Category Archives: Reviews

Best Delay Pedals

When you set out on to become a guitar player, there are so many different things that one should learn. And it all goes way past just the techniques and music theory.

The problem with this seemingly simple instrument is that it comes with an additional set of features and challenges, including a variety of different effects and other devices that can either enhance the tone or just help you perform music in different ways.

There’s even some science involved in making a perfect rig.

Be that as it may, delay pedals remain as one of the essential components for electric (or even acoustic) guitar players.

Without them, your tone might just be too “dry” and uninteresting. Sure, some may resort to using reverb pedals, but the delay or echo effect has its own charm and makes the tone more appealing in most of the contexts of modern music.

But this comes with its own set of advantages – what are the best delay pedals that you can find these days?

Well, the problem is that we have an over saturated market and so many different brands and models to choose from that it gets difficult to filter out the good stuff.

This is why we decided to do our own research and a rundown of the best delay pedals that you can find on the market these days.

Boss DD-8 Digital Delay

Of course, with a list of any kind of pedals, you just can’t avoid adding Boss somewhere in there.

For this purpose, we’re opening things up with their DD-8, which is a continuation of their long-running series of digital delay pedals that started way back in the 1980s.

While retaining the same classic design and features of the older models, DD-8 manages to push this effect to a whole new level and bring some diversity in there.

Aside from mind-blowing 10 seconds of maximum delay time, it also comes with 11 different delay modes.

Additionally, it also features a separate plug that allows you to pair it with a tap switch or an expression pedal.

MXR M169 Carbon Copy

But in case you’re more into vintage stuff, simplicity, and old school kind of tones, then you can look into MXR and their amazing M169, also known as Carbon Copy.

The beauty of analog delays lies in the so-called “bucked brigade devices” that are essentially a line of capacitors that store and transfer the signal.

While it can’t have more than 600 milliseconds of delay time, the repeated tones sound just a little muffled. And this is exactly the appealing thing about analog delays, including MXR’s M169.

There are just three simple controls and an additional switch that adds some modulation in the mix.

TC Electronic Flashback 2

TC Electronic has always been pretty good at keeping things simple and very functional and versatile at the same time. This is exactly what we can see with their Flashback 2 delay.

Aside from three basic controls for volume level, feedback (number of repeats) and delay time, it comes with 8 different delay modes, as well as 3 additional slots for the company’s famous TonePrint feature.

These are specially designed presets that were made in collaboration with some of the biggest guitar heroes of today.

Additionally, TC Electronic’s Flashback 2 pedal comes with a looper that’s capable of recording up to 40 seconds of your playing.

Behringer VD400 Vintage Delay

Yes, there might be some weird looks that we have Behringer on the list of the best pedals of any kind. However, some of their pedal models actually work rather well, at least for their ridiculously low price.

For instance, we have their VD400 Vintage Delay that has pretty much everything that you need if you need just a simple echo effect.

There are just three basic controls that you find on pretty much any delay pedal – volume (labeled as “intensity”), repeat rate (of feedback), and delay time.

Yes, it has only 300 milliseconds of delay, but it’s an actual analog delay and it’s a budget-friendly pedal. What more could you ask for?

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex

Dunlop comes up as one of the best manufacturers in this game. And that comes as no surprise at all, since they’ve been building their great reputation for decades now.

For the list of delays, we’re bringing their EP103 or the so-called Echoplex. This simple little pedal is way more powerful than it seems at a first glance.

Beneath a stylish-looking simple device comes a very powerful beast that can completely reinvent your tone.

Echoplex is a compact recreation of those quirky-sounding tape-based delays that have remained popular among the lovers of old school tones.

Just imagine the possibilities with this simple little pedal.

Electro-Harmonix Canyon

Electro-Harmonix is yet another old brand that’s been around for quite a while.

Although typically popular for their amazing Big Muff Pi fuzz pedals, they also have other exciting effects, one of them being the appropriately named Canyon delay.

Of course, just like almost all of the delay pedals today, it features three basic controls.

However, it’s all enhanced with two pro-level features – 10 different delay type presets and a total of 62 seconds of loop time. These are pretty amazing additions to such a seemingly simple little pedal.

Boss DD-500

Look, there’s no way to avoid mentioning Boss at least twice. But DD-500 is not like your average digital delay.

It’s a full-on echo effect workstation with a surprisingly vast amount of possibilities. In fact, it’s as if you made a special effects processor just for the delay effect.

Aside from its 12 delay modes and ver detailed parameter controls, it comes with an onboard phrase looper and even a selectable bypass type.

Even though it’s a digital pedal, it does an amazing job of replicating those analog delays, including tape-based ones. It’s a bit expensive, but you just can’t go wrong with it.

Best Headphones for Audio Production in 2020

Headphones for audio production need a few major qualities to improve their functions, features, their ability to cancel noise, and their modern technology conveniences such as voice activation and control.

Comparing these features can be difficult when you’re dealing with not only the major brands but the diverse models they offer.

This review series and buying guide are designed to give you the inside track on the best headphones to buy for audio production in 2020.

We’ll go over the key features of the 5 major models we like and then compare them by criteria in a buying guide to help you determine which will best suit your needs.

Even if you don’t want the models we list, you can still use the guide to work through your own choices and compare their aptitudes against your needs in audio production.

Reviews of the Best Headphones for Audio Production

These reviews of the 5 best headphones for audio production include their major features as well as any possible drawbacks they may have.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

Audio-Technica is one of the most critically acclaimed names in studio monitor headphones and the ATH-M50x tops our list for the same reasons that people have been buying them professionally for years.

Audio engineers and pro reviewers agree that these professional studio monitor headphones are some of the best that money can buy.

The extended frequency range of the ATH-M50x headphones gives them industry-leading clarity in both accurate bass response and the higher registers.

Audio-Technica has circumaural design earcups that completely cover your ears and provide professional sound isolation for mixing and design even in a noisy environment. This makes them perfect tools for a busy engineer or a club DJ.

These premium headphones though have something the cheaper models don’t, which is a 90-degree swiveling mechanism on the earcups that provide efficient ear monitoring. The earpads and headband were also ambitiously comfortable compared to the price.

The detachable 45-millimeter proprietary cable fits into a large aperture driver for optimal sound delivery. Rare earth magnets and copper-aluminum wire voice coils promote professional sound quality and clarity.

Though the price is premium, there are more expensive models on the market with lesser quality.

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x studio monitor headphones are recommended by audio professionals everywhere and we see no reason to dispute them.

Pros

  • Superior sound quality and clarity, as well as an extended frequency bass range
  • Proprietary aperture drivers, 45-millimeter
  • 90-degree swiveling earcups for maximum sound isolation
  • Comfortable pads and headband

Cons

  • These headphones are built for audio monitoring and production; some users have noted that they can become uncomfortable when used for casual purposes like gaming

Status Audio CB-1 Closed Back Studio Monitor Headphones

Status Audio’s CB-1 headphones have a ton of industry-leading features that make them a favored budget option for some top musicians and audio producers, both for quality and comfort.

They show up on top technology review compendiums for a reason – we simply had to include them on our list of the best audio production headphones for 2020.

The 50-millimeter drivers on the CB-1 headphones set them apart, giving the sound quality a more expansive range.

Two 9-foot cables and an adaptor give you the ability to take them throughout a larger workspace and a custom locking mechanism prevents them from popping out.

