In this article you’ll find the best websites for music producers, for learning music theory, through stem splitting, up to tools for getting inspired. Let’s get started! 1. ToneGym & SoundGym These platforms allow you to train your ears with music production exercises like frequency detection, or to sharpen your music theory skills with exercises like intervals identification. Visit ToneGym Visit SoundGym 2. MusicTheory MusicTheory.net gives you access to countless music theory exercises for absolutely free. Visit Website 3. Splitter AI This is a completely free AI stem splitting tool for separating audio files into individual instruments. Visit Website 4....

In this article you will find the top 20 absolutely free VST effect plugins, which you can use in any music production software. These include reverbs, saturators, compressors, delays, choruses, transient shapers, vocal processing effects and much more!  1. Destruqtor This plugin is a great, simple distortion. The circular control allows you to select the right amount of odd and even harmonics, while the Auto Gain feature ensures the loudness stays the same. Download Destruqtor 2. OCS-45 OCS-45 is a free cassette emulator. It includes different models of cassettes, wow and flutter settings, as well as noise and distortion. Download...

In this article you'll find our top 15 picks of absolutely free VST instruments. We'll go through synths, acoustic instruments, as well as samplers and drum machine plugins. Let's get started!   1. Syndtsphere This curious synth gives you a circular control allowing easy blending between patches. It features a nice selection of presets and a delay module as well. Download 2. X-Stream This VST by Steinberg is a spectral synth, which is ideal for cinematic soundscapes. Download   3. Zebralette Zebralette is a single oscillator version of the Zebra plugin, which is famously used by Hans Zimmer. It gives...

Producer Notes episode 047 features Anjunadeep-like Melodic House styles: In this YouTube Series with Francois we're analysing the Vocal Melodic House style of Jan Blomqvist and Natascha Polké (modelled after a track called "Midnight Sun" from the new album "Mute"). Watch and see what we can learn from this signature Jan Blomqvist style merging dreamy soundscapes, sustained moog basslines and groovy drums.  The key lessons from this episode are: Kick & Toms to set up a groovy low end Sustained Bass layers with 5ths, mono and portamento for glide Layered, dispersed Claps for deep groove One note plucks for depth and atmosphere Arrangement:...

This is session 26 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called "Producer Notes". In Episode 026 we're analysing the Melodic Techno style of artist "Cassian" and labels like Afterlife Recordings. We're looking to reverse engineer the style of Cassian's remix for John Summit "Shiver" only using Ableton stock effects and instruments, plus Xfer Serum. Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Melodic Techno and Trance. The key lessons from this episode are: Drums: Clean and Simple, short kick (almost like trance) Bass: Purposeful collection of separated rolling bass layers (notice: this is reverse engineered). Bass: Smooth Low Stabs for deep feel...

This is session 17 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called Producer Notes and we are analysing the Melodic Afro House style of artists Adam Port, Stryv, Keinemusik, Orso and Malachiii. Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Percussive House, Afro House, RnB and Latin influences. The key lessons from this episode are: 1. Low-End: Sustained bass, clean punchy kick 2. One note synth (rhythmically, morphing) 3. Deep Vibe Pads in the background 4. "Latin" Clap, Perc and Tom elements playing together 5. Shakers for groove and timing 6. Organic sounding Piano element in the background 7. Dreamy, almost RnB-like...

This is session 18 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called Producer Notes and we are exploring the Tech House style of artists like James Hype, John Summit and Mau P. Watch and see what we can learn from this style relying heavily on a clean and disciplined groove/swing setup: The key lessons from this episode are: Gnarly main lead sampled from a vocal (call, response pattern) Clean Kick, Bass low end - use “dancing” semi tones in the bass Rhythmically spoken Vocals Groove: Keep consistent “Vertical Groove line”. Apply Groove on 16ths note, focus on snappy lengths of hihats and ADSR shapes - very important for...

In Episode 016 of Producer Notes with Francois PML, we asking "How to Ben Böhmer in Ableton" and we are analysing the Melodic House style of Ben Böhmer's remix for Monolink "Father Ocean". Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Deep House, Progressive House and Melodic House. The key lessons from this episode are: Main elements of this sound: Round kick (warm round kicks) Low toms Sustained pitched moog bass (Glides in leads ’n arps, bass - add lots of “feeling” to sounds) “Horn-style” pads Fast Mono plucks  Long dreamy, pitched glide lead synth (serum here, Ben often uses diva) CHORDS Often 2...

This is session 14 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called "Producer Notes". In Episode 014 we are analysing the Melodic Afro House style of artists "keinemusik", Rampa, &Me and to a certain degree also "Moderat". Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Percussive House and Afro House. The key lessons from this episode are: Main elements of this sound: Clean low-end with Toms for groove Shakers for groove and timing One tonal Percussive Element is mixed louder and can be part of the Melody (Here: Bells and glass sounds) Savannah-type element for vibe: whoop, elephant type sounds Piano for harmonic core...

This is session 12 of the YouTube Series with Francois PML called "Producer Notes". Episode 012 is analysing the Vocal Melodic House style of This Never Happened artist "Avoure". Watch and see what we can learn from this style sitting somewhere between Melodic House and Melodic Techno. The key lessons from this episode are: General: nice Clean and groovy, melodic style, not too trancy (would have more reverb) The Clue for this track: Its crucial to balance these 4 elements right: 1 Kick 2 Sustained Sub 3 Gritty Legato Bass (we take the grit from this one!) - plays 5ths on top 4 Saw Leads Toms: adds back the bass groove to...