ARTICLES WRITTEN BY SIRMA

One of the biggest challenges of producing and mixing music is not knowing how your mix will translate in real-life environments. Will the bass cut through? Are the vocals too harsh? While you’re looking for answers to these questions, you may find yourself daydreaming about building your perfect studio one day…

Establishing the relationship between drums and bass is essential to creating an infectious groove. But paying attention to harmonic rhythm is just as important. Sometimes, you can hit the chords in all the right places and still feel like something’s missing. You might tweak the LFO rate or try out arpeggiator patterns within your synthesizer, but fail to capture the magic you’re looking for.

Even an impeccable vocal recording can sound out of place without proper mixing. You may know how to record and edit your takes, but processing them requires understanding effects like pitch correction, EQ, compression, saturation, reverb and delay. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be equipped with the building blocks to create your vocal chain from scratch.

Since the ’30s, engineers have been harnessing technology to develop revolutionary devices that synthesize and alter the human voice. Today, artists can harmonize their vocals without relying on background singers, and music producers who don’t necessarily excel at singing can feel more comfortable performing with vocoders and other voice-masking tools. 

It’s now common practice for music-makers to capture their creative sparks and ideas with their smartphones. Many voice notes and quick recordings become the guidepost for fully realised records later on — even Skrillex is using an iPhone to capture final vocal takes in his productions.

If you want to write pop songs, you can’t always rely on your piano or guitar. You’ll find your ideas drifting between various tempos without a proper groove for them to latch on to. Your ultimate goal may be collaborating with music producers to add melodies and lyrics to instrumentals. However, no songwriter should walk into the studio unprepared. With a GO:KEYS 5 keyboard, you can create catchy pop songs from the comfort of your home. Here’s how.

Making the jump from music lover to music creator is a bold endeavor. It’s a choice that can open up new worlds of creativity and enjoyment, but the first step can often be a bit daunting. A GO:KEYS keyboard makes the transition seamless, allowing you to explore your favorite genres using a single powerful, self-contained musical instrument. From pop to hip-hop and all points in between, unlock your inner musician with the GoGo series of step-by-step guides. 

Music is a medium that rewards attention. In decades past, the double album was considered the artistic apex. Titles like Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix earned critical praise and commercial success. Still, the evolution of technology affects music fan’s experience, resulting in ever-evolving formats. Social media led to new music-listening habits, and indie artists had to adapt. As a result, many up-and-comers strategized their release cycles around singles and EPs, making albums a dying breed. However, among mainstream artists, the long-form listening experience is experiencing a revival. 

When it comes to gender equality, the music business is still in the early stages of course correction. Female singers/songwriters and performers are consistently in the public eye, yet their producer counterparts struggle with industry acceptance. Some women produce their own projects to prove their abilities, while many eschew the spotlight, climbing the ladder as sound engineers and assistants. 

Few DJs get to play venues like Coachella, Red Rocks, and Amnesia Ibiza during the early stages of their careers. But the success of Mary Droppinz is no coincidence. Having reached #1 on Beatport’s Electro chart with her single “Sandman,” she has set her sights on the future. Between touring, producing music, and livestreaming, Mary Droppinz discusses her EP, The Cycle, and how she puts in the work to make her dreams come true.

New York native Seth Haley, better known as Com Truise, rose to the top as one of his generation’s most significant synthwave artists. Following countless records and remixes over the past decade, Haley has recently taken on some new and exciting challenges. Looking back at the beginning of his musical journey and what lies ahead, he shares the lesser-known details of his career.

It’s common for most streamers to face technical difficulties. Sometimes the stability of the Wi-Fi connection is to blame. Other times the equipment can’t handle the workload. But even those who have the best setup can struggle with audio issues. If you’re just starting, it’s crucial to pinpoint your needs, understand your environment, and get familiar with basic audio principles.

When Gianni Proietti, aka Gattobus, got his first Roland keyboard, he was only 16 years old. Thirty years later, he’s an expert sound designer for instruments like the SYSTEM-8, FANTOM, JUPITER-X, and others. Even in the face of tragedies and setbacks, the multi-talented musician never abandoned his passion. In this tell-all interview, he reveals the secrets behind his success.   

