• Melodyne Alternatives in 2026 – What to Use Instead

    When I think about Melodyne alternatives in 2026, I usually break the conversation into two lanes. 
    The first lane is fast, real-time correction that I can track through and move on from quickly. The second lane is for deeper note editing, where I want to zoom in, adjust pitch drift, shape vibrato, and clean up phrasing with surgical precision. 
    Melodyne still handles that second lane extremely well, especially when ARA integration lets me see large sections of a vocal take at onc
  • A Guide to Photo Shoots For Artists That Covers Press, Streaming Profiles, And Social

    If you are planning a release, you are planning a media run, and that means your visuals start doing work the minute the announcement goes live and that’s what this article on photo shoots for artists is all about.
    Press photos show up in places you do not control, including premieres, event listings, ticket pages, label announcements, playlists, and short-form clips that keep recirculating after release week. When yourimages look cohesive, you can adhere to Spotify’s image guideline
  • L.D.F. Launches World Beats Vol.1 With Rahaan, Jesse Bru and DJ Merci

    Neapolitan DJ and producer Lello Di Franco, better known as L.D.F. (pictured throughout), steps forward with World Beats Vol.1, the opening chapter in a new vinyl and digital series built around rhythm, sampling and club-minded edits. Released yesterday on February 19, 2026 on vinyl via World Beats, this first volume sets the tone for a project rooted in digging culture and reshaping older material for contemporary dancefloors.Basic Frame Distribution · WB01 / L.D.F., Jesse Bru, Rahaan, D
  • Pørtl’s “Elodie” Got a New Club Shape in Night Breeze’s Remix

    Pørtl’s original “Elodie” came from a clear production ethic: start with a strong central idea, make arrangement choices early, and avoid getting stuck in endless revisions that dilute the first spark. In our earlier conversation with the duo, they kept coming back to practical decision-making, which meant committing to sound selection and structure up front, keeping the session lean, and treating “we’ll fix it in the mix” as a dead end.
    That approach m
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  • Ben Pierre’s Remix of Pørtl’s “Elodie” Kept the Soul, Then Rebuilt the Flow

    Pørtl’s original “Elodie” came from a mindset I respect in electronic music: start with a strong, clear idea, commit before the session turns into version-chasing, and keep the arrangement tight enough that every part earns its spot.
    In their own words, they talked about staying focused on the heart of the track, putting real effort into sound selection and arrangement early, and avoiding the trap of “fixing it later.” That ethos showed up in the record&rsquo
  • Triangle Capella 2 Revealed: WiSA Wireless, 24-Bit Streaming, Matching Turntable

    Triangle has officially revealed full details of its Capella 2 streaming system, and if you’ve been waiting for a truly complete wireless hi-fi setup that does not compromise on flexibility, this one deserves your attention.
    Debuting at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, the French manufacturer builds on more than four decades of loudspeaker engineering and pairs it with modern streaming capability, room calibration, and even a matching turntable for vinyl lovers.At £2,299 for the full system,
  • Frank Storm on Phones vs Presence in the Booth and His New Physical Love EP

    Frank Storm has built his name on clarity behind the decks and precision in the studio, and that mindset carries straight into his new Physical Love EP on Sound D’Elite. Landing on January 30, 2026, the four-track release marks his debut on Ilario Alicante’s imprint and reflects the groove-focused approach that has defined his sets at DC10, IPSE Berlin, and Pacha Ibiza.
    From the title track’s driving low-end to the after-hours tension of “Escabrosa,” the EP captures
  • D’Julz on Longevity, Relevance, and Protecting the Dancefloor

    There are very few artists who can speak about club culture across three distinct eras and still feel fully present inside it. D’Julz can. From his early breakthrough in the 90s to his long-standing residency at the Rex Club and the steady evolution of his own Bass Culture Records imprint, he has operated through trend cycles without being defined by them.JV by D'JulzIn this conversation, D’Julz reflects on how his understanding of DJing has shifted from technical experimentation bac
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  • Jonas Saalbach on Rediscovering His Sound and Debuting on Purified Records

