Kontakt-based instruments just keep getting better, and 2018 saw some of the most ambitious and great-sounding releases ever. Here are the boldest and best Kontakt instruments of the year.

2018 saw a raft of updates and new releases, from emulations of vintage gear to new and totally unique soft synthesizers. There's never been a better time to make music with virtual synths.

2018 has been a great year for new, expanded and upgraded music-making apps on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Here are some of the best, from beat makers to full DAWs.

This year saw updates and new releases covering everything from keyboards and Eurorack modules to chord assistants and MIDI guitars. Here's our roundup of the best MIDI controllers of 2018.

Native and powered plug-ins trade off price and power in different ways - but which system is right for you? In part one of this guide, Matt Vanacoro explains the pros and cons of each.

Recording acoustic guitars using direct input doesn't always sound great, but with a few tricks you can make big improvements. Here, Rich Tozzoli shares his recording secrets.

Software instruments can make authentic-feeling and sounding bass parts, but you'll need to know a few programming tricks. Joe Albano shares his secrets...

We all know the importance of having a good mic selection, but what about all the mic accessories that can make or break a session? Joe Albano hails the unsung heroes of the studio cupboard.

Although digital recording is now commonplace, there's still a vocal minority of musicians sticking with analog. But which is better? Here are 3 ways digital is superior, and 2 it's not.

In a hurry? This 1-minute video from Joe Albano gives you the fundamentals of how audio waveforms work.

Logic has tools to convert audio parts to MIDI data - a process that can be incredibly useful, if you know how to use it. Joe Albano explains exactly how it works.

Sidechain compression is quick and easy to set up in FL Studio 20. Here's how you can use it to get that classic pumping effect for basses and pads.

Here are the techniques you need to know to import stems, loops and more into your Studio One project - with full automatic tempo stretching.

Producing and composing sound to picture has never been more accessible thanks to technology... but you'll still need the skills to make it work. Here are five top tips to help you on your way.

Latency can be the bane of your producer life, but Cubase 10 introduces a new feature that could make it a thing of the past. Here's how it works.

It looked a lot like Apple's GarageBand with similar features, but Samsung's Soundcamp for Android didn't take off... and has now been discontinued. So what are the alternative mobile DAWs available?

Not everyone has access to a big studio, but by choosing the right plugins you can make any drum sessions sound bigger and punchier. Read on to see and hear how it's done.

If you were recording before DAWs the chances are you had to be handy with a razor blade. But why? Joe Albano explains how some techniques have changed and others remain the same.

Drums, basses and other sounds can really shine and stand out when you apply the correct amount and type of compression. Joe Albano shows you how this works in practice.

Advanced tools like iZotope's Insight 2 allow remarkably detailed audio analysis. Joe Albano explains the fundamentals of audio metering, and why you need to know them.

Machine learning tools in iZotope's Nectar 3 take the guesswork out of setting up a great vocal sound. Here, Josh Carney shows you how it does its magic.