Blog

Tutorials, interviews, and free sounds to help you make music.

the best gifts for DJs
The best gifts for DJs in 2025
Find the ultimate DJ gifts for 2025. Explore top-rated DJ controllers, affordable DJ gifts under $50, headphones, audio interfaces, and essential gear for beginners and pros.
Felix raphael featured
How Felix Raphael uses Raum to shape emotional live sets
Felix Raphael explains how Raum fits into his live show and album DO YOU – using returns, macros, and Freeze for expressive real-time reverb control.
richie hawtin featured
Richie Hawtin on the evolution of DJing and his quest for the perfect setup
Richie Hawtin reveals the evolution of his iconic setup, his groundbreaking partnership with Traktor, and his candid advice for new artists.
Hayes Bradley feature
Hayes Bradley talks glitchy bass, Kontakt Player, and trusting your gut
Hayes Bradley breaks down how Kontakt Player shaped the production of “Total Call” and why free tools still matter in electronic music.
Cloverdale Featured
How Cloverdale uses Ozone to balance UKG swing and bass house on “Nobody”
Cloverdale explains how Ozone shaped “Nobody” with Return of the Jaded, balancing UKG and bass house while keeping cohesion across Channel 303.
tems lagos featured
Tems, Saszy, Purple Halo, and Gbots on Nigeria’s music hub
Three Lagos producers share how chaos, creativity, and Tems’ Leading Vibe Initiative empower women redefining Nigerian music.
Audiojack feature
The role of community Reaktor patches in shaping Audiojack’s release on Dirtybird
Audiojack explains how Reaktor tools and community patches shaped their new track “Rumours,” released on Dirtybird’s 20th anniversary series.
Traktor Play feature
A beginner’s guide to Traktor Play
Start DJing fast with Traktor Play. Learn to mix, stream, and create using affordable beginner DJ software with no gear or music library needed.
Marcela Rada
Marcela Rada on democratizing music production for immersive audio
Marcela Rada shares how immersive audio is changing music production, opening new creative spaces, and why community is driving the format forward.
maschine 3.4 upgrade featured
Why upgrade to Maschine 3.4? Here’s what’s new
What’s new in Maschine 3.4? Learn all about what’s been improved and added to the latest generation of beat making and music production software.
Kiki Botonaki feature
Kiki Botonaki’s favorite starting points when opening Massive
Kiki Botonaki breaks down how she shapes her signature Afro house tone inside Massive and how it drives her newest single on Non Merci Music.
Factor Eight feature
The emotional philosophy behind Factor Eight’s vocal-only production
Factor Eight breaks down his vocal-only production style, emotional mixing process, and the personal story behind “Waiting For The End.”
twocolors feature
twocolors break down the Reaktor-made micro-movements in their latest single
twocolors explain how they shaped tension and emotional flow with Reaktor in their new single “Head Above Water” with Safri Duo and Chris de Sarandy.
what is Kontakt
What is Kontakt? The definitive guide to Native Instruments’ industry-standard sampler
Discover Kontakt, the industry-leading sampler and virtual instrument host. Learn about Player vs. full, free libraries, workflows, and how to start today.
dopamine synth tricks
Dopamine hit: 5 synth tips for your next track
Learn how Dopamine by Big Wave Audio helps producers turn blank sessions into finished ideas fast with built-in MIDI tools, inspiring sounds, and rapid workflow.
REMIND feature
How RE\MIND balances percussive groove with cinematic storytelling
RE\MIND and JK use Kontakt libraries and Afro-Brazilian samples to shape the emotional and rhythmic core of their new track “Choro.”
Bedouin feature
Maschine as a creative anchor in Bedouin’s production workflow
Bedouin share how Maschine anchors their creative flow, from studio to stage, and the role it plays in shaping Heavy On My Mind.
rhythmic storytelling w Odes feature
How to bring rhythmic storytelling to your scores with Odes
Make evocative soundtracks with the new Odes Kontakt instrument. Create cinematic rhythms, tempo-synced loops, film scoring textures, and more.
Foreign Air feature
Foreign Air talk new album Such That I May Glow, and how Play Series instruments shaped its sound
Foreign Air discuss their third album, Such That I May Glow, their creative process, and how 40’s Very Own Keys and Analog Dreams shaped its sound.
Kice Guitar Rig feature
How Kice uses Guitar Rig to merge Arabic heritage with house
Kice uses Guitar Rig to merge Arabic instrumentation with house music on Al-Ain, shaping a sound that’s both authentic and club-ready.
designing for the modern DJ
Designing for the modern DJ: an interview with the Traktor MX2 team
Lead Product Manager Michael Koczynski and Senior Manager, Product Design Rami Naayem share how Native Instruments designed the new 2-channel DJ controller for the streaming era and a new generation...
7 drum patterns feature
7 drum patterns every producer should know
In this guide to basic drum patterns we’ll show you how to make the seven types of drum beats every producer should know, covering drum beat patterns for funk, rock,...
Getting started with the Traktor MX2: a step-by-step guide
Getting started with the Traktor MX2: a step-by-step guide
This beginner’s guide walks you through setup, connections, essential gear, and playing your first tracks with the Traktor MX2 DJ controller.
Blonde Maze feature
How Kontakt libraries shaped the emotional tone of Blonde Maze’s new album
Blonde Maze breaks down how Kontakt libraries shaped the emotional tone and production choices on her new album, Second Sight.