CB-1 headphones are compatible with any audio cables, ensuring that any professional sound producer can use them with the equipment they already have.

The design and aesthetics also really impressed us. The Status Audio headphones have a slim look that doesn’t show off any branding. They’re built small enough to fold and store easily for travel.

Speaking of design, the CB-1 headphones are also designed with comfort in mind, with a padded headband and stuffed earcups that stay comfortable for hours of wear.

The cup fully covers your ears, making it unnecessary to create a noise-canceling effect using a tight headband – the earcups do it automatically.

For comfort and style on a lower budget, the Status Audio CB-1 Closed Back Studio Monitor Headphones are another top choice.

Pros

  • 50-millimeter drivers
  • Studio-quality audio production
  • Minimalistic, unbranded design
  • Slim construction promotes storability
  • Padded earcups for complete ear enclosure

Cons

  • Not the best bass range response on the market

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

Audio-Technica tops our list as the best studio headphones in general, and they’re coming back for a top budget pick.

For their winning designs in both engineering and features, offering premium sound cancelation, ideal aesthetic construction, and the perfect physical technology to maximize the quality and efficiency of your sound production in 2020 without breaking the bank.

Audio-Technica designs their headphones specifically for audio engineering, both tracking and mixing.

If you know anything about sound design headphones, you know that they usually aren’t wireless – the 40-millimeter drivers on the ATH-M20x studio monitor headphones are copper class aluminum wire voice coils for the best possible sound quality. They’re tuned to enhance low-frequency performance for more accurate mixing.

The aesthetic design is also top-notch, with contoured earcups that provide perfect isolation and cancelation in even noisy environments, ideal for both sound production and being a DJ.

Those who are into tracking, mixing, or design know the conveniences of a single-side cable exit, which the Audio-Technica has in a magnet neodymium slot.

For audio production headphones on a budget, look no further than Audio-Technica.

Pros

  • Sturdy construction
  • Rare earth magnet drivers with copper-aluminum wire voice coils
  • Contoured earcup design (circumaural) for premium sound isolation/cancelation
  • Single-side cable exit with 40-millimeter drivers

Cons

  • The 3-meter cord may be too long for some, depending on the workstation setup

Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphones

The Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphones are for people who know their technical specs and want quality audio production headphones on a smaller budget.

For those with painful necks, these headphones also have a weight advantage, weighing a comfortable 285 grams in total to take the strain off.

Circumaural ear coupling improves sound isolation for professional mixing and production.

The natural sounds on the Sennheiser headphones are responsive and warm, with a nominal impedance of 64 ohms and a sound pressure level of 133 dB.

Those who are technically minded and know what they want out of their specs will be happy to know they have a frequency response of 25000 Hz

The Sennheiser HD280PRO headphones are also refined for comfort, with earpads and headband padding that help you stay comfortable while wearing them for long periods.

Pros

  • Lightweight construction makes the Sennheiser headphones easy to wear for long production sessions
  • Ear coupling provides unique sound isolation properties that encourage working in noisy environments
  • Replaceable pads, headband padding, and audio cord

Cons

  • Some users complain that the pins on the internal jack get bent when the stiff cable on these headphones pull on them over extended periods

Status Audio BT One Wireless On-Ear Headphones

While most audio engineers opt for the higher quality metals and surer quality of corded headphones, some prefer to be modern, perhaps because of the constraints of their workspace.

For that, they may want a Bluetooth option. While not as lauded as corded headphones, there are some great wireless headphones for audio production out there.

Our top pick in that category is the Status Audio BT One Wireless model.

These headphones have a 40-millimeter driver that promotes clarity, giving a full bass range competitive with the corded models in its class.

The metal frame gives it a sleek, modern design, with modern conveniences like button controls on the headphones themselves to promote ease of use.

These include playback and volume controls, as well as a microphone that lets you make calls from your headset without taking them off to use your phone. It easily folds for travel.

Of course, with the Status Audio BT One Wireless On-Ear Headphones, you’re wondering about the Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth 5.0 of the Status Audio BT headphones supports two phones, tablets, or computers. Compatible devices include those made by Mac, PC, Android, and Personal Media Players Pixel.

Being wireless, you also need to consider the battery life on these headphones.

Thankfully, the Status Audio BT headphones last 30 hours on one charge, making these headphones the ideal companion for sound producers traveling long distances.

They charge by USB in just over an hour. These features make the Status Audio wireless headphones our pick for the best Bluetooth-enabled headphones for audio production available in 2020.

Pros

  • Convenient Bluetooth technology compatible with most smartphones and tablets
  • Modern, minimalist design aesthetic
  • 30-hour battery life on a 1-hour charge
  • Quality bass range
  • Built-in buttons

Cons

  • The plastic frame and headband aren’t as durable as some of the more expensive models

Buying Guide

Here are the main categories of features that should be compared between these headphone models.

By shopping with this list in mind, you can make sure to buy exactly what you need.

Sound quality

The sound quality is stellar on the headphones we listed, but not everything on the market is made equally.

When you’re shopping, look for things like the decibel limit, bass range quality, and other technical-specific features and compare the models for their specs.

Construction

Construction will set some of these models apart, with price factoring heavily into the material quality of the headband and frame, as well as the cord.

Some have stiffer cords made of rarer metals and others have budget plastic constructions that might save you money but may cost you durability.

Earcups are another significant aspect of construction, with some of the models listed providing professional-level sound isolation by covering your whole ear, which is what you want from audio production headphones.

Construction also factors into the aesthetic design of the headphones, with some favoring flashy branded designs and others being sleeker and more minimalistic.

This can affect practical use as well as preference, however, since some models are slimmer and more foldable for use in travel.

Cost

Cost is a measurable response to your preferences depending on your needs. From our top premium pick, down to our budget pick, both by Audio-Technica, you should be able to find audio production headphones that work with your budget.

Special features

Some of these headphones have special features, which could make or break them in terms of your preferences.

Some are easier to take on the go, including the completely wireless Bluetooth versions that can connect with smartphones and tablets and are ideal for mixing music on a plane ride.

Other more expensive models have swiveling earcups such as our top Audio-Technica pick, and others have built-in buttons.

The length of the cord also factors in here, with some providing too much or too little compared to the needs of your workspace.

Since these features can’t be compared to each other numerically, you need to know what special features are a priority for you before you start looking so you can match the audio production headphones to your specific needs.

The Takeaway

Audio production requires subtle and effective tools. Comparing headphone brands and models can be complicated if you don’t know the standard of comparison.

This review series and buying guide are designed to help you sort it out by comparing the main features of the different models available, including their construction, aesthetics, and cost.

Our top pick for headphones for audio producers and mixers is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones.

They have superior material construction, including the earcups, headband, and lead wires, and industry-leading professional sound quality. The earpieces have leading sound isolation tech, giving you the ability to mix and design sound on a professional level for a consumer-grade price.

Though you might buy different models depending on whether your needs involve travel, wireless functions, or a specific millimeter driver, the models listed in this review guide should serve you well so long as you know enough to compare their construction and functions to your needs as an audio producer in 2020.

The 8 Best Online DJ Courses: Compared and Reviewed

Wellcome to our round-up of the best Online Dj Courses money can buy in 2023. DJing is a dying art form. There, we said it! Long gone are the days where manual beat matching, scratching, and DJing with vinyl were normal DJ skillsets. With the advent of DAWs with automatic syncing and beat matching, the DJ has become more of a curator and personality than a musician.

