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.
Last Articles
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...
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....
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...
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...
Music Trends 2025: Emerging Styles and Genres of This Year
Music is constantly evolving, shaped by technology, cultural shifts, and artistic experimentation. In 2025, we are witnessing a fusion of electronic innovation, genre hybridization, and nostalgic revivals that are defining the sound of the year. With streaming platforms and social media accelerating the spread of new styles, producers and artists must stay ahead of the trends to remain relevant. This...
Best chord generator VST: how to create better chord progressions
What is the Plugin for MIDI Chords Generator? A MIDI chord generator VST is a plugin that automatically generates chords based on scale, key, and user input. These tools help producers create complex, professional-sounding progressions without needing in-depth music theory knowledge. Top Chord Generator Plugins for Producers 1. ChordJam by Audiomodern (Best for Versatility) With ChordJam, you can explore a wide...
Stop Using Weak Sounds! Get an Amapiano Drum Kit That Actually Works!
Are your Amapiano beats missing that deep, groovy bounce? Do they sound flat compared to the tracks topping the charts? The problem isn’t your creativity—it’s your drum kit. Many producers make the mistake of using generic drum kits that lack the warmth, depth, and authenticity required to create true Amapiano magic. The result? Weak beats that don’t hit the way...
Afro House Popular Chord Progressions and How to Use Them
Afro House has rapidly evolved from an underground subgenre to a global sensation, captivating dance floors worldwide with its fusion of deep rhythms, emotive melodies, and rich harmonic textures. As an experienced music producer, you know that chord progressions are more than just a structural element; they're the emotional core that defines the mood and authenticity of your track. In...
Polyrhythmic Patterns in Afro House: Techniques for Advanced Producers
Afro House’s signature sound is defined by its vibrant rhythms, intricate percussion, and compelling grooves. At the heart of this rhythmic complexity lies the concept of polyrhythms, a foundational element borrowed from traditional African music that continues to captivate dance floors worldwide. As an advanced music producer, mastering polyrhythmic techniques is essential to creating authentic, sophisticated, and compelling Afro House...
