Music production software

Synth VST plugins are so good these days that they convert even the most ardent hardware purists to software enthusiasts.

I’ve tested a wide selection of plugins, including some familiar classics and some recent releases, to find the best synth VSTs available in 2024.

Piano VSTs are so good these days that the idea of carrying a concert grand piano in your backpack is no longer absurd. OK, not an actual grand piano, but you can take that unmistakable sound anywhere you can fit a laptop.

I’ve been testing the best piano VST plugins available in 2024 to give you my top picks. My list will feature some of the most popular VSTs, lesser-known gems, and something for every budget (even free).

Cockos Reaper has been around for almost two decades, making it one of the well-established DAWs in music production.

Yet it always seems to be scoffed at when compared to Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, and other seemingly more professional workstations. Why’s that?

While there are some reasons you might want to stay away from it, Reaper is also a resourceful workstation that packs a punch.

If you’ve been involved in music production in any way over the last couple of decades, I’m sure you’ve come across the term “normalization” many, many times. Normalizing tracks has been a common practice among artists since the dawn of DAWs, but with the advent of streaming platforms and the subsequent loudness standardization, as well as new, less invasive ways to make tracks louder, you might wonder whether it’s still worth it normalizing your tunes before...

It can be extremely daunting to open up a fresh patch in Serum, stare at the blank slate in front of you, and try to get from the default saw wave to a head-crushing bass sound, or a gentle bell pad.

This list is to give you a few places to start your sound design process, and to set you up with some common techniques you can keep in your back pocket, which you could probably use in other synth plugins too!

A digital audio workstation is to a music producer what a studio is to a painter: the perfect environment for creativity, a blank canvas ready for your vision.

Like a painter needs colors, you need plugins, time, and a clear vision. The right DAW provides a clean workspace to start from.