Production, Mixing & Sound
Articles on music production for film & TV, mixing techniques, plugins, and the creative process. 300 articles.
With over 4 million streams as Scott Millien and years of composing for film and TV, I write about what actually works in music production — from mixing techniques and plugin reviews to sound design, mastering workflows, and studio setup. These articles cover DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio, plus the gear and creative process behind getting a professional sound. Whether you're producing your first beat or refining your mix bus chain, you'll find honest opinions backed by hands-on experience.
300 articles
Mixing Lo-Fi Hip Hop: Gritty Sounds and Textures
How can one balance the clarity of a track while incorporating gritty sounds and textures in Lo-Fi Hip Hop? Lo-Fi Hip Hop, a micro-genre born from old school Hip Hop, has carved an essential niche in the modern music era. Defined by its use of low fidelity sounds and textures, this retro-styl
Mastering for General Listening: Balanced EQ for Speakers and Headphones
What are the key factors to consider when aiming for a balanced EQ? Whether you’re a music producer, sound engineer, or simply an enthusiastic audiophile looking to optimize your listening experience, understanding how to master for general listening is essential. At the core of a pleasing and
Best new mixing plugins, effects and VST instruments out this week
Are there any recently released VST instruments that surpass previously available options? Best New Mixing Plugins, Effects, and VST Instruments Out This Week We live in an era marked by technological advancements; this includes the world of music production. An array of innovative mixing plugins
Mixing Hard Rock: Guitars, Vocals and Live Energy
Are there any specific audio plugins or tools that work best for producing hard rock music Hard rock has been a cornerstone of music since it exploded onto the scene in the late 1960s. Characterized by heavily distorted guitars, harmonious vocals, and vivacious live performances full of energ
Mixing Orchestral Music: Balancing the Sections
How do the frequencies of different sections affect the balance when mixing orchestral music? As an audio engineer or music producer, one of the greatest feats you’ll take on is the task of mixing orchestral music. Orchestrating a symphony involves working with varying sections of instruments
Producing Classical Music: Orchestral Instruments and Arrangements
Can you provide some examples of classical music pieces that showcase unique production and orchestral arrangements? Classical music is a timeless genre that has spanned across centuries, making it one of the cornerstone genres of music. The beauty, depth, and complexity of classical music ca
Creating Catchy Melodies and Hooks
How can one balance the elements of originality and familiarity when creating catchy hooks and melodies If music is a universal language, then melodies are its words and sentences. The melody is the part of the song that catches the ear and stirs feelings within the listener. It’s the main line
Producing Glitch Hop: Digital Stutters, Skips and Slices
What are some tips for maintaining musicality and dynamics while producing the stutter, skip, and slice effects in Glitch Hop Emerging from the melting pot of electronic music genres, Glitch Hop has found its place in the hearts of musicians and listeners looking for a refreshing, unique sound. Fi
The Importance Of Being Loud: Ohma is here to change the microphone as you know it
What unique features does Ohma bring to the microphone tech and how can it elevate music production levels? Over the years, music and broadcasting industries have seen a multitude of advancements in technology. However, one tool has remained largely unchanged: the microphone. Now, a radical
Making Custom UI Sounds for Apps and Websites
How can a music producer creatively use custom UI sounds to enhance the user experience on apps and websites Creating an interactive and engaging user interface (UI) is an essential aspect of app and website development. Not only does it enhance user experience, but it also attracts mor
Compressing 808s: Fatten Up Bass Drums
Can you share some tips and tricks on how to effectively fatten up bass drums using compression? When it comes to music production, the 808 bass drum sound is a critical element that contributes significantly to the overall feel and power of a track. This characteristic, dominant, and ground-s
Producing Future Bass: Smooth Synths and Driving Beats
What essential equipment or software is needed to produce Future Bass style music? In the realm of electronic music, future bass stands as a prominent genre that masterfully blends the intensity of trap and dubstep with the melodic elements of pop music. Gaining significant attention since