However, these same DAWs have opened the doors to a whole universe of possibilities.

Ableton Live, for example, has enabled DJs to basically become whole bands and produce new sounds on the spot. With that in mind, we set out to find what is the best Online DJ course out there in 2023.

We purchased close to 10 online DJ courses, here are the ones that made the TOP 3 Best Online DJ Course (+1 great mention if you’re into Hip Hop):

Course Name Teacher What’s Included? Musical Genre Focus Price / Our Rating
Overall Staff Pick
DJ Courses Online Bundle
DJ TLM
Isaac Cotec
Nick Trikakis
14 video based dj courses on DJing techniques, Serato, Traktor, Ableton Live, and more.
– 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
– Close to 100 hours of content
All Genres
The Credible Choice
Point Blank- DJ Skills Online Course
Dozens of lecturers, including:
  • Mr Dex (DJ for Wu Tang, Estelle, and more)

  • Ben Bristow

  • DJ Davine

  • Rockwell
  • Diploma from a world class instituion,
    – Weekly online masterclasses,
    Personal, 1-on-1 tutorials every 2 weeks,
    -Recordings of all classes available on demand,
    – Student forum and alumni network, which includes leading DJs and Producers
    All Genres
    Armin Van Buuren
    – About 3 hours of video content
    – Downloadable class workbook
    – Access to other masterclasses, such as Deadmau5’s.
    EDM / Trance
    8.3/10
    DJ Symphony
    – About 7 hours of video content
    Certificate Upon Completion
    Hip Hop
    9.1/10

    TOP 3 Best Online DJ Courses

    #1- DJ Courses Online Review: Overall Staff Pick

    It was a tough decision, but due to its laser-sharp focus on DJing only, this one wins as one of the best ways to learn to DJ online. It’s the quality of the content, as well as the price, the DJ Courses Online program takes the number 1 spot.

    DJ Courses Online Bundle- Key Facts

    Duration: Unlimited / On Demand
    Instructors:
    DJ TLM– DJ and producer with 25 years of experience
    Isaac Cotec– Certified Ableton teacher
    Nick Trikakis– Former employee at Native Instruments and AKAI, producer, and DJ.
    What’s Included?:
    – Over a hundred of hours of videos
    – 14 full courses for all skill levels
    – 30 day money back guarantee + email support
    Price:
    Starts at 19$
    CHECK CURRENT PRICE

    All in all, there are over 10 online dj courses included for a monthly fee of only 19$. It covers all major DAWs as well going in-depth into some really interesting and complex DJ theory. Of all the dj courses we tested, this was by far the most in-depth one we found.

    Unlike some of the other DJ courses in this list, the instructors don’t have big names in the industry, however, they more than make up for this with their knowledge of DJ techniques.

    Some of the techniques included are:

    • Beat counting
    • Beat matching
    • Syncing
    • Song Structure
    • Song selection
    • DJ equipment
    • EQing
    • Effects
    • Cue Points
    • Looping
    • Transitions
    • Sampling
    • Backspinning 
    • Organising your library
    • Scratching- in-depth techniques
    • Recording mixes
    • Branding
    • Serato
    • Ableton Live
    • Tracktor
    • Career DJ Tips

    And much more. And this is where the course shines.

    For 19.99$/month (the price of a cheap lunch), you’ll have access to all information you could ever want on the topic of DJing.

    Anything that you could possibly think of has been covered by these guys, including DJ tips for anything from career to branding and organising your library- loads of gems to be found. And what’s more, the course is delivered in a straightforward and easy manner. The platform works great on both mobile and desktop and the classes are to the point and effective.

    If you end up not using the online dj course, you can always ask for a refund, as they have a great 30 days money back guarantee.

    CLASS PREVIEW

    #2- Point Blank DJ Skills Review: The Credible Choice

    This school shouldn’t need an introduction. It’s been chosen as the ‘Best Music Production School’ by the readers of DJ Mag. If you are wondering ‘are DJ courses onilne worth it?’ this is the course that will give you a YES.

    Point Blank DJ Skills – Key Facts

    Duration: 3 months live course (Not on demand)
    Instructors:
    Ben Bristow aka Mr Bristow– DJ, producer, beatboxer. Has played in Space (Ibiza), as well as ministry of sound, scala, and cargo.
    Darren Henry aka Quest– Dubstep pioneer DJ
    Nigel Hosten aka Mr. Dex– DJ for the Wu-Tang Clan, Sway, Scratch Perverts and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
    David Clarke aka DJ Davine– Has played Ministry of Sound, The Garage and the Mother Live 333.
    What’s Included?:
    – Weekly online classes, bi-weekly 1-on-1 online classes
    – Access to student forum
    – Diploma upon completion
    Price:
    Starts at around 450$
    CHECK CURRENT PRICE

    It’s the school that Goldie turned to when he wanted to learn Ableton Live, it’s where Patrick Topping honed his skills as a producer, and it’s where countless many other leading artists went to hone their skills before making it big.

    And that’s where Point Blank really shines – Its student network is simply unrivaled.

    And this extends to their online DJ courses too. By enrolling in the DJ Skills course, for example, you’ll have access to the student forum, WhatsApp groups, and weekly masterclasses with your peers, many of whom will undoubtedly make a name for themselves in their craft.Even if you’re not looking to network, Point Blank is well worth its price. It’s one of the most practical online DJ courses in this list, teaching you not only the skills needed but the whole logistics and operations behind managing your music library and gigs.

    Here’s a quick look at the topics covered:

    • Equipment Overview
    • Cueing
    • Drop Mixing
    • Beat Matching
    • Equalisation
    • Transforming
    • Rekordbox (Export Mode)
    • Programming Mixes
    • Recording a Mix

    Here’s a sample of a class:

    COURSE INFO PAGE

    #3- Review: The Production Value Choice, Plus the BEST Way to Learn to DJ from the Pros.

    For those of you who don’t know, Armin Van Buuren is an iconic DJ and producer from the Netherlands. He’s the 4 time consecutive best DJ in the world according to DJ Mag and one of the four “trance” artists nominated for a Grammy.

    Armin Van Buuren Masterclass – Key Facts

    Duration: On demand
    Instructors:
    Armin Van Buuren– Legendary house/trance producer and DJ
    What’s Included?:
    – 3+ hours of video
    – PDF workbooks
    – Student support forum
    Price:
    Starts at around 50$

    Now masterclasses tend to have the reputation of being sometimes light on the technical side, though we didn’t find that to be the case for this program. There is one caveat though: The course focuses a lot on the production side of things with Logic.

    However, there is still a solid amount of content regarding playing live sets, including the following lessons:

    • Approaching Your DJ Set
    • Building a Set: Edits and Mashups
    • Using the Decks: Basics
    • Using the Decks: Armin’s Techniques
    • Performance DJ Tips

    The good thing about masterclass is that you can pay monthly, starting at about 20$, so once you get done with the DJing classes, you can cancel your subscription without doing the rest of the course. Though we do recommend the rest of the course if you’re interested in trance / EDM music production.

    This also allows you to stream hundreds of other high-quality courses, including courses by deadmau5, Hans Zimmer, Timbaland, and more.

    If you want to learn to DJ from the one of the best, look no further.