Every Output instrument comes with special FX to help you take full advantage of the sounds at your disposal. 

Take Flux in EXHALE, for example. Functioning like a sophisticated randomizer control, Flux can fluctuate the rhythm of any mod send in the FX engine!

Within the past two decades, something magical happened in the world of film music. Classical instruments got dressed up in electronic, ambient, and rock sounds. The line between acoustic instruments and synthesizers got blurry. We even heard some scores that combined a drum set, drum machine, and orchestral percussion in a single cue.

With an earth-shaking sub module and two additional sound generators, SUBSTANCE is the one synth bass you’ll never get sick of. Turn all the layers on and you can easily combine a triangle sub with a bass guitar and tuba if that’s your wish! When you’re dealing with such an expansive software instrument, you never run out of options. But just in case the presets readily available in SUBSTANCE don’t cut it, the additions are here to broaden your horizons.

Have you ever wondered why your tracks don’t hit hard enough? Sometimes you produce a sick beat, but it gets old fast. 16 bars in and somehow you’re already tired of it. In these situations, the problem is usually not the groove. If the track doesn’t feel locked in, the lackluster rhythm of the chords might be the culprit. When it comes to rhythmic flow, most producers rely on drum and bass elements to carry the weight. But no groove can fulfill its true potential unless the harmonic, percussive and melodic textures fit right in.

Most soft synths come with merely a few choir presets that go unnoticed by producers. Some patches feel authentic but rigid, while others feel way too artificial. Usually, there seems to be something lacking: taste.

And that’s exactly what sets EXHALE apart. If you’ve ever checked out the Hooked pack on ARCADE, you probably already know how meticulous we are about vocal synthesis. Here at Output, we’re dedicated to designing track-ready sounds. We know achieving that goal with vocal samples is no easy feat. But what fun is life without a challenge?

Have you checked out The Base Bass expansion pack for SUBSTANCE? 

It’s loaded with heaps of gritty electric bass samples and rich pluck synth patches. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Hear how Output artists around the world make jaw-dropping beats with this boundless bass engine.

The idea of acquiring a home studio setup is nothing new. In fact, bedroom producers all over the world have invested in their own equipment for decades. But with technology advancing rapidly each year, software that once seemed niche has become more accessible. Now, any artist, podcaster or vlogger can make a one-time investment to record high quality takes at home. 

“I feel a lot and I feel music,” admits Tyler Bates. Surrounded by his favorite instruments at his studio, he reflects on his experiences scoring blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy, Dawn of the Dead, and the John Wick franchise. “I put myself in the audience and think about what would move me? What would prime me to receive the emotion that the director is trying to convey? I’m trying to feel what that is instead of intellectualizing it,” he concludes. 

Many film composers and modern producers depend on MIDI strings when they don’t have the budget to record an orchestra in the studio. In fact, from pop to hip-hop, electronic to ambient, you can hear strings in various shapes and forms. And it’s easy to understand why. Raw or heavily processed, strings can add a lot of lushness and expressive quality to any composition.

Roland Cloud is a relatively new platform, but music instructors around the world have already taken notice. It offers powerful opportunities for students looking to master music production, beat making, sound design, synthesis, and audio. Today, the cost-effective subscription model offers access to incredibly realistic ACB replicas. It’s also packed with a continually expanding sound library.  

Nashville songwriter and producer Andrew Petroff is no stranger to collaborating with big names in the industry. Through writing with Jeff Trott and producing for Sheryl Crow, he has carved out his own path in the country music scene. Unlike most other country music producers, Petroff draws inspiration from sound more than anything else. Spending most of his time writing and recording with other artists requires him to pay attention to the flavorful details. 

American producer and artist P.Morris ignited his career by producing Kelela’s “Go All Night.” Soon thereafter, Solange took notice. He even scored an opening slot on tour with FKA Twigs. Today, he makes music for his pleasure as well as for other artists. Continuously drifting between R&B, hip-hop, trap and electronica, Morris has developed an inimitable style over the years. But how does he manage to turn heads in an industry where there’s so much noise?

