Leaderboard

It was a great year for synthesizers and drum machines. Here are my picks for the best gear and software of 2025. Another year come and gone. As a music technology journalist, I got to spend every day of it steeped in new releases. Synthesizers, both hard and soft, drum machines, effects units. You name it, I covered it. And while there were many, many good releases this year, some especially stood out. These are the ones that quickened my pulse, put a smile on my face, and made me happy to have the job that I do. This is my list of the best gear and software of 2025, presented in no particular order... The post The Best Gear and Software of 2025: My 7 Highlights of the Year appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Finding the best music production software usually starts with one simple question: what part of your process needs the most support right now? If you are scoring a film, you might need a sampler for expressive, realistic instruments. If your mix needs more breathing room, a dedicated piece of mixing software can speed up tough decisions. You might even want one full suite that covers songwriting, sound design, and final mix in a single place. Native Instruments (which includes iZotope and Plugin Alliance) offers a huge ecosystem of plugins that supports every stage of production. These plugins can move you from early ideation all the way to a polished master. This guide brings the best options together so you can find the right music production software for any workflow. If you want to work faster, sound more polished, or jumpstart the songwriting process, you will find plenty of useful VST plugins right here. Let’s take a look at the best music production software from Native Instruments, including iZotope and Plugin Alliance... The post The best music production software from Native Instruments first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

About AloreyaAloreya transforms electronic energy into something soft and emotional. Her sound blends melodic trance, warmth and light – music about awakening, strength, and the moment you truly feel yourself again. Every song begins with emotion – to feel, to dance, to connect. A sound that moves – between depth, energy and pure emotion. Aloreya 💜 | where trance meets emotion Out of the SunFeel the light, shine inside 🌅 Now streaming everywhere 💜 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/OutOfTheSun 📷 Instagram: @aloreya.official 🎥 TikTok: @aloreya.official

About AloreyaAloreya transforms electronic energy into something soft and emotional. Her sound blends melodic trance, warmth and light – music about awakening, strength, and the moment you truly feel yourself again. Every song begins with emotion – to feel, to dance, to connect. A sound that moves – between depth, energy and pure emotion. Falling Light✨ Falling Light is out now. A quiet winter light — soft, warm, full of hope. Thank you for being here 💜 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/FallingLight_Aloreya

Serato has ushered in a new chapter in its beat-making ecosystem. In collaboration with AlphaTheta, the company has unveiled SLAB, its first piece of hardware and the first dedicated controller designed specifically for Serato Studio. Serato Studio launched in 2018 as an entry-level DAW aimed at DJs who wanted to get into production without facing the steep learning curves of traditional music software. Borrowing visual cues from Serato’s DJ platforms, its focus is on creating quick edits, mashups and beats – giving DJs and performers a fast, frictionless way to sketch ideas... The post SLAB: the first hardware controller for Serato Studio has arrived – here’s everything you need to know appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

How to succeed in the music industry is likely a question you have already wondered about. After helping thousands of students achieve their music production dreams, there are 12 key steps I’ve identified that separate successful music producers from those who struggle. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level-up your career, these habits will help you move forward faster and smarter... The post How to Succeed in the Music Industry (12 Proven Steps) appeared first on EDM Tips. View the full article

The holidays are fast approaching – and finding the perfect present for the DJ in your life can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for DJs in 2025, so you can choose a memorable gift that they’ll actually use. Whether the creator on your list is an aspiring DJ just learning the ropes or a seasoned professional playing gigs and live streaming, this list of Native Instruments gifts for DJs has you covered... The post The best gifts for DJs in 2025 first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Finding the right gift for someone creative can be surprisingly tough. You want to give something that feels meaningful and inspiring, but with so many options out there, it’s easy to get stuck. And if you’re shopping for a music producer or beatmaker, it can be even harder to know what they’ll actually love or use in their setup. That’s why we’ve put together this gift guide for music producers – a collection of presents that would balance creativity, practicality, and a bit of fun. These are the best gifts for music producers in 2025, from affordable music gifts under $50 to studio gear that can make them feel like maestros. And yes, they will actually use these... The post The best gifts for music producers in 2025 first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Yamaha’s new MODX M series of synthesizer workstations arrives with a host of new features and upgrades, including the powerful virtual-analog AN-X engine from the MONTAGE M! The previous model, the MODX+, already offered many sounds and features from the top-of-the-line MONTAGE series at a lower price, making it one of the most popular mid-range synth workstations for studio productions and live performances. What was missing until now, however, was the AN-X engine, which, alongside sample-based AWM2 synthesis and FM-X, makes the flagship MONTAGE M one of the most powerful and versatile synth workstations available today... The post Yamaha MODX M: The Mid-Range Synth Workstation Finally Gets AN-X! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Does the world need another Jupiter-8 plugin emulation? If it’s Acustica Audio The Thing, the answer may be a resounding yes. However… Amidst all the price wars and chaos of Black Friday, effects plugin company Acustica Audio did something quite unexpected: it dropped a synthesizer plugin. And not just any synthesizer plugin, but an emulation of one of the best synthesizers ever made, the Roland Jupiter-8. I am, of course, talking about Acustica Audio The Thing – and it sounds ridiculously gorgeous… The post Acustica Audio The Thing: The First Synth From Acustica Is a JP-8 Emulation and it Sounds GORGEOUS appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article