    #4- Review: The Hip Hop Choice

    This course we simply couldn’t ignore. Not only is this the best specialist choice, it is potentially one of the ones that is most worth the money. After all, most things are temporary but the Wu is forever. In this course, the legendary hip-hop DJ Symphony goes through some classic hip-hop DJing techniques as well as some overall DJ theory. It includes over 7 hours of video and entitles you to a certificate upon completion.

    Udemy, for those not in the know, is a general place to learn things online, as opposed to a specific online DJ school. However, this course is a fantastic hidden gem. The main highlight of the course for us was its production value. The camera is mostly set up from a bird’s eye view of the mixing table and decks, allowing you to follow along with your deck- It’s by far the most hands-on course we tested.

    All the content was high quality, with the video streaming seamlessly with great definition. This makes it super easy to follow.

    In addition, the teacher is a master at his craft. If you’re looking for a hip-hop specific online DJ course, is a no brainer.

    #5- Skillshare: (w/ Young Guru) Review

    In the same vein as #4, Young Guru’s DJ course on Skillshare is a must have for any hip hop DJ. Like Udemy, it is not a specialist online DJ School but a place anyone with a skill can upload a course. This does not make it any worse quality although it focuses more on skills for beginner and intermediate DJs. It covers how to setup your gear for a live performance, but we rank it after DJ Symphony’s course as we found that it wasn’t as in-depth and hands-on.

    It’s still a great course, coming from a legendary engineer and hip hop producer responsible for many hits from Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

    It’s important to note that this course focuses solely on setting up your gear and software. No major techniques are discussed, though there are a couple of nuggets of information that are really interesting.

    DAW Specific Online DJ Courses:

    #6- ProducerTech: Ableton Live DJ’s Guide Review

    Producertech is one of the leading online music course providers. You could call them a completely online dedicated DJ school. 

    They stand out from the crowd by producing really specific dj courses focused on one particular piece of software. 

    Generally, the quality of content is very high, and their Ableton Live course is no different.

    Ableton Live is a whole other ball game when it comes to live DJing as it comes with a huge pad that allows you to program your live performance.

    Guys like Daedelus have taken the definition of being a DJ to a different dimension, with sets featuring live production and sampling with Ableton Live:

    We can’t promise that this course will make you an overnight Daedelus, but if you’re interested in that world, it’s certainly a good introduction.

    Here a sample of a class:

    COURSE INFO PAGE

    #7- Point Blank Online School- Traktor Pro DJ Review

    As we previously mentioned, Point Blank is a leading school in the music industry. And as you would expect, their Traktor Pro DJ course does not disappoint, thus, we have to include another course by them here, as they are one of the most worthwhile online DJ schools on the internet

    If you’re looking to learn to DJ in under 3 months, itwill take you about 2 months to complete it. It also requires  an investment of about 400£ or 500$, depending on deals and promotions, but this is a course that is very much worth it for a very specific topic

    Topics covered:

    • Traktor Inferface: Importing Tracks
    • Skills: Beat Matching, Looping, Cueing, Quantizing, Beat Jumping.
    • Basic FX
    • Harmonic Mixing: Analysing keys, mixing acapellas.
    • Crate Digging, Idents, Broadcast
    • Hardware: Digital Vinyl, Midi Controllers

    Here’s a sneak peek of what a class looks like:

    As is the norm with Point Blank, you’ll get online masterclass with your colleagues, and also 1-on-1’s with the lecturers.

    COURSE INFO PAGE

    #8 Review

    Hosted by Mister Gray, this skillshare is, like most skillshare courses, short and sweet.

    It will take you about an hour to complete, and in the end, you’ll have increased significantly your knowledge of how Serato DJ works and how to make the most of it. Particularly if you’re a beginner in the ways of Serato.

    The teacher is a somewhat successful DJ and producer from the United States who focuses on hip-hop and EDM / dubstep.

    The production value of this course is insane, as is the case with most Skillshare courses.

    The major downfall, however, is its lack of depth. This really is a course for beginners, but it’s good value if you already have a Skillshare subscription

    Final Thoughts

    Well, that’s all – it’s definitely a very mixed bag in terms of quality and style, but this is our compilation of the very best online DJ course for your needs, updated for 2023. If you’re looking for general music courses, or music production-related courses, we’ve got more fantastic breakdowns on this site, so please check out our guide on that subject.

    And as always, if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comment box below!

    Best EQ Plugins

    When recording, producing, or mixing music at home, you can use any kind of professional-level plugins to enhance your work.

    What’s rather mind-blowing these days is the fact that you can make it all sound quite professional without having to spend too much.

    Home studios have become extremely functional, with some individual artists doing previously unimaginable things, all from the comfort of their bedrooms.

    Isn’t that just the best feeling for a musician?

    However, things might not be that simple. In order to do so, you’ll have to find a proper collection of plugins.

    And although it usually seems pretty simple and like something you can sort out at the input, equalizers are extremely important.

    These are the things that you should sort out in the mixing process, all while keeping the recorded input “flat,” which makes it perfect for further processing. And EQ plugins can be a pretty touchy subject.

    After all, it takes more than just a simple 3-band EQ to sort things out.

    Sometimes you need to add low-pass or high-pass filtering, or even cut out an entire part of the spectrum.

    With all this said, we’ve figured that we could look more into this issue and find the best EQ plugins on the market today. After some research, we came up with this list.

    iZotope Neutron 3

    What iZotope has put out over the years has impressed even the pickiest of producers and mixing engineers out there.

    When it comes to EQ plugins, we’d love to mention their Neutron 3, which brings this series of plugins to a whole new level.

    Starting with its user interface, we can see some significant changes and improvements, making this plugin way more practical even for not so advanced users.

    And the whole interface works hand-in-hand with the new features, like the ability to add up to 12 nodes on the EQ curve and tweaking them as you wish.

    Its strongest feature is the addition of the Masking Meter which identifies conflicting frequencies and sorts them out.

    Overall, it’s a fully professional and easy to use EQ.

    Sonnox Oxford EQ V3

    Made by Sonnox, the Oxford EQ V3 is a simpler yet very powerful tool for sorting out the full spectrum frequencies of your project’s individual tracks.

    The main idea here was to have a parametric EQ with five individual frequency ranges.

    Each range has some detailed controls. And although not as visual compared to some more “modern” plugins, it’s still pretty accessible for many different users.

    It also comes with 4 different EQ types and additional amazing features for cutting out unwanted frequencies with precision.

    Looking at its features and how it works, it comes up as an amazing choice for a mastering EQ.

    Waves PuigTec EQP-1A

    If you’re a fan of those realistic-looking plugins that mimic the looks and aesthetics of actual rack-mounted units or other devices, then you’ll love Waves’ PuigTec EQP-1A.

    In fact, the plugin is intended as a fairly realistic replica of Pultec EQP-1A, which is a tube-driven equalizing rack-mounted unit.

    Even today, these units are made the same way as they were back in the late 1970s. And this plugin manages to capture it pretty well.

    It comes with three sections, one for low-end, the other one for high-end boost, and the third one for high-end cutting.

    It might be a bit unusual for some lovers of modern plugins, but it’s a real feast for those who love the vintage stuff. Besides, it’s not that expensive either.

    SSL Native X-EQ 2

    Now, the X-EQ 2 by SSL Native is a pretty complex and advanced equalizer for pretty much any style of music.

    It comes with no less than 17 different equalizing types and 9 different filtering options.