Delay is one of the most common audio effects used by music producers, artists, and mixing engineers alike. Delay differs from reverb by the simple fact that it generates echoes as opposed to reverberations in a virtual space. This is why, in most cases, syncing delay effects to the tempo of the track is generally preferred. But delay can be used in a myriad of ways to fatten up your mix project, add dimension to your sounds, and even create unique, evolving soundscapes.

K-pop groups like BTS, BLACKPINK, and SEVENTEEN now claim the spotlight on the world stage. This self-contained music industry continues to expand at a dizzying pace. Is there room for international songwriters, producers, and session musicians to join in? A few years ago, New York-based musician Megan Dervin-Ackerman booked some songwriting sessions in South Korea. At the time, not all musicians were yet aware of K-pop’s growing status. However, she certainly was.

Many people who are new to music production get overwhelmed by the sheer number of plug-ins available to use. However, no matter what kind of music you’re interested in making, there are four audio effects you should learn to use well in any production: EQ, compression, reverb, and delay. At the end of the day, music is measured in notes, frequencies, volume, and time. In fact, once you boil them down to basics, the common parameters become a whole lot easier to wrap your head around. 

Accompanying yourself as a singer can be a daunting task. The main challenge is dividing your focus between playing and singing. The secondary challenge is to keep the performance interesting and engaging for the listener. In this article, I’m going to share a few strategies that helped me improve my self-accompaniment skills.   

There are all kinds of royalty-free sample and loop packs these days. Anyone can use them in their records and make money off them without worrying about any legal complications. One can even buy a beat, top line and release it without owing the beat maker a penny more than what they’ve already paid. That's how Lil Nas X got his start, and now, buying and selling beats is becoming more commonly accepted in the industry.

Musicians who are new to songwriting generally struggle to put their fragmented ideas into song form at one point or another. They often ask themselves, “How do you know when a song is done? How long is each section supposed to be?”. While there are all kinds of song structures out there in the world, some are more common than others. Writing in common structures as a beginner can help you organize those fragmented ideas. 

For pop music to chart these days it pretty much has to go viral on TikTok.

It’s a key platform for reaching new audiences on social media. Even past hits like La Roux’s “Bulletproof” or Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” got a second wind with Zoomers from viral moments on TikTok. For me, it started with Lil Nas X’s breakout single “Old Town Road”. Ever since he proved that tapping into meme culture is the key to modern success, the mainstream music industry has followed suit.

While there is much debate about the future of TikTok in the U.S., the app continues to attract pop stars and indie artists alike. As social media platforms are increasingly saturated, TikTok offers a wellspring of opportunity. For now, anyone has the chance to go viral on the app without spending a dime. All it takes is attention-grabbing content, strategic hashtags, and a little luck. 

We’ve gotten used to seeing viral videos pouring from TikTok these days. Even if you’re not on the app, you can’t escape them. 

With remote positions on the rise, so many people are considering working and living abroad these days.

Some people are in need for a change of pace and scenery, while others consider the financial and cultural advantages that might come with such an experience.

Since I’m an international artist working in the US with an artist visa, I got curious: how do other music centric countries handle cases like mine?

One of the positive impacts of this surreal time we’re living in is the surge of artists and songwriters who are drawn to home producing their demos and records. 

Some songwriters flocked to Zoom to co-write during quarantine and many musicians have recently started making music in the same room again. But let’s face it – collaborations are not for everyone. 

Remember how blown away the industry was by the success of Lorde’s “Royals”?

Back in 2012, no one thought such a modestly produced record could land on the radio. Then, Billie Eilish walked in and took that minimalist approach to a whole new level. With trap taking the lead now, we’re used to hearing music producers strip-down tracks to their bare bones. But why are tracks with minimal production so powerful? 

With the swift advancement of technology, rise of digital platforms and music distribution services like TuneCore supporting independent artists around the world, it’s easier than it’s ever been to make your music accessible to the masses. Nowadays it’s becoming more and more common to come across artists who not only produce, but also mix and master their own material.

Toplining is a popular songwriting technique. It’s common practice especially in the world of pop, hip hop and electronic dance music. But a topliner is slightly different from a traditional songwriter. In topline songwriting, the creation of the melody and lyrics is based on beats. In fact, sometimes it’s based on fully fleshed out productions. In this article I’ll explain everything you need to know about toplining, how it works and why you should consider it as a songwriter.