    After a period of personal change that included becoming a father and relocating from Berlin to Caparica, Jonas Saalbach found himself rebuilding his relationship with music from the ground up. The result is Data Romance, his debut on Purified Records – a release that marks a clear return to instinct, focus, and emotional precision. Written during six months of near-daily studio work, the EP reflects a renewed clarity in his sound and a conscious decision to block out industry noise in fav
  • Marc Lenz on the Quiet Ways DJs Support Each Other Behind the Scenes

    Marc Lenz is stepping into 2026 with a clear statement in the form of his new two-track EP, Breath, landing on Damian Lazarus’ Rebellion imprint.
    After more than a decade of releases on Crosstown Rebels, 8bit Records, and his own Degree Records, this project places him in a new context while staying rooted in the deep, groove-led foundation he has refined over the years. Breath pairs peak-time drive with the kind of rolling, late-hour tension that has long defined his sets, and it marks a
  • DemerBox DB2 Review: Is It Worth $399 for Camp Trips and Boat Days?

    Table of ContentsHow it packed with my camp kitThe shell & the sealDry storage that helpedLoudness and tuningBluetooth range & interferenceBattery life, USB-C charging, and all thatWho is the DemerBox DB2 Really For?When approaching a speaking like the DemerBox DB2, I thought it was pretty important to focus on it’s biggest strength and the one thing that it does completely different than every other Bluetooth speaker our there and then widen the lense from there; so basically I tr
  • Audio3 Builds a System-First Approach to Modern Hi-Fi

    Modern hi-fi systems tend to split into two camps, lifestyle-first designs that look good but compromise on tuning, and traditional boxes that sound right but ignore how people actually live. Audio3 is trying to close that gap with a broader ecosystem approach, and the brand’s latest announcements at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show make that intent clear.The new lineup expands Audio3’s range across passive speakers, a fully engineered active system, and a set of precision stands designed to d
  • CALAO Reflects on Social Media, DJ Culture, and the Release of “SCANDAL”

    Belgian DJ and producer CALAO steps onto Diynamic with her new single “SCANDAL,” dropping on February 27 as part of the label’s Four To The Floor 47 EP. The record has already circulated widely across international dancefloors after being debuted by Solomun during a b2b with Anyma at Futur Festival in Turin and later featured in Tomorrowland’s The Core 2025 aftermovie. For an artist only two official releases into her career, arriving on Diynamic signals clear backing fro
  • How It Was Made: HL & Elvii – “Fighting For Freedom”

    Released back on February 6th, 2026, via Make Your Era, “Fighting For Freedom” HL and Elvii combine a vocal-led approach with direct, club-focused drum and bass production. The track sits between mainline drive and jump-up edge, pairing rolling low-end oooomf with a badass topline that anchors the whole record.
    With Elvii’s vocal written from personal frustration and creative tension, the production leaves space for the message to land while still delivering the kind of impact
  • Thinking About ADE 2026? Here’s Your Last Chance for Pre-Sale Access

    Amsterdam Dance Event is turning 30, and ADE 2026 is already positioning itself as one of the most important editions in its history. For producers, label heads, managers, and anyone building long-term equity in electronic music, this is not a casual calendar entry. It is five days where conversations turn into distribution deals, late-night sets turn into bookings, and chance meetings reshape careers.
    The ADE Pro Pass pre-sale opens February 25 at 14:00 CET, and if you plan to be there, prepara
  • A High-Energy Anthem with Heart: ‘Love Is The Piece’

    Sir Ivan drops his latest single, ‘Love Is The Piece,’ via his own label, Peaceman Music, co-writing and recording a track that complements the Peaceman persona he has come to be known by, as he delivers a release that transforms messages of love, peace, and anti-violence into a dancefloor-ready anthem.  From collaborating with Grammy Award-winning producers like Jason Evigan, Peter Rafelson, Midi Mafia, and Omar Akram, to working with top names such as Paul Oakenfold and M
  • How Worldbuilding in D&D Translates Directly to Building Better Records