    With each frequency band, you can switch between many different curve types and apply different parameters to them.

    There’s also the so-called “Parallel” mode that helps you replicate those vintage-styled parallel passive EQ circuits.

    And the best part is that it features impressive 24 frequency bands for you to play with. Along with its incredible algorithms, you’ll be able to do wonders with this plugin.

    Voxengo PrimeEQ

    But if you need something simple and affordable that will still offer precise equalizing, then you can go with Voxengo and their PrimeEQ plugin.

    It’s designed as a simple parametric EQ for individual tracks that lets you do even some very detailed tone-shaping.

    Interestingly enough, it can handle up to 32 individual parametric filter bands, which is more than impressive for a plugin of this price level.

    The interface might not be the prettiest one but it’s extremely simple and functional for users of all skill levels.

    It also comes with 13 different filtering types and even has the history of your edits, enabling the undo and redo options.

    FabFilter Pro-Q 3

    If you need a great EQ plugin for your home studio that will enable you to do all the detailed edits from the comfort of your bedroom, then we’d advise you to go with FabFilter’s Pro-Q 3.

    It’s not the cheapest one, but it’s still within the reasonable price limits.

    Now, this plugin offers more than just simple EQ processing, since it’s also capable of advanced filtering.

    It comes with a total of 24 custom frequency bands with some advanced equalizer curve-shaping options.

    It also comes with some very practical features, like the Auto Gain which looks into multiple channels and does its own gain correction.

    This is an extremely useful tool for any mixing process.

    Slate Digital Eiosis AirEQ

    Lastly, we would like to mention Slate Digital and their Eiosis AirEQ.

    Looking at its user interface, it’s pretty clear that it combines modern principles with some vintage features.

    And what’s rather interesting, it has a collection of five very creative features labeled as Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Strength, each covering different frequency ranges or other tone-shaping properties.

    Best Studio Monitors in the Market Right Now [2020]

    Whether you are a music production professional or a beginner starting a Home Studio, choosing the right quality monitors is one of the most difficult decisions.

    Which are the best studio monitors?

    This recurring question has many answers, as many as audio monitors are in the market, and the best way we can take to decide is to check which ones satisfy better our needs.

    When choosing studio monitors we must ask ourselves certain questions that will help us select the right ones.

    The first question is about the size of our study, will they be used in a home study or in a professional study?

    The next thing is to define our budget, and taking into account these 2 factors, we will analyze among the three fundamental quality parameters: Build quality, sound quality and connectivity.

     Let’s  start with some of the best professional studio monitors :

    Adam Audio A7X

    The Adam Audio A7X monitor has a great reputation among professional audio production studios; even, many affirm that “everything that happens through the A7X sounds good”.

    It is the creation of a German company, which has positioned this monitor as the bestseller in its catalog.

    It is a versatile, highly balanced, near-field monitoring speaker.

    The Adam Audio A7X has a price of around $750 per unit, a slightly high price for those who start, but they will ensure the highest clarity and quality when mixing.

    It features a very high frequency response from 42Hz to 50kHz.

    It has a built-in amplifier with a power of 150W, which helps power the 7 “carbon fiber woofer and a 2” tweeter called X-ART, properly used by the brand, producing surprising audio clarity as it does not dominate the room and makes the sounds highly decipherable.

    Construction quality is high, designed in high-density wood. In terms of connectivity it has 2 audio connectors, RCA non-balanced and XLR balanced.

    Neumann KH 120 A

    The Neumann KH 120A active audio monitor competes in quality / price ratio with the Adam Audio A7X, it is created by the German company Neumann, a leading manufacturer of studio microphones that has been working in the sound industry for more than 90 years.

    This studio monitoring speaker demonstrates all the experience of this legendary company, focused on its new line of monitors.

    KH120A is a monitor d compact, two – way study has so far proven an excellent quality for the approximately $700.

    It’s especially outstanding for its incredibly detailed mid-range sounds.

    The Neumann KH 120A features a minimalist and compact design, a height of around 11″ and of just over 7″ of  width.

    The build quality is excellent, it consists of a two-piece cast aluminum case, it has curvatures in its casing that substantially improve the sound and also giving it a sophisticated look.

    In the sound quality apart, it has 100W of power 50 W Woofer and 50 W Tweeter, and a frequency range from 52Hz to 21KHz.

    Its connectivity is a bit limited since it only has one XLR input.

    The Neumann KH 120A is highly recommended for its accurate reproduction, balanced tone and uniform sound dispersion.

    Yamaha HS8

    Let’s start with midrange audio monitors, where prices below $500.

    HS line Yamaha monitors are one of the most used and traditional on the market.

    Characteristics of the HS5, HS7 and even the legendary NS10 remain in Yamaha HS8: room control High Trim, and regulation of low and high.

    This monitor has higher overall performance than its predecessors, thanks to a unique mount that reduces vibration and the phase switch, which allows you to configure a subwoofer system with simple connections, without the need for additional equipment.

     The price of each monitor varies around $340. As because build quality of the Yamaha HS8, we can say that it has a simple but elegant appearance.

    They are made of dense MDF, and they have good acoustic damping. However, it has very few settings available.

    The HS8 has an 8” cone woofer shows minimal distortion and good sound, even at the low end, which is very important for producers working with heavier bass.

    1” tweeter is highly clear in terms of highs and the frequency range is from 38Hz to 30KHz. Its power is 120W, and has XLR and TRS balanced and unbalanced inputs.

     PreSonus Eris E5 XT

    For a price close to $150, you can get a special studio monitor for small spaces.

    The PreSonus Eris E5 XT audio monitor are the revamped version of the Eris E5, and it is considered one of the best in terms of price range and its amazing features.

    It has a 5.25″ woofer that comes with its own 45W power amplifier, comes with low-frequency Kevlar transducers, and the 1″ silk dome tweeter.

    This active studio monitor can output up to 102 dB of maximum sound pressure.

    They are equipped with an EBM (Elliptical Boundary Modeled) waveguide designed by Hugh Sarvis of WorxAudio, which gives you a privileged response before the frequencies.

    This feature is ideal for group work, as it creates a 100 degree horizontal dispersion, creating a larger optimum point.

    On the back it brings a simple tone control for the range of bass, mid and treble sounds.

    It has unbalanced RCA inputs, ¼” balanced TRS and balanced XLR or Jack inputs. It has no tone control.

    JBL 305P MkII

    Finally, if you have a low budget to start, the JBL 305P MkII audio monitors are the ones for you, at $100, you will get the scope and clarity of a good audio studio.

    This monitoring speaker is made of MDF and some parts in black PVC. Its mold is made of structural ABS, which gives it a robust and construction and quality.

    The 305PMKII features a 1″ tweeter, 5″ woofer, 82W total power, and a frequency range of 43Hz to 24KHz.

    Low frequencies are surprising, especially if compared with other monitors in this same range.

    Other features that set it apart from the rest, is the audio quality at high volumes, as it remains accurate and clean, with no added roughness or distortion.

    On the back they have volume control, bass and treble controls and XLR and TRS connections. A peculiarity is the implementation of what JBL calls “image control waveguide”.

    This technology allows that, to the placed anywhere in a room, an accurate representation of the sound will be heard.

    Manley Voxbox Reference Channel Strip Review

    The sound processing has definitely taken a long way since the dawn of modern music.

