50 guides · live demos
Learn to mix with your ears.
Short, practical guides. Most of them have a live plugin demo, so you hear the idea instead of just reading about it.
How-to guides
18 guidesStep by step, in the DAW you use.
- How to Make a Talking Bass (Yoi, Wow and Growl Basses)How to make a talking bass: the formant filter trick behind yoi, wow and growl basses, step by step in any synth, plus the one-step way with Hydra's Speak.Read
- How to Sidechain in FL Studio: Fruity Limiter, Peak Controller and a No-Routing OptionHow to sidechain in FL Studio step by step: route the kick with Sidechain to this track, set up Fruity Limiter, or use Fruity Peak Controller. Fixes included.Read
- How to Use EQ: Adjusting EQ, Frequency Chart and Mixing BasicsHow to adjust EQ in a mix: what EQ does to sound, an EQ frequency chart, when to cut or boost, and a sweep method that finds problem frequencies fast.Read
- How to Sidechain: Sidechain Compression in Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools and LogicHow to sidechain in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools and Logic with stock compressors, plus a no-routing option. Sidechain compression settings that work.Read
- How to EQ Vocals: A Frequency Chart and Step-by-Step MethodHow to EQ vocals: high-pass the rumble, cut mud and boxiness, add presence and air, and tame sibilance. Includes a vocal EQ frequency chart with ranges.Read
- How to Get Autotune: Free Options, FL Studio and Every Major DAWHow to get autotune: add a pitch-correction plugin or your DAW's built-in tool, then set key, scale and retune speed. Free options and FL Studio steps.Read
- Delay or Reverb First? Effect Order, Routing and When to Break the RuleDelay or reverb first? Usually delay, then reverb, so the echoes sit in the same space. When to flip the order, why parallel sends often win, and what to set.Read
- How to EQ Drums: Kick Drum and Snare EQ, With Frequency ChartsHow to EQ a kick drum and snare for punch and clarity: where the weight, mud, click and crack live, which cuts to make first, and settings you can start from.Read
- How to Install Plugins in Ableton Live 12 on Mac and WindowsHow to install plugins in Ableton Live 12 on Mac and Windows: install VST3 or AU, turn on plug-in folders in Settings, add a custom folder, then rescan.Read
- How to Install Plugins in Pro Tools: AAX, Folders, iLok and FixesHow to install plugins in Pro Tools: AAX only, the exact plug-in folder paths on Mac and Windows, iLok and PACE notes, and fixes when a plugin won't show up.Read
- How to Make VST Plugins: Languages, Frameworks, Formats and ShippingHow to make VST plugins: C++ with JUCE or iPlug2, the DSP and UI split, VST3, AU and AAX formats, macOS signing and notarization, and testing with pluginval.Read
- How to Sidechain in Pro Tools: Key Input, Dyn3 Compressor and FixesHow to sidechain in Pro Tools: send the kick to a bus, pick it as the compressor's key input, turn on External Key, and set Dyn3. Plus ghost kicks and fixes.Read
- How to Use a Vocoder in Ableton Live: Routing, Settings and FixesHow to use a vocoder in Ableton: route your voice and a synth into Live's Vocoder, set bands, formant and unvoiced, and fix muddy or silent vocoder tracks.Read
- Pitch Shifter in FL Studio: Vocals, Samples, Songs and GuitarPitch shifter FL Studio guide: change the pitch of vocals, samples and guitar without changing speed, with stock tools, a pitch shift VST or a free web tool.Read
- Rhodes Piano VST: How to Get the Tine and Wurli Sound in Your DAWHow to choose a Rhodes piano VST: what makes the tine and Wurli sounds, free and paid electric piano plugins, and settings for neo-soul, lo-fi and funk keys.Read
- How to Record Guitar Into a Computer: Interfaces, DI and Amp SimsHow to record guitar into a computer: audio interfaces, Hi-Z inputs and DI boxes, using your computer as a guitar amp, plugging into a real amp, and latency.Read
- Vocal Harmonizer Plugins: How They Work and How to Get Harmonies from One TakeA vocal harmonizer plugin adds in-key harmonies to one vocal take. How harmonizers work, the main types, how to make them sound real, and which one to use.Read
- How to Turn Your Voice Into a Synth: Voice to MIDI, Vocoder, Talkbox and MoreHow to turn your voice into a synth: voice to MIDI, vocoders, talkboxes, pitch-tracking voice synths and neural timbre transfer, and which suits each part.Read
Explainers
17 guidesWhat an effect does, and when to reach for it.
