. Check out what else it can do.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Should You Upgrade?
By Jack Barton
We go over the key features in this side-by-side comparison between the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th and 3rd generations.
Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen Interfaces Explained
By Jack Barton
The next generation is here! Learn about the new Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces in this ultimate guide.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Worth the Upgrade?
By Jack Barton
We go over the key features in this side-by-side comparison between the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th and 3rd generations.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs Solo: Which Is the Best Value?
By Jack Barton
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Solo are two of the most popular USB audio interfaces. Find out which one gives you the most bang for your buck.
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: What’s New?
By Jack Barton
We go over the key features in this side-by-side comparison between the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th and 3rd generations.
Music Production Terms for Composers, Producers, and Audio Engineers
By Jack Barton
There’s a lot of jargon in the audio world. So we’ve put together this glossary of music production terms for composers and producers to reference. ...
What is a Flat Response in Music Production?
By Jack Barton
You’ve probably come across the phrase “flat response” when researching headphones, speakers, or some other type of audio device. But what does it mean? In ...
What is Direct Monitoring? Essential Things to Know
By Jack Barton
If you just bought a new audio interface, you might have noticed a button or switch that says something like “Direct Monitor”. This is a ...
3 Shure SM58 Alternatives That Don’t Suck
By Jack Barton
The Shure SM58 is a legendary microphone. But sometimes, you need something different. Here are our top three Shure SM58 alternatives.
4 Kontakt String Libraries for Diverse, Cinematic Sound
By Jack Barton
There’s a butt-ton of Kontakt string libraries. Most of them sound the same. Here are some unique libraries for a diverse range of sounds.
Microphone Polar Patterns Explained
By Jack Barton
You’ve probably heard about polar or pickup patterns when looking up mic specs. Learn what they mean and some common applications for them.
3 Blue Yeti Alternatives That Sound Just As Good (Or Better)
By Jack Barton
Don’t get me wrong. The Blue Yeti is a fantastic microphone. After all, there’s a reason why it’s one of, if not the best-selling USB ...
6 Kontakt Libraries for Retro Game Music (Free & Paid)
By Jack Barton
Looking for nostalgic bleeps and bloops for your chiptune tracks? Here are some Kontakt libraries for making retro-style video game music.
8 Dead-Simple Ways to Make Your Blue Yeti Sound Better
By Jack Barton
The Blue Yeti is a fantastic-sounding microphone… if you use it right. Here are some super simple ways to make it sound better.
The 3 Best Audio Interfaces for Mac (With Stunning Sound Quality)
By Jack Barton
Apple computers set the standard in creative industries. So only the best gear will do. Here are our picks for the best audio interfaces for Mac.
The Best Budget Dynamic Microphones ($100 or Less!)
By Jack Barton
Whether you’re recording vocals, instruments, or something else, dynamic microphones offer the flexibility you need to record in any situation. And thankfully, you don’t have ...
Blue enCORE Alternatives: Substituting Discontinued Mics
By Jack Barton
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a fan of Blue’s enCORE series microphones. And by now, you’ve probably realized they’ve been discontinued. Many folks ...
How to Make 16-Bit Music (SNES & Genesis Chiptunes)
By Jack Barton
The SNES and Genesis had legendary music. This guide will help you learn how to make 16-bit music using both free and paid plugins.
3 Shure SM57 Alternatives That Work For Everything
By Jack Barton
The SM57 is a legendary microphone, but you might be looking for something different. Check out our top picks for Shure SM57 alternatives.
8 Sample Library Companies To Check Out In 2024
By Jack Barton
Need some new virtual instruments for your digital collection? These are some of our favorite sample library companies you should buy from.
Byte Riot: Shockingly Great, Even For Non-Maschine Users
By Jack Barton
Byte Riot is a Native Instruments expansion brimming with delightful chiptune samples. Find out what we think about it in our review.
PCM2612: The Dead-Simple Bitcrusher for Sega Genesis Fans
By Jack Barton
If you need a simple bitcrusher, look no further than PCM2612. It’s free to download, so you can add that tasty 16-bit crunch right away!
Native Access Not Installing? Try This Easy Solution
By Jack Barton
More people are having issues installing the latest version of Native Access 2. If you’re stuck, try this easy workaround.
What is Pulse Downloader? Everything You Need to Know
By Jack Barton
If you’ve ever bought digital music products online, you probably had to download and install them through an external application. One of the more recent ...
Komplete Now vs. Komplete 14: Which One Comes Out On Top?
By Jack Barton
Subscribe or buy? We go over the similarities and differences between Komplete Now and Komplete 14 Standard.
What Instruments Were Used in Banjo-Kazooie?
By Jack Barton
Want to recreate the whimsical sound of Banjo-Kazooie? Here are the original instruments Grant Kirkhope used to compose the Banjo soundtracks.
What Is Kontakt? And Why Do You Need It?
By Jack Barton
Kontakt is one of the most essential plugins for any composer and producer. We explain what Kontakt is and why you need it in your toolbox.
Tracking Down GoldenEye 007’s Original Music Samples
By Jack Barton
It finally happened! The original GoldenEye 007 game is now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox! And with the recent release, players are listening to the ...
Are Video Game Soundfonts Legal? Arguments For and Against
By Jack Barton
ROM-hacked sounds are a cool way to make authentic game music. But are soundfonts legal? We explore arguments for and against using them.
Exploring the Sounds of Digidesign’s Sample Cell Library
By Jack Barton
Digidesign’s Samplecell sounds were often used in Nintendo 64 games. Learn more about the library’s history and what games they appeared in.
Zero-G Ethnic: The Sounds Behind Zelda & Other Classic Media
By Jack Barton
These world instrument sounds have shown up in Zelda, Mario, and other games. Learn a little more about Zero-G’s Ethnic Flavours pack.