How-To Guides 4
Programming Songs for Your Mix
When DJing, it’s important to know your gear and the techniques required to mix and create seamless transitions. This knowledge is important in creating a mood or keeping a dance floor moving. Early on in my DJ career, my mentor taught me the concept of programming. Programming is the preparation of your music for the […]
Sabian Launches Updated, UNBOUND AAX Cymbals
Sabian’s AAX family of cymbals has been one of the most popular and widely available cymbal collections on the market since their launch in 1993. But those AAX cymbals back in ’93 were much different from the ones proudly listed in the zZounds Drum category today! During NAMM 2019 Sabian launched a new logo and […]
The Women Who Pioneered Electronic Music
It’s no secret that synthesizers have been on the come up in recent years. Modular synthesis is booming like never before due to its compactness and affordability, and wishlists from virtually every retailer are filled top to bottom with synths of every variety. I find it important though to look back on how we got […]
Experimental Drumming Ideas for Beginners & Intermediate Players
One thing that made learning drums harder for me at a young age was that it felt more like homework than having fun. Below, I’ll list a few approaches to drumming that helped me to spice things up a little bit (and later, applied to my life as a drummer in bands). DJ Snare Wire […]
Compressor Pedals and You
While it sounds pretty simple and is widely used by guitarists and bassists alike, compression is an effect that is easily misunderstood. Most people know or think they need it, but don’t always know why. Being primarily a utility effect — used to keep signal dynamics under control — compression isn’t really perceived as an […]
Beat Tools: Generative Music Software for PCs
As I wrote the title of this post, I suddenly realized: “There is nothing sexy about the words “generative music.” Just hearing them places you in the land of people in lab coats, looking at Matrix-like code, and listening to really unmusical, experimental music. After you know what generative music is (see: prior post covering […]
The Ultimate Pedalboard Build Guide
There comes a time in every guitarist’s life where carrying around that huge bag of pedals and cables to assemble at every gig becomes too much. Putting together a pedalboard is a great way to organize and transport your pedals while also cutting your set up time down to just a minute or two. Today […]
Andrew Marshall Talks Drumming for Billie Eilish and His Monster Live Kit
Andrew Marshall is a working drummer who has played and produced for dozens of artists and bands. Currently he’s supplying beats and live production on Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? tour. zZounds sat down with Andrew in the depths of the United Center during their stop in Chicago to […]
The Basics of Synth Sound Design
The first time I sat at a synthesizer I didn’t care about the knobs and faders, I was just excited about the sound coming from my speakers. As I became more comfortable with synths, I started picturing the specific tones in my head, and how I could use those same knobs to create them. Today […]
