Tag: music theory

8 Tips for how to practice improvising music

“Improvising itself is essentially about breaking the rules of music, and once you know the rules and the concepts involved in music, with improvising you can then start to break...

What is Rhythm?

Rhythm is the sequence of sounds in time. In other common musical terms, it is also referred to as ritmo (Italian), rythme (French) and Rhythmus (German).

What is a semitone?

The semitone is the smallest interval between sounds.

What is the time signature?

The time signature refers to regularly recurring accents (e.g. beats and bars), organising the rhythm.

How to understand notes?

Musical pieces are made up of notes. Strictly speaking, notes are marks placed on the staff, which provide information about the pitch and duration of the sound.

What is an interval?

This is the difference between the pitch of two sounds, the distance between them.

Ear Training — What is it?

“All musicians practice ear training constantly, whether or not they are cognizant of it. If, when listening to a piece of music, a musician is envisioning how to play it...

How to read music — Pitch

The only background knowledge you need when learning how to read music is a basic understanding of the fact that some notes sound higher than others — this difference is called pitch....

How To Read Drum Music?

Before we start on the basics of reading drum music, being able to read drum notation isn’t mandatory! Plenty of great drummers can’t read drum music at all and play...

What Is Tempo?

Timing and rhythm are vital to all forms of music. Without them the sound becomes unformulated and the musicians cannot play in unison.

Tag: tempo

What Is Tempo?

Timing and rhythm are vital to all forms of music. Without them the sound becomes unformulated and the musicians cannot play in unison.

Tag: drums

Air drumming with AeroBand

In digital music, the most popular type of connection between instruments, controllers and computers today is undoubtedly MIDI over USB. However, the world is moving towards wireless solutions due to...

How To Read Drum Music?

Before we start on the basics of reading drum music, being able to read drum notation isn’t mandatory! Plenty of great drummers can’t read drum music at all and play...

Tag: notation

How to understand notes?

Musical pieces are made up of notes. Strictly speaking, notes are marks placed on the staff, which provide information about the pitch and duration of the sound.

How to read music — Pitch

The only background knowledge you need when learning how to read music is a basic understanding of the fact that some notes sound higher than others — this difference is called pitch....

How To Read Drum Music?

Before we start on the basics of reading drum music, being able to read drum notation isn’t mandatory! Plenty of great drummers can’t read drum music at all and play...

Tag: ear training

Ear Training — What is it?

“All musicians practice ear training constantly, whether or not they are cognizant of it. If, when listening to a piece of music, a musician is envisioning how to play it...

Tag: MIDI

Air drumming with AeroBand

In digital music, the most popular type of connection between instruments, controllers and computers today is undoubtedly MIDI over USB. However, the world is moving towards wireless solutions due to...

How to map an effect and assign a controller in Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X offers powerful, almost unlimited possibilities in music production. It is certainly one of the most versatile and advanced DAWs available on the market. This has its pros and cons....

MIDI System Real-time Messages

We have already written a lot of posts on MIDI messages. We described how Channel Voice Messages work: Control Change, Program Change, Pitch Bend and Aftertouch. There was also a post about Channel Mode Messages....

New MIDI foot controllers

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! We have released two standalone MIDI foot controllers: an expression pedal and a footswitch.

How to control your Amp Sim with a foot controller - intro

In the era of DAWs and VST plugins, many guitarists are increasingly using amp simulators (amp sims for short). The name may mistakenly suggest that they are only used to...

MIDI Connections

In this article, we will talk about the physical connections of MIDI devices — wired and wireless.

MIDI Channels and Channel Modes

In this article, we will talk about MIDI Channels (finally) and Channel Mode Messages (as opposed to Channel Voice Messages, which we have written about earlier).

How do you use Pitch Bend and Aftertouch?

In previous articles, we discussed most types of Channel Voice Messages. We described Note-On / Note-Off, Control Change and Program Change in detail. Today’s post will be devoted to last...

What is Program Change?

We devoted the previous article to the Control Change MIDI message.

What does CC stand for in MIDI?

This is another article about MIDI, this time about control.

What does MIDI stand for?

What does MIDI stand for?

Introduction to MIDI

“What MIDI did is it allowed the first home studios to be born” - Dave Smith

Tag: Control Change

What does CC stand for in MIDI?

This is another article about MIDI, this time about control.

