5 Affordable Drum Machines Worth Owning

These days there is very little that drum machines can do that a decent DAW workstation with the right plug-ins can't replicate. However, the importance of hardware drum machines cannot be understated. Gear like the Roland TR-808 and TR-909 had lukewarm receptions initially but went on to become some of the most influential inventions in popular music. For most musicians, using a drum machine is more than just the sounds, but about the tangible interface that it offers.

Four Portable Recorders That Are Ideal For Field Recording of Samples

With the vast amount of samples that are available online, many of which are free, it might appear pointless to go out and create your own. However, there is nothing quite like building up your own unique library of samples to use in your music. Sampling is a technique that has had a massive influence on a lot of musical genres, especially electronic music, and hip hop, as well as pop. While many musicians stick to recording studios for recording their own samples, there is also a world outside the studio that is filled with unique sounds.

Synth Kickstarter Roundup

There has been a couple of exciting announcements in the synth community lately, from classic manufacturers entering the market again to famous brands being restored to their creators. However, some of the most unique developments are typically found on Kickstarter where companies or individuals go to make their ideas reality. We've looked at a few successful synth related Kickstarter projects in the past, but new ones are popping up all the time and sometimes old ones slip through the cracks.

Four Wind Controllers That Are Worth Owning

The word "synthesizer" usually conjures up images of a complicated mess of wires, knobs, dials, sliders, buttons, and switches. While this is true for the most part, especially when it comes to vintage synthesizers, it is by no means the only way synths look. One type of synthesizer that is often overlooked is the wind synth, or wind controller, which is usually played like a woodwind instrument. Like their other synthesizer counterparts, wind synths can sound like any other instrument.

Speech Synthesizers For Adding Vocals To Your Mixes

Adding vocals to your mix can turn an ordinary tune into something special, depending on the genre of music that you are creating. However, not everyone can sing or have access to someone who can provide them with vocals. Thankfully, just like there are numerous instrument plug-ins to add different instrument sounds to your music without having to own the physical instrument, there are also speech synthesizers available. While these are never going to be able to provide you with the type of vocals that an accomplished singer can deliver, using them can make a difference to your sound.