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.

welcome

news • NEW RELEASES • COMMENT • INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS

App watch • We report on the latest developments in phone and tablet music making

10 years back • Our monthly shake-of-the-head at our earlier selves’ news choices…

The Miniverse explodes!

Ins & outs

AmyElle • With an upbringing during which she enjoyed her parents’ “stupidly big” CD collection, AmyElle’s influences include everything from classical music to Detroit techno. But it’s her house tracks that have given her millions of streams and support from Radio 1, and helped launch a DJ career that’s seen her play live at Amnesia, Tomorrowland and across the States

BARGAIN BEATS • Over the next 20 pages we’re going big on drum machines: programming, sounds, the best plugins and more. And for less cash too!

Beating time • Drum machine invention started nearly 100 years ago, before heading to its heyday and the current renaissance. We track its progress

Drum pattern building • Whether you want to use drum machine hardware, software or just a set of samples, there are a few key indicators that will stand you in great stead before you start building patterns

Basic drum pattern editing • Let’s take a back to basics tour around a typical drum editor and look at some basic arrangements

Top 6 paid-for drum machine apps • Whether you want vintage or modern drum machines or sounds, there’s never been a better time to find the grooves to suit your production. Here’s our guide to the best paid for drum plugins and samples around

Top 6 free drum machine apps • Creating fine drum sounds does not have to cost the earth, or in fact anything at all. Here are six of the best free drum machines and sound sources available

Planet Rock – Roland TR-808 • One of the all-time classic TR-808 patterns, stemming back to the early hip-hop era, Soulsonic Force, with Africa Bambaataa, made the Planet Rock sound with an 808 and a drum groove borrowed from Kraftwerk

Chime – DAW 909 sampler • Back in the late 80s, the rave scene was just getting going. Orbital moved from bedroom producers to dance culture using their Roland TR-909. Most DAWs are equipped with a 909 sound set, so let’s Chime

Blinding Lights – UVI Linn • With his 80s take on contemporary pop culture, The Weeknd’s hit Blinding Lights uses a basic but highly effective LinnDrum pattern

Running Up That Hill – Logic Sampler (Linn) • One of the most iconic LinnDrum patterns emanates from the recently rebooted Kate Bush track, Running Up That Hill. We give the Linn toms a run for their money, using factory sounds from our DAW

Kick and snare sounds with ZebraCM sampler • Using sounds from drum machine or beatbox libraries is a great way to get a drum track together quickly. However, creating your own drum sounds is the next creative step and can give your music an edge

#19 Create a Stranger Things vibe • The soundtrack of hit series Stranger Things is full of fantastic synth sounds. We take inspiration and get Moogy with our ZebraCM plugin

PRO TIP

Dave Gale

#8 Using Alchemy as a sampler in Logic Pro X • In this tutorial you’ll learn how to use a famous synth… for sampling

PRO TIPS

Ashley Thorpe

KELLY LEE OWENS • Her recent album made the UK Top 30 and...