    Just imagine – back in the old days, the 1950s and the 1960s, there were almost no effects units. The distortion was achieved by wrecking guitar amps and using faulty gear, and the effects like delay and chorus were so complicated that they involved somewhat unreliable and pretty bulky tape-based devices that had their limitations.

    The development of transistors made things a lot easier and simpler, making these effects units way more compact. But things definitely took a different turn with digital signal processing, a technology that’s crucial to modern music-making, both for instruments and vocals.

    But with so many digital processors these days, it’s not exactly easy to find the fully professional one that will be up to standards with some of the state-of-the-art studios today.

    On the other hand, even with this technology so widespread, many are still relying on the good old analog devices that give a different and unique twist to the tone in the sea of sterile-sounding digital devices.

    The one in question we’re dealing with here is the Voxbox by Manley, mainly intended for vocal processing, but it also found a use for any other audio sources.

    Interestingly enough, this powerful piece came out way back in the late 1990s and is still in production, almost unchanged, even to this day. So there must be a good reason why this is the case, right? Well, let’s look into it then.

    Features

    First off, the Voxbox is a channel strip, which is basically a device that you can find integrated into mixing consoles, with the input, volume slider, EQ, phantom power, and a few additional parameter controls.

    In some cases, like with the Voxbox, the channel strip can be external and provide processing before the signal even gets into the mixer or an audio interface. But the thing about it is that it provides analog processing with very detailed parameter controls, along with its integrated microphone preamp.

    The Voxbox comes with three inputs – the standard microphone XLR, line XLR, and the classic instrument 1/4-inch instrument jack.

    The signal then goes through the very popular Manley Mono Microphone Preamp which also features phantom power, bass cut, and input volume control.

    There’s also the input attenuator that modifies the signal for microphones or instruments before going into the tube stage. The gain control is a bit more complex than on other devices since it also adds a bit of coloration to the tone.

    Then there’s the compressor section with very detailed controls, giving you the option to control both the attack and release parameters with five different settings for each.

    The ratio is set to 3:1. Of course, the compressor section can be completely bypassed and it comes before the tubes in the signal path, avoiding any mic-pre clipping.

    The path further goes through vacuum tubes, in this case, 12AX7 and 6414 Valve. The circuit has two outputs, one balanced and the other that’s unbalanced, for more versatility, depending on your studio setup.

    Two additional outputs are located after the preamp, with the signal going through the de-esser, EQ, and a line amplifier with 6414 and 5751 tubes.

    Then we have the de-esser and limiter section, that’s more than useful for vocal processing, and in some cases even miked-up acoustic instruments.

    The parameter control in this part of the Voxbox also gives an option for 10:1 compression, which is basically a limiter at this point. This is the Manley’s renowned Elop de-esser and limiter.

    In the end, we have a very thorough 3-band equalizer with plenty of controls to shape the tone you want to. What’s interesting is that you can switch and do EQ processing before or after the de-esser and a limiter.

    There’s also the EQ Input switch that can patch the line input, preamp out, or the insert return. This way, you have a double-duty bypass switch for the preamp section or external processors and other different paths.

    The Voxbox is also equipped with an illuminated Sifam VU meter, and a few other features like the magnetic field containment, warm-up muting circuitry, silent switching, as well as the so-called “smart-grounding.”

    Performance

    Overall, it’s pretty clear that this is a very compelling and roughly built rack-mounted piece for professional studio recording.

    As we said, this is intended mainly for vocals, which can be seen with the inclusion of the company’s de-esser unit in it. But some great results can be achieved even with different miked-up acoustic instruments, miked-up electric instrument amplifiers, and the electric instruments plugged-in directly.

    The biggest advantage of such a piece is that you get a completely analog and tube-driven twist in a modern studio.

    It is intended for anyone who wants to incorporate that eargasmic vacuum tube saturation to their tone, even slight distortion in some cases.

    The abundance of input and different configuration possibilities open up new horizons, making the Voxbox a very flexible processing unit for any kind of a music studio these days.

    Conclusion

    But the thing you need to bear in mind is that this is a fully professional piece, not something that you would be able to fully implement in a home-based studio setting.

    With all the wonderful features and performance traits we explained here, you can clearly see what this device is capable of. And, needless to say, this can be seen with its price as well.

    With this said, the Voxbox is a very powerful processing piece that does wonders to not only vocals, acoustic instruments, miked amplifiers, and electric instruments.

    It found use in all the different musical styles due to its qualities.

    Now, if you’re planning to slowly start building a professional studio, this is one of the rack-mounted units you’ll want to get into.

    However, if you’re still on the home studio level and are mostly relying on your simple multi-channel audio interface, there’s no need to spend over $4000 on such a piece.

    iZotope VocalSynth 2 Review

    Finding ways to make vocal tracks more interesting is not exactly the easiest task.

    With so many different styles and constant changes in trends, demands for new processing and mixing techniques are always on the rise.

    Whether you’re an independent hobbyist making music from the comfort of your home, or a full-blown professional producer, you always need to be on the lookout for the different vocal processing plugins and techniques.

    While we’re at it, we figured we could take a closer look at one of the most interesting vocal processing software that came out not so long ago.

    The product in question is VocalSynth 2, which was conceived and developed by iZotope as the vocal processing “sequel” to the original version.

    What initially got our attention here was the abundance of different features and its use in both processing and mixing stages.

    There’s a lot of stuff to look into, but we’ll do our best to be as brief as possible and make our verdict. After all, the company behind products like Neutron or Ozone is worth checking out again, right? Let’s dig into it.

    Features

    First off, the plugin is, in so many ways, designed according to the first VocalSynth version.

    The signal first goes through the Pitch Correction part, and then into the full library of different synth-like effects. This altered signal is then sent to the section filled with the classic “stompbox-style” effects.

    In the end, both the dry and processed signal are blended in the final mixing process.

    VocalSynth 2 comes with five modules, or engines, onboard. So we have Vocoder, Polyvox, Compuvox, Biovox, and Talkbox.

    All except Polyvox have their input signal modulating the carrier synths in the Auto mode or can work in the so-called “Sidechain” mode.

    Polyvox, on the other hand, does harmonies and pitch correction. What’s more, you can use external MIDI instruments for controlling internal synths and adding harmonies.

    The addition of the Biovox module is pretty exciting. The main idea here is to help alter the complete vocal tract. Well, it won’t alter your vocal cords and other parts but will help you change the singing style to some extent.

    There are controls for formant shift, “Breathiness,” “Clarity,” and “Nasality.” The clarity control here tweaks the balance between the original vocal signal and the carrier synth signal.

    What’s more, Biovox has an advanced view which gives even more controls, like the “Vowel” pad. You can somewhat turn the voice coloration towards the desired type of vowel, even blend a few different types of vowels together.

    Going over to synths, there are two analog-inspired Oscillators, as well as the Noise oscillator and an LFO. Synths also come with a vast library of presets.

    Now looking into the plugin’s graphic interface, the whole idea was to make it similar to other of the iZotope’s recent products.

    There’s also the Anemone visualizer which gives the user all the visual info about the effect each module does to the signal. We can still find the old Wave Meter from the previous version here.

    Performance

    Speaking of the graphic interface, it’s designed to have more functional features.

    For instance, each of the five modules has an advanced menu dropdown view, which certainly makes things a bit more clear. This dropdown always fills the center of the interface, while it replaces the Output and Voicing/Pitch segments, as well as the visualizer.