Tag: CC

What does CC stand for in MIDI?

This is another article about MIDI, this time about control.

Tag: Program Change

What is Program Change?

We devoted the previous article to the Control Change MIDI message.

Tag: Bank Select

What is Program Change?

We devoted the previous article to the Control Change MIDI message.

Tag: Pitch Bend

How do you use Pitch Bend and Aftertouch?

In previous articles, we discussed most types of Channel Voice Messages. We described Note-On / Note-Off, Control Change and Program Change in detail. Today’s post will be devoted to last...

Tag: Aftertouch

How do you use Pitch Bend and Aftertouch?

In previous articles, we discussed most types of Channel Voice Messages. We described Note-On / Note-Off, Control Change and Program Change in detail. Today’s post will be devoted to last...

Tag: MainStage

How to control MainStage 3 with a foot controller

After a brief introduction on controlling Amp Sims using foot controllers, let’s move on to the details. In this blog post, I will describe how to control Apple MainStage 3.

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 3

This is the third and final part of the series about creating loops in MainStage 3 using the Loopback plugin. I will show you how to configure its parameters to be...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 2

This is the second part of the article about creating and controlling loops during live performances based on the example of Loopback from MainStage 3. If you want to know how...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 1

Nowadays, when virtual instruments sound at least as good as, and often better, than real instruments, anyone can create any track using MIDI at home, without spending money on an...

Tag: looping

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 3

This is the third and final part of the series about creating loops in MainStage 3 using the Loopback plugin. I will show you how to configure its parameters to be...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 2

This is the second part of the article about creating and controlling loops during live performances based on the example of Loopback from MainStage 3. If you want to know how...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 1

Nowadays, when virtual instruments sound at least as good as, and often better, than real instruments, anyone can create any track using MIDI at home, without spending money on an...

Tag: live

How to Improve the Quality of Your Live Sets

Music is one of the most popular forms of art. The Verge’s article on music streaming platforms details that millions of people from all over the world continue to stream...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 3

This is the third and final part of the series about creating loops in MainStage 3 using the Loopback plugin. I will show you how to configure its parameters to be...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 2

This is the second part of the article about creating and controlling loops during live performances based on the example of Loopback from MainStage 3. If you want to know how...

Live looping with MainStage 3 - part 1

Nowadays, when virtual instruments sound at least as good as, and often better, than real instruments, anyone can create any track using MIDI at home, without spending money on an...

Tag: time signature

What is the time signature?

The time signature refers to regularly recurring accents (e.g. beats and bars), organising the rhythm.

Tag: midi keyboard

Which MIDI keyboard is best for a home recording studio?

Thanks to new technologies, today’s music producers need just four things to create music. A computer/laptop, a DAW program, decent headphones, and a MIDI keyboard. Today we will focus on...

Tag: midi controller

How to get started as a DJ

For years, a DJ’s basic equipment was a mixer, two turntables or CD players, and a pair of headphones. Today, all this heavy equipment can be replaced by software and...

Which MIDI keyboard is best for a home recording studio?

Thanks to new technologies, today’s music producers need just four things to create music. A computer/laptop, a DAW program, decent headphones, and a MIDI keyboard. Today we will focus on...

Tag: DIN

MIDI Connections

In this article, we will talk about the physical connections of MIDI devices — wired and wireless.

Tag: USB

MIDI Connections

In this article, we will talk about the physical connections of MIDI devices — wired and wireless.

Tag: Bluetooth

Air drumming with AeroBand

In digital music, the most popular type of connection between instruments, controllers and computers today is undoubtedly MIDI over USB. However, the world is moving towards wireless solutions due to...

MIDI Connections

In this article, we will talk about the physical connections of MIDI devices — wired and wireless.

Tag: Wi-Fi

MIDI Connections

In this article, we will talk about the physical connections of MIDI devices — wired and wireless.

Tag: DAW

What is the Best DAW Music Production Software?

One of the first steps when starting your adventure with digital music production is selecting a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This choice is important because you will be investing your...

Tag: home recording

What is the Best DAW Music Production Software?

One of the first steps when starting your adventure with digital music production is selecting a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This choice is important because you will be investing your...

Tag: Amp Simulator

How to control Overloud TH-U with a foot controller

Just like in the previous tutorial on MainStage 3, I’ll show you how to use the minimum amount of equipment (only one footswitch and one pedal) to set and control...

