The new ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN is a “must have” resource for anyone who makes music, plays music, and shares music. Every issue includes "gig tested" product reviews on music gear, tons of how-to's, and interviews with today's stars revealing the secrets of their songwriting approaches and audio-production concepts.
Something for nothing
Electronic Musician • Vol. 36 No. 12 DECEMBER 2020
NEW GEAR • First look: Native Instruments’ new standalone beatmaker, Maschine+
THIS MONTH IN SOFTWARE • Some of the biggest software packages on earth receive an update, but some out-of-this-world new ideas have surfaced too
Newfangled Audio PENDULATE
…and GENERATE
12 essential freeware synths • Stock up your hard drive with killer instruments and effects without spending a dime with our essential guide to the best freebies the internet has to offer. First-up we've a dozen must-have freeware synthesizers….
12 GREAT FREE BEAT MAKERS • From kick designers to full-on drum machines we have all your beat-making needs catered for, free!
12 OF THE BEST FREE REVERBS AND DELAYS • Now it’s time to focus on freeware reverb and delay effects. As ever, it’s a varied bunch, but we think you’ll find something whatever your needs, be they extraordinary ambiences, delays aplenty or just gentle shimmers for your mix…
12 CREATIVE EFFECTS • Forget your subtle reverbs, compressors and delays, these are as creative as instruments…
5 OF THE BEST FREE EQS AND FILTERS • EQs and filters can be used at both ends of the mixing realm, from subtle nudges to enhance certain frequencies to dramatic filter sweeps to create great riffs, beats and breakdowns. Here are 12 killer freebies
SYLVAN ESSO • The US synth-pop duo tell Si Truss how a new studio, a love of modular and touring as a 10-piece band inspired their new LP
Some Old Skool Funky Sax • Two of the most influential OG soul and funk sax players provide us with this month’s inspiration.
Modal harmony • Following last month’s breakdown of tonal harmony, Dave takes us through the looking glass into true jazz theory
Yamaha CS-80 • It may not have been the most popular or beloved of the classic polysynths, but Yamaha’s wild and wooly CS-80 was nevertheless a heavyweight champion
SoundLink MW-2408 Hybrid mixer • These new hybrid mixers boast some serious design pedigree, but do they live up to their heritage?
THE ALTERNATIVES
PROCESSING POWER
Amber • Orchestral Tools’ new Creative Soundpacks are more than sample packs – they run in a player that gives Kontakt a run for its money
A-88MKII • Finding the right controller keyboard is very personal, but Roland’s latest is both feature-packed and potentially future proof…
App support & MIDI 2.0
THE ALTERNATIVES
Spinn • Does this Leslie-inspired modulation effect sound as cool as it looks? Let's take it for a spin…
AudioFuse Studio • The prolific French developers’ latest audio interface promises high flexibility
Parallel Aggressor • Parallel processing is a great way to capture the flavor of heavy processing and this new plugin wants to make it easier than ever before
Double Trouble
THE ALTERNATIVES
Synths Fusion System II • The Latvian brand is back with three new vacuum-packing modules. Let's take the new system for a spin…
THE ALTERNATIVES
MACHINE WARMTH
South American Soul
The easy guide to Recording drums • Inject real life into your tracks by recording a real human drummer (no jokes, please) playing actual drums! Follow our walkthroughs and you’ll see how easy and effective it can be
Preparing to record
Overheads
Quiet studio,...