music

Production, Mixing & Sound

Articles on music production for film & TV, mixing techniques, plugins, and the creative process. 308 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.

308 articles

10 Best VST Plugins for Music Production in 2026
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10 Best VST Plugins for Music Production in 2026

My practical guide to the best VST plugins for sound design, mixing, and mastering, based on real workflow decisions.

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 02, 2023
10 min read
Music Mastering: DIY vs. AI vs. Pro
MusicProduction
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Music Mastering: DIY vs. AI vs. Pro

How has the rise of AI impacted the profession of music mastering and the quality of DIY mastering Music Mastering: DIY vs. AI vs. Pro Sculpting the final sound of a music track is an art that requires both skill and finesse. It’s the final step that determines the quality and the richness of the […

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 02, 2023
3 min read
What Is a Preamp? Do I Need One?
MusicProduction
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What Is a Preamp? Do I Need One?

What exactly is a preamp and what is its function in an audio setup? What Is a Preamp? Do I Need One? Understanding Preamps A preamplifier, or ‘preamp’ as it is popularly known, is an electronic amplifier that converts a weak electrical signal into an output signal strong enough to be noise-tolerant

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 02, 2023
2 min read
4 of the Best Guitar Headphone Amps Under $70
MusicProduction
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4 of the Best Guitar Headphone Amps Under $70

4 of the Best Guitar Headphone Amps Under $70 A guitar headphone amp is a must-have for any serious guitarist. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an entry-level piece of gear or an experienced player wanting a tool to help practice in quiet environments without disturbing anyone else, a headphone amp

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 02, 2023
3 min read
Audio Signal Levels: Mic, Instrument, Line, Speaker
MusicProduction
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Audio Signal Levels: Mic, Instrument, Line, Speaker

Learn audio signal levels the practical way: mic, instrument, line, and speaker. Clean gain staging, fewer mistakes, better mixes.

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 08, 2023
6 min read
The Difference Between Buses, Auxes, Sends, and Returns
MusicProduction
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The Difference Between Buses, Auxes, Sends, and Returns

How do returns contribute to the audio signal process and how are they different from buses, auxes, and sends in PAA? Understanding the different terminologies in the world of audio mixing is critical to achieving excellent mixing results. Among the terms that are often used in audio mixing are buse

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 02, 2023
3 min read
The 5 Best Online Music Production Courses
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The 5 Best Online Music Production Courses

Where is the best place to learn music production? Udemy is another online learning platform with thousands of courses on everything from creative hobbies to professional skills. Their music courses will teach you everything you want to know about music production, instruments, vocal techniques, mus

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 07, 2023
2 min read
4 Tips for Building a Music Production PC
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4 Tips for Building a Music Production PC

What you need to build a PC for music production? The build list for your music production PC Quad-core / 2.4Ghz clock speed processor minimum, No less than 8GB of RAM (but 16GB will be more efficient), At least 500GB of storage (SSD preferable), 1TB will be more cost-effective in the long term, A m

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 10, 2023
3 min read
5 Tools to Help You Work With Artists Remotely
MusicProduction
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5 Tools to Help You Work With Artists Remotely

Does this phone have a voice recorder? Swipe up from the bottom of the phone screen to open the app drawer. Tap on the Recorder app to open it. When you first open the Recorder app, it will ask your permission to allow the app to record audio. In the wake of advancements in technology...

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 11, 2023
2 min read
The Difference Between Open-Back and Closed-Back Headphones
MusicProduction
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The Difference Between Open-Back and Closed-Back Headphones

Are open backs better for your ears? Open-back headphones have better sound quality It is almost always the case, that users wanting the best sound quality from their headphones should be looking at open-back headphones. This rule has some exceptions, but most audiophile-grade headphones are well-ve

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 07, 2023
2 min read
8 Personality Traits of an Excellent Music Producer
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8 Personality Traits of an Excellent Music Producer

What are the personality traits a producer should have? Personality Traits of the Average Music Producer Risk-tolerant. Willing or open to taking risks, Trusting. Belief in a person’s honesty or sincerity; not suspicious, Optimistic. Hopeful and confident about the future, Deliberate. Fully consider

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 06, 2023
3 min read
The Science of Audio Saturation: How It Works
MusicProduction
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The Science of Audio Saturation: How It Works

Learn how audio saturation works, where to use it, and how it shapes tone, loudness, and mix clarity.

Uygar DuzgunU
Uygar DuzgunJul 04, 2023
9 min read