- What Is Reverb? The Six Types and How to Use Them in a MixWhat is a reverb? It's the sound of a space after the source stops. Learn room, hall, plate, spring, convolution and shimmer reverb, and how to set each one.Read
- Compressor vs Limiter: What's the Difference and When to Use EachCompressor vs limiter: a compressor shapes dynamics with a moderate ratio, a limiter sets a hard ceiling. See the comparison table and when to use each one.Read
- What Is a Vocoder? How It Works, Vocoder vs Talkbox, and How to Use OneWhat is a vocoder? It makes a synth talk by imposing your voice's tone onto it. How vocoders work, vocoder vs talkbox, and how to use one in Logic and others.Read
- Parametric vs Graphic EQ: Bands, Q and Gain ExplainedParametric vs graphic EQ: a graphic EQ boosts or cuts fixed bands, a parametric EQ lets you set frequency, Q and gain. See the table and when to use each.Read
- What Is a VST Plugin? VST, VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP ExplainedWhat is a VST plugin? Software instruments and effects that run inside your DAW. Learn VST vs VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP, and which DAW uses which format.Read
- VST vs AU vs AAX: Plugin Formats Explained, with Install Folders for Mac and WindowsAudio Unit vs VST vs AAX: what each plugin format is, which DAWs load it, and the exact install folder paths on macOS and Windows. Plus what AAX plugins are.Read
- What Is a Limiter in Audio? How Limiters Work and How to Set OneWhat is a limiter in audio? A processor that stops peaks from crossing a set ceiling. How limiters work, ceiling, release and lookahead, and how to set one.Read
- What Is a Multiband Compressor? How Multiband Compression Works and How to Use ItWhat is a multiband compressor? A compressor that splits audio into bands and compresses each on its own. How it works, when to use it and starting settings.Read
- What Is a Vocal Chain? The Plugin Order, What Each Stage Does and SettingsWhat is a vocal chain? The plugins a vocal runs through, in order: cleanup, pitch, EQ, compression, de-essing, saturation and space. What each does and why.Read
- What Is a Chorus Effect? What Chorus Does and How to Use ItWhat is chorus effect? A modulated copy of a sound mixed with the dry signal so one part sounds like several. What chorus does, chorus pedals and vs flanger.Read
- What Is Plate Reverb? How It Works and How to Use It on Vocals and SnareWhat is plate reverb? A dense, bright reverb first made with a vibrating steel sheet. How it works, plate vs hall vs room, and settings for vocals and snare.Read
- What Is Tape Delay? How Tape Echo Works and How to Use ItWhat is tape delay? An echo made by recording onto moving tape and playing it back. How tape echo works, why each repeat gets darker, and settings to use.Read
- What Is Tape Saturation? What It Does and How to Use ItTape saturation adds harmonics, soft compression, head bump and a softer top end. Learn what it does physically and how to use a tape saturation plugin.Read
- Side Chain Compressor: What It Does, Settings and Uses Beyond the KickA side chain compressor turns one track down when another plays. How sidechain compression works, settings, uses beyond kick and bass, and stock options.Read
- Vocoder vs Talkbox: How They Differ, How They Sound, Which to UseVocoder vs talkbox: one shapes a synth with filters, the other with your mouth. How each works and sounds, what you need, and how to get both in your DAW.Read
- Vocal Rider vs Compressor: What Each Does and Why You Want BothVocal rider vs compressor: a rider moves vocal level slowly like a fader, a compressor reacts fast and shapes tone. How they differ and how to use both.Read
- What Is a Transient Shaper? How It Works and How to Use OneWhat is a transient shaper? A tool that boosts or softens the attack and sustain of each hit. How it works, how it differs from compression, and settings.Read
Roundups
15 guidesThe best plugins for a job, including free picks from other developers.
