Blog

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

Erosia featured
Unleash the unexpected with Erosia: a new cinematic sound design instrument
Enhance your music with Erosia, an instrument that combines granular synthesis, experimental sound design, and a bespoke library of textured samples.
august tracks 2025
10 of our favorite tracks and free presets made with Native Instruments | August 2025
Listen to the powerful music from the Native Instruments community. Explore the best videos and free presets from August showcasing creative tracks and get inspired to share your own.
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Jim Rider on staying disciplined in a synth like Massive
Jim Rider explains how he uses Massive to create movement without clutter, and why musicality always comes before complexity in his sound design.
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Rob Tirea on making Monark feel like a live instrument
Producer Rob Tirea on using Native Instruments’ Monark synth to anchor his mixes with analog warmth, blending it seamlessly with live instruments.
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How Sporty-O uses Komplete to stretch viral energy into full tracks
Sporty-O explains how Komplete helps him turn short-form energy into full club tracks, using tools like Kontakt, Massive X, and Raum for maximum contrast and movement.
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Betical on staying minimal and intentional with Maschine
Betical explain how Maschine MK3 helps them stay collaborative and focused on groove, from early jams to finished tracks like “Back On 74 (Rework).”
Siobhan Bell
From DJ to producer: Siobhan Bell’s creative journey
Dive into the creative world of London-based DJ and producer Siobhan Bell. Learn about her journey from the East London scene to global stages, and get an inside look at...
advanced modulation and automation tips kontakt
Advanced modulation and automation tricks in Kontakt
Go beyond sampled instruments and master Kontakt’s powerful sound design capabilities with these advanced tips on modulation and automation.
Adana Twins
How Adana Twins shape warmth and movement with Guitar Rig
Adana Twins break down how they use Guitar Rig to shape fat basslines, stereo layers, and emotional textures in “Keep On Coming.”
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How to infuse modern tracks with vintage soul with Session Guitarist – Electric Ruby Deluxe
Write jazzy guitar chords and bluesy licks at the press of a button. Learn how to use Session Guitarist – Electric Ruby to infuse your tracks with vintage soul.
Free Sound Design Tools Featured
Essential sound design techniques with free instruments and tools
Get started with sound design using free instruments, libraries, and plugins. Learn to use granular synthesis, modulation, and effects chains to create unique sounds.
bob moog hero
Honoring the legacy of Bob Moog and his enduring influence on electronic music
Celebrate the synth pioneer Bob Moog in our interview with Michelle Moog-Koussa, and discover how Modular Icons brings Bob’s enduring legacy to modern music.
Native Access
How to get started with Native Access
This guide walks you through setting up Native Access, your essential hub for downloading, installing, and activating all your NI software and NKS-ready products, so you can focus on making...
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Massive X Player 101: How to use pro synth sounds in your productions for free
Discover the free Native Instruments Massive X Player synth. Get instant access to pro-level free synth sounds and easily produce tracks with this intuitive virtual instrument.
best free instruments songwriting
The best free instruments and tools for songwriting
Explore five of the best free tools and instruments for songwriting, including free virtual instruments, chord progression tools, and more.
5 free sci-fi sound libraries
The best five free Kontakt libraries for sci-fi sound design
Explore five free Kontakt libraries for horror/sci-fi scoring and production that are perfect for dark textures, ambient tension, and dystopian sound design.
ways to use compression 360
5 ways compression can give you a rich, harmonically-driven sound
Discover compression techniques to add a harmonic-rich sound to your tracks using tools from the NI 360 Essentials subscription.
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How to get a cohesive sound with mixing and mastering
Discover tips for using EQ, compression, reverb, and delay in mixing and mastering to create a mix that sounds consistent, smooth, and delivers impact.
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How to add definition to your tracks with effects
Learn how to improve track definition using simple techniques and audio effects available in the NI 360 Essentials subscription.
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How to make music: the beginner’s guide
Learning how to make music is easier than you think. This beginner’s guide covers everything from understanding music theory and writing your own songs to promoting your own music.
phonk
What is phonk music? A beginner’s guide and how to produce it
Learn what phonk music is, what defines its gritty sound, and follow this step-by-step guide on how to make phonk music from scratch.
free cinematic sound libraries
Free cinematic sound libraries for Kontakt
Write pro-sounding movie scores for free. Explore the 15 best free libraries for cinematic sound, from orchestras to epic synths and more.
creative ways to use reverb
5 creative reverb techniques to try in your productions
Discover creative reverb techniques to transform your music production. Learn about mixing with reverb, and explore Native Instruments reverbs using NI 360 Essentials.
5 ways to use Noire-feature
5 ways to use Noire for immersive soundscapes
Create deep, dreamy soundscapes with just a few notes. Learn sound design techniques for scoring and ambient music using Noire, an innovative piano plugin.