How to control MainStage 3 with a foot controller

After a brief introduction on controlling Amp Sims using foot controllers, let’s move on to the details. In this blog post, I will describe how to control Apple MainStage 3.

How to control your Amp Sim with a foot controller - intro

In the era of DAWs and VST plugins, many guitarists are increasingly using amp simulators (amp sims for short). The name may mistakenly suggest that they are only used to...

Tag: Foot Controller

How to map an effect and assign a controller in Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X offers powerful, almost unlimited possibilities in music production. It is certainly one of the most versatile and advanced DAWs available on the market. This has its pros and cons....

Footswitch button types

Perhaps you have come across a vague and non-intuitive specification of footswitch buttons. The range of different buttons can be quite confusing: latching / non-latching, toggle / momentary. In this short...

New MIDI foot controllers

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! We have released two standalone MIDI foot controllers: an expression pedal and a footswitch.

How to control Overloud TH-U with a foot controller

Just like in the previous tutorial on MainStage 3, I’ll show you how to use the minimum amount of equipment (only one footswitch and one pedal) to set and control...

How to control MainStage 3 with a foot controller

After a brief introduction on controlling Amp Sims using foot controllers, let’s move on to the details. In this blog post, I will describe how to control Apple MainStage 3.

How to control your Amp Sim with a foot controller - intro

In the era of DAWs and VST plugins, many guitarists are increasingly using amp simulators (amp sims for short). The name may mistakenly suggest that they are only used to...

Tag: DJ

How to Improve the Quality of Your Live Sets

Music is one of the most popular forms of art. The Verge’s article on music streaming platforms details that millions of people from all over the world continue to stream...

How to get started as a DJ

For years, a DJ’s basic equipment was a mixer, two turntables or CD players, and a pair of headphones. Today, all this heavy equipment can be replaced by software and...

Tag: Overloud

How to control Overloud TH-U with a foot controller

Just like in the previous tutorial on MainStage 3, I’ll show you how to use the minimum amount of equipment (only one footswitch and one pedal) to set and control...

Tag: piano

What do the three pedals on the piano?

Each acoustic keyboard instrument is equipped with two or three pedals, located at the bottom of the front of the instrument, within reach of the user’s legs. Why do pianos...

Tag: pedals

What do the three pedals on the piano?

Each acoustic keyboard instrument is equipped with two or three pedals, located at the bottom of the front of the instrument, within reach of the user’s legs. Why do pianos...

Tag: Expression Pedal

New MIDI foot controllers

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! We have released two standalone MIDI foot controllers: an expression pedal and a footswitch.

Tag: Footswitch

Footswitch button types

Perhaps you have come across a vague and non-intuitive specification of footswitch buttons. The range of different buttons can be quite confusing: latching / non-latching, toggle / momentary. In this short...

New MIDI foot controllers

The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! We have released two standalone MIDI foot controllers: an expression pedal and a footswitch.

Tag: Realtime

MIDI System Real-time Messages

We have already written a lot of posts on MIDI messages. We described how Channel Voice Messages work: Control Change, Program Change, Pitch Bend and Aftertouch. There was also a post about Channel Mode Messages....

Tag: Clock

MIDI System Real-time Messages

We have already written a lot of posts on MIDI messages. We described how Channel Voice Messages work: Control Change, Program Change, Pitch Bend and Aftertouch. There was also a post about Channel Mode Messages....

Tag: Sync

MIDI System Real-time Messages

We have already written a lot of posts on MIDI messages. We described how Channel Voice Messages work: Control Change, Program Change, Pitch Bend and Aftertouch. There was also a post about Channel Mode Messages....

Tag: rhythm

What is Rhythm?

Rhythm is the sequence of sounds in time. In other common musical terms, it is also referred to as ritmo (Italian), rythme (French) and Rhythmus (German).

Tag: improvisation

8 Tips for how to practice improvising music

“Improvising itself is essentially about breaking the rules of music, and once you know the rules and the concepts involved in music, with improvising you can then start to break...

Tag: Logic Pro

How to map an effect and assign a controller in Logic Pro X

Logic Pro X offers powerful, almost unlimited possibilities in music production. It is certainly one of the most versatile and advanced DAWs available on the market. This has its pros and cons....