    When people talk about sharpening creativity, they usually jump straight to plugins, workflows, or new hardware. I’ve found something else that quietly strengthens my creative muscles every week: Dungeons & Dragons.Dungeons & Dragons is structured imagination. You are building worlds, inventing backstories, responding in real time to unpredictable scenarios, and making collaborative decisions that shape an unfolding story. That process activates the same cognitive skills you rely o
  • Roddy Lima Explains Why Consistency Beats Intensity in DJ Culture

    Roddy Lima moves quickly, but he talks about energy like someone who understands the cost of burning it in the wrong direction. As his profile continues to rise – from a Beatport #1 on Experts Only to his upcoming Insomniac Records release “LICK IT” with Sarah de Warren – he remains focused on something far less visible than chart positions: sustainability.In this conversation, Roddy breaks down what he learned the hard way about managing momentum, why consistency matters
  • The Nova Reverie Espresso Machine Is Built for Studio Productivity

    If you spend long hours in the studio, you already know caffeine is part of the workflow. For a lot of music producers, coffee is not a lifestyle accessory, it is a focus tool. That is why the launch of the Nova Reverie espresso machine from Rowan caught my attention, because it centers on speed, consistency, and repeatable results, which are the same qualities we look for in our mixes.Rowan officially introduced the Nova Reverie at KBIS 2026 in Orlando, marking the company’s first flagshi
  • 9 Essential Gear Brands For New Producers Setting Up Their First Home Studio Setup

    Best Brands At A GlanceNovationJBLUniversal AudioIK MultimediaFocusriteKRKAdam AudioDonnerAbleton MoveChoosing the best gear brands for new producersIf you are searching for the best gear brands for new producers, I think the fastest way to narrow it down is to focus on brands that remove setup friction and deliver consistent results.
    When you are early on, you need tools that help you record, monitor, and finish work without spending hours diagnosing routing, drivers, or gain staging. The best
  • Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini Review: Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini amp modeler

    Everything At A GlanceSome background contextThe technical stuffSmall size, big soundReal-world usageFinal verdict on the Neural DSP Quad Cortex MiniAt NAMM 2026, Neural DSP unveiled the Quad Cortex mini, a condensed version of their highly praised Quad Cortex. While less than 50% of the original’s size, the mini features the same internal computing power, a new 7” touch screen, and other smaller changes.
    In this review, we’ll be taking a look at the little powerhouse and how i
  • How it’s Made: Slope114 – We’ll Find Our Way (Doc Martin Subwarp Remix) [Sublevel]

    Slope114 occupies an intriguing space in electronic music. The live duo comprise of vocalist and lyricist Elise Gargalikis and producer/DJ Dmitri SFC, with each taking stern ownership of their respective commitments as part of San Francisco’s much-loved music acts. House music veterans, vinyl aficionados, and committed to keeping the bayareasheritage of independent musicians alive.
    Whilst the pair are fabled throughout their home city and beyond for their eccentric presence, their music is
  • How to Stay Focused While Producing Music: The Ultimate 4-Hour Rule and Energy Management

    Most producers I know do their best work in contained blocks, and the block tends to last around four hours once you remove interruptions, phone checks, and half-focused listening.That pattern shows up in writing camps, deadline weeks, and normal solo weeks, and it shows up for a simple reason: sustained attention drops over time. When you push past that drop, you start spending extra minutes on decisions that used to take seconds, you second-guess edits you already proved in context, and you re
  • Kii SEVEN Firmware Upgrade Adds High-Resolution Wireless

    German manufacturer Kii Audio just made the kind of move I wish more hardware companies would commit to. Instead of launching a “Mark II” and asking owners to upgrade, the brand has rolled out major DSP and firmware enhancements to its Kii SEVEN active speakers, adding wireless 24-bit/192kHz streaming between paired units and native Qobuz Connect support.That means if you already own a pair of Kii SEVEN, your system just became more capable without requiring new hardware. If you&rsqu
  • 5 Best Portable Studio Monitors for Small Studios and Travel Rigs (2026 Guide)

    Table of ContentsThe IK Multimedia iLoud Micro MonitorsADAM Audio D3VKRK GoAux 4AiAiAi Unit-4 Wireless monitorsGenelec 8010AIf you are searching for the best portable studio monitors for music producers in 2026, you are probably trying to balance sound accuracy, portability, connectivity, and price without sacrificing mix translation. The rise of compact studio monitors has completely changed how producers build mobile rigs, dorm room setups, travel studios, and flexible home production spaces.
  • How It Was Made: Louen Poppé – Kwaak (Lumière Noire Records)

