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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

Drum beats are the backbone of practically every style of popular music, so having an understanding of programming basic drum patterns and different types of drum beats is an essential for producers and beatmakers of all kinds. In this guide to basic drum patterns we’ll show you how to make the seven types of drum beats every producer should know, covering drum beat patterns for funk, rock, jazz, hip-hop, house, trap and drum ‘n’ bass. To make these beats, we’ll use sounds available in NI 360 Essentials and Komplete: Studio Drummer, Battery 4, and 24K Drums. Studio Drummer and 24K Drums are Kontakt instruments, and can be used with the full version of Kontakt 8 or the free Kontakt 8 Player... The post 7 drum patterns every producer should know first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Just received your brand new Traktor MX2 and not sure where to go from here? New to the world of DJing, and excited to get mixing? Fear not, getting started is easy. Mastering the art of the ones and twos… not so much. The following words will guide you through setting up your new controller, understanding how it’s connected, what else you’ll need, and playing your first tracks. The Traktor MX2 is the perfect introduction to the fundamentals of selecting, cueing, and blending music, with scope to expand your skills and explore more expert techniques such as using stem files, scratching, or harmonic mixing... The post Getting started with the Traktor MX2: a step-by-step guide first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

The Traktor MX2 is here, and it’s our most powerful two-channel controller yet. The MX2 has everything you need to start DJing and stand out, from a straightforward mixer layout to a full set of creative, pro-level tools. It’s an all-in-one setup that means you’re ready to mix anywhere – at home, in the studio, or in the club. The MX2 also comes with the full version of Traktor Pro 4 software and a two-month Beatport Streaming subscription for new customers, so you can start right out of the box without needing a downloaded library. The MX2 is designed to let you break new ground from day one, with a setup that can grow as your skills and style develop... The post Introducing Traktor MX2: the creative controller for every DJ first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Here's an in-depth review and demo of the new Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator drum machine.… Read More Roland TR-1000 Drum Machine Review & DemoView the full article

Ableton just announced a rent-to-own plan for its flagship software – the Live 12 Suite – and it’s already making waves. For years, the biggest barrier to entry with Ableton hasn’t been the learning curve – it’s been the price tag. Suite runs $749 upfront, which for most bedroom producers, students, or DJs dabbling in production feels […] The post Ableton launches Live 12 Suite rent-to-own plan – and it’s not a subscription appeared first on DJ TechTools. View the full article

Well, it actually happened. More than four decades after the TR-808 and TR-909 rewrote the rulebook on rhythm, Roland has launched a brand new analogue drum machine: the TR-1000 Rhythm Creator. Built with and for artists to “catalyse the next evolution of rhythm culture”, the TR-1000 fuses analogue circuitry, modern digital sound engines, and a performance-focused user interface into one hulking groove factory... The post Roland TR-1000: 40 years after the TR-808 and TR-909, the brand’s first analogue – and most powerful – drum machine has landed appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

TracklistAs voted for by the DI.FM listeners. These are the top 10 Progressive tracks in July 2025, based on 3,500+ votes on 500 tracks. http://www.di.fm/progressive [00:00:00] Allan McLoud – Conscious Mind (Original Mix) – Movement Recordings [00:06:17] Jerome Isma-Ae – Rise (Jerome’s Extended Discotheque Mix) – JEE Productions [00:10:12] Aleyum – Collision of Concepts (Extended Mix) – Immersed [00:16:25] Secretly Famous – Close Your Eyes (Original Mix) – Freegrant Music [00:23:07] Cristian Hidalgo – The Eternaut (Original Mix) – You Wouldn’t Understand [00:29:12] Agustin Pietrocola – Sizer (Original Mix) – UV Noir [00:33:47] Rikfell – Cold (D-Nox, Kamilo Sanclemente Remix) – Sprout [00:40:08] Nugsupreme – Seeds (Original Mix) – Spring Tube Limited [00:45:11] Zy Khan & Madison Palmer – Animals (Original Mix) – Songspire Records [00:50:29] Adam Schofield & Patrick Evans – Substance (Original Mix) – Reinstate Records View the full article YouTubeSoundCloud

