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Inspired by the swung grooves that have travelled from home studios and pirate radio to global festivals, let’s see how to make tight, timeless 2-step beats. UK garage has seen a big resurgence, with names like Sammy Virji playing Coachella. But UKG is a broad umbrella, spanning US imports like Todd Edwards’ Sample Choir E.P , homegrown 4-4 bassline bombs like Ripgroove , soulful 2-step like Movin’ Too Fast , and even wobbly Teutonic bangers like Timo Maas’ Dooms Night remix . Let’s look at UKG’s most undeniably homegrown style… 2-step. Partly because one of my first-ever vinyl releases was a
A listening test
audioClick to play in your browser, or right-click-download to play as you wish (24-bit .wav file): multi-level sweeps.wav I call this a listening test, because it involves your ears, equipment, and even environment. Any of these can influence your limits … Continue reading →
A listening test in video form. On the plus side, it’s helpful to see the spectrum as it’s playing, and a peak meter to see how the sweeps compare to each other, and to the announcing voice. On the minus … Continue reading →
In this Tutorial, we show you the first steps in applying swing to your track. Whether it’s Daft Punk’s Around The World, Fred Again..'s adore u, Larry Heard’s Burning 4 You, Jonasu’s Black Magic, or Daydream Affiliate’s 99 Eyes, swing injects a track with bounce, snap, and lively energy that straight beats lack. In this guide, we’ll break down the theory of swing, then show you how to add this feel to your own tracks step-by-step. Note: We are using Ableton Live to demonstrate swing but you can follow the same techniques in your preferred DAW. What Is Swing? Simply put, swing shifts the weak
Our third 80s-inspired feature in a month… safe to say we’re fully immersed at this point. But when a synth nails that balance of nostalgia and forward-thinking design, it’s hard to resist. In this edition of Synth Secrets, we’re diving into Zebra 3. A long-time favourite among sound designers, Zebra has earned its reputation for its depth, flexibility, and unmistakable character. The latest incarnation builds on that legacy – refined, expanded, and still just as inspiring to explore. From Madonna and Gloria Estefan to film scores like Predator and Romancing the Stone, the 80s saw a sudden exp
MNTRA FLTRS combines 37 filter algorithms with a unique, graphic-based macro system. Here’s how to get the most out of it. MNTRA Instruments is back again, this time with a new effect plugin called FLTRS . As the name suggests, it’s a filter effect, but this is not your usual lowpass/highpass/bandpass affair. Instead, FLTRS takes cues from the developer’s other releases, including MNDALA 2, its flagship instrument, incorporating a unique, graphic-based workflow that uses a system of macros to provide control over typical parameters like cutoff and resonance but also modulation, drive, and an e
Perfectly recreating your favourite patches is a great way to learn how to program synths. But it’s not the only way, so this month we’re taking a different approach. The plan is: we have no plan… There are two ways to approach music-making. First, go in with an idea… a goal… even a plan. This is the efficient way. The way that always yields finished tracks and meets deadlines. But it’s often the least fun way, the least creatively interesting. It suits our algorithmic world, where everything has to sound like something else that sells. The second way involves going in with no idea or intentio
With its multi-stage envelopes, deep modulation system and capacity for long-form sound design, Absynth by Native Instruments has always offered far more than evolving pads and cinematic textures. Using a single gong sample, we explore how the newly revived instrument can generate a complete, performance-ready techno riff . Absynth is best known for complex atmospheres, unconventional timbres and sounds that evolve over extended periods. The instrument's architecture makes it such a powerful instrument for scoring and experimental sound design, but naturally lends itself remarkably well to tec
With so many kick drum samples available, it’s easy to overlook the benefits of programming your own. It only takes seconds. Kick drums, eh? You can’t live with ‘em, but you can’t live without programming ‘em. Except, of course, you can – there are bloody millions of kick samples to choose from! So why bother programming your own? Three reasons, really. 1. It’s a great way to really tailor your kick to your track. 2. It helps your productions stand out. 3. It’s good for the soul to go beyond presets and make your own sounds. And… er…. 4. It’s too easy not to give it a go. STEP 1 First thing’s