Computer Music

Computer Music's goal is to help its readers create great music with a PC or Mac. Each month find easy-to-follow tutorials for all sorts of music software, unbiased reviews of the latest products and answers to technical questions. Our Zinio edition does not include the DVD but it DOES INCLUDE the full software, samples and tutorial files to download. Full details inside. Download does not include Producer Masterclass in-studio video. This digital edition is not printable.

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Mixing Night Audio: pro results with LOLs • Born out of their popular series of YouTube-based producer masterclasses, Mixing Night Audio’s quirky and innovative first releases have turned quite a few heads with both their gamified design and pro-level results. We catch up with the company’s respected founders to discuss LOLCOMP, the underpinning idea, and how their technology serves to arm their audience

15 questions with… Aaron Horn • Stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father, Aaron Horn has charted a unique journey across the music industry. From collaborating with Doja Cat on the Grammy-nominated Woman, to being part of colourful pop trio Sam and the Womp, Aaron is also a keen explorer of the effects of music in a healing context…

PERFECT PIANO PRODUCTION • When it comes to musical furniture, it doesn’t get much bigger than the piano, but how might this extraordinary instrument fit into your productions, in a DAW-inspired age? We delve deep, with our definitive guide to all things piano-shaped

Choosing your instrument • All pianos are the same, right? Wrong. There’s a ton of variety in brands and models, and knowing your pianistic onions starts with the right instrument

The electro-mechanicals • Why should acoustic pianos have all the fun? Add some electrics, and pianos take on a very different proposition… and much of it is exceptionally funky

Playing and production • Now you’ve decided on a piano type, it’s time to get some tracks down in the DAW. From chords to production tips, we’ve got all notes covered

Plugin roundup • Take your newfound piano-playing know-how to the next level with this selection of in-the-box favourites

14 piano production tips

SIGN LIBRA • Fashioning a hypnotic sonic universe, which melds expressive vocalisations with lush use of software synthesisers, Latvian artist Sign Libra makes music quite unlike much we’ve heard before. We caught up with her to find out more about her journey in expressive music-making, and how she shapes her boundless galaxy of sound…

#1 Loop like Ed Sheeran in your DAW • Fancy a little Ed Sheeran looping action? Look no further than this first episode in a new series of masterclasses exploring popular, modern production processes

#01 Phase distortion synthesis with BazilleCM • In the first of a new series exploring our CM Plugin Suite, we prove that phase distortion synthesis doesn’t have to be perplexing, using the mighty BazilleCM

#03 Create an effective buildup and breakdown • Following last month’s masterclass on the ‘drop’, we focus on how to build the tension leading to that magic moment

#16 How to EQ the mix bus • The mix bus provides the final stage to tweak your mix, and this month we look at how to EQ it effectively

Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 7 £179 • Native Instruments’ guitar rack modelling standard is updated with newly modelled amps and effects. Is it seventh heaven asks Andy Jones?

GForce Software OB-X £59.99 (ex VAT) • First they brought you Vintage Synth Trumps, now GForce add this bona fide classic to the fold – and Roland Schmidt, for one, has no OB-jections

PSP Audioware BinAmp $99 • We are taught to not judge a book by its cover… keep...