TracklistAs voted for by the DI.FM listeners. These are the top 10 Techno tracks in July 2025, based on 2,100+ votes on 692 tracks. http://www.di.fm/techno [00:00:00] Adam Beyer, Chris Avantgarde – Desolate Lands (Original Mix) – Drumcode [00:05:21] State 2 – M.I.T.A (Original Mix) – Shodan Records [00:11:22] Ivan (BG) – Salvation (Original Mix) – IAMT Music Group [00:16:22] Lautaro Ibañez – Stand By Revolution (Original Mix) – Set About Music [00:21:09] The Second Wave – The Call (Extended Mix) – Modular States [00:26:25] Ronnye M – Nothingness (Original Mix) – Orange Recordings [00:31:11] Lauta Bustillo – Bring Life (Original Mix) – Redlof Black [00:36:14] TAJ (AUS) – The Rhythm (Original Mix) – Big Punch Records [00:39:53] JØL – Float (Original) – Black Codes Experiments [00:44:43] Eftihios – Neurotransit (Original Mix) – Modular States View the full article YouTubeSoundCloud

TracklistAs voted for by the DI.FM listeners. These are the top 15 Hard Techno tracks in July 2025, based on 620+ votes on 403 tracks. http://www.di.fm/hardtechno [00:00:00] Ian McCoy – Deception Loop (Original Mix) – IAMT Music Group [00:05:26] REAKTTOR – Rainbow in the Darkness (Lively Racket Remix) – BlackVogue Records [00:10:12] David Temessi, Reblok – My Vibe (Filterheadz Remix) – DSR Digital [00:15:33] CELEC – Untz Untz (Buchecha Remix) – Kube Records [00:20:02] AMORØS – The One Power (Original Mix) – Systolic Records [00:25:00] JuanPe K – Spyro Dream (Original Mix) – Black Division [00:29:25] TAJ (AUS) – Bumpy Night (Original Mix) – Big Punch Records [00:34:04] Marco Ginelli – Rhythmic Riot (Original Mix) – T.I.H.G. RECORDS [00:38:54] KAAI – Bring It Back (Original Mix) – Underground Techno Research [00:42:37] Might Be Twins – Im Insane (Original Mix) – BlackVogue Records [00:46:07] DCMBR – Orchid Ashes (Original Mix) – Sacred Court [00:51:03] DSTM – A Time of Soul (Original Mix) – DSR Digital [00:54:44] GNRØ – Hidden (Original Mix) – Driller [00:58:42] Valdok – Mad For The Groove (ROTURA XXL Remix) – Dolma Records [01:03:20] Bollmann – OVERDRIVE (Original Mix) – ABSLT Records View the full article YouTubeSoundCloud

Tracklist[00:00:00] The Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds – Mr. Modo Recordings / Big Life Records (1990) [00:03:49] Degeneration – Una Musica Senza Ritmo (Nina In Trance Mix) – Blue Cue Records (1992) [00:09:59] Dance 2 Trance – We Came In Peace – Suck Me Plasma (1991) [00:15:28] The Overlords – Sundown (Sunshine And The 909 – Babymix) – Antler-Subway (1991) [00:24:21] The Future Sound Of London – Papua New Guinea (Original 12″ Version) – Jumpin’ & Pumpin’ (1992) [00:28:29] Transform – Transformation (Club Mix) – Leptone 17 (1992) [00:34:08] Hardfloor – Trancescript – Harthouse (1993) [00:40:42] Juno Reactor – Samurai – Blue Room Released (1995) [00:47:14] Moby – Hymn (This Is My Dream) – Mute (1994) [00:50:22] Choice – Acid Eiffel – Fragile Records (1993) [01:02:20] Humate – Love Stimulation (Lovemix By Paul Van Dyk) – MFS (1993) [01:07:13] Underworld – Dark & Long (Dark Train Mix) – Junior Boy’s Own (1994) [01:16:00] Art Of Trance – Gloria (Transparent Mix) – Platipus (1993) [01:21:58] Laurent Garnier – Wake Up (Full Length Version) – Fnac Music Dance Division (1993) [01:28:35] Metal Master – Spectrum – Harthouse (1992) [01:31:08] Peyote – Alcatraz – R & S Records (1992) [01:37:35] The Visions Of Shiva – How Much Can You Take? (Emotional) – MFS (1993) [01:42:06] Union Jack – Two Full Moons & A Trout (Caspar Pound Mix) – Rising High Records (1994) [01:53:05] C.J.Bolland – Mantra – R & S Records (1992) [01:58:15] Microbots – Cosmic Evolution – R & S Records (1992) [02:02:19] Hearts Of Space – With A Medium Into Trance (Drop Out Mix) – Fax +49-69/450464 (1992) [02:07:50] Perry & Rhodan – The Beat Just Goes Straight On & On (Original Mix) – Rising High Records (1993) [02:15:38] Choci & Freedom Of Sound – Trancition – Aura Surround Sounds (1994) [02:20:22] Laurent Garnier – Planet Sex (Sven Väth & Ralf Hildenbeutel In Psycho Sex On Planet Earth Mix) – Fnac Music Dance Division (1994) [02:28:58] 303 – Number One (The Come Down To Earth Mix) – Lost Tracks (1994) [02:37:44] Krid Snero – Into My Dream – Say No More (1993) [02:41:34] Microglobe – Stars (What Is Space?) (Lt. Uhura Mix) – MFS (1994) [02:46:24] 4-Voice – Eternal Spirit (Northern Mix) – Fax +49-69/450464 (1993) [02:51:45] Resistance D – Skyline (Bytes Mix) – Harthouse (1994) [02:57:44] X-Dream – Trancesylvania X-Press – Tunnel Records (1993) [03:04:09] Union Jack – Lollipop Man – Platipus (1995) [03:09:44] L.S.G. – Fragile – Superstition (1993) [03:15:05] Rotortype – Be Yourself – Planet Rhythm Records (1994) [03:19:59] Paul van Dyk – A Love Letter – MFS (1994) [03:23:29] Cybordelics – Alice In Wonderland – Harthouse (1994) [03:30:25] The Sequencer – Moments In Noise – Rydeen (1995) [03:34:05] Paragliders – Paraglide – Superstition (1993) [03:40:40] 4-Voice – Catching The Scent Of Mystery – Fax +49-69/450464 (1992) [03:45:49] Blue Planet Corporation – Lubiantia – Underground French-Kommunication (1994) [03:54:30] Redeye – Contrex Ville – Delirium (1994) [04:00:01] Arpeggiators – X-Plain The Un-X-Plained – Harthouse (1993) View the full article YouTubeSoundCloud

