The right software can inspire great ideas and expand your creativity. Check out these useful guides to find of the best plugins and programs available.
Cakewalk | DAWs | FX Plugins | Virtual Instruments | Other Applications
This error message can pop up when starting Pro Tools and prevent you from running it. Here are some possible solutions to help fix the issue.
Avid has quietly brought back Pro Tools perpetual licenses. Find out why it’s a big deal and where you can purchase them.
Love N64 music? Here are some of the original instruments and sample libraries Koji Kondo used to create the Super Mario 64 soundtrack.
Kontakt is an essential plugin every composer should have in their toolbox. But if you’re new to Kontakt, you might … Read more
Dexed is a free Yamaha DX7 VST that faithfully captures the glassy FM sounds of the original. Check out what else it can do.
There’s a lot of jargon in the audio world. So we’ve put together this glossary of music production terms for … Read more
Even though it’s “industry standard”, you don’t need Pro Tools. Here are some Pro Tools alternatives for every kind of musician and engineer.
Avid was just bought out by Symphony Technology Group. Learn more about the deal and what that means for you.
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.
Recording audio is an essential function in any DAW. Learn how to record audio in Cakewalk by Bandlab for music, podcasting, and more.
EastWest’s subscription service isn’t for everybody. Here are 3 ComposerCloud alternatives that you’ll actually own after paying for them.
Looking for nostalgic bleeps and bloops for your chiptune tracks? Here are some Kontakt libraries for making retro-style video game music.
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.
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
Need some new virtual instruments for your digital collection? These are some of our favorite sample library companies you should buy from.
Byte Riot is a Native Instruments expansion brimming with delightful chiptune samples. Find out what we think about it in our review.
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!
More people are having issues installing the latest version of Native Access 2. If you’re stuck, try this easy workaround.
If you’ve ever bought digital music products online, you probably had to download and install them through an external application. … Read more
Subscribe or buy? We go over the similarities and differences between Komplete Now and Komplete 14 Standard.
Want to recreate the whimsical sound of Banjo-Kazooie? Here are the original instruments Grant Kirkhope used to compose the Banjo soundtracks.
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.
It finally happened! The original GoldenEye 007 game is now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox! And with the recent release, … Read more
ROM-hacked sounds are a cool way to make authentic game music. But are soundfonts legal? We explore arguments for and against using them.
Digidesign’s Samplecell sounds were often used in Nintendo 64 games. Learn more about the library’s history and what games they appeared in.
These world instrument sounds have shown up in Zelda, Mario, and other games. Learn a little more about Zero-G’s Ethnic Flavours pack.
The Commodore 64 has an iconic sound that stands out from other 8-bit devices. And if you’re a media composer … Read more
8-bit music is the definitive sound of retro gaming, and has seen a resurgence in the indie game scene. Whether … Read more
Thanks to a wealth of chiptune software, there’s never been a better or easier time to write 8-bit and 16-bit … Read more
There’s something magical about SNES music. Part of it was the faux reverb effect that many soundtracks used. And with … Read more
Reverb is one of the secret ingredients that makes certain retro game music shine. And now, fans of the original … Read more
Most major DAWs come with a stock convolution reverb plugin, but the names aren’t always obvious. Here’s a list of every one.
There are loads of chiptune plugins and software applications out there. Most of them are virtual instruments. But RYMCast is … Read more
Aside from using original hardware, trackers are arguably the most authentic way to write chiptune music today. Over the years, … Read more
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.
Over the years, dozens of plugin developers have tried to emulate and sample the Commodore 64’s SID chip. Many have … Read more
We’ve sorted out the best 8-bit VST plugins. These virtual instruments faithfully recreate the sounds from the ’80s game consoles.
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.
If you’re new to Native Instruments, you might be a bit confused about their products. Here’s a brief explanation of Kontakt vs. Komplete 14.
On the surface, Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt are pretty much the same. Find out what’s different and figure out which one is best for you.
Level up with this free Kontakt instrument from Rhythmic Robot. Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe delivers the chiptune goodness you’ll love.
We give you step-by-step instructions on how to install 3rd-party instruments for both Kontakt Player and the full version of Kontakt.
Not everyone’s a fan of Kontakt. Thankfully, other options exist for orchestral sounds. Here are 5 string libraries that don’t require Kontakt.
Longtime Cakewalk fans may be familiar with Z3TA+ 2, the “Ultimate Waveshaping Synth”. It was one of the first virtual … Read more
Cakewalk just announced two new flagship products: Cakewalk Next and the newly revived Sonar. Learn about each one and how it affects users.
These are the best deals you can get from Native Instruments, iZotope, and their partners during the Soundwide Summer Sale
For many people, WinGROOVE was the definitive General MIDI sound of the mid-90s. Some of you reading this will want … Read more
As a composer, you probably write a lot of action music for movies, trailers, and video games. But many string … Read more
You may be working with MIDI tracks that don’t behave properly with your VST instruments in Cakewalk — especially if … Read more
Lately, I’ve been hunting down the instruments and samples used in my favorite video game soundtracks. One sample library that’s … Read more
Voice Spectral is a collection of over 1000 vocal hooks and phrases. Learn more about it’s history and what games they appeared in.
Z3TA+ 2 is a classic virtual synth that was discontinued in 2017. Even if you’ve managed to redownload the software, … Read more
There’s no shortage of VST plugin companies out there. We’ve put together this list of our favorite brands to help you find a starting point.
Not satisfied with Waves Audio anymore? Take a look at these alternative brands for a treasure trove of mixing and effects plugins.
Super Audio Cart is the definitive collection of retro game samples. It’s a must-have for any working composer. See why in our review.
Looking for a free bitcrusher VST plugin? We’ve picked out the best ones you can download right now. Use them to make your music sizzle.
Looking for a cheap way to write 8-bit music? There are loads of free apps and plugins out there. But … Read more
VSTSID is a free plugin that mimics the iconic sound of the Commodore 64’s SID chip. But is it worth your time? Find out in our review.
In Cakewalk, stopping playback can keep you where you’re at, or rewind you back to when you started. Find out how to toggle between the two settings.
Mixing is a critical part of the creation process. It helps give your music clarity and makes it interesting to … Read more