    Overall, it’s a fairly simple yet clever addition that helps with easier navigation.

    The contents of these panels differ between modules, but each has its dedicated panning control.

    Compared to the old VocalSynth, this is a whole new functionality feature, as you can now pan each module separately. The same goes for low and high-pass filtering.

    What we quite liked is the overall hands-on practical approach and the intuitive design that makes everything look so clear. This is, in our opinion, especially the case with the synths.

    VocalSynth’s first edition lacked many of the functionalities that are now available in the second version.

    On the other hand, in practice, better results can be achieved when using the external synth in the Sidechain mode as the carrier. Especially if we’re talking about the Vocoder module.

    Biovox was, by far, the most surprising (and jaw-dropping) addition to this entire plugin. We have the mindblowing options for altering the original voice, to the point of where you can’t even recognize the original singer, while it still remains convincingly realistic. You’ll have to hear it in order to believe it.

    We would also like to point out the great addition of iZotope’s “communication” between their plugins. So there are some controls and additional functionality if you’re also using iZotope’s Neutron 2 or Ozone 8 plugins.

    Conclusion

    It’s no secret that this plugin requires some experience. After all, with so many additions and features, you can’t exactly expect it to be a beginner-friendly product.

    Somewhat of an expensive product, although not unobtainable, it sits somewhere around $200. So it’s pretty clear that this is a fully professional tool for advanced vocal processing and mixing.

    The advanced view, in general, makes it way easier to use, compared to the previous VocalSynth version. If we’re really going to nitpick, then there are a few complaints about how the synth section works. On the other hand, this is far from a dealbreaker, and the price is still more than justified for such a plugin.

    Anything that you want to do with vocal processing, it’s possible using iZotope’s VocalSynth 2. No matter the style, genre, or the particular era of music that you’re covering, this one comes in handy for all purposes and can completely shift the vocal style to unrecognizable, yet great-sounding, levels.

    Again, this is a fully professional tool for advanced users. We wouldn’t recommend it for hobbyists with modest home studios, as they won’t be able to use its full potential.

    Best Plugins for Logic Pro X

    Logic Pro X comes with a lot of different amazing stock plugins. You can create a hit record with everything that comes by default.

    For music production or for mixing vocals, you can do it all using an array of well crafted plugins that will help you define your sound like the pros.

    Sample delay:

    This is a plugin that a lot of people overlook including myself until recently, you can slap this bad boy on any sound you’d like to be panned differently and to sit a little wider in the mix.

    You can either choose to have a delay on the right or on the left. This doesn’t work too good with instruments that are typically known to hit directly in the middle (Kicks, snares for example) but it works wonders on FX like risers.

    It helps give life to instruments or voices.

    You can also use them on open hats and percussion as well.

    I recommend trying it out and seeing how it influences your mix and finding how it fits perfectly to your taste. It’s very easy to use, only has two knobs and the job is done very quick. Great simple interface to work with on this plugin.

    Bit crusher:

    This plugin is fantastic for adding a bit of distortion to anything you’d like. I personally like to use it on kicks and snares to add a little grit. What’s important to keep in mind is that less is more. Always.

    Play around with the mix knob as it will become your best friend to achieve the best results possible to have a powerful sound but that doesn’t sound too distorted either.

    Try adjusting the down sampling along with the resolution to find the best balance to enhance your sound.

    Rather simple plugin to use as well and quick to get what you need out of it.

    Channel EQ:

    The default EQ that comes with logic has a very transparent sound, is incredibly easy to get by on, and is visually engaging.

    It’s a go to for easy adjustments on any track.

    What makes this EQ special is it’s simplicity and visually appealing look. It demands very low CPU usage and therefore makes it a favourite for applying in whichever situation.

    Pitch Correction:

    Logic comes with it’s own built in Pitch Correction, also known as Autotune.

    It’s very easy to use and only requires to adjust two knobs, one to put in the key of the song, the other is to adjust the power of the autotune applied.

    It can achieve great results and can sound very robotic if needed.

    Stereo delay:


    This is a plugin I use just about in every mix. From vocals to transitions to hi hats, it works literally everywhere.

    What’s amazing about this plugin is that you get to adjust each side individually to generate very interesting rhythms that compliment each other.

    By default the left side comes at 1/4 and the right side is at 1/8. I tend to leave it as it and play with the feedback to fit my taste for that particular track.

    You can play around with this plugin on hi hats to make intricate patterns that make tracks very bouncy. To make this plugin even better, the creators made sure to include a built in filter for each side.

    So you get to filter high or low frequencies left and right and really craft a sound that is unique. One of my favorite stock plugins by far.

    Tremolo:

    The tremolo is another interesting plugin that can be used for many different situations. It works well to add movement in a song.

    It pans the sound left and right continuously, and can be very fluid or extremely rapid, depending on the speed.

    Putting a tremolo on instruments help it stand out in the mix, and always be in motion.

    Exciter:

    The exciter is another tool that comes with Logic Pro’s arsenal that can be used virtually anywhere.

    This plugin can enhance pleasant harmonics or if needed more prominent distortion, but when used in little amounts it can tremendously boost a whole track.

    This plugin works well in the mixing stage as well when wanting to add some extra harmonics on a master bus.

    You can use it on a piano to give a little more grit and power, it works very well with guitars as well. It can be applied on vocals as well to make them stand out more in a mix.

    Q-Chord Review- A Classic Revisited

    There is a lot of joy to be had with sophisticated, complex instruments – like keyboard workstations.

    However, at certain times, you’d just like to have a go at an instrument that’s fun, simple, and somehow more immediate. And when you first lay eyes on a Suzuki Q-Chord QC-1, you may very well think that you’ve found just what you need.

    You may think that you’ve found a handy alternative controller. However, the more you use it, the sooner you’ll realize that it’s a fun preforming instrument or songwriting tool, but not necessarily the controller you desire.

    Q-Chord Appearance

    Suzuki calls its pear-shaped, burgundy-colored Q Chord a “digital song-card guitar”. However, in reality, its something akin to an electronic Autoharp, with chord buttons alongside a Strumplate letting you (proverbially) strum the chords.

    Its “neck” contains 36 chord buttons assembled in three rows. The front panel has a 5-inch speaker that comes with bass porting, as well as a volume dial and an assortment of other plastic buttons, mostly controlling different operation modes.

    The upper-right part of the Q-chord is where you’ll find the pitch-bend wheel.

    On the side, you’ll see the MIDI ports, a jack for an AC adapter, and an 11/44-inch audio output that can serve you as a headphone jack.

    At the end of the neck, you can see a port for a Q-card song cartridge, letting you play with popular rhythm patterns and song sequences.

    The Strumplate

    The arguable main attraction of the Suzuki Q-Chord is the Strumplate; spanning four octaves that you play by using the tip of your fingers to stroke. You can also tap, though you’ll find the response somewhat poor.

    You’d have to hit a very narrow sweet spot to get an even response to even slow taps.

    You can trigger chord tones using the Strumplate via one among ten different sounds on the front panel: Sound FX, Synth, Harp, Flute, Voice, Organ, Vibes, Strings, Piano, and Guitar.

    And if these aren’t quite up to snuff for your purposes, you can use other GM sounds with the MIDI Program Changes. You’ll also be able to control sustain and relative volume.