Top event. And it was so good to see you both. Myself and Nick are not doing the next one as we are going to Antigua next Feb and it’s my first time abroad and a holiday of a lifetime so we will go the year after. But if you guys go to the 2027 one we shall maybe have to get a caravan on site It worked out at like around £200 per person for on site which included accommodation and events We have however booked tickets for frantic and encoded at air in Birmingham for the next bank holiday. Just driving to that one. Insomniacz 1st November in Coalville is 1 for the Diary

Awesome playlist by Tidy Trax including Black Dogs - it was so awesome to hear this track played in the main room at Tidy 30 Weekender last weekend, talk about being lost in the music ! Still one of the best tracks ever made IMO ❤️✨🤯

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

With just 5 days to go, the Party of Summer ’05 is on the brink of selling out. There are now fewer than 100 advance tickets left for Frantic’s 8th Birthday, this Saturday 13th August at Camden Palace. Tickets are disappearing fast — by the time you finish reading this, another one will be gone. We fully expect all advance tickets to sell out by Wednesday. A very limited number of tickets will be available on the door from 9pm. What’s just been added to the heaviest Hard House party in town:A brand new XTRA Funktion-One sound system in the Main Arena Brand new industrial fans in the Top Arena Hundreds of FREE CDs from Alex Kidd, Cally Gage and Andy Whitby for early arrivals Not one, not two, but FOUR massive balloon drops Three enormous lasers The entire stage draped in white, with exclusive Frantic visuals projected throughout the night From 9pm, every serious Hard House fan will be in full effect at our beloved Camden Palace. Clubbers are travelling in from across the UK, Europe, and even the USA to celebrate properly. Steve Hill is flying 12,000 miles from Sydney to tear the Main Room apart in true Frantic style. One of the Royal Boxes overlooking the Main Arena will be opened to the public for the first time ever at a Frantic event. The second Royal Box is up for grabs in a competition at harderfaster.net. View the eFlyer: www.franticuk.net/eflyers/frantic8th/ Last remaining advance tickets:Ticketweb – 08700 600 100 | ticketweb.co.uk Clubtickets – 0870 246 1840 | clubtickets.co.uk (Clubtickets offer 1 FREE ticket for every 5 purchased) Early arrival is strongly recommended — this is one you won’t want to miss a single second of. Massive thanks for the support over the last 8 incredible years. For last-minute ticket availability or queries: Frantic HQ – 07949 618 035 Email: amanda@franticuk.com

Has anyone listened to it yet, and what do you make of it? I have always been a big fan of them both ever since i saw them play a small night in Lincoln. Personally i think this CD absolutley kicks ass. especially track 4 (Barely Legal - Goosebumps) and What you got left - Jp & Jukesy. I thought they were the bollocks at TW7 and can't wait to see them again at the summer camp. https://music.apple.com/us/album/tidy-weekender-7-titillation-for-the-harder/1478866960

alot of people get side tracked with putting tunes in brackets, i prefer just to play hardhouse rather than pidgeon hole A good track is a good track at the end of the day the cd seems to have been well received, thankyou

Nookie - Give a Little Love Origin Unknown - Valley of the Shadows I really used to love me Hardcore and Jungle!

