Samplesound Blog - News, Tips & More
We all have our favorites when it comes to music, and our community is no different. In this page, the focus is on the best of the best. Straight from the top of the charts to Samplesound, these selections are tried-and-true fan favorites that are sure to make it to the top of your list, too.
From the best softwares and best sample packs to the best labels and artists, it's all about the number 1's. Dive in and get ready to find your new music production staples.
Your Guide to Tech House MIDI Files: What They Are & How to Use Them
If you're diving into the world of Tech House production, you've probably stumbled across the term MIDI files more times than you can count. You’ve seen them mentioned in sample packs, tutorials, plugin demos—but what exactly are they? And more importantly, how can they help you create better music? This guide isn’t just a dry explanation of a file format....
Top Tech House MIDI Files to Boost Your Productions
If you're producing Tech House, you know how crucial groove, swing, and flow are to making a track hit just right. But sometimes, inspiration stalls or you find yourself repeating the same ideas. That's where MIDI files come into play—not just as shortcuts, but as creative tools to unlock new directions. In this guide, we’ll show you why MIDI matters...
Why You Should Be Spectral Sidechaining in FabFilter Pro-Q 4
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 - 24 band Dynamic EQ FabFilter Pro-Q 4 sets a new benchmark for EQ plugins with its 24-band design and an intelligent interface tailored for precision and efficiency. FabFilter Pro-Q 4 Product page In today’s music production landscape, where arrangements are increasingly dense and layered, mixing is no longer just about balancing levels—it's about managing frequencies...
Producers Are Using This Trick to Make Their Mixes Sound Retro
In an era where music production is often defined by digital clarity and surgical precision, many producers are looking for ways to bring back the warmth, imperfections, and character of vintage gear. Whether you're crafting dusty lofi beats, gritty techno tracks, or textured ambient soundscapes, adding analog-style color can transform a sterile mix into something full of life. Enter RC-20...
How to Gain Stage: A Complete Guide to Optimal Audio Levels
One of the most overlooked aspects of mixing is gain staging, yet it’s crucial for achieving a clean, dynamic, and professional sound. Whether you're recording a jazz ensemble, producing a hip-hop beat, or crafting electronic music, proper gain staging ensures that your audio flows through the mix without unwanted distortion or noise. But what exactly is gain staging? In simple...
How to Export Your Song for Mastering: Best Settings and Formats
Mastering is the final step in music production, the process that transforms a good mix into a radio-ready, professional-quality track. It ensures your song sounds polished, balanced, and optimized for different playback systems, from high-end studio monitors to smartphone speakers. However, even the best mastering engineer can’t fix a badly exported mix. If your export settings are incorrect—such as using...
Multitrack Recording: Definition, History, and Top Software
Modern music production relies on a key innovation that changed the industry forever: multitrack recording. Before its invention, artists had to record songs in a single take, balancing all elements in real-time. But thanks to multitracking, producers and musicians can now layer multiple recordings independently, giving them full control over mixing, editing, and sound design. From jazz ensembles to hip-hop...
Keyboard Shortcuts Ableton: Essential Commands for a Faster Workflow
In the fast-paced world of music production, efficiency is just as important as creativity. Ableton Live is designed for fluid, hands-on music creation, but navigating through its many menus and features can slow down your workflow. That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in—they allow you to focus on sound design, arrangement, and mixing without getting bogged down by repetitive mouse clicks....
10 Best MIDI Controllers in 2025: Top Picks for Every Producer
A great MIDI controller can completely transform your workflow, whether you’re producing electronic music, hip-hop beats, or club-ready techno. In 2025, the options are more advanced than ever, offering features like polyphonic aftertouch, deep DAW integration, and customizable mappings to suit every producer’s needs. But with so many choices on the market, how do you know which one is right...