    Louen Poppé returns with ‘Parasites’, a carefully sculpted EP that explores space, tension, and movement across minimal techno, deep house, and left field club music. Following the single ‘Mum’, released on 23rd January, the full EP lands on 6th February with ‘Kwaak’ positioned as the focus cut.
    ‘Parasites’ stands as a cohesive, nonconformist release that rewards both deep listening and club play, with remixes from Awir Leon and Sapphist exp
  • Shared Living in Los Angeles: The Housing Strategy Behind Creative Growth

    If you live in a music city long enough, you learn that housing costs shape your calendar, your energy, and how long you can stay close to the people who help you grow. When rent climbs, a lot of musicians respond in predictable ways, they take on extra shifts, they cancel studio time, they skip shows, and they write less because the week turns into basic survival math.Shared homes can slow that slide. Lower fixed costs can free up time for practice, songwriting, lessons, and gigs, and living wi
  • AI Wearables Aim to Redefine Workplace Productivity

    AI productivity tools are everywhere right now, but most of them still live inside your laptop. Viaim is taking a different route with a trio of wearable workplace companions designed to capture conversations in real time and turn them into structured notes without interrupting your flow.The lineup includes RecDot, OpenNote, and NoteKit, each offering a different form factor but built around the same core functionality: real-time recording, transcription, translation, and AI-assisted note organi
  • Snow Peak’s Noasobi Philosophy and the Creative Reset

    If you spend your days inside a studio, you already know how easy it is to lose perspective. Sessions stack up, deadlines blur together, and your creative instincts start running in tight circles. That is exactly why brands like Snow Peak feel relevant right now, especially as they reintroduce the concept of noasobi heading into their 70th year.Noasobi loosely translates to “playing in the field,” but for Snow Peak it is more than a slogan. It is a design philosophy that removes fric
  • Algorhythms Music Group Partners With The Orchard

    Above image cred: Credit: Carlos GallegoDance music rarely gets positioned inside the same infrastructure conversations as major-label pop, but that’s exactly what Algorhythms Music Group just did with its strategic alliance with The Orchard that was announced via Billboard a few weeks ago.Miami-based Algorhythms Music Group, or AMG, operates as a multi-label platform built specifically for dance music IP. Instead of functioning like a traditional record label, AMG provides label services
  • Algorhythms Music Group Partners on Distribution Deal with The Orchard

    Above image cred: Credit: Carlos GallegoDance music rarely gets positioned inside the same infrastructure conversations as major-label pop, but that’s exactly what Algorhythms Music Group just did with its strategic alliance with The Orchard that was announced via Billboard a few weeks ago.Miami-based Algorhythms Music Group, or AMG, operates as a multi-label platform built specifically for dance music IP. Instead of functioning like a traditional record label, AMG provides label services
  • Making Money From Home As A Producer: 6 Ways To Scale Revenue From Your Music

    Table of ContentsStreaming And PodcastingTeaching In Your CommunityClarity And Trust As Long-Term CurrencyWhy Mixing And MasteringDigital In A Broader EcosystemHome Already Is the HubFAQs About Making Money From Home As A ProducerFor a long time, making money from home as a producer meant leaving the house. Touring, sessions, rehearsals, late nights, and long drives were treated as unavoidable costs of participation. That picture has shifted.
    Home is now a studio, a classroom, a broadcast space,
  • How It Was Made: BLND Ft. Sirolf (NL)- Style Is Rude

    Manchester duo BLND team up with Dutch vocalist Sirolf on Style Is Rude EP, a four-track release arriving via Dionysus Records. The project sits at the intersection of club-focused production and vocal-led songwriting, balancing stripped-back grooves with melodic restraint. Across the EP, the emphasis remains on pace, rhythm, and functional arrangement rather than maximalism.BLND’s production approach leans into classic house and tech-house foundations while maintaining a contemporary mixd
  • Ozzie Guven Breaks Down Hype, Timeless Records, and Trusting Instinct Behind the Decks