- Serum Alternatives: Free and Paid Synths That Do What Serum DoesThe best Serum alternatives, free and paid: Vital, Surge XT, Pigments, Phase Plant and Hydra. What each does better, what it lacks, and which to pick for bass.Read
- The Best Bass VST Plugins for Sub, 808, Reese and Growl BassThe best bass VST plugins by sound: sub bass, 808s, reese, growl and talking bass. Synths and tips for trap, dubstep, house and drum and bass, free and paid.Read
- The Best Synth VST Plugins, Sorted by the Sound You WantThe best synth VST depends on the sound: wavetable, analog-style, hybrid or preset-heavy. Top VST synths compared, plus the best free picks and stock synths.Read
- The Best Drum VST Plugins for Acoustic and Electronic DrumsThe best drum VST depends on your style: acoustic libraries, drum samplers, 808 and 909 drum machines or drum synths. Picks for each, plus free drum plugins.Read
- The Best Plugins for Vocals, Sorted by the Job They DoThe best plugins for vocals, sorted by job: de-esser, compressor, EQ, pitch correction, doubler, reverb and all-in-one vocal plugins, plus stock alternatives.Read
- The Best Autotune Plugin, Plus What Autotune Actually CostsThe best autotune plugin for most people is Antares Auto-Tune, with Melodyne for detailed edits. Autotune plugins compared, free options and what it costs.Read
- The Best Free Reverb Plugins (and the Good One Already in Your DAW)The best free reverb plugin picks: Valhalla Supermassive, TAL-Reverb-4 and Dragonfly Reverb, plus the stock reverbs in your DAW and when to use each one.Read
- The Best EQ Plugin for Each Job: Surgical, Dynamic and AnalogThe best EQ plugin for mixing is a clean parametric EQ with an analyzer. Picks for surgical, dynamic and analog-style EQ, plus the best free and stock EQs.Read
- The Best Saturator Plugins, Plus the Best Free Saturation PluginsThe best saturator plugins for tape, tube, console and aggressive drive, plus soft clippers, the best free saturation plugin picks and tips for using them.Read
- The Best Compressor for Vocals, and How to Set ItThe best compressor for vocals is often two in series: an 1176-style FET, then an LA-2A-style opto. Vocal compressor plugin picks, free options and settings.Read
- The Best Free Vocal Plugins: A Complete Vocal Chain for €0The best free vocal plugins for pitch correction, EQ, de-essing, compression, reverb and width. Real freeware, not trials, plus two free tools of our own.Read
- The Best Free Piano VST for Grand, Soft and Electric Piano SoundsThe best free piano VST picks: sampled grand and soft pianos, the pianos already in your DAW, and Keys, our free electric piano. What each one is good for.Read
- Cool VST Plugins: Creative Effects and Synths That Change How You WriteCool VST plugins that do more than fix a mix: frozen reverbs, reversed tape echoes, vocal choirs, era-hopping lo-fi and free creative synths worth trying.Read
- Free Autotune Software for Windows, Mac, Browser and PhoneFree autotune software for Windows, Mac, browser and phone: the best free autotune plugins, stock DAW tools, free trials, and what free versions leave out.Read
- The Best Guitar Amp Plugins, Paid and Free, Sorted by What They Do BestThe best guitar amp plugins for high gain, variety and bass, plus free guitar amp plugins and the amp sims already in your DAW, and how to pick between them.Read