    The Sections

    As I’ve mentioned above, the Q-chord is not really anything more than a home instrument; you won’t be able to use it for any truly professional purposes.

    Its focus is on playing along with melodic fill, bass, chord, and drum auto-accompaniment. The Q-Chord sections control effects, Q-card, Strumplate voices, rhythm, and EZ play. Barring drums, every other accompaniment section may be individually turned off.

    You can set your accompaniment up using six buttons in chord mode. Auto Chord gives you basic comping, the chord is sustained by Chord Hold, and Chord Plus will add any other auto-accompaniment parts.

    Also, Manual Chord will trigger a constant chord without including any other accompaniments, and Bass Control will give you any appropriate patches and the bass line.

    Obviously, you can mix up various combinations. Conversely, you can use a melody keyboard feature to perform individual notes using the chord buttons. You will identify the notes via a keyboard overlay on the bottom two rows.

    There are ten different rhythm section styles: blues shuffle, rock, ballad, waltz, march, new age, dance, jazz, country, and bossa nova. The majority of these aren’t that bad, though the new age style seems more Latin, and the blues shuffle works better at a slower tempo.

    The Instrument In Practice


    Regardless of what instrument we’re talking about, the way it handles in practice matters a lot. And while this is a pretty fun experimental instrument, there’s no getting around one simple fact – regardless of how you hold it, playing won’t be anything near comfortable.

    It comes with rubber feet, so you may lay it on its back and play it right-handed, but then the location of the pitch wheel is pretty inconvenient – though that’s the position for playing that the manual shows.

    However, seeing as this is dubbed by Suzuki as a digital song card guitar, the chord buttons look like they’re designed to be played upside down; like a guitar neck.

    So, if you use it like a guitar, with the optional strap accessory or placed on your knee – you’ll be able to use your right pinkie to access the pitch wheel and strum. Also, the chord buttons are aligned perfectly with left-handed playing.

    However, that’s where the cutaway and plastic horn, obviously designed to make the instrument look more like a guitar, make the playing uncomfortable in terms of using the left hand for chord buttons.

    All things considered – it’s probably better to play it when it’s lying flat, but that’s still a poor choice.

    Conclusion

    At the end of the day, the Q-chord isn’t as shallow and one-time as the initial contact with it may suggest. It’s definitely well-manufactured, and it can give you hours of fun as a stand-alone music instrument.

    In terms of low-end household instruments, its sound isn’t that bad either.

    And in tandem with a GM module, you can use it for basic songwriting. Unfortunately, it isn’t without its drawbacks. For one, the selection of MIDI data that it sends is odd, and the lack of an option to disable drums as well.

    Plus, technical issues aside – it’s simply not that well-designed when it comes to ergonomics. If the instrument is not comfortable to hold, there’s really not that much else to say about its practicality.

    Basically, if you wanted to use it as a MIDI controller, I’d advise looking elsewhere.

    As it stands, this is an instrument with some home entertainment value and not a broad variety of MIDI features.

    iZotope Neutron 3 Review

    The mixing process in music and film has become pretty advanced at this point.

    To put it simply, one should never leave anything to chance, but always have control of every aspect of an audio recording. And this is especially the case with music.

    No matter the genre or any other creative and artistic factor involved, a mixing engineer or a producer or an independent music creator should always strive to make the best out of it.

    After all, the standards are pretty high these days and it makes no sense to release music that will sound outdated or just unpleasant. However, with such a harsh competition these days, how are you supposed to do great mixing?

    Well, thankfully for all the serious mixers or independent music makers, there are some pretty great all-around mixing plugins worth checking out, something that encompasses many different plugins into one. This is exactly why we decided to cover Izotope’s Neutron 3.

    Relatively new on the market, there’s a lot of exciting improvements compared to the previous version. But let’s get into it and see whether this plugin will make wonders of your audio recordings.

    Features


    Essentially, Neutron is a virtual channel strip with six different modules. On it, we can find two different multi-band compressors, gate (or expander), a very detailed EQ, Transient Shaper, Exciter, as well as their new Sculptor.

    To add to all this, there’s also the company’s Track Assistant which can analyze the coming audio and create appropriate presets for it dynamically.

    It comes in three different versions which are labeled as Elements, Standard, and Advanced. The one we’re interested in is Advanced Neutron 3, which is the flagship version.

    Compared to the second edition, Neutron 3 has a fairly improved graphic interface. On it, we can see control panels of all the modules with all the display meters. In this regard, it’s pretty similar to iZotope’s Nectar 3.

    While the Track Assistant is pretty much the same as we’ve seen with the previous Neutron edition, the addition of the Sculptor module is something that provides more options in this regard.

    It’s also worth noting that Neutron 3 comes with the Mix Assistant that does its “smart” track analysis for pan, width, and level controls. And it’s pretty simple to use.

    Just set one track as the “center,” play the whole piece, and the plugin will do its automatic tweaking.

    When it’s done, you get five main groups that your tracks are put into – voice, bass, focus, musical, and percussion. You’re then free to adjust everything and sort tracks into these groups the way you want to.

    Performance

    But no matter how great features like Track Assistant and Sculptor are, there’ll always be some additional tweaking.

    This is pretty much expected as your plugins just can’t create magic on their own. You’re supposed to do some work as well, but at least it’s not heavy lifting with these useful additions. It just gives a starting point for you to work with.

    The same could be said about the Mixing Assistant. After the automatic setup, you’re free to change things according to your needs.

    One of the downsides here is that the Visual Mixer lacks some of the much-appreciated features. For instance, mute and solo buttons would be great in such a setting.

    Either way, with the right set of skills, you can get some really surprising results with Neutron 3.

    For instance, using the Focus option in the Mixing Assistant on the main vocal track, you get more than half of your otherwise tedious work done automatically.

    Even with a larger number of tracks, it helps you get the desired results with ease. It might be a little trickier for instrumental tracks though, as you don’t exactly have a very “focused” setting in there.

    But with all this said, you’re supposed to have a good set of skills for this plugin. It’s not exactly a cheap piece of software intended for occasional fun mixing an amateur will do at home.

    What’s really exciting about Neutron 3 is the relatively low CPU and RAM usage. If we’re talking about the same hardware configuration, Neutron 3 will actually load noticeably faster compared to Neutron 2, which is definitely a surprise. Optimization is always welcome.

    Conclusion

    And we could go on for days about countless features of Neutron 3 and how exactly they all work. But, at the end of the day, what is our conclusion here? Not to get into it too much, but this is a fully professional plugin.

    It’s not exactly something you’d want to purchase if you’re not at least entering the world of professional mixing and production work. That’s also obvious when you look at the plugin’s price.

    What’s more, a plugin like this one will make a difference only paired with professional equipment.

    If you’re a home recording enthusiast, then we would advise you not to purchase Neutron 3, unless you’re willing to spend a lot for an expensive piece of software that you won’t be able to fully implement in your work.

    We would argue that this one is “reserved” for either fully professional studios or highly experienced independent music creators who are armed with all the necessary equipment and skills. And if that’s the case, iZotope’s Neutron 3 will serve you for years to come.

    The signal processing modules here are definitely a selling point. Although it’s not a cheap one, the plugin offers a great deal for the price.

    The additions of these assistants that we described above are definitely welcome.

    However, even without them, Neutron 3 would be a plugin worth checking out. They just come as the icing on the cake, as Mixing and Track assistants make your life easier by reducing your mixing hours.