    There’s a difference between playing what is current and playing what lasts.
    In this conversation, Ozzie Guven breaks down how he filters hype from emotional connection, why honesty in a groove matters more than urgency, and how social media has quietly reshaped the way DJs measure relevance. At a time when charts, reposts and visibility move in real time, he speaks openly about trusting instinct over metrics and placing belief in records that hold weight long after their release cycle fad
  • SHADU Talks Mental Bandwidth, Touring Energy, and the Reality of Modern DJing

    SHADU opens 2026 with ‘Afika,’ a two-track Afro House EP landing February 4 via Vibecore Records. Catalog number VCR104EX, the release includes extended mixes of both ‘Afika’ and ‘Teke Teke,’ alongside dedicated radio edits designed for streaming and broader programming. The project centers on forward rhythm, percussive structure, and controlled intensity, reinforcing SHADU’s commitment to floor-focused production.The title track ‘Afika’ buil
  • Stacey Pullen on Longevity, Detroit Roots, and the Long Game of Techno

    Stacey Pullen has spent more than three decades refining what depth actually means inside a DJ career.
    As a central figure in the Second Wave of Detroit techno, mentored by Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson, he built his foundation inside one of electronic music’s most formative movements. From his early release as Bango on Fragile Records to launching Blackflag Recordings in 1998 with “Sweat,” his path has been steady, deliberate, and rooted in Detroit’s eth
  • Best Free Amapiano Sample Packs with MIDI Chords and Key-Labeled Loops

    If you are searching for the best free Amapiano sample packs, this guide pulls together free Amapiano sample packs that include piano loops, chord progressions, and key-labeled musical material you can drop into a session fast. I focused on free Amapiano piano samples that support Private School style chords, plus free Amapiano log drum samples and percussion that lock the groove in place.
    You will also find free Amapiano MIDI chord progressions, which make it easier to change voicings, timing,
  • How To Get Your Music On Playlists In 2026 Without Relying On Luck

    If you are focused on getting your music onto playlists in 2026, then you already understand that exposure rarely happens by accident and that strategic amplification plays a role when you are trying to generate real algorithmic lift. Boost Collective, which was kind enough to sponsor this article, operates in that space, and throughout this guide, we will talk about how to use tools like that intelligently as part of a larger system rather than as a shortcut.
    The goal here is clarity and long-t
  • The 15 Best Disco & Funk Tracks Of January 2026

    Let’s be honest, the information that bombards us every day about the bad people of the world is overwhelming, so let’s take a few minutes together and enjoy the Disco & Funk music made for us by some really good people! Disco has always been music born out of protest, and I say we continue that tradition.Check out this month’s SoundCloud playlistRead Past Disco and Funk Charts HereJessie Ware – I Could Get Used To This [Interscope Records]Jessie Ware has brilliantly
  • How It Was Made: Ben A & Chic Hooligan – “La Mezcalina”

    When I listen to La Mezcalina, what stands out isn’t just the groove, it’s the clarity of intention behind it. So when Ben A sent over his breakdown of the session, it didn’t read like a technical flex, it read like a philosophy. This record wasn’t built around what’s trending, and it wasn’t assembled in a rush. It came from revisiting the Riviera Maya influence that shaped him early on, thinking about Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and the energy of BPM Festival in
  • OBSBOT Tiny 3 Review: Can One Webcam Replace a Full Setup?

    I spend a lot of time in video meetings, and I also film a steady amount of content, so a webcam has to do two things for me. It has to look clean in normal lighting, and it has to get running fast so I can jump into calls without turning setup into a routine.Built-in laptop cameras keep falling short in the same way.Even when a laptop claims 1080p, the image often looks noisy, soft, and aggressively processed, and the problem shows up quickly when the room lighting isn’t perfect. When I p
  • Wrangler All Terrain Gear SS26: Built for Outside and the Studio