Online marketers and social media strategists are familiar with search engine optimization (SEO), but the term rarely comes up in the music world. The idea is that in order to increase your visibility as a brand in search engines such as Google or Bing, you need to not only strategize to increase the quantity of the traffic, but also the quality. 

If you’re a Logic Pro X user, you probably know about this already, but if not, drop what you’re doing: Apple has just released the latest version of our beloved DAW!

But this is not like the other updates we have seen since the release of Logic Pro X. The 10.5 Edition is packed with new features we’ve all been waiting for and a wide selection of kits, loops, and samples to boot! Let’s unpack all of my favorite updates, shall we?

It looks like this is going to take a while.

Sure, there will come a time when we’ll better adapt to this new normal. The real question is, how can we stay in tune with our own lives as we wait for the rest of the world to catch up?

The music industry is now coming to terms with a version of 2020 they probably couldn’t have imagined in their wildest dreams. With no live concerts or music festivals in sight, some clubs have already announced that they would not be re-opening.

Everyone is on Zoom nowadays. From webinars to happy hours, Zoom has become the hot spot for not just business meetings, but also collaborations and social calls.

But did you know that Zoom is one of the best options out there for music lessons, co-write sessions and live shows as well?

While the sound quality of a live stream will never be lossless in the foreseeable future, Zoom’s computer audio share feature stands out among its competitors. 

If you’re a songwriter or artist who depends on co-write sessions, this period we’re all going through together might be particularly difficult to manage for you. Sure, you can still write on your own, but how do you write when you don’t even go out and live like you used to? It feels like we have all the time in the world now, but staying productive and motivated is easier said than done.

I had the opportunity to host a vocal production workshop at this year’s Sónar Istanbul festival. In the workshop, I was asked to discuss and demonstrate the strategies I’ve developed over the years to process my vocals. From recording to editing and mixing, I shared my step-by-step approach. I even gave a few examples from my Logic sessions. I also did five 15-minute-long, one-on-one mentorship sessions with the first five people who signed up. Something special caught my attention during the mentorship sessions.

Collaborations can be a lot of fun, but they can also be quite tricky. At the beginning of our careers, we may be willing to take any and every opportunity in order to grow, but as we move up, determining which projects are worth our time gets harder. If you’re not just a songwriter who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, making toplining a side hustle can be a bit of a balancing act. Do you collaborate with producers as a featured artist, or do you co-write and then hand the song over to another singer? 

Today, being a self-managed artist can mean a variety of things. If you have a day job or are involved in other musical projects, chances are you only go as far as putting your music out and playing a few shows every now and then. Maybe you have a team of people around you who help you along the way and altogether, you’re making strides.

Still, regardless of budget, level of progress and status, there’s no denying that we can all do more to aid our careers as self-managed artists, especially in this age of social media and streaming. 

Lyric writing is often romanticized by songwriters. Some believe that unless you live your life, collect memories and let the words come to you in moments of bursting inspiration, your songs won’t come out true.

Experienced songwriters don’t sit around and wait for those moments, because they know better: learning how to play a musical instrument requires plenty of practice. The same is true for the skill of lyric writing.

When you’ve been in the music industry long enough, you get used to hearing certain terms after a while. And I’m not talking about the kind of timeless terms that have been determined by musicologists, but the ones that have been coined only recently by musicians who felt the need to do so in order to communicate better with each other.

For example, the whole concept of “toplining” may still be foreign to most non-musicians, but if you’re a songwriter who frequents co-writing sessions, there’s no way you haven’t heard of it before. 

We all have different skill sets, and we all battle different obstacles. Some musicians find it difficult to deal with technology; it hinders their ability to be creative in the recording process. Others are capable of producing radio-ready instrumental tracks because working in a DAW, like Logic Pro, is a completely native experience to them, but struggle to fit vocals in.

As a singer who records and produces her own vocals, I’ve been through that lengthy process of “learning by doing.” After years of hitting record without a plan for my session, the mistakes I’ve made over time have led me to develop some systematic techniques that allow me to dive in more quickly and confidently every time. These solutions often save me time and headaches when I enter the mixing process, as well.