Best Serum 2 Bass Presets for Techno (Producer Guide)
Which Serum 2 bass presets actually work for techno — deep subs, hard distorted bass and rolling basslines — plus the settings I use to make them sit with the kick.
Producer guides & studio notes
Sound design breakdowns, production techniques and honest studio advice from the team behind 97+ packs — written for producers who finish tracks.
Music Trends 2026: What’s Blowing Up on TikTok and Spotify
A 2026 reality check on the music trends of 2025: which TikTok and Spotify sounds stuck, and how to produce them today.
How to Make Your Track Loud Without Killing the Dynamics
Loudness and dynamics aren't enemies. Here's how I build loud masters in stages — gain staging, parallel compression, saturation and soft clipping — so the limiter barely has to work.
The Power Behind Music Sample Packs
Stock sounds are fine for learning and terrible for standing out. Here's how music sample packs and custom Serum 2 presets actually earn their place in your workflow.
Where to Start If You Want to Make Music Like Flume or Skrillex
The real starting path to Flume and Skrillex-style production in 2026: pick a DAW, learn Serum 2, steal their granular and FM growl techniques, and finish tracks on a schedule.
Black Friday Music Production Deals: The Ultimate List
Our Black Friday 2024 top 10, kept honest for 2026: every pack is still in the store, all Serum banks now run in Serum 2, plus real advice on shopping sales without wasting money.
Mastering Sound Design with Xfer Serum 2 Presets
Presets aren't cheating and they aren't magic. Here's how I load, tweak, layer and reverse-engineer Serum 2 presets, with real settings.
The Complete Guide to Hip Hop Sample Packs (Free Download Included)
What's inside hip hop sample packs, where to get good free ones, and how to chop and flip samples so they sound like yours — with concrete BPM and mixing settings.
Ultimate List of the Best Synths in 2026
My 2023 top-10 synth VST list, revisited in 2026: which synths held up, what Serum 2 changed, and what I'd actually buy today.
Musical Modes Explained: How Each Mode Shapes the Mood of a Track
The seven musical modes explained in plain producer language: what each mode sounds like, real songs that use them, and how to apply them in your DAW.
Compressing Without Compromising: Audio Compression for a Powerful Mix
A practical guide to audio compression: what each knob does, starting settings for vocals, drums, bass and 808s, and how to use sidechain, parallel and multiband compression without killing your mix.
Circle of Fifths: How One Diagram Helps You Write Beautiful Songs
The circle of fifths shows you which chords belong in your key, how to transpose and how to change key smoothly. Here's how I actually use it when writing.
The Magic of Sound: How to Use Music Theory to Create Unforgettable Compositions
The small set of music theory ideas that make tracks memorable: rhythm, harmony, melody and hooks, explained the way producers actually use them.
The Art of Mastering: How to Make Your Music Shine on Any Platform
A plain-English music mastering guide: the full chain step by step, 2026 loudness targets for every platform, and the tools that actually matter.
The Best Programs for Mixing Music on Your Laptop (DJ Edition)
An honest 2026 rundown of DJ mixing software for laptops: the free programs worth learning on, the pro tools clubs actually run, and tips for cleaner mixes.
Extravagant Music-Writing Tricks That Actually Worked
Famous rule-breaking moments in music, from Bowie to Bohemian Rhapsody, plus concrete tricks and Serum 2 experiments you can run in your own sessions tonight.
Rhythm Masterclass: The 10 Best Apps for Making Beats in 2026
An honest comparison of the ten best beat making apps in 2026, plus the exact swing, velocity and hi-hat settings I use to make grooves that actually move.
From the Idea to the Finished Song: How to Make a Song Step by Step
The full path from a rough idea to a released track: lyrics, melody, tools, recording, mixing and mastering, explained in plain practical steps.
10 Free DAWs That Will Turn Your Music Dreams Into Reality (2026 Update)
Ten free DAWs that are actually worth installing in 2026 — honest pros, cons and who each one is for, plus a full $0 production setup to go with them.
How to Start Producing Music: A No-Nonsense Beginner Guide
Everything you need to start producing music from scratch: minimal gear, just enough theory, presets and samples, and the habits that get your first track finished.