    Studio life has a way of compressing your world into four walls, glowing screens, and long stretches of focused repetition. If you’re producing, mixing, or writing for hours at a time, you already know that the reset often happens outside. That’s where Wrangler and its All Terrain Gear SS26 performance short sleeves come into the conversation, especially if you care about gear that moves easily between trail time and studio time.The All Terrain Gear Performance Shirts and Performance
  • How CAY Learned to Pace Himself in a Scene That Never Slows Down

    There’s a difference between building momentum and building something that lasts, and that difference usually shows up when you start talking about energy.Not hype or visibility but actual internal energy – the kind that determines how long you can do this without burning out.In this conversation, CAY opens up about what he had to learn the hard way, from navigating early set pressure in 2017 to understanding that reading a room matters more than sticking to a perfectly planned USB.
  • Arendal Sound Launches 1610 Series Loudspeakers

    Norwegian manufacturer Arendal Sound has officially unveiled the new 1610 Series, a four-model speaker lineup positioned below its flagship 1528 range and built in direct response to customer demand for high-end performance in more practical, real-world setups. Launching February 10, the 1610 Series focuses on flexibility, placement tolerance, and balanced performance across music and film.If you’ve followed Arendal’s trajectory over the past decade, you know they’ve built a re
  • Inside Steller’s ‘Shifting The Lens’ Tour: A Concept-First Approach To Bass Music

    Rather than rushing into 2026 with isolated singles or one-off shows, Steller has opted for a broader, more thoughtful rollout. Her ‘Shifting The Lens’ headline tour arrives as a cohesive extension of her creative philosophy, translating introspective sound design into a road-tested live experience.The tour traces a wide arc across North America, beginning with early dates in Washington, D.C. and Chicago before continuing through Indianapolis and Nashville. From there, Steller heads
  • Label Radar x Winter Music Conference: Raphael Pujol’s Demo Tips For Getting Signed In 2026

    Winter Music Conference is adding a new on-site discovery format for 2026 with the A&R Pop-Up Lounge, and it was built for one thing: getting unreleased music in front of label decision makers in person. From March 24 – 26, 2026 in Downtown Miami, WMC badge holders can meet directly with label A&R teams and hand off USB demos during short meet-and-greet sessions.
    The first wave of participating labels includes Ultra Records, Create Music Group with mau5trap, Monstercat, !K7, and Cr
  • The 15 Best Ambient Tracks of January 2026

    If this opening month is any indication, ambient is set for a strong year. The first round suggests a field in healthy motion, with artists approaching the form from multiple angles.Our first roundup of 2026 sees Craven Faults lean into transportive modular sequences, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore bringing harp and voice into a fragile cinematic frame, while Kayla Painter and Elori Saxl explore texture with near-geological patience. Debit bends slowed cumbia into spectral abstraction, OHYU
  • Nostalgix Breaks Down Her DJ Discovery Process and Why the Hunt Still Matters

    Iranian-born, Canadian-raised producer and vocalist Nostalgix is stepping into 2026 with a clear sense of purpose. Her new single “Fall Apart,” out now as of January 22 via Monstercat, serves as the next preview of her debut album Inferno, arriving March 5. The track introduces a more restrained and introspective tone ahead of the album cycle, expanding the emotional range of an artist widely known for high-impact bass-house records and commanding festival sets.In our conversation, N
  • tildatoonz Shares a Moment of Acceptance on C’est La Vie

    Brighton-based artist tildatoonz returns with C’est La Vie, a single that feels honest about where she is right now, and comfortable sitting with that reality rather than rushing past it. Released February 6, 2026 via Dealt With Records, the track leans into soulful vocals, bossa nova rhythm, and drum & bass structure in a way that feels natural rather than engineered for novelty. It sounds like someone letting the song arrive when it was ready.C’est La Vie reflects a moment of s
  • Darran Bruce on Building One of Electronic Music’s Longest-Running Livestream Platforms

    When Darran Bruce launched The DJ Sessions from his bedroom in 2009, livestreaming DJs was still an oddity. Video platforms were clunky, social media was barely out of its teens, and the idea of watching a club set online felt like a niche within a niche. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s produced more than 2,700 episodes, built a custom platform, partnered with Twitch, and developed a full ecosystem including radio, VR, mobile apps, and a growing archive that now stretches across continents

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