Tuuuuuuuuuuuuune!!! And Zero B - Lock Up!!

SUNDISSENTIAL MEETS GARLANDS - THE TWO MOST OUTRAGEOUS CLUBS IN THE WORLD!!! THE UNITED NATION OF SUNDISSENTIAL MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDER 3!!! PART 3 CLUB EVOLUTION, CARDIGAN FIELDS LEISURE COMPLEX INFO: 0121 2368339 EMAIL: INFO@SUNDISSENTIAL.COM http://www.sundissential.com/listings/sundissentialn/may25th.html Sundissential ROB TISSERA ANDY FARLEY MARK GRAY JEZ & CHARLIE ILOGIK PHIL REYNOLDS MARK AUSTIN Garlands DAVE & HUEY (6HR SET WORLD EXCLUSIVE) THE SUNDISSENTIAL MEMBERS ARENA THE FUTURE STARS OF SUNDISSENTIAL ARE BORN TODAY!!! Who's Going@MattD @Beckie in La La Land @Clubbing Si (+ 4) @Scream @Tresh @SarahPVC AngelJodie (mayb if i can get out of going to newcastle) @oddball @tantrumqueen (Nina) @Ameliainleeds @Shenlong @Bushy + 2/3 @jellybabyuk @dannyoldham @Ed_worx + 1 @Geordie Becky @Canadian Lover (if we have finished our exams which im pretty sure we have) @Dogz @NickyB @sentialSteve Photoshttps://clubtheworld.uk/gallery/album/99-sundissential-vs-garlands-club-evolution-leeds-25th-may-2003/

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. ClubtheWorld.com in association with Boogietown.net is proud to present to a world exclusive DJ set; @DoObY B2B @Wub Wub Fiercely hard dance flavoured beats aplenty from two lads who are clearly going to be unable to stand up properly by the end of the weekend.

Gatecrasher NEC.NXT Announced! Fresh from the huge success of their monthly club nights at London’s Heaven, and The Republic Sheffield, world renowned super club Gatecrasher announce their final mega party of 2002: Gatecrasher NEC.NXT. On 16th November the Birmingham NEC will once again host three state of the art dance arenas bursting with 15,000 people and hosted by the very best of Gatecrasher, Bugged Out and TidyTrax. Since its inception eight years ago, Gatecrasher has had a meteoric rise, to become one of the biggest and most successful super-clubs in the UK and no one puts on a show quite like the Gatecrasher dons. Expect this to be no exception: awesome live performances on the night will come from Underworld (Muzik Magazine Awards nominees for Best Live Act), FC Kahuna (Muzik Magazine Awards nominees for Best Group) and a thumping set from Lab 4. While the stellar DJ line-up sees the bringing together of the mighty X-Press 2 in all their six deck finery, breakbeat maestros Stanton Warriors, Dancestar Award winning DJ Tiësto, the infamous Judge Jules, trancemaster of the moment Armin Van Burren, top US Producer/remixer Josh Wink as well as 'Crasher favourite Scott Bond, Mario Piu, Lisa Lashes, Andy Farley, BK, Nick Sentience and many, many more... The event is to be broadcast live and exclusive across the Galaxy Network from 9pm - 6.00am. All the action within the indoor arena will be caught and filmed by MTV. This event will set yet another milestone in Gatecrasher's colorful history always staying one step ahead of the game. This will be Underworld’s last UK tour date. So catch them while you can! Underworld (Live) X Press 2 Stanton Warriors FC Kahuna (Live) Rob Bright Josh Wink DJ Tiesto Judge Jules Armin Van Bururen Scott Bond M.I.K.E. (Push) Mario Piu Matt Hardwick Eddie Halliwell Lisa Lashes Yoji Bomehanica Tidy Boys Lab 4 (Live) Andy Farley Paul Glazby BK Nick Sentience Paul Kershaw > Seeing as its my birthday on the 18th Nov there is a high probability that I'll be joining you for this one!!!!

Native Instruments – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of music-making software and hardware – has entered preliminary insolvency proceedings, it has been revealed. According to a report by Create Digital Music, Prof. Dr. Torsten Martini has been appointed preliminary insolvency administrator for the Berlin-based company, and will be responsible for restructuring the company and selling off existing Native Instruments assets... The post Native Instruments enters preliminary insolvency appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article